Facebook asks, “What’s on your mind?”. Always too much, likely more than you would want to know.
A 280 character limit? Twitter is lost on me.
The friendly world of Instagram has been far more accommodating as I chronicle and story my life, sometimes succinctly, often not.
And this? A charge to write about Women's History Month? Gladly. I have some words.
I recently was reflecting on the many jobs I've held, having worked since I was around the age of fourteen. And wow, what a variety. I began with years of retail and office administration, with a few (much shorter) stints as a server. After graduating college, getting my feet wet with a career in human resources and some time spent moving up within the four walls of a bank. First as a teller, then loan officer, and finally a financial planner assistant.
Ultimately, my last position before becoming an entrepreneur & business owner was my career as the Director of Operations for a recruiting & event planning agency.
And would you believe, of the 15 jobs that I can quickly recall, my boss has always been a woman? I never realized it until my recent reflection. Goodness, I'm the luckiest!
At least 15 women were a part of my life; some of them wives, some mothers, some career-driven, some not so much, but all of them living & breathing examples of leaders in my life.
And last but not least, my mother. How can I possibly celebrate Women without mentioning her? Without detailing her entire life story, she didn't have a multitude of people to aspire to as she grew up. She married and, out of necessity, un-enrolled from college to work full-time. Full-time didn't happen because, surprise, she was pregnant. That was 46 years ago.
Self-taught since then, she went on to work in administrative and accounting positions, keeping part-time hours to stay available to her family. She made it happen! Exactly what she needed & wanted until this very day. (Hi Mom! She is lovingly and faithfully serving as the MudLOVE Staff Accountant for the past 6 years, this week!!)
I paid attention. I learned the lesson. I could do it.
Her example became a dream of mine - to make it all work together. When I became pregnant with my first son, I had the desire to contribute financially, while pursuing my passions with the flexibility to be at home with my children. And if (God-willing), my business sustained for the years my kids were little and at home, I would eventually be able to work full-time when they were in school.
This is now my reality. What a gift. I'm grateful for the opportunity that might not have been mine 50 years ago, 100 years ago.
For me, Women's History Month is a time to celebrate women. Women who have led, those that have had the courage to change the course of their life. Women with enough passion to make things happen, enough strength to get shit done, celebrating the ones that jump into the unknown, pushing against their comfort zones. Women that stand up for each other, especially when it counts.
We are indebted to the women that have worked so hard to pave the road, making it a little less bumpy for those that follow. While there are still some cracks that need to be repaired, potholes filled, we are no doubt living in a world that is paying attention to women, with renewed perception and for that, I'm thankful.
