Born from the Fire

We are the women born from the fire.

Burning with anger to see the end of Roe v. Wade.

A legislature more desperate to control women’s bodies than their guns.

Ablaze with fear and rage as we face down a most barbaric symbol: a deadly wire hanger.

We are like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, affirming ENOUGH.

Reproductive freedom is a human right.

We are the ones to problem solve our way into a brighter, safer future for women.

We are the ones to sit down at the table.

To protest, to fight, to speak out.

We are the women born from the darkness.

To stand tall and proclaim 'Mental health matters!'

To ask a friend not ‘Are you ok?’ Because that very question begs an ok conclusion.

Instead, let us ask, ‘What’s going on inside?’ ‘How is your heart?’ ‘Tell me something you’re holding in that you’re ashamed to say out loud?’

Any question that opens the door to truth, to authenticity.

To pick each other up when we are down and say I GOT YOU.

Words that always make me think of the amazing Jen Pastiloff.

We are the women born from struggle - from adversity

To look at life’s challenges and say, “I will heal. I will bounce back.”

To look at those who aim to limit us and say “I will show you.”

Or to walk away and say, “I don’t care what you think.” And mean it.

To share the resources we have at our disposal, our wisdom, our practical advice.

To share our time and make room for other women in our gardens, our homes, our tables.

To decide to be childless or to have kids.

To get married or to remain single. Regardless, may we always remain faithful to the most important person: the one staring back at us in the mirror.

To accept a wide spectrum of choices without judging one another.

We are the ones who have the courage to say to society ‘This is who I am’ rather than let society dictate what that should be.

We are the women born from a deadly and isolating pandemic.

Who find every way under the sun to bring back community - to foster the collective.

To be inclusive,

To heal,

To accept otherness,

To know that diversity makes us stronger.

And even in the face of disagreement, hard conversations, and confrontation to aspire to be just a little more like Malala and ‘only talk about peace’.

We are the Women born from the Fire.

A circle of women: joyful, free, brave, kind.

Leading with confidence and grace.