With International Women’s Day upon us, we do more than celebrate—we acknowledge, we honor, and we demand. This day is not just about recognizing how far we’ve come, but about confronting how far we have yet to go. It is a moment of deep reflection, truth-telling, and standing boldly in the light of the women who came before us, the ones fighting today, and those who will carry the torch forward.
Women are the backbone of society, the architects of change, and the quiet forces that move mountains, often without recognition. From the mothers who shape the next generation to the CEOs redefining industries, from the activists on the front lines to the caretakers who hold families together—women do it all, often carrying an invisible weight.
The Strength of a Woman: More Than Just Resilience
Resilience is a word often associated with women, but it does not fully capture the depth of their power. Women do not just endure; they transform. They turn pain into purpose, obstacles into opportunities, and silence into voices that shake the world. A woman’s strength is not just in how much she can bear, but in how fiercely she rises after every fall.
Women have been told they are too much and not enough—too loud, too quiet, too ambitious, too content, too emotional, too distant. And yet, they persist. They persist in boardrooms where their ideas are overlooked. They persist in relationships where they are expected to shrink. They persist in countries where their rights are still up for debate.
The Battle That Still Remains
Yes, we celebrate today—but let’s not pretend the war is won. Women still fight for equal pay, for the right to make decisions over their own bodies, for the freedom to exist without fear of violence, and for a seat at the table without having to justify why they deserve it.
Let’s talk about the unpaid labor that women do daily—raising children, running households, supporting communities—all while balancing careers. Let’s talk about the fear that lingers when walking alone at night, the biases that still dominate workplaces, and the double standards that hold women to impossible expectations.
International Women’s Day is a reminder that we are not done. That “progress” is not the same as justice. That inclusion is not the same as equality. That empowerment means nothing if women still have to fight for basic rights.
Beyond One Day
The fight for women’s rights does not begin or end with this single day. It is a movement, not a moment. The world changes when women are heard, seen, and given the space to lead. It shifts when we recognize that uplifting women is not a threat to balance but the key to a more just society.
To every woman reading this: You are powerful beyond measure. Your worth is not tied to what you do for others, how much you endure, or how perfectly you fit into society’s expectations. You were born enough.
So today, we celebrate you. And tomorrow? We continue the fight.
Happy International Women’s Day.
Author Bio
Míchelle Annalèise Coles is a relationship coach and founder of Annaleise Affirms LLC. She helps people embrace joy, set boundaries, and redefine success on their own terms. Learn more at www.annaleiseaffirms.com
