To the evolving woman

I see you, I hear you and I pray that this finds you well, happy, and sane.

I hope you are not only lucky enough to have grown up in a liberalized society that does support girl child education but also had the privilege to attain that quality education.

As you evolve, life will eventually happen quite fast as you grow, some experiences may get you aware or unaware. They will affect you in different ways but so will they mold, teach, shape, and define who you become.

Brave, bold, and beautiful.

When you finally step out into the world by yourself, remain true to yourself. Keep in mind that the world out here is truly lucky to have your brilliant brains invested in offering service to the world with all that you have to offer.

Carry your head high and be hungry to accomplish the treasures of the world, be humble, disciplined, and kind, and believe in God too for He’s going to get you in rooms and places you never thought possible.

And when the time is right, as you join a union of marriage (at a time of your choice, hoping that no one is marrying you off forcefully) or any other vocation that you choose, may you find yourself first. Be mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially independent. Ruth Bader Ginsburg a feminist once said “My mother told me to be a lady, and for her, that meant be your own person, be INDEPENDENT.”

May you never let society’s expectations or pressure get to you, nor seek fulfillment or approval from the world outside in order to feel accepted in society. There will surely be rough days, days that will make you want to give up the entire personality that you have built so that you may fit in, but dear noble lady, hang in there a little.

You are not the first here, and your situation is not the worst that could happen. How you react is what’s going to make you different from all the people.

Stand out.

May you not require someone else to make you feel comfortable in your own skin. Be confident enough and believe in your natural beauty, not to deprive it of its originality.

“The emerging woman will be strong-minded, strong-hearted, strong-souled and strong-bodied…, strength and beauty must go together. “ A saying by Louisa May Alcott.

I pray that the battles that you fight emotionally and physically make you stronger, may you speak up and fight for equal opportunities with men for collaboration rather than superiority.

May your story be different, to impact another, to build a nation, a generation of strong, made of steel, lovely independent women.

With love

Joanne.