While I'm unsure when everyone else will get to read this, I find it important to mention that the day I'm writing this is March 8th: International Women's Day. So it seemed appropriate to take this occasion to openly discuss my appreciation for the women in my life (and women in general). Contrary to what some naysayers may try to say, both today and every day, women deserve recognition not only on International Women's Day but every day.
Since I was young, I've never seen anyone consistently run into trouble and yet overcome the odds more than my mother. She and I haven't always been close, I haven't always agreed with her, but I've seen her turn things completely around dozens of times. Even when it seemed impossible. To this day, I see her put up with so many unfair, circumstantial, increasingly difficult things. And yet, she continues to hold everything together in ways that I can't even imagine. She deals with sexism on a daily, near-constant basis, but she always pushes back and handles it in the most professional ways possible.
In the last six years or so especially, my grandmother has done more for her family than I've really seen anyone else ever do. While I had family problems as a child, she (and my grandfather) was proactive about taking care of my brother and me and making sure we had everything we needed. Even now, she helps both us and her children substantially in terms of finances, groceries, advice, babysitting, etc. Rarely have I ever seen her focus on herself over those around her, and there are truly no words for how much I appreciate her being able to be here to help me when no one else is truly able to.
Before mentioning the last individual person, I find it important to mention all of my friends, acquaintances, and even strangers who happen to be strong and inspiring. I have several friends who are open about their lifestyles and identities, attend protests and marches, and generally fight the good fight each and every day. My Facebook news feed alone is full of strong women who push back against snarky, sexist men on their posts and continue to talk about the things that matter. I've thanked many of them before for everything they do, but it feels necessary to mention again.
Lastly, I want to mention my partner, Tyessa, and how she is, in every way, the strongest, most inspiring person I have ever known. Not only does she consistently work harder at everything she does than I could ever dream of doing but she still makes time to be here for me and anyone else who might need a shoulder to lean on in the meantime. She's been a consistent rock for all eight years I've known her, and I truly cannot understand how she's dealt with me, my problems, neediness, and everything else I've needed for all of that time without absolutely losing her mind. More than anyone else I've met, she's strong-willed, outspoken, and has a rigid moral compass. This is incredibly inspiring to me each and every day, and even if she never admits it, she's truly a wonderful, motivational, and courageous person who I'm so thankful to know.
Needless to say, women deserve an awful lot more recognition than we usually give them. I argued today about why women deserve a day all to themselves, and while I don't think that needs an explanation, I'll happily point out all of the difficulties, rights issues, forced situations, and gender roles that women are forced to deal with that men have never had to worry about. Beyond a single day, however, they need recognition and celebration every day because without them, the world woud be nothing.
