To the woman who is a survivor, an overcomer, an achiever, determined not to let her past dictate her present or future. To the woman who shows up every day as a mother, sister, daughter, friend, business owner, entrepreneur, executive, administrator, entry-level to senior-level employee, helping professional, producer, content creator, coach, mentor, advisor, educator, caretaker, volunteer, service member, frontline worker, politician, celebrity, clergy, and all roles occupied, yet overlooked. To the woman who shows up for others daily to ensure they are cared for, seen, and heard. To her.
To the woman who cheers others on, but finds it at times a challenge to cheer for herself. To the woman who is the strong friend, listening wholeheartedly to others’ trials and tribulations, yet finds herself suffering silently to tend to her matters of the heart. To the woman who is smiling on the outside, but feeling inner turmoil, uncertain about her next, contemplating and rehearsing every decision she has ever made. To her.
To the woman who is striving to change the status quo by breaking barriers and laboring to shatter the glass ceiling, to the woman who is deciding her career path after creating, carrying, and birthing another life and now wondering how to live a balanced life - showing up for herself, family, and children. To the woman who is now caring for her aging parents while managing her household. To her.
To the woman who is trying to figure it out and define her purpose, competing against a societal clock to determine her life’s path. To the woman who hopes to break out of a box with labels others have put on her. To the woman who is an advocate for the voiceless. To her.
To the woman who struggles to get out of bed, whether due to depression, guilt, shame, embarrassment, grief, or pain. To the woman who carries the weight of an untold story to protect her sanity. To the woman who cries every night, filled with sorrow, and wakes up longing for a better tomorrow. To her.
To the woman who is trying again, starting over, turning the page, despite the rehearsed narrative of “why me.” To the woman who is holding on to hope, yet at times feels hopeless. To the woman who smiles, yet masks trauma and anguish. To her.
To the woman who is reading this letter and resonates with anything depicted, connecting to any part of your story, this letter is for you. This letter is for the one who doesn't have the words or language to communicate how she’s feeling. This letter is for the one who tries and strives to live authentically and free. This letter is for her, for you.
Her is not just about the titles and daily responsibilities. Being her means that you’re willing to show up every day as your true self, authentic in character and personality, with hope living in wholistic freedom. Showing up as her is unapologetically owning your story and pushing past your past. HER is hopeful, essential, and resilient.
Cheers to you, to her, to us.