Done. The bearded oracle proclaimed it so. So you can
imagine my disbelief when the ultrasound technician announced we were having a
girl. My reaction was literally along the lines of: Are you serious? Really? Really. We were having a girl. It was a plot twist for which I
hadn’t planned. Our baby’s gender still hadn’t sunk in that afternoon as I
shopped the isles of Target looking for a ribbon and some bow to tie around my
belly for the gender reveal to family and friends I’d been planning. It was not
until I was standing in line ready to check out that I realized I’d grabbed a
blue bow and ribbon.
Having always been a fervent liberal and champion of
women’s rights, the bra-burning, Rosie the Riveter in me kicked into overdrive. And because I am a woman of action, I quickly took this girl business by the reigns, jumped two feet in, and haven’t looked back since. My daughter’s room is painted in a bold navy color and is
decorated with images of her great-grandmothers, Amelia Earhart, Wonder Woman,
and Frida Kahlo. Lucy has the traditional ABC style books, as well as Rad American Women A-Z. Her current
favorite letter is “O” for Odetta Holmes. Her little bird voice can be heard
saying, “O-detta, O-detta.” She wears a mix of boys and girls clothes, and every
night before she goes to bed I say to her: What’s
the best part of Lucy? Her head and her heart, because she thinks with her head
and loves with her heart. She knows this ritual and pats both her head and
heart when she hears the words. My girl is brimming with moxie, she is fearless,
and cultivating some sass. In moments of frustration, I try really hard to
remind myself that all those qualities will serve and empower her well as she learns
to bust through and shatter any glass ceiling she encounters.
To say that I’m hell-bent on raising a woman who knows that
her worth does not begin or end with her looks, that her strong thighs will be what
propels her to run harder and faster (past the boys), and that she will stand up to those who
attempt to keep her down – is an understatement of paramount proportions. While
I definitely steer away from an overabundance of pink, frills, and princesses,
I will never stop her from those things. That’ll be her prerogative, and the days she chooses glitter over grime, I'll get fancy with her.
Since birthing my daughter, I’ve also become keenly aware
of the rising trend in incredibly empowering campaigns to promote women. As I come across
them, I’ve bookmarked the clips for future use and reference, and because I fiercely hope that we all continue to champion strong women, know
strong women, and raise strong women – they are all here for you.
Like A Girl (love, love, love)
Potty-Mouthed Princesses (explicit)
And because Mother’s Day is just around the bend, here
are some campaigns to remind us that mothers need to be celebrated often, and even when they are taken for
granted – lord knows I’ve done so plenty of times with my own – they are still
there for us. Sacrificing, worrying, protecting, and loving us. Always.
Now play THIS. Loudly. Rock on.
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