International Women's Day
One week ago today we sat in our beloved circle, the oldest ritual our community observes, and welcomed new people into it. It was the day of a big fundraiser, so having the opportunity to sit together inside a busy week was a gift-a gift made sweeter by the presence of author Brené Brown, who would be speaking at the event later that evening.
With Brené, we talked about courage, truth, and grieving lost people and things. We talked about how vulnerability, strength, and grief are long, slow, necessary processes, and we agreed that we are worth the investment.
One week later, we are dedicated to writing our own definitions of empowerment and success, and allowing the cycles of heartache and grief to do their things. Some of us are walking through fires right now, and some of us have just emerged, charred and scarred, but also purer and clearer, and better for it in countless other ways.
Coincidentally, today is #InternationalWomensDay, a day when organizations like ours are charged with providing calls to action. So here’s our call to action for you: walk through your fire, grieve all of your lost things, get completely covered in ashes and tears, take as long as you need, then clean house and get to work. International Women’s Day is the first day of a year-long event, and we will #PressForProgress in all of our usual ways and look forward to the day when we see you walking alongside us.
Photo, from “Stories & Songs,” March 1: author, research professor, and speaker, Brené Brown. Singer/songwriter, and animal/women’s/LGBT rights activist, Emmylou Harris. Episcopal priest, author, and Thistle Farms founder, Becca Stevens. 42 time Grammy Award nominee, and 27 time Grammy winner (making her the most awarded living recipient), and MusiCares supporter, Alison Krauss.
