What it means to be a w-o-m-a-n
Welcome to my new blog! This site is “under construction” and I decided not to wait to share my voice and words, so here it is…
As I prepare to attend next week’s We Move Forward 2012 International Women’s Day event on Isla Mujeres (“Woman Island”), Mexico, I find myself reflecting on what it means to be a “woman.”
Perhaps the meaning is unique for every woman. Or, maybe there is an underlying meaning shared by every woman on the planet. Perhaps it simply comes down to individual values.
One dictionary definition of a woman is this: an adult female human. Somehow, though, that does not capture the “essence” of what a woman is, or how she shows up in the world.
It is far more than that.
Yesterday, my niece had a baby, which makes me a “Great Auntie.” I’m excited to have this new introduction into our family – so special. Let’s face it, giving birth is an experience unique to the female gender. So, certainly having the ability to have a baby is very womanly. My niece is a young woman and perhaps what she will deem “being a woman” will be defined by this experience; only time will tell.
But what about women who choose not to, or simply can’t, have children? Are they any less womanly than a female who chooses to procreate?
No.
And is the stay-at-home mom any more womanly than the career-type who is determined to be fully independent, run a business or have a high-powered job, and maybe travel the world, regardless of whether she has a family? Or vice versa?
I don’t think so.
Being a woman is not just about looks or our physique either, although, hey, the anatomy type is certainly a criteria.
Women are: girlfriends, wives, mothers, daughters, granddaughters, grandmothers, sisters, nieces and aunts – and Great Aunts. They are also healers and nurturers. They not only create a family, they hold a family together. A community is created by women. Women are the glue that holds our society together.
I’m looking forward to the We Move Forward 2012 event, celebrating women, on the “island of women.” There is a fantastic line-up of speakers, storytellers, healers – and women from all over coming together to form “community.” My talk show, Extraordinary Women TV with Shannon Skinner is the proud media partner, and I also look forward to blogging about my experience – and insights. So, stay tuned!
In the meantime, I’ll leave you with this video:
Bette Midler singing “I’m a Woman”
© Shannon Skinner 2012
