International Women’s Day 2019

It is Friday but I am not working. Why? Because in Uganda, International Women’s Day is a public holiday. Now that’s a way to help get men behind the Day 🙂

So this impromptu post is to celebrate many strong, vibrant and inspiring women that touch my life in different ways.

I also want to share my appreciation for the growing sisterhood that I have experienced over the last five to ten years. It was approximately that long ago that a young woman spoke to me as I walked in a daze to the downtown Edmonton parkade after work. I was zoning out, probably frustrated from a day at work. Suddenly I heard – “That is a lovely dress. You look beautiful!” I jolted to attention, looked at this glorious creature and said “Thank you!” My entire mood and day were instantly elevated. I felt like a million bucks. Visible, beautiful and somehow like I mattered. From one little statement.

Since then I have paid the compliment forward countless times. Even earlier today as I returned home, telling a young woman that her dress was beautiful. My mantra since that day – If I notice something positive about a person, tell them! It has happened much more with women than ment but I have included men too!

Of course this sisterhood goes well beyond compliments. I am finding women overall are more supportive of each other. Be it career, body image, motherhood – or the choice not to become a mother, all of it. We are coming out of the need to compete and put each other down; truly embracing that lifting up one another as individuals lifts us all up as a whole.

I want to call out some specific women now. A couple are pillars to me, and one or two more that have touched me recently to a greater impact than they intended or know.

First, my daughter. 26, a teacher and all around incredible human being. In the context of International Women’s Day, she is the reason I am now an intersectional feminist. It is easy as a western white woman of privilege to fancy myself a feminist, but if I don’t recognise that so many women around the globe face discrimination and difficulties that go beyond my experience then I fall short. If we are not all free, none of us are, right?!

So thank you Siobhan! Keep being you, the smart, sassy, anxiety-ridden teacher extraordinaire! @siostewart_ on Instagram

Next, my work daughter Courtney! I cannot imagine how the past 10 years would have gone by without you in them. I think our mutual admiration and inspiration society has served us both very well. And we have expanded our sisterhood because of knowing each other. Would your mum and I have become friends without you? Maybe but probably we would have just been work acquaintances. And now I can count Rachelle and Danielle as part of my tribe too! In addition to being an accomplished professional well before 30, Courtney is also on the way to being a significant influencer through her blog The Courtney Collection Blog

Always an inspiration and my rock no matter what stupid decision I make or situation I get myself into – my mother – Sue Harper! Probably the smartest woman I know, and I know some smart cookies. She is there for me and every singe other person that ever comes to her for help and advice. And she will tell me when I am an idiot – sometimes not right in the moment because I am too fragile – but later when I am ready to hear it. She has inspired me since I was a girl. Performing musically, sharing her voice with the world. I still know the word to most of the songs for Oliver from when she was practicing to be Nancy. She went on strike with only 5 other women, mid winter in Northern Manitoba. She wasn’t part of a union but they felt strongly that they were not being treated well. Years later when I was a summer student employee at the company I commented about the feminine protection that was in the washrooms free of charge and Mum informed me that was one of the perks they won from that strike! YOU GO GIRL!! Anyway, my Mum is an entire line of posts so I will stop here. *photo circa the time of the strike

My dearest friend Kim. Since 1995 her grace, poise and indomitable spirit have lit up my world and strengthened me. She has rarely had an easy go of it but she makes the most of her situation every time. And she is ALWAYS available when I need her, even now that we are separated by half the globe and 11 hours. I am tearing up just thinking of what she means to me. I love you!!! Here she is with the next 2 generations of fabulous women she is inspiring, supporting and mentoring.

Less than five months ago I met Fran in Harare, Zimbabwe. We were instant friends. She saved my weekend and came to Chinhoyi with me and we had the-best-time-ever! Our hotel room ran out of water (actually the entire hotel did), there was one restaurant, and it rained when we visited the caves. But we both saw the sunniest side of whatever came our way and we shared our souls. She is my sister-from-another-mister and I know we are friends forever! Follow her on Twitter @FpatsikaMagumbo you won’t be sorry!

Another incredible woman from Zimbabwe started out as my Airbnb host but is now a great friend. I don’t really know what to tell you about Debbie. She is a former pharmacist and then moved on to international banking and investing – what???!!! Yes! She is an author – A Modern African Nomad, property manager, political phenom and an outright celebrity in Harare. And now she has launched an online store – Debbie Nyasha

One final shout-out, and I know she isn’t expecting it. We all have our hours/days/weeks where we are a bit off, down, a little out of sorts. And that was me for much of this week. For no reason, just how things go. Well last night in my instagram messages, a travel blogger that has lit up my feed since December sent me a DM “Love your website, I’m studying for my aca and your website has thoroughly helped motivate me! Love the idea of travelling and still getting paid” Well, @tanakatravels, you made my day! And you actually helped pull me from my funk!

Never doubt that you can touch somebody in a positive and meaningful way just by sharing a thought or feeling!

So to wrap up a super long post – HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!