#BalanceforBetter-March Musings'19/sol19/Day7

I come from a line of strong women who sought balance amidst everyday challenges. They traveled far from home to settle in an unknown land. They toiled, wept, rejoiced, and engaged in life to celebrate living. As a child, I watched in awe as my Nonnie mindfully practiced her religion and joyfully engaged in creative arts. Then, when I had children of my own, I had the opportunity to watch my creative Mother lovingly guide my children.

Tonight I join poet, teacher Catherine Flynn, host of Poetry Friday who is celebrating International Women's Day and Two Writing Teachers for the March SOLSC 19. In tribute of strong woman everywhere, I celebrate my Nonnie and Mother. Their story started long ago in Italy. 1921 was a year of change for them, as they sailed to America.

Remember the women

Life creators
Inspiration givers

Vessels of hope.

Grandmother, mother
With gentle hands 

Providers of joy

Blessed are they. 
Pure in heart and spirit
Theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Their place of peace.

Remember these women
Who came before us

Who left a legacy of
Strength and pride.
They are remembered.
Their memories are
Held in the hearts
Of the living.  
©CV, 2019



From the poet Rupi Kaur, #1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of two collections of poetry.  

i stand
on the sacrifices 
of a million women before me 
thinking
what can i do
to make this mountain taller
so the women after me
can see farther

                          7/31

March Musings #8: International Women's Day

Today, is the day set aside each year to celebrate International Women's Day. This year's theme, #PressforPower, is a timely one based on the issues present in the world today. It is important for women around the globe to be visible positive forces, to have their achievements recognized, and be influential models for the younger generation. 

I have been privileged to celebrate women's achievements in the refugee village of Masese, Uganda and support my friends', the Garritys, for their work in providing education to 550 elementary children, helping the mothers of Masese to understand how to market their paper beaded jewelry and accessories, and support high school students attain an education. All of these endeavors are supported through the tireless work of the not-for-profit H.E.L.P. International organization and the fundraising efforts on Long Island. 

Each of the 90+ mothers have a craft. They create beautiful hand-crafted jewelry and accessories from paper. When the Garritys first arrived in Masese they found poverty, disease, malnutrition, and illiteracy.  The mothers did not know how to market their wares. Thanks to the Garritys the women now have the knowledge to sell their products and provide sustainable living for their young ones. Their children attend the school that was built through donations and proceeds from the jewelry sales, and eat two meals of day. All of this is done by a group of volunteers led by the Garritys. 

Each long day in the sun,
in my village, Masese,

my hands roll paper-

turning, twirling each piece,

into handcrafted beads -

for a future built on hope.

Hope rises from our work.
Hands swell with crafted pride
and eyes sparkle seeing 
my children filled with joy.
Bellies full and learning fresh
leads us toward betterment.

Hope rises within Masese.

Sustainable living thrives- 
honest fair trade work brings
our refugee village
together as people 
believing in hope.
©CVarsalona, 2018

I feel proud to be part of a mission to support learning and sustainable learning in Masese.

 

Day 8 of Two Writing Teachers' March Slice of Life Story Challenge

March Musings 8: Be Bold For Change

Today is a day to officially celebrate women around the world for it is International Women's Day 2017. I honor the campaign theme, #BeBoldForChange. It is a strong call for action.

Backstory:
I come from a family of strong women who gave up much to raise their families with pride. My grandmother came to America, with her infant daughter (my mother), from Italy during the 1920 immigration wave. She took a bold step to leave her home to journey to a new land where her husband was waiting for her. Never learning to read and write in English, she provided her family with a strong sense of identity, love of learning, and an ethical lifestyle. My mother continued the tradition, passing on her love of life and learning to my children, whom she helped raise. During her high school years, my daughter was accepted into the Girls' Leadership Program at the Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill, NY and has continued her leadership journey in the business world. Women in my family have had and continue to have commitment, perseverance, and pride.

#BeBoldForChange Commitment:
At the International Women's Day site, there are commitment slogans to choose. My choice: 

I'll celebrate women's achievement 

and champion women's education. 

Poetic Thought:
The following is the first stanza of a poem I wrote for a challenge created by Donna Smith. You can read more about this here. 

Created with Canva

How will you #BeBoldForChange? 

This post is the 8th in the series titled March Musings for the March Slice of Life Story Challenge created by Two Writing Teachers.

"Make Things Happen"

I have always been fascinated by history and the courageous women of the past whose strength and courage changed the world. Today, March 8, 2015, marks the 2015 International Women's Day, a worldwide event celebrated in twenty-seven countries. Recognized as a national holiday in many countries, this year's theme, Make Things Happen, is purposefully designed to be an outcry for equality and the discrimination of women across the globe. While many advancements in gender equity have occurred since the first International Women's Day in 1911, issues of discrimination and equity still exist.

"In the U.S., the problem is no less pronounced than it is elsewhere. According to the U.S. Census, women make less than 80 percent of what men do. Women hold 19 percent of seats in Congress. And among CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, fewer than 5 percent are women."

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/abhorrent-thousands-march-international-womens-day-n319701 

Because the issue of gender equity is one of great concern, today thousands marched in the streets of New York City. They were joined by the First Lady of New York City, Chrilane McCray who stated, "This march started more than a century ago, but we still have a long way to go before we get to equality." (ABC News) 

"Women's rights are human rights,"

the crowd chanted as they marched.

Thousands deep, they walked the streets

heralding a message of equity,

loudly crying out to a world of sleepy denial.

In strong unison, women and "men sisters" 

marched despite winter's cold,

noting the need for global action.

With open arms, New York City 

greeted the throngs

who championed change.

Let their voices be heard. 

newyork.cbslocal.com

Now please connect with Two Writing Teachers Day 8 of the March SOLSC  to read other bloggers stories.