Purposeful Perspectives: International Women’s Day

I grew up surrounded by strong women. A tenacious and loving mother, a thoughtful and caring sister, opinionated (rightfully so, they would say) and boisterous grandmothers, fiercely involved aunts. But despite the different words I use to describe each of them, I always come back to this idea of strength- steadfast in their beliefs, unwavering in familial loyalty, never too busy to be there in a time of crisis. To be clear, my dad was there too, but he was all too happy to leave the stage to the women in his life. I’ve always loved International Women’s Day because it felt like a celebration of the most important people in my life – the hands that shaped and molded me into the person I am today.

When my first baby, a beautiful girl named for the word “happiness,” was born almost a year ago today, it just made sense. Another girl. More love, more light, more strength. Another beautiful soul to join the force of women in my life. As I soaked in all the joys of motherhood, I was overwhelmed with emotions – most prominently, happiness and fulfillment. But amidst the joy, a little bit of sorrow crept in – a whisper at the back of my head wondering about all the babies who don’t have parental figures.

If you’re reading this blog post, it’s likely that you’re familiar with Georgia CASA’s mission – to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every child who has experienced abuse or neglect can be safe, have a permanent home, and the opportunity to thrive. And when you read that mission – it feels like a no brainer. When I chose to become involved with the organization, it was because on a factual level, I felt this mission was critical. Of course, all children should be free of abuse or neglect. Of course, all children should have a permanent and safe home. Of course, all children should be able to thrive, excel, and live their best lives. But after this past year, I feel this mission in my bones. And as we approach International Women’s Day, that feeling is only further amplified.

While so much of the sentiments expressed in this post are wrapped up into my experience as a woman, I believe all people, regardless of their gender, can feel called to engage with this mission. But for me, I am so grateful that my journey surrounded my strong women, now raising one of my own, has allowed me the introspection to appreciate Georgia CASA’s work so deeply.

As an organization dedicated to supporting children and families in crisis, we recognize that holidays can be a delicate and nuanced time for many. In this series, Purposeful Perspectives, we asked our staff members to select a season, month, or day that is meaningful to them to share with our CASA community. Thank you for joining us as we take a deeper look behind the celebrations that fill our lives.