I am writing this on International Woman’s Day. And for particularly female reasons I am sending it on the same day.

I first learned of this holiday when I was 19 in Russia. I loved how it was celebrated and I wanted to remember it always.

It is an independent holiday. I didn’t need anyone else to bring it up, I am a woman and it belongs to me.

Other people can come alongside and celebrate me, and they are welcome. But I already have everything I need as a woman to recognize myself.

It is also an opportunity to celebrate the other women around me. Women I admire, and women I appreciate. It is so easy to celebrate them—in this context it is a way of celebrating myself.

Women, women everywhere! Look at what she’s done. Look at what I can do!

And even more important look at who we are.

I am a woman. I have strengths and struggles. I have weaknesses and triumphs.

I’d like to be stronger and triumph more. I’ll see if I can work towards that.

I am connected to those around me, my family, friends and community. I would like to add to their benefits and be more than a burden. I hope that all of us can more towards more strength and triumphs.

I carry myself through my life. This is the day –the quote Whitman, “I sing the song of myself”

And because I am woman, I also sing the song of everyone.

Let’s celebrate.