Strong. Resilient. Evolving. Being a woman is something to be celebrated… today, tomorrow, and every day following. International Women’s Day is an ode to the hard work our mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers, and every mother before them put in so that we could live the lives we live today. The work is far from done but I think this special day is about celebrating how far we’ve come, how wonderful it is to be a woman and encouraging the world to see that as well.
It’s about celebrating our fellow women today, our fellow women of yesterday, and the fellow women that our daughters will one day become.
Over the years, I have been so inspired by the women in my life – my mother, my grandmother, Dave’s mother, my friends, my mentors… the list goes on. They’ve taught me that with tradition also comes change and that it’s our turn to carry the torch. It’s taught me that the inspiring men in my life should also be celebrated for celebrating women. It’s taught me that going on and on about how proud I am to be a woman is valid and important, on International Women’s Day and every day following it.
The movement is strong, friends, and I fill with emotion as I type the words to you, hoping you feel the strength too. And when I see some of my favourite brands joining in on the movement and using their strength to empower it, I realize that we’re living in such a special time for women.
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I’ve been a long time lover of Saks OFF 5TH (as you’ve probably seen from some of my other blog posts), but today I am not just a lover of the brand but I’m a proud consumer. On March 4th, Saks OFF 5TH launched an exclusive t-shirt in support of International Women’s Day with 100% of the net proceeds benefitting Girls Inc., a non-profit organization who is continuously fighting for women. They equip girls with the skills to navigate through economic, gender, and social barriers. And although we’ve come a long way, there is still work and education to be done.
The t-shirts, in celebration of International Women’s Day, say “Every Day is Women’s Day” and is a brilliant reminder of the torch we should be so proud to carry onwards. They’re available exclusively online here, on Saksoff5th.com. I am beyond proud to wear this shirt today and hope you’ll consider buying one and wearing it proudly as well.
Check out Saks OFF 5TH’s International Women’s Day t-shirts here (available exclusively online, between March 4th through March 29th)
Saks OFF 5TH’s initiative really prompted me to think about how we should all be celebrating International Women’s Day. The message on these t-shirts could not ring more true. It’s not just a day for us to rally around, it’s a daily practice and there are so many things we can do, even in our own bubbles, to help the cause.
Here are 5 reminders I’m really trying to incorporate into my life to support my fellow women, today and every day:
1. Support The Broader Cause And Those Pushing It
Recognize the brands, institutions, and organizations rallying for the cause. We are stronger together and even though you might not be able to organize a campaign on your own, you can always find a group doing just that. And joining in is just as meaningful and important as starting it. I’m personally so inspired by how Saks OFF 5TH is doing just this and I could not be prouder to join in.
2. Realize Competition Is More About Ourselves Than Other People
In our day and age of social media, it is so easy to compare and compete with our fellow women. We know it’s not right, we know it’s not productive. Instead of giving in to that urge, every time you see an image that makes you feel jealousy or competition with another women, celebrate them instead. Send them strength and appreciation of their unique beauty. Know that the feeling is likely born out of your own insecurity (the truth is hard to swallow, but we’re not one to shy away from it). Remind yourself of your strength too and the amazing woman that you are.
3. Collaborate- We’ve Always Been Stronger Together
In lieu of lusting over your #WCW or unhealthily obsessing over that influencer who’s body is your #bodygoals, find other women who are passionate and interested in the things that you are. Collaborate with them, meet them, support them. Whether it’s your friend or someone new you’ve just met, collaborating towards each other’s interests and goals (even so small as offering your words of affirmation) can do wonders for our female-female relationships.
4. Share It – Don’t Keep Quiet
For a long time, our female ancestors were silenced and they worked hard for us not to be. Never feel ashamed to claim how proud you are to be uniquely a woman. Share that post you’re scared might seem too “feminist”, wear your shirts proudly, and truly celebrate what it means to be a woman.
5. Think About It Everyday
This is probably the most important (and the one I’m secretly trying to hold myself accountable for the most). It’s easy to feel passionate about this subject today, but then the dust settles and we forget. We fall back into the routines of forgetting that this is a ongoing conversation to be had.
*** This post was made in generous partnership with Saks OFF 5TH. All thoughts and opinions are exclusively my own.
