Celebrating the Women in My Life on International Women’s Day and Every Other Day
Tomorrow, March 8, is International Women’s Day. When I was a kid, I used to associate this day with (I guess International) Mother’s Day. That’s because my mom, and also my granny were the most important women in my life at the time. They still are, and I hope my granny would approve of it.
As I began my journey through life, more women started to make an impact on my life–my piano teacher, a few of my teachers from elementary and high school, my wonderful English teacher who’s now a very dear friend, friends I’ve made along the way, as well as women advocates I’ve got to interview and photograph. They all have inspired my own journey; their strength and passion and determination have helped me continue on my path through life. They’ve given me strength and hope, and some of them believed in my dreams even when I couldn’t do that myself.
As I became an adult, I also became aware–and a passionate supporter–of the women’s rights movement, women’s rights or lack thereof. There’s a lot I have to say about that, but for now let’s just say that sometimes I wonder where that movement will take us, women, and not only women. And I wonder about our legacy, as women. What do we leave behind? What do we hand over to the next generation? How long would our legacy last?
Hence, the image posted below: spume left behind by ocean’s waves on the wet sand glitters in the late golden hour light, before disappearing into the salty air.
Besides the women in my family and closest women friends, other women have become models and heroes in my life. I try to look up to them and learn from their courage.
I still believe that women can unite in their fight for their rights, to face the incoming storm together, as one. But, if and whenever necessary, women can also face the storm alone, in solitude. Because, to borrow a line from the movie P.S. I Love You, “if we are all alone, we are together in that, too.”
Here are a few women–activists, authors, personal trainers, and motivational speakers–I’ve photographed over the years.
And here are some of my personal heroes.
Happy International Women’s Day!
As always, thanks for stopping by!
Alina Oswald 