Here's to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May be raise them. Anonymous

To my mother on International Women's Day,

You've always been my role model, but days like today remind me just how strong you really are. Growing up, I didn't know much about the broken social structure that caused a rippling effect on you and women everywhere. When I was six, I had no idea that women were undervalued in society. Growing up you were the unstoppable woman, and I didn’t question whether or not the world saw you that way, I just assumed they did. Why wouldn’t the world see my mom the same way I did?

It took growing into a woman myself to see that there are discrimination, sacrifices, and struggles that you faced simply for being a woman. I commend you tremendously for raising me in a world that didn’t see you as an equal, all while raising me to understand that everyone is equal. It must have taken a lot to teach me to not pass judgment on others when strangers judged you on a regular basis. And for what? Being a woman, being a mother, having a career.

You were strong in raising me because you never gave up. You never gave into beauty standards, despite pressure to change your weight. You kept your job, even though you should have been a stay at home mom while I grew up. You did everything in your power to prove to society that a woman can do it all, and for that, I am so grateful. Because I grew up with a role model who was hard working, driven and determined and I want to be just like that. Today I am celebrating you because without you I would be nothing.

I have grown into a motivated, strong minded, positive woman because you never let me think of myself otherwise. You kept me in sports, you let me wear what I wanted to wear and you supported me in being myself. My whole life has lead to this day where I am prepared to go into the world and change how it views women, because of you. I know my worth does not lie in my beauty or in a man. I am a strong woman who wants to do bigs things and I know I can because a stronger woman raised me to do so.

With love and strength,

Your daughter