In honor of International Women’s Day, a tribute to a special woman in my life

The International Women’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world, according to the United Nations Organization. It was first observed in 1909 in United States, after women were protesting working conditions. In 1910, the United Nations established it as a celebration of International scope. In 1975, the 8th of March was declared as the day to be observed officially.

International Women’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. International Women’s Day first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe.

Retrieved from United Nations Organization website http://www.un.org/en/events/womensday/history.shtml

I have some amazing women in my life, that I’ve always looked up to. Brave, determined, courageous, and endearing all at the same time. Maybe they didn’t know they were all those things, or they didn’t intend to be recognized. But I always look at what they did, at how they handle situations as a way to handle my own life’s circumstances.

As a woman myself, I admire all women that choose courage, determination, and grace to handle life events. My mom, and my grandmothers were stay-at-home women. Some of my aunts and cousins are stay-at-home women. Mom dedicated her life to us. I’m a mom, but I chose to go work outside home. She supported my decision.

My grandmothers were both wonderful examples. Both my grandfathers left the house to go find jobs in the Continental United States. Both my grandmothers took care of their children by themselves. In times where there were no phones (I grew up in a rural area) or no Internet like modern days, living far from the closest town, they managed to raise their children, and help whoever was in need in the neighborhood.

I have wonderful women in my family. I could tell you all of their stories and struggles and how they inspire me. My sisters, my aunts, and my cousins are amazing examples and I admire all of them. Some are teachers, some are artists, some are stay-at-home moms.

There is one cousin that I want to put on spot, because, being one of the youngest in our Alvarado family, she is pretty spectacular, in my honest opinion. My cousin Amnerys lost her mom when she was 16. She struggled with the loss, but as most of us do, she had to go on with her life. When she finished high school, she decided to join the US Army. Yes, the first and only woman in our family to do so. My Dad is a retired soldier, as are his brothers, but none of my cousins are soldiers.

Amnerys did her training in Kentucky, then went on assignment to Guantanamo, Cuba for about a year. She was in service for 9 years with the National Guard and the Reserve. She then went on to complete her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, graduating with honors. She’s not done yet. She decided to go on and become a lawyer. She is now completing her Juris Doctor degree in Law.

She is also an artist! She specializes in henna designs, and she has started to teach others how to do it. She has a young daughter, who I hope one day will feel as inspired as I do with all of her mom’s accomplishments. I know I am very proud of her, and I wanted to share her story.

Please teach all children that they can be whatever they want to be. That if they have a dream, if they work on it, they can achieve it. It took me some time to go back to school to complete my degree, but I did. It has taken me some time to decide to start writing, but I’m doing it. If you prefer to stay at home taking care of your family, feel proud of that too. If you decide to wait to have children, or to not have children, that’s okay too. The important thing is that you work on your goals, and you learn from your struggles.

In observance of Women’s Day, I hope that in the near future women will move up in the corporate world as men do. I hope people understand that it’s okay for women to want to work, or stay at home to take care of their children and their household.

Time for my tacita de café. Amnerys makes great coffee, I wish I’d have some of her coffee soon. Salud!