From wife/spouse to mother to employee to entrepreneur to hair styler to counselor to doctor/nurse to cook to house cleaner to teacher to preacher to you name it —women wear many hats, fill many shoes, and portray many roles. And we do them well, as if one role is the only one for which we’re responsible. Women, how often are you complimented or celebrated for the awesome things you do? How often do you compliment or celebrate other women?
March is nationally known as Women’s History Month. According to its own website, Women’s History Month is set aside to “celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields.” Women’s History Month began as Women’s History Week on March 7, 1982, but eventually became a full month in 1987.
When we think of women who have made an impact on the United States in different facets of life, I am certain the following names come to mind: Fannie Lou Hamer, Oprah Winfrey, Amelia Earhart, Billie Holiday, Susan B. Anthony, Ida B. Wells, Clara Barton, Grace Hopper, Althea Gibson, Wilma Rudolph, Joni Mitchell, Mary Weiss Hester, Katherine Johnson, Rosa Parks, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Mamie Till, Sacagawea, Kamala Harris, Sandra Day O’Connor, and Ketanji Brown Jackson among thousands more.
Who comes to mind when we think of women in Mississippi, right here in Sunflower County, who are doing some amazing things and making an impact with the gifts/talents God has blessed them with? Our small county is filled with women who are making a positive difference in the lives of others (young and old alike): judges, business owners, custodians, nurse practitioners, educators, mayors, school resource officers, social workers, alderwomen, nurses, school principals, preachers and evangelists, counselors, etc. No matter how big or small you may think a role is, the willingness to make a difference in the life of someone else will reap the same benefit — a joyful heart, a smile of satisfaction, and a purpose-filled life.
Not only during this month, but every day moving forward, let’s celebrate each other. Let’s cheer each other on as we maneuver through the ups and downs of life while still striving to be our very best self for others. On today, I celebrate YOU. I salute YOU. Keep being the amazing, beautiful, bold, compassionate, diligent, unique, and selfless woman that YOU are.
