International Women's Day

(I wrote this piece in 2011, as this global event marked 100 years of celebration.)

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International Women's Day is observed on this date every year as the focal point of the ongoing struggle and increasing successes of women worldwide for DIGNITY, EQUALITY, SAFETY, and SECURITY.

The name - International Women's Day - usually makes me think of several different things and causes me to feel grateful for many different women. 

• Something about the wording always makes me think of "international women."  I am privileged to have many of them in my life - women from different countries, women who care about those from other countries, women who invest their lives for people around the world. 
• I also think of women who work tirelessly in serving other people and who make a difference in the world - and who make a difference in MY world.
• Then there are the women who have set examples for the rest of us in loosening gender restrictions.
• There are LOTS of women I think of that I appreciate for various reasons and who have touched my life in different ways.

The official reason for International Women's Day is to celebrate the economic, political, and social achievements of women past, present, and future.  That future part grabs my heart - when I think of the conditions faced by women around the world today that are unbelievably getting even worse.  I've faced enough obstacles and discouraging words as a woman to have had my heart tenderized a bit, but what I've experienced is nothing compared to what other women deal with all the time.

Poverty is probably the most obvious problem for women here and abroad.  Economic disparity is one of the most blatant crimes against women, but that's perhaps just the tip of the iceberg.  Recently we've been reminded of the sexual harassment and assault that women face regularly and where girls and women are forced into slavery and suffer unimaginable horrors - yes, even here in America. 

Now that I am a grandma, I wonder what the world will be like for my grand-daughter as she grows up. We will let her know that she has great value but what messages will she receive to the contrary?  Will she live to see things get better for women?  I cautiously hope that she will see equality for women on more and more levels in their lifetimes. 

There are things you and I can do to improve the plight of women - across the street and around the world.  Sometimes I just need to be reminded to look for those opportunities.  Let's not forget the ongoing struggle... of women worldwide for DIGNITY, EQUALITY, SAFETY, and SECURITY. 

And let me say again how grateful I am for the mighty women in my life!!! 

Who were my champions?

 I just discovered these lines that I wrote awhile ago after having been asked about the things or the people who may have discouraged or restricted me through the years.  I was also asked about the people who were champions of my self-worth.  People who encouraged my creativity and my leadership skills.  I chose to focus mostly on the second question.

It wasn't hard to think of several who had discouraged me or restricted my options.  This was a good opportunity to remind myself that I no longer need to pay attention to those voices.

More importantly, as I look back over the years of my various ministries and think about those questions, others come to my mind who have been my champions.  It is too late to thank some of them but I want to express how very grateful I am for their support.

Topping that list are my dear partner Bob, my big brother Dave, my other brother Jerry, my father-in-law, and my long-time pastor Gary.

When others were saying that women couldn't be leaders, these guys were sending me articles about women who were. They were inviting me to speak from their pulpits.  They encouraged me to follow my calling and to use my voice and my words to influence people. They took me seriously when others chose to ignore or discourage my contribution.

Many women have been restricted and deeply discouraged if not downright prohibited from serving in leadership.  I have had a taste of that restriction and rejection - which makes me all the more thankful for those who have stood with me in support as I explored ways to fulfill my God-given potential.

I am so grateful for each of you and your partnership in the good work.

International Women's Day

In recent years I’ve chosen to observe International Women’s Day by celebrating women I know from around the world as well as other amazing women who are working to make the world a better place…  because that was all I knew to commemorate the day.

But THIS YEAR it was my privilege to celebrate WITH phenomenal women from all over the world at our local event co-sponsored by the International Center of Greater Flint. 

We enjoyed flavors of the world, we heard successful International women discuss the challenges in their lives and careers here in mid-Michigan and we were entertained by the Kuungana African Drum/Dance Company.  ’Twas an interesting and inspiring evening.

I am so happy to be in a place where I can now participate in such wonderful festivities - and am especially grateful that they are not isolated events for me.  In the last few months I have met people from more than 20 countries and often bump into them on campus, around town and get to hang out with some of them regularly.  What an incredible privilege!

International Women's Day

(I wrote this in 2011 and have to wonder if things have improved since then... )

International Women's Day 2011 marks 100 years of the ongoing struggle and increasing successes of women worldwide for DIGNITY, EQUALITY, SAFETY, and SECURITY.

The name - International Women's Day - usually makes me think of several different things and causes me to feel grateful for many different women. 

• Something about the wording always makes me think of "international women."  I am privileged to have many of them in my life - women from different countries, women who care about those from other countries, women who invest their lives for people around the world.  
• I also think of women who work tirelessly in serving other people and who make a difference in the world - and who make a difference in MY world.
• Then there are the women who have set examples for the rest of us in loosening gender restrictions.
• There are LOTS of women I think of that I appreciate for various reasons and who have touched my life in different ways.

These women have earned my admiration, my respect, and my gratitude. It has been my privilege to know many of them personally while others have inspired me from a distance or through their writings. My life has been blessed by the connection with so many mighty women - including several of you reading these words. 

The official reason for International Women's Day is to celebrate the economic, political, and social achievements of women past, present, and future.  That future part grabs my heart - when I think of the conditions faced by women around the world today that are unbelievably getting even worse.  I've faced enough obstacles and discouraging words as a woman to have had my heart tenderized a bit, but what I've experienced is nothing compared to what other women deal with all the time.

Poverty is probably the most obvious problem for women here and abroad.  Economic disparity is one of the most blatant crimes against women, but that's perhaps just the tip of the iceberg.  Recently we've been reminded of the sexual harassment and assault that women face regularly in the middle east.  In many countries, girls and women are forced into slavery and suffer unimaginable horrors.  Even here at home, women are subjected to cruel treatment by the men in their lives, but at least we have the "public opinion" that women should be respected.  I think often of the Dalit women in India - lower than the lowest caste.  Dalits believe that God hates them and are convinced that they are worthless.  It is said that "the only thing worse than being born a Dalit is to be born a Dalit female."

Now that I am a grandma, I wonder what the world will be like for my grand-daughters as they grow up. We will let them know that they are precious and incredibly valuable but what messages will they receive to the contrary?  Will they live to see things get better for women?


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There are things you and I can do to improve the plight of women - across the street and around the world.  Sometimes I just need to be reminded to look for those opportunities.  Let's not forget the ongoing struggle... of women worldwide for DIGNITY, EQUALITY, SAFETY, and SECURITY. 

How about you?
What will you do today, this week, to make the world a better place for women?

Celebrating my first-born

I'm celebrating today. On this date I became a mom. Forty years ago today. I had absolutely NO idea how wonderful it would be. I couldn't have imagined what an amazing woman that little one would become. I was going to say "that tiny baby" but no, none of my babies were tiny.

On that day I could only imagine the choices she would make in her life. I had no clue what dreams she might pursue to become a baker, a detective, an architect, a singer and dancer, a thespian, a world traveler, an attorney, a social worker, a counselor, a comedian or a writer, but she did indeed become several of those.

Neither did I know that she would be a teacher, but I quickly began to discover that she had much wisdom. By the time she was in kindergarten she was teaching her sister how to read and teaching me about standing up for the underdog. Through the years she has taught me so much - about tolerance and compassion, about body image and fashion, about facing my fears and about living courageously.

Somewhere along the way during those early parenting years we came across the birth order theories which I can't remember now, but I think she was a typical first-born in at least a couple ways. Like being courageous and decisive and responsible and a natural leader and a high achiever. She certainly has been a leader and an influencer. And an exemplary friend.

Yes, I am celebrating today - that this baby girl came into my life.

But I am also celebrating something brand new today - the beginning of her new blog.

For years we have all been telling her that she really needed to write a blog because she is incredibly funny. And wise and insightful. And did I mention hilarious? Yep, she has such amazing wisdom about life and she has most definitely developed her own unique and witty way of sharing it - to put it mildly.

Speaking of putting things mildly, she doesn't do that. Mild is not exactly her style. Her writing might better be described as sassy crass - something not necessarily appreciated by grandma-types. However, this grandma (and proud mom) continues to learn from the hilarious and sage counsel of this amazing woman.

I love you, Stacy-girl, and am so honored to be your momma.

I celebrate you today - and every day.

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By the way, her blog, Fat Aunt Sassy Sees the World, covers a wide variety of topics about self-image and wellness, about confidence and courage and about following one's dreams and maybe even discovering one's awesome potential.

Do you happen to know a woman who struggles with esteem issues, with always needing to have a man in her life, with insecurity or fear? Of course, you do. We all know women like that. You may want to check out this blog and pass it along.

A tribute to my girls

To my three incredible amazing women...

You all make me so achingly proud. 

You have taught me so very much - and you have all helped me to become better. 

You all inspire me in so many ways - stretching me and encouraging me and partnering with me. 

You are each like me in enough ways to make my heart swell with pride but you have all surpassed me in so many ways that should remind me that I can take very little of the credit.

So instead I simply bask in the joy of you.

And I will thank your amazing dad for being such a wild partner in this parenting gig - a dad who more than filled in the gaps and made me look good. Yah, he deserves lots of credit!

My heart is tender again this year for the many women I know for whom this season is so painful and I do NOT want to insensitively flaunt what I have. 

But my heart also overflows and I just have to express my gratitude. I can hardly believe that one woman could be so honored to be able to claim these three amazing, incredible women as mine. So happy it makes me.

I love you all so very much.

Amazing Day Number 27: girl to woman

It is amazing to me how a young girl could grow up with a mom who was somewhat judgmental and inflexible, not very patient or understanding at times, more than a little selfish and lazy, and how that young girl could still turn out to be such an incredible woman. Even more amazing is that all three daughters could become women with such high levels of creativity, sensitivity, integrity, ambition, kindness, and compassion. Maybe I did some things right after all – or maybe I am just wonderfully blessed.

Amazing!

Oh, and another amazing thing has happened. In hanging out with such incredible women, I think maybe a teeny bit of the grace and integrity has rubbed off on me. Maybe even I have matured in the process.
Who knew?