May We Know Them

I’ve started writing this on International Women’s Day. Every year, this day sets me back in my seat as I’m reminded of the strong, powerful, and fearless women that exist in this world. Each year, there’s a little part of International Women’s Day that speaks to me more than all the others depending on what I’m focusing on in my life at that time. I remember vividly in 2015, looking through photos of women in the motorcycle industry that have been welcoming beacons into a hobby that I knew nothing about. They don’t know me. They have no idea I follow their motorcycle trips on social media and watch in awe and amazement as they take the power to do these things I couldn’t have even imagined. I remember waking up one International Women’s Day to pictures flooding my timeline of the "Fearless Girl" Statue on Wall Street, wearing a motorcycle helmet. I remember being blown away at that image. I stared at it. It stopped me in my tracks, and I thought to myself, “Why is that so powerful?”

Last year, P!NK, a champion for badass women everywhere, posted a photo of her and her daughter, Willow, with the caption “Happy International Women’s Day. Here’s to strong women. May we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.” And as Willow is caught in moments of dirt bike riding in a pink helmet, off-shore fishing in skinny jeans and a flat-brim hat, being on skis, bmx bikes, and skateboards all with blunt-chopped bangs, and complete fearlessness, I’m reminded that raising strong women is a task we must dedicate every day to. We must cultivate the next generation of Willows; we must never allow her to lose that fearlessness. “May we raise them;” why is that so powerful?

This year, as I reflect on International Women’s Day, I focus on my career, on gender transparency and diversity in the workplace, and my role in helping the cause. Much of my mindset lately has been through the lens of my place in the workforce. In the last four months, I’ve moved to a new state, started as a part-time Human Resources Coordinator for a phenomenal company, have been promoted to full-time, and I’ve quickly realized that walking into these doors ignited a spark that I’m never going to let go out. Human Resources is my niche. I’ve found my career. I walked into this office for my first interview, and interviewed with my, now, supervisor: a woman. I then came in for a second interview with the Human Resources Business Partner, who oversees two HR offices between two properties: a woman. She then had me speak with the Vice President of Human Resources for those two properties: a woman. I spoke with them about my intentions, goals, beliefs, and experiences. They were engaged, responsive, personable, and kind. These women had my fate in their hands, and they were still kind. They embodied everything I had ever learned in a philosophy class about Care Ethics. They practiced care as a moral virtue; they did it because they could, not because they had to. I’m very grateful to say that I work alongside those women every day. I’m still blown away by their willingness to care, engage, appreciate, and discuss. I’m still struck with instances of awe when I see their power, fearlessness, and kindness entangled together and thrown into action. I’m still thankful for the moments when they’re willing to take me under their wing and teach me, trust me with something I’ve never done before, or when they tell me “thank you.” They do those things because they can, not because they have to. I’ve sat in meetings, conference calls, terminations, and promotions with them. I’ve seen them exhaust the possibilities of emotional labor and do so with power, grace, and knowledge. I’ve seen them explain their decision and have the research to back it up; I’ve seen them know when to take a step back to let another person speak; I’ve seen them decide when it’s okay to just be quiet, and when they need to speak up; I’ve seen them walk the tightrope of excitement and disappointment. Why is that so powerful? It’s taught me. It’s given me tangible examples how to be both powerful and caring. It’s given me insight into the ways that women can be successful in job offers, corporate meetings, and executive boardrooms. It’s a daily reminder that there is room for me at the table, and I have women in my life who will save me a seat. It’s a daily reminder that I can be that woman for someone else.

So I ask the question one last time, on this International Women’s Day, why is all of this so powerful? Because I see myself in those women on motorcycles, in the "Fearless Girl," in Willow, in P!NK, in my boss, my boss’ boss, and my boss’ boss’ boss. I see examples of how to navigate the thin line that is existing as a woman and still being all of the things we want to be. I see power. I see strength. I see women who are willing to take chances and reap the rewards. I see women who are willing to admit they’re wrong when the chance doesn’t work out. I see women who are fighting for other women. I see women I want to stand alongside. I see women I want to stand up for. I see women I want to be.

“Here’s to strong women. May we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.”

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