International Women’s Day
Throughout March, Next Leadership will be honouring International Women’s Month. Today, Kate Coleman begins the series by celebrating International Women’s Day.
International Women’s Day
When I began to reflect on International Women’s Day, I immediately thought about all the amazing women who have inspired me over the years, including Bible women like Esther, Deborah, Huldah, Mary mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of Joses, (as you can see, there are lots of Mary’s!); The four daughters of Philip in Acts 21:9, Priscilla, Chloe, Lydia, Apphia, Nympha, the mother of John Mark, Junia who is described as being of note among the Apostles in Romans 16, Phoebe and more. Then there’s also the historical figures like Fabiola who founded the first Christian hospital in Europe (400s), Perpetua and Felicitas martyred for their faith, the desert mothers like Sarah, Theodora, and Syncletica or one of Cham’s favourite’s the ever optimistic Julian of Norwich who said, "All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well". Again, I really could just go on! Then of course there are those who inspire me today like Cham, Elaine, Sarah, Kay, Natalie, Vanessa, Michelle, Surinder and the up and coming Dhaya (currently 15 months old), again far too many to mention here…
I also thought about the 100s and thousands of women I have interacted with over the last 35 years of ministry and leadership, many of whom didn’t think of themselves as inspiring, at least not until it was pointed out to them. I also thought about the women I’m currently mentoring and coaching who are all shining examples of inspiration for many different reasons and then I thought about you. By that I mean all the women reading this blog (and of course, the men who celebrate and support them), particularly those of you who may not think of yourselves as inspiring. Finally I thought about all those women I’d still like to inspire and be inspired by some day because as far as I’m concerned, inspiring women make a difference NOT just for a lifetime but for all eternity.
Who are you grateful for this International Women’s Day?