They walk among us!
Going about our daily lives do we ever stop to think about the people we encounter and the stories which form their lives? The answer is most likely not. I’ve encountered many women at work, on the supermarket lines, at the hair store or a social function that prove “they” walk among us.
Their stories are captivating, inspiring and jaw-dropping. Some defy societal norms and overcome the inequality the female gender is subjected to. They are SUPERHEROES and we know them or just might be one of them. They don’t walk around in “SuperGirl” or “Wonder Woman” gear (unless it’s a costume party), but it’s not a myth, they exist.
A superhero as defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary is as a fictional character having extraordinary or superhuman powers. Fictional they say, but according to science, women have superpowers that men don’t possess which include; we can distinguish different shades of color, we have stronger immune systems and we are more intuitive and empathic – major super powers! Let’s not forget wearing stilettoes the whole day!
International Women’s day is about celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women globally. It is that day when we as women openly and communally celebrate each other and the feats that we have overcome as a gender. The theme for 2020 is “An equal world is an enabled world”. We are still looking for equality between our genders in 2020 at home, in the workplace, in the community and economy. Women have always ended up with the short end of the stick simply due to being perceived as the “weaker” sex. Atomically built smaller, women have for generations proven over and over again that size doesn’t matter. These superheroes challenge the ingrained societal perceptions with grit and grace but still don’t get the recognition and respect they deserve.
The single mother who through no direct fault of hers was left in the middle of the night with crying babies by a male who couldn’t handle responsibility and commitment rises above the situation to nurture hardworking and ambitious children.
The grandmother who is no longer able to work but has to raise the children of her son/daughter who don’t fulfil his/her obligation as a parent, puts the children first and ensures they are taken care of.
The young girl who witnesses and is abused at home but finds a way to escape and make a better life for herself and those she could help.
The young professional who slaves away at the office and becomes the “backbone” of the organization only to be overlooked for promotions and salary increases because she is a woman.
The unemployed young lady going from interview to interview with more experience and educational credentials than the men who get hired for the jobs.
The outspoken and opinionated woman in your college class who gets called names for challenging the status quo even when we all know it needs to change.
The woman who is battling depression but still manages to perform at work, raise her kids, tend to a home and be her family’s backbone.
These examples are just a few situations women face in our different cultures but are resilient and endearing enough to push through and overcome. Despite it all, there is a silver lining because women develop broad backs and thick skin due to the hard roads we trek in life. This makes us resilient and strong.
So on this International Women’s Day recognize a fellow superhero by acknowledging and encouraging her to keep her head up and reach for the stars. We all are superheroes no matter the obstacle we have to overcome, never give up because there just might be a little girl looking up to you waiting to be amazed by your superpowers.
Thalia Charles-Edward hails from the beautiful island of St. Lucia and is very much an island girl. She enjoys the beach, forest/bush adventures, sunsets, liming and traveling. Thalia loves the color pink, spending time with her family, helping educate and empower youth in her community, writing and exploring. A project manager and consultant by profession Thalia has worked in the finance industry for over 10 years and is looking forward to starting her first entrepreneurial project this year.
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