A Journey of Resilience

She wakes up to the sound of her alarm, as usual. She checks her phone and sees a reminder. Today is March 8, International Women's Day. She smiles and thinks of all the women who have inspired her, supported her, and challenged her. She thinks of her mother, who worked tirelessly to provide for her family, who sacrificed her own dreams to give her children a better future. She thinks of her grandmother, who fled from war and violence, who crossed borders and oceans, who faced discrimination and hardship. She thinks of her teachers, who encouraged her to pursue her education, who recognized her potential and talent, who guided her and mentored her. She thinks of her friends, who stood by her side, who shared her joys and sorrows, who enriched her life with their diversity and kindness. She thinks of herself, who has overcome many obstacles, who has achieved many accomplishments, who has grown into a strong and resilient woman.

She gets ready for work, putting on her suit and her confidence. She works as a lawyer in a prestigious firm, defending the rights and interests of her clients, who are often marginalized and oppressed. She fights for justice and equality, for dignity and respect, for freedom and opportunity. She loves her job, but sometimes she faces challenges and barriers, because of her gender, her ethnicity, or her background. She hears comments like "you're too young", "you're too emotional", or "you're too ambitious". She tries to prove them wrong, to show them her skills and qualifications, to demonstrate her passion and dedication. She knows she is good at what

she does, she knows she has a voice and a vision, she knows she can make a difference. But sometimes she wonders if she will ever be recognized, if she will ever be rewarded, if she will ever be satisfied.

She finishes her work and drives to her parents' house, where her family is waiting for her. They greet her with love and pride, and tell her they have a surprise for her. They lead her to the living room, where a cake and a banner are waiting for her. The banner reads "Congratulations on your promotion!". She is stunned and speechless, she doesn't know how they found out. Her husband comes forward and hugs her, and tells her he is so proud of her, that she deserves this, that he loves her. He tells her he has another surprise for her, and hands her a small box. She opens it and sees a pair of earrings, with the symbol of a lotus flower. He tells her he chose them because they represent her, because they symbolize beauty, purity, and resilience, because they grow from the mud and bloom in the light. She is touched and moved, she doesn't know what to say. She looks at him and sees a man who loves her, who respects her, who supports her. She knows he is her partner, her ally, her friend. She knows they are a team, they are stronger together, they can overcome any challenge. She knows they have a future, they have dreams, they have hope.

She cuts the cake and shares it with her family, who are all happy and excited for her. They tell her how proud they are of her, how much they admire her, how much they love her. They tell her stories of her childhood, of her struggles and achievements, of her courage and determination. They tell her how she has always been a role model for them, how she has always inspired them, how she has always helped them. They tell her how she has always been a daughter, a sister, a wife, and a woman. They tell her how she has always been an immigrant, a foreigner, a minority, and a citizen. They tell her how she has always been resilient, adaptable, courageous, and successful. They tell her how she has always been herself.

She looks at her family and smiles. She feels a surge of gratitude and joy, mixed with a pang of nostalgia and sadness. She remembers how hard they worked, how they sacrificed their own dreams to give her a better future. She remembers how they fled from war and violence, how they crossed borders and oceans, how they faced discrimination and hardship. She remembers how they encouraged her to pursue her education, how they recognized her potential and talent, how they guided her and mentored her. She remembers how they stood by her side, how they shared her joys and sorrows, how they enriched her life with their diversity and kindness. She knows they are her family, her roots, her identity. She knows they are part of a community, a network, a movement. They are part of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive world. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. A world where women's equality is forged and defended. A world where inclusion inspires action and change. A world where International Women's Day belongs to everyone, everywhere.

She looks at the mirror and sees a woman who has come a long way, who has faced many obstacles, who has achieved many accomplishments. She sees a woman who is strong, who is brave, who is resilient. She sees a woman who is herself.