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March 8th isn’t just another day for me, it’s a day of reflection, joy and a celebration of the sisterhood that exists between all women all over the world. Since the 1960s, International Women’s Day has served to honor the achievements, sacrifices and even challenges women face everywhere. These hurdles didn’t just exist here in the United States; they existed where I grew up in India where even today in many rural communities women are only just now gaining empowerment to step into business and provide for their families.
One of my favorite quotes comes from an immigrant like myself who found her home in Canada, but was originally from Punjab, India: Rupi Kaur. She wrote, “What’s the greatest lesson a woman should learn? That since day one, she’s already had everything she needs within herself. It’s the world that convinced her she did not.”
This speaks volumes, particularly as when I was a little girl as it is today in some places, it can be difficult being born in a patriarchal region or home. We are shaped by these things, told what our place is and should even be…or even judged by our appearance first above all else. I’ve shared some of the lifelong struggle I’ve had with my own hair, the seeds of which were planted being born with darker skin than other kids at school and very curly hair. No matter how good I was at sports, academics, or painting, my hair became the first thing kids would comment on and tease me about, the one thing I couldn’t change.
My mother, bless her, tried her best by having my hair cut into a boy’s cut to keep it manageable, and resorted to everything from Henna to paste-soaked Fenugreek seeds, eggs and hibiscus leaves. Where perhaps she failed in trying to tame my hair at an age where texture education didn’t really exist, what she did give me was worth it’s weight in gold: the true nature of inner strength. I was born into a household of wise, intelligent women who realized that strength isn’t just about dominance…it’s in leveraging femininity, empathy and understanding AS strength. And moreover, this mindset and skill set doesn’t matter at all what gender you are.
My mother worked hard and somehow had the grace to manage a balanced life between work and home raising us kids and instilling us with values that would lead us in life. She, and my educated aunts made sure we all believed in ourselves, and understood the importance of hard work. My father and the other men in our family never felt threatened or lessened by their strength and wisdom as they recognized that happiness and fulfillment for them meant happiness for all. The culture of India largely embraces this mature viewpoint in most everything, as even the symbol of life is represented by a goddess with the deepest respect paid to the power of mothers and women. Our country is called “Mother India” with this energy of maternal love as the wellspring from which not just life, but compassion, love and empathy flow forth.
As a business owner, wife and mother of two children of my own…I try to find the same healthy balance my mom always seemed to manage. Life is a series of trials isn’t it? Hurdles that come into our path in our personal lives, at home, in business…all of which can make you feel weak, lesser or trapped in a situation. When I’ve felt this way, I look to the past and the beautiful women in my family and life who motivated me in my darkest hours to dig deep, lean in and push through. Believing in yourself is a superpower that once wielded can be your greatest asset and safe harbor in a storm when life starts throwing everything at you.
To me, International Women’s Day is a reminder of the powerful bonds that exist between families we are born into and families that we choose to be a part of. It’s an unspoken pact to serve as warm shoulders, voices of wisdom, and the strength to lift each other up through mentorship and friendship. I love my job, I love what we do, how we do, and the many ways in which every day I see women feeling happier with themselves. Moreover, once you feel that confidence in yourself, are happy with the vision of you looking back in the mirror…when paired with inner strength you become an unstoppable force.
Never give up, stand tall, and most importantly be there for the women in your life when they need you most. We need each other always.
Happy International Women’s Day gorgeous,
Priyanka Swamy
