The Village We Are Building: An International Women’s Day Sisterhood Tribute

Today, I’m lighting a candle for the village that was, and the one we are building now. International Women’s Day Sisterhood is a beautiful time to honor the women who hold us up—those sitting at our table today, and those who paved the way long before we arrived.

On the Shoulders of Pioneers

I am who I am because I stand on the shoulders of the women who came before me.

I think of my grandmother, a freaking pioneer who lost her parents at a young age and refused to let the world break her. She became a nurse, worked, married young, and raised a family in the middle of a war—all while teaching herself multiple languages.

I think of my mother, who left her entire world behind and moved to a country where she didn’t know a single soul to get married and start a family. Immigrants are stronger than we can ever fully explain or understand. To move somewhere where you have no safety net and start a new life from scratch is a feat harder than there are words for.

I think of my cousin, who worked so hard for her success. When I say nobody gave her anything, I mean it—she had to accomplish everything by herself while taking on all the responsibilities that weren’t even hers to begin with. I watched her tackle incredibly hard things on very little sleep. I am in awe of her strength—she had to fight to get to where she is, and she is amazing. Your resilience is the bedrock of my own.

The Auntie in the Stars

Three months before my daughter was born, my soul sister, Bella, passed away. She was the one who got certified to marry us—a move that wasn't strictly needed, but so perfectly "her."

Bella taught me what true strength looks like. Even through heartbreak after heartbreak, she chose to live life fully, with a joy that most people would have crumbled under. I think of her every day. I am a better human being for having known her, and I miss her every single day. I love you, Bella. If she were here, she’d be "oohing" over the bedazzled, sparkly Saks dress I overnighted for the baptism, laughing at the beautiful, expensive chaos of it all.

The Angels in the Trenches

While some "friends" ran for the exit the moment I became a mom, the universe sent lifelines who show up for the good, the bad, and the ugly.

• The OG Soul Sister: To my best friend of almost 26 years—you know who you are. You got on a plane and flew out to meet my daughter when she was only one month old. Your strength and resilience are my constant inspiration.

• The Business Lifeline: To my sweet friend who is my tech lifeline across all my businesses. Despite his own super-busy schedule, he meets me to grind through the technology, all while adoring my daughter and putting on Bluey so we can actually get the job done. I know it’s International Women’s Day, but I just can’t leave him out—or miss the opportunity to say how amazing his partner is. She hasn’t even met me and has helped me more than people who have known me my whole life. I am so grateful to both of you.

• The Soul Support: To my angel friend who shows up with hugs and kisses. She holds me up on the hard days and knows when I just need a minute to be. She plays with my daughter and helps us pack the car—all while managing a million things of her own.

• The Dinner Table Joy: To the friends who invited us over for dinner many times, where their beautiful grown children played with my daughter. Your generosity and kind hearts have meant more than I can express.

• The Slinky Saviors: To the woman at the hotel who handed my daughter a slinky during a "heck to the no" negotiation over a winter jacket. More than that, to the hotel staff who greet us like family and welcome us "home."

The Blueprint for Our Daughters and a New International Women’s Day Sisterhood

Our daughters are the ultimate observers. They watch how we allow ourselves to be treated and what we refuse to accept. By refusing to play small, we are teaching them to be unapologetically true to themselves.

I want my daughter to stay exactly as she is: fearless. I want her to remain the same diva who swung open the lounge doors this week and announced to a room full of strangers, "Here I am!" I want her to keep that same fire she had as a newborn when she was already "tall for her age" and may or may not have smacked the doctor when he called her big—establishing her boundaries early.

I want her to keep the determination of the 9-month-old who rode Dumbo at Disney and mashed the buttons up and down so many times I thought I was going to faint. Even now, she has a voice. We’ve worked on her emotional authority; she even has the vocabulary to say when she is upset with someone simply because she misses them.

As Eleanor Roosevelt said: "A woman is like a tea bag—you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water." 

We are thriving in the hot water, and we are showing our daughters how to do the same without ever dimming their light.

The New Village Rules

We are building a community of true International Women’s Day Sisterhood, and the requirements are non-negotiable:

1. Multi-Tasking Mastery: Juggling an almond milk cappuccino while appreciating a toddler's cuteness and holding a high-level adult conversation.

   
   

2. Absolute Loyalty: Showing up for each other for the good, the bad, and the ugly. It’s about helping with each other's children, pets, and everything in between.

   
   

3. True Friendship: A space where we talk things out, laugh until we cry, and truly live life together.

"Here I Am"

This week, my daughter swung open the lounge doors and announced, "Here I am." Yes, baby. Here you are. Never let the world dim your light. May you always find the community that celebrates your "Here I am" moment with the same fire you have.

Happy International Women’s Day to the pioneers, the soul sisters, and the formidable women in the making. ❤️

About the Author: Day 68

I am a woman who traded a past of judgment for the glow of my own inner light. My work is a testament to the belief that your worth is non-negotiable, and I have a daughter who observes everything I do. Inspired by the amazing women who came before me, I write for the seekers, the hikers, and the incredible women who are ready to stop playing small. Through Somatic Healing and Mindset coaching, I help to inspire so you can drive confidently into your own season of expansion.

Thank you for being part of this 365-day journey toward abundance, authenticity, and the collective light that shines when we finally recognize our own worth and refuse to be invisible.

Whether the old village simply faded away or no longer fits the woman you’ve become, we are building a new one here—grounded in truth, empathy, and the refusal to be invisible. ❤️