International Women's Day

I learned from my friend Connie that this Sunday is International Women's Day. And in honor of that, I'll be mentioning amazing women that I know for the rest of the week.

I have met so many amazing women online, through Etsy and in blog land. You can read about them in artisan interviews, or follow my links at the bottom of this blog. I have been struck by their perserverance and creativity. In these times, I know we are all touched by this economy. Yet these women find ways to hold their heads high and trudge onward.

I never really knew my mom as a person (she was bedridden by the time I was 9), but I've heard many stories about her. I remember green pancakes and her dying her hair green for St. Patrick's day. My dad told me stories about her that reflected a cunning sense of humour. I am the youngest of 5 children and I will always think of her as an amazing woman.

When I was in Utah lately, I seemed to be surrounded by women... and future women. Each and every one of them had qualities that made them utterly amazing. Women seem (in my opinion) to be the ones to pick up the pieces. To mend things together when they fall apart. We bring life, we nurse the ill. Each and every one of us brings a different personality to the table, but in the huge quilting bee of life, we are there, sewing our stories, our families... right into our families histories.

I read a book about Anne Sexton a couple of years ago. She was a poet who committed suicide. The book was written by her daughter. Anne had been plagued by mental illness for years before taking her own life. Yet her daughter was able to honour her mother with this book. The book told stories, and the stories were not always in the best light... for Anne or for her family. But as women, we can see the ugly, the intolerable, the difficult-- and still see love, courage, awesomeness.

I encourage all of you to check out Connie's blog to read more about International Women's Day. And honour those women in your life.