Women's History is World History

In the history of the world, where would we be without women?

We've brought everyone here who ever came into the world. Carried them in our bellies, in our arms, and on our backs. Throughout history, we've worked to feed and clothe and protect them. Women have been the glue that has kept the world together and the starch that gives it backbone.

So this Women's History Month, celebrating women's accomplishments is fine, but a whole lot more celebrating and acknowledgement could be happening--throughout the year.

We do see abundant appreciation of women's, especially mothers', influence and sacrifices when their youngster makes good and is successful. And I'm sure many of us show gratitude, outside of the public eye, for those women who came before us.

In honor of the women who created the history of my life and set me on my path, I'm sharing a poem of gratitude and commitment.

The Gift

My grandmothers' shoulders were broad
Cream-colored, sepia, walnut, and black
Sometimes ridges, like the edges
of the furrows they tilled,
Ribboned their backs and shoulders
They supported the known world
like Atlas held up the heavens
they stood proud and strong

On the broad shoulders of these wide-hipped women
my grandmothers and their grandmothers,
On their convictions
Their work
their dreams
I stood

Now I'm one of the grandmothers
It's my turn to support the tribe
be here
strong, balanced, braced
so on my shoulders
others can stand

We, the women, all of us, are the history makers every single day.

~ xoA ~



"The Gift" appears in my poetry collection, You Can't Have It All