As a girl who grew up in a TV-less home, I was clueless about heroines such as Wonder Woman or Bat Girl. But I did cross paths with the likes of Esther and Deborah in the Bible, and Florence Nightingale and Rosa Parks in my history books.
As a teenager, my eyes opened wide enough to see and appreciate the incredible women in my own life, especially my hard-working mom, who held two (or more) jobs at a time to support our family while also homeschooling me and my sister.
Now as a thirty-something-year-old mom, I notice more than ever all the dedicated women that work tirelessly behind the scenes to make their homes—and as a result, the world—a better place.
While we may not be marching in Washington, we give the marching orders at home.
While we may not be fighting for justice by joining a protest, we’re comforting those to whom injustices have been done and joining forces in the fight to ensure that our children walk justly wherever they are.
While we may not make enough money to support all the conservation groups we believe in or buy only the highest quality, ethically produced, all-natural, Kosher foods for our family, we tend our gardens and don’t flinch at throwing on a hunting pack.
While we may not be yelling “Me too!” with the masses, we’re teaching our daughters how to stick up for themselves.
While we may not be great at public speaking, we’re speaking life and truth to those who listen—through our stories, our children, our God-given gifts—and our voices are being heard.
So if you’re celebrating International Women’s Day, don’t forget to include those whose sacrifices are not always seen and whose voices are just a whisper.
While I think that all strong women are worthy of celebrating each and every day, today I’m taking a moment to tip my hat a little lower to them and the women—and men—who helped raise them that way.
Photo credit: Johanna B Photography