Today, March 8, is celebrated as International Womens Day and here’s wishing all you fabulous women out there, and the amazing men who complement us and enrich our lives a very Happy Women’s Day!. Yes, I am blessed with as many men friends as girl friends who are caring buddies.
So – what have we on Women’s Day? My son and husband wished me as soon as I woke up this morning and pestered me asking what I wanted. They still are. I can’t think of anything because I think I have everything I need.
I received this beautiful card from my friend Ravi, who, in the ten-plus years we’ve been close friends has never once forgotten an occasion, a birthday or an anniversary. He designs all his cards and I always feel touched beyond words.
So let’s celebrate International Womens Day 2014!
Since you’ve most likely read all about the why and how of International Womens Day, I thought it would be apt to introduce you to four amazing women in my life who inspire change all the time. By the way, that’s the theme for this year’s International Womens Day – Inspiring Change.
Here we go!
Manju, Swamy Vivekananda Orphanage Education Society
She represents Swamy Vivekananda Orphanage Education Society. When one brave lady left everything she had behind and started a small school for the underprivileged, she joined her. Slowly, they grew the school. Alongside, they also started an orphanage which now has around 50 children in the age group of 5 to 16. Manju visits the city (the school is in the outskirts of Bangalore) twice a month to go door to door and collect contributions. Years ago, she knocked on my door for the first time and we became friendly. I’d invite her in, force her to have some coffee or buttermilk, depending on the weather so she could rest her feet before going on her way. Gradually, we grown sort of close and she calls me “Akka” (elder sister). When she admires something I am wearing, I pack it up and give it to her. The next time she comes over, she makes it a point to wear it and show it off. We have a sweet relationship. I admire her for dedicating her life to making a change for children who need her help. She’s always smiling and pleasant in spite of her tough job.
Sridevi, Seva Sadan
Seva Sadan is my favorite welfare home and Sridevi is in charge there. I swear she hasn’t changed in appearance since the day I first saw her fifteen years ago. Always welcomes me with a smile. She speaks in Kannada and I sort of manage to communicate with her. She has worked there for over twenty years and I see her as a kind and gentle woman who never speaks harshly to the 80-odd children there. I admire the way this home has grown and love visiting them often. I especially admire Sridevi for her strength, for devoting her life to the home.
Revathy Aunty
Revathy Aunty is a very young 80 year old angel who is my neighbor. A more sprightly woman you are unlikely to see. She is the glue that keeps our building residents together. She is at the forefront of every activity and does not let anything deter her. She’s always smiling and is ready with a positive word and a hug. Picnics with her are great fun. I am grinning as I write this. If I had to give an example of great attitude, she would be that example. Always proactive. Always taking an initiative for the building residents’ common good. Never hesitates to step forward to take responsibility. A great soul. She believes that change is the only constant and improvement the only policy. I love her.
Lady by the roadside
Remember I spoke about my roadside Grandpa in a previous post? Well, this lady joined him one day, three years ago. She just settled in with him on the roadside. When she arrived she had three kids. Now she has four. There’s a guy who hangs out with them, presumably the father of her kids. They used to live off the alms they received from people like me. Then, I noticed she was pregnant. She would make broomsticks and sell them. Somehow, she accumulated some bedding. Eventually she delivered. Now, four kids. She manages them by taking two with her – I presume she has found work somewhere and leaving two with the Grandpa who keeps an eye on them. Now, she has set up a little kitchen at the roadside next to the bus stop. Four bricks, two big utensils and some provisions she keeps in small bags. She cooks and feeds her family. I’ve seen her dress her oldest, probably around 5 years, in a school uniform. Perhaps she goes to the school run by the church. I admire her for keeping calm and carrying on with life. She takes life as it comes. Change doesn’t bother her.
My biggest SHero is my Mom, of course, who came through the toughest times with a big smile and showed life who’s boss.
These women inspire me because they are selfless and seek to change lives.
Do you have a SHero?
USC’s Women Inspire Campaign
“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!”
Thank you so much for your #WomenInspire post! I think it is so wonderful that you featured the “lady by the side of the road”. Everyday women’s stories should be told as to not be forgotten by history. My mom is also one of my biggest sheros. Thanks for sharing your voice with us! I’ll ensure your post is added to our Roundup by the end of the day.
Best,
Gaby
MSW@USC Team
Thank you Gaby! It fills me with pride to see her survive with a smile. So happy you dropped by! I gotta confess that the hardest part of this post was the selife! 😀 A very happy Women’s Day to you!
Haha well you did a lovely job capturing your mother’s essence! You have a beautiful and inspirational family.
All inspiring women, Vidya! Happy IWD!
Thanks Michelle! Happy IWD right back! 🙂
Hi Vidya
A very timely post.
You introduced the amazing personalities and at the same time showed the other side of women by showing a woman from the street. Indeed a balanced post. We wish you and all your women friends a Happy Women’s Day. And a happy weekend.
phil
Thank you for your kind words and wishes, Philip!
Revathy aunty looks very young at 80. She has proved that age is just a number.
The lady on the foothpath . Salutes to her.
The last one.. the lady on the roadside.. life is really tough and to see them take a day at a time only brings in a shudder and more respect for them.
God give them the strength.
India has a long long way to go..!
Happy Women’s Day to you, Vidya.
Thanks for sharing stories of so many inspirational women. But hats off to the lady on the roadside – there are those that simply get on with life and then there are the whingers.
Genuinely these stories are inspiring…I do agree that our moms are the Sheros of our lives. Inspiring post…Happy Women’s Day
What a remarkable and inspiring group of women these are! Thanks Vidya for sharing about them. A really wonderful post!
What a fabulous tribute to these extraordinary and incredible women who are making a big difference in the lives around them! Happy IWD, everyday 🙂
Wonderful tributes Vidya. All of them. Revathy aunty is my favourite though. and of course the roadside woman. Thank you for sharing their stories of inspiration with us. 🙂
There is a Sanskrit adage that one irrespective of age can learn even from a child.Likewise one can be inspired by anyone irrespective of their circumstances.The inclusion of a roadside woman in the list for the value she inspired is admirable.I enjoyed reading this.
Those are some amazingly inspiring women Vidya…and I admit, I am a sucker for those who do small things and may not necessarily have a name! 🙂
You’ve presented a set of wonderful sheroes!
I’ve come across quite a few sheroes and heroes, but on International Women’s Day, the shero I remember is my Automobile Engineering Professor. Since very few women studied Automobile Engineering then, a woman teaching the subject was a rarity and her classes were all-male. All her students rated her as one of the best teachers! I have never heard her express feminist thoughts, but, in my opinion, she was a ‘karmayogi’ feminist!
Inspiring.
I love that your mommy is your most wonderful SHEro.
I have many, including my mommy (I call her the glue-god or Saint Shirley.
Kay is my muse.
Malala.
SO MANY wonderful women.
You are also one of my SHEros, Vidya.
Vidra! An awesome, awesome post! When I first read the title, I thought “Oh, typo…” Duh. But what a stunning selection of women! Every neighborhood should be so graced by women with these qualities of grit, grace, heart and love! <3 Mary aka Viola Fury A to Z Challenge Theme Reveal BlogFest – Sign Up Now #atozchallenge #atozreveal
A little late commenting here, Vidya, though I read the post that day with my little darling on my lap ( I made sure two women read the post at one go, see 😛 ).
These women are real inspirations. It’s because of such women that we are on the way to become SHeroes to someone, without remaining Zeroes ! 🙂
Lovely pic, the selfie 🙂
A big hug to both of you. Special thanks to the young lady. Please tell her I am honored to have her here! 🙂 And special thanks to you, too!
Wow. The grit and determination of your heros is inspiring… I respect the strength with which they are spreading so much positiveness around them. Sincerely hope that the lady by the roadside would see better days . Thanks for sharing their story.
A beautiful tribute saluting the triumph of the spirited women who dared to dream to make a difference to the world. They deserve respect for making a change in the world. I love the beautiful card for women Day. Beautiful post, Vidya.
This is strange. We celebrate Woman’s Day on August 9 in SA, not March 8. I now wonder which one is correct, or if it’s decided by the country you live in.
March 8 is designated International Women’s Day by the Un, Alison, with a theme for each year. 🙂 If you ask me, I’d say we should celebrate it every day! Thank you for coming by!
I found one of the great post till date. What a tribute! Wonderful article.
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