Saturday 8 March 2014

Happy Women's Day 2014!

 - Look, I got it! A bright pink saree draped Geeta can't stop smiling as she proudly hands me the papers. - Look! She is laughing. I jump to my feet and grab them: - That is amazing! Congratulations dear Geeta! I can feel tears filling my eyes, and I look into hers. The same. Tears of joy and pride. She did it.

That was some months back, but Women's Day is about women like Geeta. Women who against all odds manage to improve their life, who are chasing a dream and taking a chance and an opportunity. Women who overcome obstacles and fight hard, but still take their destiny in their own two hands. With a little help sometimes, but in the end, they are the ones making it happen. 

Because life has been hard on Geeta. She was beat up by her husband, who in the end abandoned her and their 4 children. I know that they all live with her parents in a one-room hut. Still, besides working her 2 jobs, taking care of her 3 daughters and 1 son, she started to study to be a social worker. She completed her study and has now found a good job which has improved the everyday life for her family and herself.   

Women like Geeta doesn't make it to the newspaper headlines or to the history books. But to me, her success story, as small as it may be, is still a grande victory. Women's day is about securing the rights of women and making it possible for all to choose the life they want for themselves, regardless of gender.
Nothing to do with Geeta, but just some fun moments at the NGO's summer party:-) 
Some days ago I wrote about the brave Cecilie Thoresen who fought her way into University (which was only open for boys back then). She refused to take "no" for an answer, and became the first Norwegian female university student. Her struggle can be applicable still today, in various forms, but most of all it is inspirational. It is possible. It can be done. Changes can come, even though it seems un-doable at times...

On last years's Women's Day I wrote about Gratitude, in A Tale Of Gratitude. Because even though we must continue to support work for women's rights, we may also allow ourselves to celebrate a bit on a day like this. Celebrate the victories of the past, the changes that our mothers and grandmothers fought for. Changes that has led up to many rights we enjoy today, and maybe take for granted some times. Here's to them!

Happy Women's Day to all lovely people in my life, and that includes YOU, dear reader. All the best!

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I have been participating in a fun festival of words this week, and today is the last day. So, this post is written for The Write Tribe Festival Of Wordswhich goes on from 2-8.March 

Today, Day 7, the topic is: Women and - an inspiring change. You can read more about the festival, and enjoy some of the other entries on the website. I am sure there will be a lot of great-reads today. Enjoy! Day 7, 8. March: 
International Women's Day 

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I’m celebrating Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day by blogging for the 
#WomenInspire Campaign sponsored by USC’s masters degree in social work program. Join the blog carnival to honor a woman who has inspired you!

 

28 comments:

  1. Reading about Geeta filled me with awe and admiration. Despite all odds, she made it happen. True, such victories never make it to the newspapers but nonetheless are worth celebrating and recognizing! Thanks for sharing about her, Eli. A very happy women's day to you too :)

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    1. Thank you so much Shilpa! So happy you enjoyed her story:-) Hugs

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  2. Yes these are the women we should celebrate each day...who despite all the odds...don't give up and keep fighting. Celebrate you today! Happy Women's Day!

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    1. Absolutely true:-) Thanks for your kind words Aditi! All the best

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  3. There are so many unsung heroes like Geeta. Good to read about her in your post. Others like Cecilie are torchbearers to be emulated, you have rightly said that Change can come. Happy women's day to you, today and every day.

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    1. Thank you so much Sulekkha:-) Yes, so true. Happy you enjoyed it! Best

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  4. Hats off to Geetha!! Women like her show how strong we are to fight against all odds . Women try to find happiness in each situation ... Happy Womens day to you too Eli !!

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    1. And the same to you dear Smitha:-) Big hugs your way, and thanks for following

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  5. A lovely tribute to Geeta and the deserving women we are! A happy IWD!

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    1. Thank you and the same to you, Michelle! Best

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  6. Great to read about such wonderful success stories!

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    1. Thank you so much:-) So happy you liked it!

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  7. The Geeta(s) of the India do not make it to the headlines or even a footnote in a newspaper but are winners in their own way. Salute her and her tribe.

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  8. Truly women like Geeta deserve accolades for their struggle & for emerging winners in life.
    Great to celebrate with such strong women.
    Happy Women's Day!

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    1. So true! Thanks for following dear Anita:-)

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  9. The celebration is not just for one day in a year, it should be rather for every moment of our life. Great story and Hats-off to Geeta.

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    1. Absolutely! So happy you enjoyed the story:-)

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  10. We'll find many Geeta(s) in our lives. They deserve accolades & applauds for what they are today.
    I too celebrated women, not their day. :-)

    Nisha - Le Monde-A Poetic Travail

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    1. Indeed they do:-) Happy to see you here, and thanks for following:-)

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  11. She did what she had to do to ensure a better life. Opportunity should be open and available for all. Everyone should be allowed to live the life they want...male or female.

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    1. I so agree dear Kathy:-) Thanks for sharing your thoughts

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  12. Thanks for writing about the inspiring story surrounding Geeta's life. I wonder how many Geeta are there in the world and what they need is a small push to empower them. After all, a good life is the right of every men and women rather than a privilege to a few people.
    Cheerz

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    1. Yes, so true, a small push can sometimes be enough! Thanks for your kind words and for sharing your thoughts Vishal:-)

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  13. Eli, what an inspirational woman Geeta is. She is proving to women everywhere that they have a choice and can make a change, gender is no roadblock in that. Thanks for sharing this with us and I really love that the Write Tribe came together to celebrate International Women’s Day! I’d love to add this to the #WomenInspire blog carnival. Vidya (http://vidyasury.com/2014/03/international-womens-day-inspiring-stories-inspire-change.html) submitted her post about her shero & it has gained a lot of traction so far and I think yours would too. If you’re interested please grab the badge & submit it in the comments section of this post: http://msw.usc.edu/mswusc-blog/women-inspire-roundup-iwd2014-whm2014/

    Thanks so much!
    ~Kristy
    MSW@USC Team

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    1. Thank you so much Kristy- for stopping by my blog and leaving such an encouraging and kind comment:-) Will check out the WomenInspire:-)

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  14. Sorry,I came late here.But I enjoyed reading your post on the never-say-die spirit of Gita and her ilk and how they struggled to bring their lives on an even keel.Lucky are those who get the empathy and support as this lady Gita got..Many such women may not have the facility to read such inspiring stories and it falls upon others whom God has placed in good circumstances to reach out to such hapless women and help them rebuild their lives.Even men have a big role.

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    1. Thank you so much:-) I so appreciate you kind words and that you share your thoughts. I so agree:-) All the best to you

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