Celebrating Woman
486 and 331 BC. Biblically we learn about Esther who became Queen, a Jewish woman who became Queen of Persia. A time when Jewish people lived in exile and were scattered. What a significant time and place to be that had a dramatic impact on saving her people. No easy task considering the volatile environment in which she found herself.
9 August, 1956 had seen thousands of women make their voices heard. The phrase “now you have touched the woman, you have struck a rock”, the phrase in its latest incarnation, “you strike a woman, you strike a rock” became known and representative of women’s courage and strength.
If we have a look at some of the woman that made a difference we think of people such as Florence Nightingale (by 1851 lead in creating opportunity for sick nurses and by 1854 became instrumental in offering nursing services at Crimea “The Lady-in-Chief” as she was known during the war) Emily Hobhouse (as far back as 1860 fought for the rights of women in British concentration camps in South Africa during the second boer war) Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph (National March 1956 and Federation of South African Women) Dr. Beatrice A Hicks (stood for the establishment of Society of Women Engineers), Dorchen Leidholdt (1970’s fought for Violence against woman now at the helm of Sanctuary for Families )
In 2020, we learn about Zulayqha Zulkifli. After their mother abandoned them, she became the mother figure to her three siblings, juggling her studies and working to put meals on the table. She studied community care and social services. Zulayqha noticed how many low-income families in her neighborhood were suffering. She and Zulhaqem(her brother) started Project Hills, a ground-up initiative that provided food and essentials to them, and the entire family of five helped with distribution efforts. By taking care of others, her healing is found.
The courage of women and their strength can be seen throughout these events and continue to amaze, shock and even change the turn of events in day-to-day life.
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
(Maya Angelou)
Now, write your own celebration – each woman, created
UNIQUE in their own being