This International Women’s Day, a mix of emotions fills me —feelings that draw a fine line between celebration and contemplation. The mainstream narrative often shines its light on the more glamorous, widely acknowledged figures. However, it’s on this day that I connect more profoundly with the unsung heroines, such as my grandmother, leading quieter yet equally impactful lives.
Becoming a widow early on, she courageously managed the challenges of life, working as a sugarcane farmer and single-handedly raising ten children. Her strength was not the kind that asked for recognition, but it was the steel in her backbone—a steel forged by love, toil, and an unwavering commitment to her family. Her home stood as an unwritten legacy; a haven that enveloped us with unspoken stories of resilience. The aroma of her kitchen wasn’t just of food but of the tenacity that bubbled beyond the pots and pans.
I celebrate her, my aunts, and the myriad of women whose names never grace headlines or Instagram posts. Their daily conquests might not herald public acclaim, but their lives are the canvases of courage that paint our world with kindness, sacrifice, and an undying resolve.
The love-hate dichotomy extends beyond the lack of visibility for these unsung heroines. Society’s complex lens often magnifies only victory as a sign of true strength. I dissent. Vulnerability, too, bears its own badge of honor. It dwells in the silent prayers of a mother who ushers life into this world, in the unspoken agony of childbirth, in the heart of women who embody resilience amidst disparaging odds.
On this very day, the spotlight tends to avoid the darker contours of their existence—the grave statistics of violence, disparities in wages, the devaluation of homemaking, and the disparity of women in leadership. These issues are not merely the footnotes of our societal fabric; they are glaring chapters that demand reevaluation and reform.
Therefore, as we celebrate, let’s also embrace a collective moment of introspection and solemnity for the multitudes of women whose experiences are woven into the tapestry of everyday survival. It is not about the transient gestures of making coffee or proffering flowers but about fostering meaningful conversations that echo acknowledgment and appreciation for the entire spectrum of their journey.
Today, I don’t seek the ephemeral; I yearn for a gaze that truly sees me, that understands that victories are often wrought with a price, that recognizes the silent battles fought daily, and that knows my worth extends beyond my triumphs and endures even in the depth of my vulnerabilities. This International Women’s Day, let’s affirm that women’s value is intrinsic, perpetual, and recognized every day—we celebrate not just today, but consistently and conscientiously.
Wells of Wonder 