March 8 marks International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate and recognize the achievements of women. Whether you are a mother, a wife, a working woman or a woman who is just trying to get through each day, you should be celebrated. Take a look back at your life and look how far you’ve come. Look around you at all of the amazing women you’ve come into contact with, whether that’s through work, friendships or family. It’s so important to celebrate all that women are doing right now in the world. It’s no longer a man’s world. Times have changed and it’s about darn time! It’s amazing to see such strong women in our communities, making our world a better place and setting an example for the next generation of women.
I’m pretty lucky to have some incredible women in my life. My mom has always been one of my role models from a young age. She worked so hard when I was growing up, starting up an educational and broadcast business with my dad, while still giving my sister and I an amazing life. When I look back at my life, my mom was definitely one of the biggest pillars. She’d drop me off and pick me up at school, all while working in the business world, making a long commute each day. Now enjoying retirement with dad, she still runs a tight ship, keeping on top of cleaning and her health.
My sister is also a great role model in my life. Working in Toronto high up in her career in finance for one of the top banks, all while raising her two young children, she leads a very fast paced life. We both lead different lives, but I’ve always been inspired by her strong work ethic and motivation when it comes to everything she does.
I took a bit of a different path in life. Moving across the country from my family to attend journalism school and working my way up my career to being an editor and starting a magazine, all before having my two boys. I realized I wanted a family and wanted to make that my sole focus. I loved working and am so grateful to be able to write on the side, but being a mom has been my favourite career.
Being a mother is still something so looked down upon in society, mostly by moms themselves, who may not think they are doing enough, when really they do a lot. In the old days when men were the providers, women had no choice but to take on the duties at home, and in the process lost their sense of self identity I’m sure, but now things are different. Women are leaving the house and are able to make money and do what they want for a career. There are now child care options so that women can work towards their own goals. Women have been paving a way this whole time to change the narrative. Yes, many women still stay home and raise their families, while their husband goes out to work, but it’s a choice. A choice us women are now able to make for ourselves.
We each pave our own path and it’s important to celebrate that path. Whether you are a working woman, a woman who started her own venture, a mom or a woman who is in the middle of making a change, take this day to celebrate you and all of your accomplishments. You deserve it. Happy International Women’s Day to you.