International Women's Day

International Women’s Day,

I love International women.

So cultured and beyond the

hang-ups of Provincial and

Victorian social morality so

present in domestic women.

Hm? I’ve just been handed a note

and received a quick slap to the back

of the head. Ah! I see my blunder,

it’s not International Women’s Day,

but International Women’s Day.

My apologies.

All humor aside, the list of

inspiring women in my life is

literally too long. I cannot begin

to express my admiration and respect

for those women that have taught me,

instructed me and rescued me from

the depths of male-centric depravity.

I was raised fairly typically regarding

the pre-woman’s liberation social

standards. Sure, my mother is a strong

independent woman, but it did take her a

while to get there through her own empowering

journey. I was lucky enough to reap the benefits

of that discovery.

I was raised on the Hollywood stereotype

of “typical” female behavior and behaved

like a pretty chauvinistic jerk for a lot of my

very young adult life. My views were antiquated

and patently unfair for no other reason than

my own ignorance.

I was graced with women around me who

would not put up with that sort of crap.

Who led me down the path to awareness and

equality that I should have been taught all along.  

It is to those wonderful women that I owe a debt.

A debt I’m happy to pay.

Without those women.

Those International Women.

I would not be the man I am today.

I would not be emotionally open,

as open minded, as aware, or as

understanding of the feelings of others.

So, International Women,

I salute you.

I hug you (only if you’re comfortable with it

and I have your consent to do so).

And genuinely appreciate your struggles

and continued fight against adversity.