March: A Time to Honor Strong Women

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It's March,  a month designated as a time to honor women and the roles they play in the world.  

According to Wikipedia, "the earliest reported Women's Day event, called 'Woman's Day,' was held on February 28, 1909, in New York City -- organized by the Socialist Party of America." The following year, the movement gained steam, as "100 delegates representing 17 countries" endorsed the idea as a means "to promote equal rights and women's suffrage."

Then, in 1911, more than a million people in Europe paraded, marched and carried banners at the first International Women's Day, demanding "the right to vote, hold public office and protesting job sex discrimination."

Here in America, President Jimmy Carter designated March 2-8, 1980 as National Women's History Week. Later, Congress declared March as National Women's History Month in perpetuity in 1987.  

It's been a long, hard fight, marked by remarkable heroism, bravery and sacrifice. Much has been achieved in the last 100-plus years, but sadly, much remains to be done in what is a never-ending struggle for equality and justice.

As a man who believes deeply in equal rights, I stand with them.

Throughout my lifetime, I have been blessed to be among strong women, starting with my mother. Some would call her hard-headed, but she made her own decisions and stood by them. Likewise my mother-in-law, who loved to laugh but was tough when she needed to be, as was my sister-in-law, who was really more like the sister I never had. Then there were the educators, particularly my journalism teacher, who set me on my career path and called me out when I needed it.

But the strongest, most resilient woman in my life is my soulmate and partner, my wife, Pam.

Gentle, kind and caring, with a ironclad commitment to fair play and doing the right thing. Those who know her also will tell you she's fiercely loyal, fiery and passionate in her beliefs. Friends can trust her with any secret, because they know it will never pass her lips. If you decide to challenge her, better bring a lunch. I've never seen her shy away from a fight.

A voracious reader, smart and savvy, she can hold her own in any setting, and would be right at home  with writer Dorothy Parker at the famous New York Algonquin Round Table, or sharing cocktail banter with Hemingway and company in 1920s Paris.

In short, she not only well knows the importance of this month, but also takes her  place on the front lines as women once again have to fight to preserve the hard-won rights gained by so many before them.

The website for International Women's Day says it:

"Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge gender equality."

Of course, I'll never truly know what it's like to be a woman, to be relegated to second class status, to fight for things men take for granted as  a birthright. 

What I do know is I take tremendous pride and have undying admiration in all Pam does for women's rights, and the fight for common decency everywhere. There's one thing I always want her to know:

I have your back.

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