When I saw this year’s theme for International Women’s Day (March 8th) is “Give to Gain”, my initial reaction was, “you want women to give more?”
The women I’ve had the privilege of knowing over the years already give so much of themselves and often can feel less valuable when they are not giving in some capacity. Women are balancing their households as full-time project managers, raising and caring for children, caring for elderly parents, or siblings, nieces and nephews, rescue animals, the list goes on – all while striving to maintain a career that they are proud of and feel fulfilled in. However, for some women, the opportunity to pursue a career while juggling all the other responsibilities is not always an option. Some have no choice but to take whatever job will put food on the table.
While struggling and striving for equity, women are carrying the burdens of being all things to all people, so what else are we as women being asked to give?
After some reflection, and looking from a missional perspective, it’s not that we need to give more, but a reminder that we as women will thrive when we work together as a community and lift each other up.
We are incredibly community-minded beings. We are at our best when we are together, cheering each other on and being each other’s biggest cheerleaders through life.
Working in the Women’s Sector, I have seen how women give to each other in so many ways every single day. I have watched two elderly unhoused women in the height of Covid sit together and simply enjoy a pizza, a movie, and each other’s company. I have watched the women on our teams show up to support each other in their personal lives through births, losses, medical treatments, housing precarity, celebrations, and the list goes on.
Time and time again, I see women giving to each other in a variety of ways. I want to acknowledge that the world feels very heavy right now and encourage you to continue to give in any capacity that works for you and is within your realm. We will be the change we want to see in the world, and to lean on one of my favourite quotes from Mother Teresa, “We can not all do great things, but we can all do small things with great love,” and that is how we will continue to give and, in turn, gain.
Happy International Women’s Day, and thank you for all the ways you have given to women and been that transforming influence in their lives.
– Stephanie
Director of Florence Booth House
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