Strong as Hell Female

Hello March, you certainly came in like a lion, strong as hell and non-relenting.

I spent much of this past Saturday reading and watching the snow slowly build up on my balcony railing.

It was a really good day. ☺

You know what is also a really good day? International Women’s Day.

International Women’s Day is March 8. Tomorrow!

It may not seem a big deal or a deal at all that there is such a thing as International Women’s Day. But it is both a deal and a big deal.

The United Nations’ international campaign theme this year is #PressforAction – “a strong call to motivate and unite friends, colleagues and whole communities to think, act and be gender inclusive.”

This hashtag / campaign is an extension of the #TimesUp and #Metoo movements kicked off last fall and carrying forward to this day.

Here in Canada the theme is #MyFeminism. I have some issues with this one, but for the sake of sanity I’ll be brief:

Feminism is a privileged position coopted by the few and never afforded the many.

Suffice to say, I won’t be using that hashtag any time soon. And I have an undergraduate degree in women’s studies!

Remembering to move forward

The #PressforAction one though, I’ll give it some play. Why? Because it’s inclusionary for all women, regardless of philosophical beliefs, religious tenets, socio-economic landscapes, etc etc.

International Women’s Day is about celebrating and supporting and believing in all women, not just those who fall under a specified political or social or biological stance.

Women can be for sex equality and reject being called a feminist. Some people get this; most seem not to.

My approach to this day is to remember all the women who fought intellectually, socially, and physically to create the environment within which such a day is not only recognized but sanctioned by the United Nations and its 193 member states and 2 observer states.

Do you know how many countries there are in the world right now?

195. 193 + 2 = 195.

All countries recognize this day! Whether they pursue campaigns in celebration or not, I don’t know. But recognition is always the hardest climb to achieve and we are there.

We are beyond there. Yes, there is more to go but let’s just take a moment or a day to celebrate how strong women have had to be to get to this moment, and how strong we are right now, and how strong we will be going moving forward.

Strong as hell.

#PressforAction