IT’S THE SMALL THINGS Alex Eduque There is a reason there is a whole month devoted to women. March is Women’s Month because women are a special kind of wonderful. And I am not just saying this because I am a woman myself. Not to mention, one who spent four-years in a renowned all-women liberal arts institution abroad – in the land of the free where feminists abound and where women had to fight for equal rights. Most prominently, the suffrage movement where women spent decades fighting for their right to vote. All throughout history, women have played key roles in various situations, whether enough light was shed on their roles or not. Having been raised in a world where gender norms still do exist – more obviously in some areas of the world than others – it is undeniable that there are certain characteristics and traits expected of women. Yet, you see, the irony of it all is while I was raised in what I would still consider to be a patriarchal society for the most part, I was raised in a very matriarchal family. All my life, I was surrounded by strong, decisive, beautiful women, and it is because of this that I feel I have been empowered ever since I was a child, and never felt the need to be docile or that my voice mattered less than that of a man. I owe my sense of identity, security, and self-confidence to the woman in my life. And to the women of this world – may you continue to inspire, to conquer, and, if you have not yet, to discover your inner-strength and channel your energies towards your families and the common good. If men are the supposed heads of the family, the women are the home-makers and the anchors of each. I truly am a believer that behind every successful man is a strong, beautiful woman – who prays, encourages, and firmly grounds her man in the direction of his goals and their common dreams. May you never let anyone belittle you and your place in this world. May you recognize that being a mother – biologically, or even simply mothering someone else’s kin, teaching children, the list goes on – in and of itself is a great success and achievement that only women can ever take credit for. May you be exemplars for the next generation you are raising, and remind them that despite the negativity, the pandemic, and all that there is to complain about, that this is a beautiful and most wonderful world we live in – if only we make the effort to seek out the good. And may you be the guiding stars who will navigate them to see the light even in the darkest moments. May you be the catalysts of hope and change, who constantly remind them that to spread kindness is free of charge, but that this small act is capable of making a great positive change in someone’s life. Lastly, may you all never tire of being the strong, hardworking, resilient and nurturing human beings that you are, who, in my opinion, make this world a more caring, lovely, and happy place to be in. As the famous saying goes, “Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.” – Unknown.