“Where there is a woman, there is magic.” ~ Ntozake Shange

We celebrate you, Women, today on International Women’s Day.

Women, you have been born and borne burden. You have nurtured and sustained, you have blazed trails and broken rules. You have continued to offer of yourselves when others would seek only to take. You have raised generations, all of them a reflection of your trials and tribulations and yet a celebration of your triumph over each one. To our mothers and our grandmothers, our sisters, aunts and cousins and nieces, our friends and our lovers, this world could not be without you. Despite all of the setbacks and in spite of the risk you continue; pressing onward and forging ahead for giving up was never an option. To all of our women who - in defiance of been unseen, unheard and disregarded - continue to shine and do so that we may all benefit, thank you cannot be enough. May we aspire to give again the gifts we have received; teaching, supporting, and loving each other. I would not be able to celebrate this beautiful life I have if it were not for all of the absolutely gifted, wholeheartedly generous, unconditionally loving and compassionate, infinitely inspirational, utterly witty and unendingly patient women with whom I have had the fortune to cross paths and am honored to know now. This is my prayer to each one and all of you, may we continue to rise together.