I see you...

Dearest you,

I may not know you personally, but I do see you, day in and day out making small miracles everyday. This letter is to the women who are often overlooked and unacknowledged. I want to let you know that you are vital to making the world go ‘round, there isn’t an area of life that doesn’t have your touch.

Your strength is your greatest resource, it propels you when you feel like you have nothing else to give. I know this reserve of strength did not happen overnight, it has blossomed as a result of the trials and tribulations that have occurred in your life. These trials and tribulations have brought you many tears, sleepless nights, and conflict that has created rifts in your spirit, that still have not been mended; but through it all you have preserved.

This strength can be seen in all women from all walks of life. To the woman who pursues her career and education ambitions, your strength provides insight that can’t be gained from textbooks or exclusive institutions. Whether you are a first generation student, hoping to establish a new standard for your family, or you may be from an immigrant family, and pursuing your ambitions will allow you to elevate your family to a level of comfortability and prosperity that was once only dreamed of, tap into your strength.

To all the moms, strength is just one of the many things you have to reference to get through your day. There is something to be said about the type of strength that starts with sacrifice, mom’s from the beginning put their needs on the backburner. Sacrifice is often associated with painful and hurtful experiences, but for many mothers their sacrifice is rooted in love. Mother’s use their strength to build and encourage the hopes and dreams of their children and families, they move mountains and hike in valley’s to make those they love happy. A mother’s strength is also used to uplift and motivate the communities around them, mother’s have a level of analysis and critical thinking that can’t be matched. With that said, I am not encouraging burnout or exhaustion, so to all of the mother’s also know your boundaries, it takes strength to ask for help and it takes strength to pour back into yourself; try and pursue balance when you can.

To all the other women, who may not fit into the few examples I listed above, as a woman I know that there is so much more than what I could ever capture in one open letter. I know the examples referenced are only a small part of what many women are experiencing in life, that often our stories are still being written everyday. Many women are finally taking the time to explore the multi-hyphenate roles that they embody and finding joy and passion in those pursuits; and I deeply believe that in itself takes strength. Strength is a quality that evolves, and as a woman who may not get the acknowledgment she deserves or may move through the world without a truly deserving audience, your strength is your secret weapon. Like many weapons, in a woman’s arsenal, she can wield her strength when necessary, she can draw upon it and build into it, in a moment’s notice. Strength has made the difference when planning and preparation did not fit the bill. I know that there are countless women who I do not know, who use their strengths in ways I may never know of, who continue to rise above expectations and move forward in their journey.

To all the women who are overlooked and unacknowledged, I love you. I love you for simply existing, for taking up space and creating new spaces for those around you. It is my hope that you can come back to this letter, when you need a boost of encouragement or a reminder that your strength is power, please tap into it.

With deep admiration and love,

Sierra