My sister and I after a birthday lunch with for my Mom at Hawksworth restaurant in Vancouver.
International Women’s Day
As you have probably seen in the media, today is International Women’s Day. This is the one day of the year where the spotlight is focussed on the status of women. Speaking for myself, being a women this past year has been wild, with challenges and breakthroughs, as well as disappointments.
If you have been following me for awhile you will know that last autumns election of President Trump was a bitter pill. With his triumph I felt the women’s movement had been set back 50 years.
However, despite his win there is hope, as illustrated by the global protests that greeted the new president, the day after he took office. The sight of thousands of women marching on the U.S. capital, and in cities around the world, renewed my faith in humankind.
Hope Despite Heartbreak
Despite being heartbroken by the election outcome I remained proud of Hilary Clinton. I respected her years of public service, and how on the campaign trail when Trump went low, she went high (to paraphrase Michelle Obama), and her grace in defeat.
Last week at President Trump’s address to Congress, I was encouraged by the sight of the Democratic women all dressed in white showing solidarity for the women’s movement (and possibly Hilary?). And I am encouraged by the protests that are planned for today, in support of equal pay for women, gender equality, reproductive rights and ending violence against women.
Perspective
Yet, I do realize how lucky I am to live when I do, at a time where I can vote, choose to study anything I want at university, embark on a career of my choice, work or run my own business. I also grateful to be married to a man who is an equal partner in every sense of the word and is supportive of most everything I do.
I am not only lucky to live when I do, but to live where I do.
Those of us living in the Western developed countries enjoy safety and stability and a high standard of living compared to those in developing nations. In fact, Global News just reported last night that Canada (where I am from) was named the 2nd best country in the world after Switzerland in the annual ‘Best Countries’ survey from the U.S. News & World report in conjunction with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Some Contrast
My Nana, who passed away several years ago just shy of 101 years old, lived a very different life from mine.
As a young girl she lived in rural Saskatchewan where her father was a farmer and money was scarce. In 1918 during the Spanish Flu pandemic she lost her infant brother and mother. At age twelve she went ‘into service’, working as a housekeeper in the local town, never getting the opportunity for higher education. After moving to Vancouver and giving birth to my mom she found a job making cribs at a factory and she did this until her retirement. She was a remarkable women who survived hardship, worked hard, saved her money, never complained, loved her family and was content with her lot.
My Nana and I at my wedding…(my flowers are hiding my 5 month baby bump (Oliver)!
My Nana’s Legacy
I know how proud my Nana was of my Mom who, after she finished high school, set off on a European adventure, and upon deciding that she wanted to live in England, found work at Harrods Department store (where she was witness to The Beatles and the Queen doing their Christmas shopping!) and how thrilled she was when my Mom returned to BC to marry my Dad and start a family.
My Mom and I at her birthday lunch last week.
Oh how my Nana loved her four grandchildren!
She was so proud of all of us; for the sports and activities we participated in, the certificates /degrees we obtained, the cities and countries we travelled to and lived in, the jobs we held and the families we started. To see us go on to do what she did not have the opportunity to do, was a source of great happiness for her.
Such Opportunity But Still More To Do….
We are the lucky ones my friend!…
… but there is a ways to go, there is work that remains to be done; in politics, in our corporations, in our neighbourhoods, on the First Nations reserves, and world wide. Girls and women are struggling locally and in far off places like Syria, Sudan and Afghanistan, and they need our help.
We CAN do better for our sisters.
So today – International Women’s Day, let’s be thankful for all that we have been given while continuing to support each other, girl to girl and women to women, in whatever way we can, as we create the BEST world we can, for all women and all people, and continue to make our Grandmothers proud.
xo
Elizabeth