Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last 25 years or so, you probably know that March is Women’s History Month. This Sunday, March 8th, is also International Women’s Day. Both observances were designed to bring awareness to the contributions of women in history, science, politics, and more.
For March, I want to be part of this movement and share women’s stories and achievements to bring greater recognition to the call for equality.
When I started Women for Living in Community, my goal wasn’t to shut men out from this journey. We have had multiple male allies throughout the years and we are always grateful for their contribution. We encourage them to partner with us in any way possible. However, for too long I watched women unable to voice what they wanted or effectively change their circumstances. This was especially true for my mother’s generation, and her mother’s. My own mom was different. She worked outside of the home and she raised my sister and me to be strong and independent.
And yet, when it came time for her to spend her last remaining years she still defaulted to a nursing home. I hated every moment of that experience but felt powerless to change anything.
Until I realized that I needed to be the change I wished to see in the world.
So I created Women for Living in Community to rally other women of my generation to make a difference. I encourage all of us to stand up for our dignity and wisdom as we age. I challenge us to live our lives differently and reject the idea of the nursing home as we understand it today.
Over the next month I will be exploring the lives of some women who have made a big difference in our culture and society. These are women I admire and I’ve asked my team of strong advisers to put in their two cents as well. I hope you will be as inspired by these stories as I am.
Who are the women who have inspired you? Share your thoughts in the comments or join the conversation on Facebook.
