I join the world to celebrate the women – the scientists, the poets, the artists, and the patriots – who names light up the skies. Whose impressive contributions to our world are recognized.

Angelou,

Curie,

Elizabeth,

Earhart,

Bernhardt

Rudolph

Malala and more,

So many more.

So many more.

So many more.

I celebrate the women whose shoulders bear the world’s draped weight. Who undertake the everyday, the quiet and mundane. I celebrate the women who live in crowded cities, who dwell in tiny towns, who reside on quiet mountaintops. Who freely spend their gifts on addressing the today. Who leave their everlasting mark to benefit tomorrow.

The women, yes, you know who I mean,

The women in our lives whose days are so demanding they rarely have the time

to stop,

to enjoy,

the beauty of the sunrise.

The women who can’t spend Saturday just hanging out with a

frozen

raspberry

mocha

latte.

You know the ones I mean,

They’re the women in our lives

Whose exhausting days deplete their ambition, but who reach down into that ‘can do’ reservoir and keep going. Who waste precious little time to stop to recognize

Their Consequence.

Their Value.

Their Power.

Their Magic.

Their Beauty.

I celebrate the women who work in challenging positions dawn to dusk, then go to rehearsals in the evenings, and on the weekends, too. Who create a compelling story on a bare stage under the watch of a thousand eyes. Who do it so the world is

hearing the words

understanding the author’s truth,

reaching personal illumination.

Who write stories and poetry and lift up others with their own published words. Who sing out their contemporary’s grand endeavors and brilliant accomplishments in widely shared broadcasts. Who make time to give their talents to enriching children’s theatrical experiences and their dollars to support their community. Who support friends and family – stopping by, checking in, running errands.

I celebrate the women who get up every morning and get children off to school. Who maintain a home and still head out to work themselves. Who prep meals and lunches on weekends, who grocery shop, shuttle kids to athletic practices or choir, take care of aging parents, tend gardens, care for pets. Who still find the time and energy to pursue advanced degrees,

conducting research

resulting in scientific breakthroughs

improving countless lives worldwide.

I celebrate the women who spend their days inspiring children to dream and strive and do amazing things. Who find ways to support all children, all children, including those who look the same or different, who have much or have little, who are bullied or praised, who live in a home or on the street. Women who spend their weekends preparing lessons to engage all the young minds in their classrooms. Who create archeological “digs” and townships in their spare time to

create

real world

experiences for children.

Who find the time to care for other family members, gardens and homes, too.

I celebrate the women who believe in respect for all living things, who rescue and bring animals into their homes. Who gently coax and nurture trust. Who work all day to earn the wages to support the

unloved

undernourished

unlovely

unwanted.

Whose homes are filled with barking and meowing and playing and joy. Who bring sunshine to dark and sordid corners of the world. Who organize to encourage others to contribute.

I celebrate those women who do it all as if it all comes naturally and it’s just the thing to do. Who do not even stop to consider that

THE WORLD WOULD

GRIND TO A STOP

WITHOUT THEM.