International Women's Day

I grew up surrounded by brothers. I was the only woman on a men's sports team for 8 years. I (for some reason I'll need to reflect on) often say: "I get along better with men."

But today, on #InternationalWomensDay, I'm going to shout it from the rooftops: I am so proud and happy and grateful to be a woman.

No two women are ever the same (don't go making that mistake!), so I'm sitting down to share my own entirely-personal reflections on womanhood. I hope this list sparks some reflection on your own adventure or provides insight into the women in your life that you know and love. May we all continue the celebration of individuality and womanhood every day of the year.

1. Just do it. The person I am (and frankly one of the main qualities I love about myself) is someone who focuses on doing things, not talking about them. Now, my friends and family will tell you I'm a "talker" and that's true; I love language and am certainly an extrovert. (I honestly believe this only manifests as a problem when I'm watching movies with my husband.) But when it comes to accomplishments and getting things done, I spend time on the thing itself rather than the explanation, promotion, or evaluation of the thing. My personal goal in 2022 is to actually be a little *less* of this way (finding more balance and all that), but one of my favorite quotes about womanhood echoes this fundamental sentiment. Margaret Thatcher said, “If you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woan.”

2. Are you hurt or are you injured? Because our focus is often on getting things done, women have a tendency to suffer in silence. I don't see this as a failure, I see it as evidence of our toughness. My best friend, a prominent cardiologist, used to get a laugh by saying: "Women have the perfect XX pair of chromosomes. Men are broken and weaker because a leg fell off and left them with a broken chromosome: XY." It may get a laugh, but I'm always in awe of just how tough women are - from the mind-bending pain of childbirth to working right through a proverbial "man cold." You've seen your mom pick up a hot pan and not wince. You've seen Sheryl Sandberg take the hits and keep on coming. You've seen Mary Lou Retton stick that landing on a crippled ankle. Women don't take a break unless we're truly jured.

3. Sugar and spice. No woman I've ever admired was all 'sweet'. Show me a woman who has achieved much, and I'll show you a woman with saltiness , spunk, sass. Perhaps my favorite quote on this topic is Helen Keller's: "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." I also often fondly remember back to a poem that captured my imagination as a little girl: "There was a little girl, who had a little curl, right in the middle of her forehead. And when she was good, she was very, very good. And when she was bad, she was horrid." Every time my curly-headed grandmother finished the poem, she'd wink at me - her curly-headed granddaughter. It's exciting to be a bit 'horrid' and I deeply appreciate that concept of surprise, that spark inside each of us, which might be a bit edgy... but sure makes life m fun.

4. Shake your thang, do what you wanna do. Nothing is more inspirational than a woman who is throwing herself into a role. It might be as founder of a new startup. It might be as the first woman director of a long-established corporation. It might be a new mother. It might be a letter-press artist. But I've rarely known a woman to do a job and only think of it as a job. Even if a job isn't your passion, we bring passion to the job. [Side note: If you're reading this and don't know what you want to do, email me . Nothing brings me more joy than helping women find meaning in their current roles and plan for their next roles.] "If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair." - Shirley Chisholm, First African-American woman elected to the US Congress

5. I have the power. Female strength often comes from within, yet it's not some magical font of power. As all humans do, we struggle with mental health, confidence, anxiety. There is a journey that women take through their lifetime to find power not only in spite of who they are, but because of all that they are. So yes, sometimes we need to go to wellness retreats . Sometimes we need to surround ourselves with girlfriends who can share the burden and buttress our self-worth. But every woman I know is a work-of-art still in progress. And, fundamentally, on this day to celebrate great women – I think that's what it's all about. It's not just celebrating great women we look up to , but celebrating every woman who is on the journey.

My wish, on this International Women's Day 2022, is one originally penned by Mary Shelley: "I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves.”

Picture of the author, with her daughter and mother. "Here's to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them."

Point references: 1. Nike 2. "The Program" (1993). 3. Traditional nursery rhyme. 4. Salt-n-Pepa. 5. She-Ra.