March is a month filled with celebratory moments, but for myself and all women especially it resembles “National Women’s History Month”. A month for all women to prosper in everything they do and remember the saying: “yes you can”. Many women before us worked incredibly hard while maintaining good spirits during times of gender inequality. Though we recognize this is celebrated annually, we must always celebrate those women who’ve made huge impacts everyday in our lives and will continue to do so. Whether or not you support her political views, we can honor and acknowledge first ever woman VP of the United States, Kamala Harris. A woman of color who made us believe once again the power that we can hold while being a woman. Us ladies must come together and celebrate all our achievements if we want to resemble what it means to be a woman of character and courage. Here are only a few of an endless list of women, resembling true honor and commitment, that I want to honor for this month.
Jacinda Ardern
This woman is inspirational in endless ways. Not only did she become the youngest head of state in New Zealand at the age of 37, but she entered motherhood less than a year while serving as Prime Minister; where she was aware she would be criticized, but carried on while embodying resilience and a hard working attitude. On a global scale, Jacinda Ardern really made an impact by being one of the first leaders to approach Covid-19 with a strong plan. By late April, she was able to share that the virus cases had been at an all time low eventually leading her to declaring the eradication of the virus in New Zealand. Thank you Jacinda for proving to everyone that women are capable of everything!
Mariska Hargitay
A woman who has become more than just an idol to me. Famously known as “Olivia Benson” for her recurring role, in one of the longest televised shows in America, “Law and Order: SVU”, Mariska has shown what it means to be a celebrity who uses her huge platform for the greater good. Mariska Hargitay is known to many as the actress turned activist for the way she approaches certain topics through the character she plays. She is confident in what she believes in and is never afraid to speak on any difficult topics; hence her leading part of the #MeToo movement. In order to praise those women who spoke out on any type of abuse they have encountered in their life she honored them through her “Joyful Heart Foundation”. Through her foundation, thousands of women feel as if it has become a safe haven where they know their voices will be heard. Thank you Mariska, aka Liv!
Julia Alavarez
A woman who motivates me everyday. She is a Dominican-American poet, novelist, and essayist. Like members of my family, she is a proud woman of color who immigrated to the US during her adolescence for reasons that involved her home country of the Dominican Republic becoming part of a self-imposed exile from a dictatorship. When Julia was younger she faced lots of alienation and prejudice, but little did she know she would become one of the most talented and recognized writers of her time. While coming to a country barely knowing English she went on to being recognized by former President Barack Obama. She was given the 2013 National Medal of the Arts award in honor of extraordinary work. She has become a figure for any woman of color by preaching how we as women are capable of anything we set our minds to. A big thank you to Julia Alavarez, truly a woman that represents strength in every way!
A woman who is remarkable in everything she puts her mind to. Viola Davis was given the title by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world more than once. She was an individual who had a tough childhood growing up as she faced racism daily. By being one of the only black families in her town, she would utilize acting along with her siblings as an escape of the harsh world they had been living in during that moment. Fast forward to today, she is one of the most successful actresses in the industry. It is so moving that she has become a woman filled with such important achievements like becoming the first woman of color to achieve the “Triple Crown of Acting”. This epic journey of hers to being an overachiever is only just the beginning for a woman like her. Thank you for being you, Viola Davis, you are magnificent!
