As the month of March nears its end, so too is the International Month of Women. We hope honoring, respecting and recognizing the so-called “weaker sex” will go on at all times, making the tribute to women part of everyday life.
Women from all over the world, from time immemorial, have manifested their power, determination and courage. There were the brave Joan of Arc, Rosa Parks and our own heroic Gabriela Silang. “Women’s Lib” (liberation) provided an awakening for the potential of women outside their homes. Then Women Empowerment came about. Business became aware of their capabilities, hence corporations welcomed women among their peers. Look at Tessie Sy Coson and Loida Nicolas Lewis, both acknowledged in the international corporate world. And there was the late Nora Daza, who took the spotlight from the traditional kusinero to become the country’s top culinary guru.
While these women reap great success and honors, there are the “little women” who work hard in different endeavors, the great majority driven to seek livelihood in far away places. They are the OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) – the tinderas, lavanderas and kasambahays, waitresses, nurses and doctors, journalists, military women including those in the police force, farm workers, etc. – all deserving acknowledgment for their dedicated service to fellow Filipinos. To all of them we say, carry on.
While transferring our files to our new base, we re-read this tiny little book, measuring about 2 inches x 3 inches, “A Spirited Sip of Chicken Soup for the Soul” done in “Celebration of Women” and inspired by the No. 1 New York Times bestselling “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” which presents and honors a “little sip of the strength and beauty of a woman’s spirit.”
The book is a collection of essays written by husbands and children. One of the most touching pieces was the letter from a man to his recently departed wife. Some readers were moved to tears by this. He wrote the letter expressing sorrow for his failure to appreciate his wife’s strength and devotion in rearing the children and for not making her feel his love, because as a trucker, he was very often an absent husband and father.
A young dyslexic girl grew up and went through her early schooling always considered not normal, until she came into the class of a teacher who understood, found and taught her techniques to read normally. Years after, the teacher got stricken with cancer. The grateful student traveled 1,000 miles to visit her. Miss Hardy, her name was, has helped a mix of people, including senators and other legislators and some corporate CEOs.
In our consciousness we must always remember our respective mothers who unselfishly toiled hard to provide us with homes filled with love and peace. Then there are formidable wormen like former President Cory Cojuangco-Aquino who taught her children honesty and Luz Banzon-Magsaysay who raised her children with proper values.
Surely, we have more of their kind, worthy of our tribute.
Hail! The Women of the World! May they continue to be committed to the spirit of love and peace.
E-mail me at lydiadolores34@gmail.com.