This International Women’s Day (recognized globally on March 8) has me thinking about all of the amazing women in my life. I can look back over three decades now and pick out so many wise, inspirational, and influential women who have impacted me in significant ways. While there are too many women and lessons to mention in one article, there are a few that have served me well over the course of my life.
My Second Grade Teacher
Years after I moved on from second grade, my mom shared this memory: When we received word on who my second-grade teacher would be, my mom began to hear stories from other parents. Maybe this teacher wouldn’t be the best for me—she was “too strict,” she lacked the warm and fuzzy vibe of most teachers, among other things. But my mom chose not to judge this teacher based solely on the words of others and allowed me to have my own experience. To this day, I consider my second-grade teacher one of my favorites.
I don’t have a lot of specific memories from second grade, but one stands out: I had just returned to school after getting my tonsils removed. I vividly remember falling asleep on the classroom floor during story time and waking up to find that my teacher had put her own sweater over me, letting me rest while she continued on with the class. That memory exemplifies my feelings about my second-grade year.
Lessons learned:
- Don’t judge someone based on the opinions of others (learned from my mom).
- There’s more to someone than meets the eye.
- You won’t be everyone’s cup of tea…but you will be someone’s!
A Good Friend
In high school, I had a recurring babysitting job every week for months (possibly a year; I can’t quite remember the details), caring for children while their mother went to night school for a master’s degree. This mom was a true inspiration to me as I watched her balance so many different roles and desires. Life came somewhat full circle about 10 years later when that same woman’s daughter watched MY two children every week for a semester while I worked on my own master’s degree. Now, as an adult, I see this mom as both a friend and role model in my life!
Lesson learned:
- You can do both; it may take some work and flexibility, but being a mom and pursuing work and other desires is not only possible, but doable.
My Grandmother
My grandmother is one of the most influential people in my life. Over the past 20 years or so, she’s faced significant obstacles. From losing her husband, my grandpa, to dealing with her own health challenges, it hasn’t been easy for her. However, amongst all of these trials, one thing I’ve always admired about my grandmother is the gratitude she shows daily. When I talk to her or receive a text from her, she never fails to express gratitude for the things she has in life. Her ability to do this so easily and frequently has been an inspiration to me and helped me find moments of thankfulness even when times are tough.
Lesson learned:
- The power of gratitude, big and small, in our daily lives.
My Mom
When I think of all of the things my mom has taught me, one of the first that comes to mind is a spirit of optimism. A phrase I remember her saying often in my childhood is “There is always good in the world.” I never took this to mean there aren’t hard times or that we should always “look on the bright side,” but that an overall spirit of optimism is important. We need to be able to feel hope, rather than only focusing on feelings of overwhelming stress or worry in the moment.
Lesson learned:
- To live life with an overall feeling of optimism. Feel the emotions of the moment, but consciously move toward the future with hope.
My Daughter
Though she is only 11, my daughter has taught me so much already. In a lot of ways, our personalities are opposites. And while that can sometimes be tricky to balance and manage, I learn (or am reminded of) so many important things from her. For one, she is quick to call out disparity and unfairness and to stand up for those around her. She reminds me through her words and actions that it’s important to be confident and to be who you are, which has been her strength since she was a toddler. As she grows into a preteen, I’m starting to see a few cracks in that confidence, but I hope we can encourage each other to believe in ourselves even when it’s hard.
Lessons learned:
- Stand up for yourself and others and do not be afraid to call out issues around you.
- Be confident in who you are and what you choose.
I have so much gratitude for these and the many other women who have impacted my life in significant ways. I hope to raise my daughters to see the invaluable impact they can and do have on the world around them.
What have you learned from the women in your life?
