I must openly confess that I have never taken the time to recognize March as Women’s History month. Even as I wrote the first line, I felt a bit embarrassed. It’s a good thing that life gives opportunities that sometimes force us to see the relevance and impact someone or something has made in the world.
We know these inspiring women by name, have seen their photos in magazines and from our history classes we read the stories of women’s rights, liberation, suffrage and equality. Eleanor Roosevelt, Sojourner Truth, Amelia Earhart and Michelle Obama, along with so many more women who answered the call and completed the their assignments.
Reading about some of the amazing things women have done around the world made me pause to take a closer look into my history. Who am I? What are some of my beliefs? How am I able to navigate this life? As I began to quiz myself, I was drawn immediately to my “inner circle”. Walk with me as I introduce you to a few women whose names may never show up on the front page of your newspaper. They have impacted me so much that I don’t have a choice but to share my life lessons with all women.
My grandmothers were both born sometime between 1909 -1918 and some 90 years later, the impact of their wisdom is impressed upon the way I live my life, treat people, care for my family, budget my money and pray to my Father. How do you make a $1.00 out of 50 cents? Well, clearly these women had one of the first copies of Financial Today. They both had more than seven children! Shoots! One had seventeen and none went hungry. They grew up grateful, received both public and private educations and still had enough to share with their neighbor. I realized that they were trying to teach me that it wasn’t about how much money I made, but how much I saved, planned and was satisfied with what was bestowed upon me. They grew their own food, opened small businesses, volunteered, exercised regularly, got up before the sun, cooked with love, reminded us that “A borrower is a slave to the lender” and that “Books still came before boys”.
R.I.P. Emily Mackey, and may the Lord continue to bless you, Thelma Thompson.
Try to remember at least one wise saying or act that your grandma imparted to you and pass it on to the present generation. The cost of WISDOM is priceless.
Wrapped up in our very being are those women who decided that motherhood would bring forth a gift that just couldn’t be purchased off the shelf. Whether we were carried in their tummies, adopted or simply raised by these lionesses, the footprints of their life experiences is seen as we flip the pages of our lives. Who would have thought that someone would actually say, “you remind me of your mother”, not just in appearance but in your work ethics, independent nature, strong will and charitable heart? We are truly our mother’s daughters, hence why it is said that history tends to repeat itself. In some cases we have learned to make better choices than some of our mothers did, but when you look at the bigger picture, it’s because they worked two jobs, never did a girls night out or had a spa appointment. They sacrificed it all to ensure that we had more opportunities awarded to us.
Catherine Mackey, I thank you for your sacrifice.
If you were raised under the strength and resilience of any woman you call mother, share the tools and techniques of survival that you received with every woman who is connected to you so that we can break the cycle of jealousy and mistrust that seek to devour us. We ought to support and hold each other up.
To inspire the next generation, you have to be able to understand “Retro-futurism”. Even though it is a term used in the creative arts, it seeks to blend old-fashioned styles with futuristic technology. This describes Felice, Penelope, Melissa, Lola, Cookie and Bella, women I know who have held on to grandma’s old teachings, recognized their value in the work place, received higher levels of education, sacrifice it all for their children and have an influential presences among their peers. The only difference is they are doing it in stilettos, enjoying regular spa days and have traveled to countries their mothers will never see.
There are so many more women in history who have been an inspiration to us all. We salute you all for your courage, loyalty to the cause and determination to stand. As we bring Women’s History month to a close, let’s remember that this is our time of year to celebrate and recognize the women of our past and present as we continue to prepare the future generation of women in the world.
Andrea Anderson says
Athena, great reminder and inspirational shout out to the unsung women in our lives and our past. And here’s to being our mother’s daughters and more!!!
Athena Russell says
Andrea, Thanks for reading and sharing. We must remember to say Thank you.
Saeed Morley says
Great read. If more young ladies would embrace this message, there may be more hope for our females. Good job Athena!
Day-nae Bowe says
LOVE button!!
A great end to such a powerful month. Reflecting on the sacrifices of your female inspirations and all the sacrifices and trials they overcame to pave the way, really hit home for me. The plights and stresses we as females face today may not make sense to us now, but our generations will definitely benefit from these lessons later. That within itself adds joy to any woe that may come my way!
Athena Russell says
I know your right Day.
It mayor make sense now, but Lord knows they have impacted us so much!
Bernadette Heastie says
This is truly an inspirational piece. Having lost my own mother less than a year ago, this writing has made me stop to recognize that so many things I do and say are because of my mother’s influence.
We as women need not forget where we came from and remember who gave us the colors that make up our rainbow.
I am proud to say “I am my mother’s child”.
Ernestine Heastie March 21 1943 – May 20 2014
Love you Muma!
Chantelle McIntosh says
What a great read! Thanks for reminding everyone of inspiring women and how we, too, can be an inspiration to others
Athena Russell says
Thanks for being apart of this journey
Sidona Pierre says
Athena, as I read I was forced to conduct my own introspection of the impact that my inner circle had/has on me. And it’s amazing how insightful they were and the things that they said (that made absolutely no sense to me then) are of such relevance now….thanks for the awesome reminder!
Athena Russell says
Thanks for leaving a piece of you on the page.
Shalanda lightbourn Allen says
This is beautiful. .. we don’t take enough time out from our busy schedules to examine our past.. view our present and look toward the future. In this life we go through daily assignments as we fit in a bit of enjoyment and then its on to the next. I just sat and examined my past, looking at all the women who encouraged, inspire and gave words of wisdom. Some have left this world behind and others are still in this race. I am indeed grateful for all they have done and said that help mold me into the woman and mother i am today. …
Athena Russell says
What an Awesome woman and mother you are. You continue to give unselfishly to All. Sometimes people may forget to Thank you, b it know that your blessings will over take you.
timesha says
Awesome work. Very inspiring
timesha says
Reminds me so much of the words i hear people say. “You are a hardworker just like your mother”. This writing is so inspiring and so true. We can never say thank you enough but cheers to every amazing mother out there. We can only share with our kids what they have shared with us. Love you!
Hernipha says
Athena your writings are so inspirational. I am so glad to call you a friend. Sometimes we forget or neglect to see how hard or parents worked to give us everything we have. Thanks for helping me to reflect on those who made me who I am. Now as a mother I know I would give everything I have and go to the moon and back for my baby.
Jonice W says
Very powerful read! So proud of you ! Xo
shelly says
Great Read sis….very thought provoking! Keep them coming!
Amanda says
WOW! What an awesome reminder that we ought to honor the women who have influenced our lives….daily. This was an awesome read! Keep up the great work.
Eve Williams says
Wow awesome! I thank God for the strong women of the past and those today. Athena more of the younger girls need to see this I will definitely share this is amazing.
Miranda says
Great reminder of the strong women who paved our paths. Thanks 🙂
Robertha Davis says
I always carry my mother’s words with me daily, but not having the ability to spend a lot of time with my grandparents; this article reminds me that I missed out on allot of old school wisdom.
vernique mortimer says
I finally got to read this Athena. Wow this is powerful. This had me to pause and reflect on my grandmother and great grand mother.I love the old school wisdom. Thanks to those women who have paved the way for us.
Esther says
Hi Athena!!! I just read your article. It got me thinking and reflecting on the great women who made such an impact on my life. Thanks for sharing! My prayer is that you will continue to reach higher heights with Christ. Blessings to you my sister and friend!!!