By Dr. Marci Catlett, Deputy Superintendent of Fredericksburg City Public Schools
This is my first blog experience ever. As I contemplated on what I should post, I thought about the reasons why I selected March as the month to volunteer to step out of my comfort zone and try something new and different. March is my all-time favorite month. My birth and my husband’s birthday are both in March. How can you not be appreciative of the month that marks the day of the astronomical first day of spring? Of all of the noteworthy celebrations in March, obviously, National Women’s History Month stands out as the one that affords me the greatest opportunity to post a blog. However, before I could actually get started and as an educator and lifelong learner, I found it necessary to educate myself on the reasons why people blog. Networking, branding, connecting with like-minded people, creating awareness, self-promoting, helping others, staying in touch, satisfying your creative side, creating a record, and gaining knowledge were the top reasons why people blog. Some of these reasons certainly align with why I volunteered to post this blog.
In celebration of National Women’s History Month, my thoughts immediately reflect on the women who have made a significant difference in my life. We all have them. Let’s celebrate them. They are our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, and soul mates. Included in our celebration of women who have impacted our lives are our friends, classmates, sorority sisters, colleagues, coworkers, mentors, supervisors, and the list goes on and on. During this month, please consider showing appreciation and gratitude to the phenomenal women who have assisted in making you the person that you are and continue to strive to be.
Showing appreciation and gratitude can be done in a number of ways. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Share a specific example of something they did for you and how it made a difference in your life.
2. Compliment them on a talent, skill, or strength that you admire.
3. Invite them to do something you know they’ve always wanted to do.
4. Send a note, card, or gift to them.
5. Look them straight in the eyes and say, “Thank you for making me a better person.”
In addition to the fabulous women who impacted us through every phase of our lives, let’s pay homage to our external influences. External influences are the powerful women who made a lasting impression on us because of their contributions to society. I am sure you will identify with some of the follow great women: Mother Teresa, Harriet Tubman, Shirley Temple, Doris Day, Julia, Barbie, Julie Andrews, Sojurner Truth, Dorothy & Glinda the Good Witch, Lucille Ball, The Supremes, Marlo Thomas, Mary Tyler Moore, Juliette Low, Rosa Parks, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Aretha Franklin, Cicely Tyson, Coretta Scott King, Nicki Giovanni, Maya Angelou, Queen Elizabeth, Dorothy Height, Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, and Michelle Obama.
As you enjoy the eventful days of March and in celebration of Women’s History Month, please take a moment to reflect on the internal and external influential women who have a made a difference in your life. Honor them, love them and celebrate them!
*We encourage you to join UMW and the James Farmer Multicultural Center as they celebrate the strength, courage and inspiration of women during a series of Women’s History Month events. *
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