International Women’s Day
Honoring the Past, Empowering the Future
3/8/2023
This is my grandmother at 94, a year before she passed away. She was born in China at a time when foot binding—a painful and oppressive practice—was still enforced. Foot binding wasn’t just about altering appearance; it was a tool of control, a symbol of obedience that limited women’s mobility and, ultimately, their power.
But my grandmother refused to conform. She loved telling us the story of how she secretly rebelled—unbinding her feet the moment the village administrator left her house. In a world that expected her silence and submission, she chose defiance. She fought, in her own way, for the right to exist on her own terms.
Nearly a century later, women around the world are still fighting. The battles may look different—breaking the glass ceiling, reclaiming reproductive rights, challenging societal beauty standards—but the essence remains the same: the right to choose our path.
How We Can Continue the Work
The fight for gender equality isn’t just about laws and policies; it starts within us, in the way we show up for ourselves and each other. Here are some ways we can carry the torch forward:
Invest in Your Own Growth – Educate yourself, pursue your passions, and build the confidence to take up space in any room you walk into. Your success is a statement of defiance against those who doubt you.
Support Other Women – There’s enough room for all of us to thrive. Celebrate other women’s achievements, mentor those who come after you, and uplift rather than compete. True empowerment comes from collective success.
Challenge Internalized Biases – Society has conditioned us to judge women (including ourselves) harshly. Let’s unlearn harmful beliefs about how women should look, act, or live and embrace diversity in womanhood.
Speak Up & Set Boundaries – Whether in the workplace, relationships, or daily interactions, don’t be afraid to assert your worth. Owning your voice is one of the most powerful forms of resistance.
Take Action, No Matter How Small – Advocate for equality, donate to women’s organizations, amplify marginalized voices, or simply remind the women in your life of their worth. Change happens in both big and small ways.
On this International Women’s Day, let’s honor the women who came before us by continuing their work. Let’s uplift one another with kindness, encouragement, and solidarity. The fight for equality is not over, but together, we are unstoppable.