International Women's Day 2012

Although a few months back now (March 2012), I wanted to share this with you. March saw us celebrating International Women's Day. This year's theme was domestic violence, delivering the message that society will not tolerate domestic violence and that there is help. Nia Griffith MP delivered a short speech highlighting the fact that although women have come along way, we still have to fight harder for that job, for acceptance. Recently, I was very privileged to be invited to speak to a group of women visiting from Lybia and Jordan as part of the active citizens programme. Below is what I said to them but I feel it also applies here, at home.

When I was first invited to come and speak to you, a little panic arose. Was I qualified to speak to you? So I sat down and begun to think about my life and how it fit into the community.
I grew up in the community where I still live with my husband and three children. I have been a community volunteer for over twelve years now, working with my neighbours to make our community a happier, safer place to live. I have helped to organise large scale events, worked with the local schools on many different activities, projects events and campaigns and have received awards for my accomplishments which include “All Wales Volunteer of the Year, Community Safety Champion, Road Safety Wales and also a commendation from Dyfed Powys Police”. Volunteering was within my comfort zone. Recently, I decided to take the next step, into local politics. Am I ready? I don’t know, I hope so........
 
It’s the year 2012 and still women are not always regarded as being capable, strong, and intelligent. It’s sometimes difficult being a woman working in the community as our sympathies are seen as weakness, our kindness seen as naivety.
 
As a woman I am many things; a daughter, a sister, a mother, a wife, a friend, a counsellor, a good listener, a referee, a cook, a cleaner and so much more......
 
Women come together every day to create a better environment for our families, our neighbours and our friends. Whether it is whilst out shopping, in work, or taking our children to school or the park, we come together. We come together to talk about our concerns and how we can make changes for the better. We all want what’s best for our families and our communities and this is the one thing we have in common, we women, from around the world. We are united, we share common goals. We are home makers, lawyers, doctors, nurses, teachers, fire fighters, police officers, policy makers, women - making a difference.
 
There is a Mexican proverb that says “The house does not rest upon the ground, but upon a woman” this is true of all of us. Believe in yourselves, believe in your capabilities, and believe in your talents, your drive and enthusiasm. All change is possible; it just takes effort and a desire to make that change. Life is always evolving and it is up to us to make sure that the change is for the better. There will be days when you want to give up, when you feel you haven’t made progress, when the world appears to be fighting you. On those days, smile to yourself and say “I am woman, now hear me roar!”

I hope this has inspired you a little to go out there and be the best I know you can be.

I have now been asked to speak at the adult learner presentation evening next week. I have begun to think about what I can say. I am currently an adult learner myself - learning to drive abysmally! But if each of us stops for a while and thinks about it, we are all adult learners, learning something each day, whether it's that you really don't like daytime TV or whether it's something more, such as I'm learning how to use me kindle properly, we are constantly changing and constantly learning. It doesn't matter how old you are, if you want to learn something new, grasp life by it's horns and do it!