Day 5 - 67 -- Transforming Lives

I wore purple. While I do this often, today it represented the cause of gender equality on International Women's Day. This UN day also carries the name UN International Day for Women's Rights and International Peace. The struggle for equality and equity today continues the work done by many individuals and groups through the centuries. Forward movement has been made through protests to gain the right to vote, to be called persons under the law and to have maternity and parental leaves entrenched in legislation. Equal pay has yet to be, with most Canadian women earning 66-74% of what men earn even when in similar work sites. It is not a time to rest on the laurels of those who fought before us. There is still much to do as recent marches and campaigns for safe workplaces, public spaces and homes have clearly shown.

Thinking through this, I realize how lucky I've been to come from a background with strong female role models and mentors. My mother was a health professional when many other mothers remained in the home. Education was always valued and it was a given that I'd attend a post-secondary institution from the time I began school. There have been potholes of unusual size in the road I've taken -- barricades placed that needed to be bypassed somehow since it wasn't somewhere I chose to stop and set up camp. Comments and incorrect assumptions from others have been a huge part of the journey, but I chose to persevere with my dreams regardless of the narrow-mindedness of others. Again, not an easy choice, but it seemed the best one at the time <smile>.

Two songs came to mind this week when thinking of songs for today. I still couldn't choose just one, so it is another two-for day. Each is different yet similar in the themes covered. The first song,  written and sung by a Canadian artist known for poetic and metaphorical mastery, was just released in the past week. The second song  by an American artist became an anthem for advocates in the year since its release. Both selections bring feelings of empowerment along with the catharsis of the lyrics as writers worked through personal experiences. The videos are stark and accentuate the message of the lyrics. Enjoy!

Not Your Little Girl -- Jann Arden

Quiet -- Milck