As a woman business owner of 13+ years, I am so incredibly grateful to everyone who sacrificed to give me the right to live equally in this country. While it seems that so many American’s feel that men and women still do not have equal rights, I must say I disagree. Though it might not be the case for some, I am grateful to say without hesitation that I have never personally experienced any kind of negative treatment because of my gender. Since I was 20 years old, I was greeted into the world of business with a smile by fellow business owners of all genders/ages/races and have had experienced nothing but a beautiful hodgepodge of business family ever since. Over the years, I have experienced struggle, but no more than I would have as a man. I have come to know myself well- including my strengths and weaknesses- and have embraced the fact that I am better at some things- and not as strong at others. But I will not use my gender to excuse any level of success I may or may not have achieved throughout the years. I work my “donkey” off, and if I reach an obstacle, I choose to use that obstacle as a lesson instead of an excuse. I know that my rights are the result of women who did have to fight, and will never forget that. I write my thoughts this afternoon not to discount the validity of any woman who is made to feel like a “lesser” by anyone, but to say that if you stay strong mentally, YOU have the power to overcome whatever obstacles that might have been placed in your way. There are SO many strong women in my life that I know personally who will never let society tell them that it’s “too difficult” as a woman. My good friend Kay Partridge runs a successful dance studio that she founded, and it is expanding, changing the lives of her students every day by empowering them... ALL while taking care of her three boys and carrying a baby girl who is due in less than a month! Another impressive woman in my life is Courtney Groves, who wanted to be a singer in Nashville, and just a couple of months ago, knowing not even a single person in town, packed her bags, moved to Tennessee, and now has a band. She will officially be living her dream, singing on the Nashville Broadway stage within the week. My friend Lisa Jaroscak had a vision for a beautiful restaurant on the beach of Lake Michigan in Chicago, and wouldn’t take no for an answer until it was the beautiful venue it is now, visited by thousands on the lake front every summer.
And so today, let’s all raise a glass of wine/tea/champagne/water (if you’re detoxing) to all women everywhere who don’t let excuses run their lives, and who continually live their dream! Let’s all remember those who stood up for the right for us to do all the things we want to do, and let’s honor those who did so by utilizing all of the freedoms we were given. HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY!
1 Comment
|