In honor of International Womens Day or 10 Things Every Girl Should Know

Most of the time I don't know what to make of days like these, where we are supposed to honor a group of people or things...except for Veteran's Day...I get that one.  I don't get International Waffle Day or stuff like that.  I did find that there is an International Mens Day as well and that it was started in Trinidad and Tobago in 1991.


FYI:  International Womens Day was started in 1911 so this year is a Global Centenary. Each country has a different theme and in fact different organizations within that country can have different themes which I find confusing and if I were King (err, Queen) for a day, I would change that.  Anyway, if you are interested, the United Nations global theme for International Womens Day is:  "Equal access to education, training and science and technology:  Pathway to decent work for women."  


In celebration, there are over 1000 activities across the world.  England is host to 464 events, the US to 246.   And China?  Just 1. Which is amazing considering Iraq is hosting at least 3. But I digress.


I think the reason I have such an issue with days like these is that they seem too big, too vague...I don't know where to look or what to do or how to help.  So, I'm going to focus where I can, on those closest to me and the ones closest to them.  So here goes, please forgive the rhyming at the beginning, I couldn't help myself.


10 (+1) Things Every Girl Should Know
Yes, thank Heaven for little girls.
...for those I know and love and for those I don't.
...for those I will know someday and those I won't.
...for how you grow, for how you change
...for thinking, but almost rarely commenting, that Mommy is strange.
...but most of all for really listening when I say these things:

1. I love you
2. There is nothing you can do or say that will change the fact that I love you.
3. Do the right thing, not the easy thing.
4. Be confident in who you are.
5. Never be afraid to have a voice.
6. Never let anyone else, including me, force you into a decision you are uncomfortable with. (see #4)
7. Love and own yourself, your body, your hair, your nose, your butt, your breasts, your thighs and your decisions about each of those.
8. Be loyal and loving to your friends and family, but never blind.
9. Be safe, do safe, act safe
10. Always know that me, my ears, my brain and my heart are here for you.
11. (And because we should always have a Spinal Tap moment, my number 11 comes from Willa Cather, a great author to cite on International Women's Day.)  Try and live your life with this in mind:  "Happiness comes from dissolving yourself into something complete and great".  Please never settle for anything less.  Never stop working to achieve it. And when you find it, dissolve and just let yourself be joyous in it. 

So, while it's no "100 Things to Celebrate about Belarusian Women", I am comfortable that if I manage to get my daughter, my nieces and their friends to know these things, something grand for women will have been accomplished.  And for that, I do thank Heaven for International Womens Day.