By Debba Haupert, creator of GIRLFRIENDOLOGY.com – the online community for women focused on female friendship  When we look at our mothers, aunts and sisters, we can get a pretty good read on our genetics. If they’re healthy, fit and strong, we’ve got less of a battle than if our ancestors have struggled with excessive weight, cancer and other health issues. Some hereditary genetics we can counteract with diet, exercise and healthy living habits, and some though we just can't do anything about-- like our height, body type and even our tendency for some unhealthy habits. Our ancestors and genetics play a role in our lives on a daily basis. In addition to our hereditary genetics, our lives also are influenced by the sisterhood of women whose actions, accomplishments and inspiration affect our lives. For example:
Just take a look at your life and the environment in which you grew up. Consider the Girl Scout leaders and teachers who challenged you to grow, the neighbor whose kindness taught you how to be more thoughtful, and your girlfriends who accepted you exactly as you were. We have an unrelated, but equally important, lineage and legacy of women without whom our lives would lack fulfillment and potential. And, without whom we would never be able to participate in athletics, have opportunities to own our own businesses, be elected or even vote. One of those women was Clara Zetkin. She lived her life with passion – most of it centered around helping other women. She fought for women’s equality and the right to vote, back in a time (starting in the late 1800s) when it was scandalous and regarded unimportant. Through the hardships of life and being exiled to foreign countries, she continued to fight. Clara initiated a day, International Women’s Day, which she hoped to be celebrated in every country. The first was March 8, 1911. Now, almost 100 years later, that day is recognized as a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. In 2009 there are over 700 events for International Women's Day in 49 countries. What does this mean to us – women living in 2009 and just looking for ways to stay healthy and happy? It means that we owe the women who have gone before us thanks for their efforts and dedication to secure our freedom to vote, to have jobs and expect equal pay, to marry and live the way we want, and to have the express rights of freedom and fairness. We have "come a long way, baby." International Women’s Day is a celebration of Clara and how far we’ve come since her dedicated efforts. Look at your own female ancestors – who was the first to reach new levels of education and professional achievement? It wasn’t that long ago that our great-grandmothers weren’t allowed to vote or witness in a court of law. Or that our mothers weren’t allowed to wear pants or even make-up. And remember to look to our "sisters" in other countries whose voices still are silenced by laws and oppression. We have a long way to go, but at least we have Carla and others as our legacy of faith in females. How can we all celebrate International Women’s Day today and Women’s History Month in March? First, we can simply stop and take a moment to be thankful for the women who have cleared a path for our success and advancement. Be they Billie Jean or Clara Zetkin or our mothers and aunts, we should pause to reflect and, if possible, show gratitude. We can celebrate our rights and the distance we’ve come in the past century. And, we can establish a tradition of taking care of each other. We can do this through simple friendships or mentoring, by demonstrating to our daughters how we as women support each other and through coming into our true selves and being the best we can be. Train for a marathon, start a new business, set your sites on your dreams and go for them! Be thankful for your heritage of feminine strength and determination. Step into your power from the legacy of women who have gone before us and fought for our rights. Stand a little taller today with the pride of all we’ve done. We’ve come a long way, baby--and that’s a great heritage to have! Girlfriendology is the online community for women based on inspiration, appreciation and celebration of female friendship. Founded by Debba Haupert in 2006, Girlfriendology inspires women to make new female acquaintances, spend time with their girlfriends, and appreciate those friendships that are vital to women’s health and happiness. Girlfriendology.com features inspiring women in weekly podcasts and live BlogTalkRadio show, contests to share girlfriend stories and provides videos, shopping, reviews, blogs and more. |
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