As I reflect on International Women’s Day this year, I think about the wonderful women who most helped to shape who I am: my great-grandmother, my grandmother, my mother and my sister. Why these 4 women when I count 100s of awesome women in my network? What are their influences? Here’s a few:
My Great-grandmother
I met my maternal great-grandmother when I was a young child. In my child’s eye, I saw a small, hard-working woman surrounded by other women who were responsible for making paper lanterns for sale in the markets. From that moment as a child, I began to equate entrepreneurship with women and doing what it takes to take care of your family. As a result, running my business and home are a natural part of how I function. I also know that if I fail, I have the option of making paper lanterns for sale in the markets!
My Grandmother
This is a woman who ruled her home – her husband, her sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren. I grew up in a multi-generational household with my grandparents, my uncle’s family and unmarried aunts. From here, I learned about being strong and unapologetic in managing people and money. My clearest memory of my grandmother is of her collecting all the money earned in the household to manage and distribute. In the photo above (left), she was adamant about not closing her pose so that all the gold on her fingers and tooth show!
My grandmother was ahead of her time as she unabashedly enjoyed her glass of scotch and cigarette (at a time when it was unacceptable for women to have these vices) and I remember her proudly sitting on the veranda with her scotch and cigarette while ordering the children to peel her a sugarcane.
My Mother
My mother was a graceful, loving woman who lived a life committed to her family and children. She died before her 48th birthday. She considered herself uneducated as she only went to grade 6 in Chinese school before she was pulled out to support the family. Despite this, she was the strongest woman I knew and one of the smartest.
My mother grew up in Central India speaking Hubei (a dialect of Mandarin) and Hindi. When she moved to Channai (formally known as Madras), she became fluent in Tamil and acquired decent English by helping her children do their homework. Today she would have been considered a self-taught linguist. She had incredible compassion for others and was a trailblazer for compassionate, non-judgmental pacifism.
My Sister
Last but not least, my sister is the hero in my life. She is the pivot of her family. She manages work while tirelessly supporting her four children, their schooling, extra curricular activities, AND she maintains professional standards, celebrates her marriage… all this and somehow still hangs on to her inner equilibrium! In the middle of her hectic life, she maintains space for her community and her family. This is her commitment.
When I started my business a few years ago, I called my sister in deep angst as I was stuck on what to call my business. She took 5 minutes out of her day and gave me some straight talk about staying focussed and moving forward.
I was so inspired by the conversation that I named my business 2Sisters Consulting Inc. The Prosperity Cafe is a division of 2Sisters Consulting. Thank you sis, for your irreplaceable contribution to my life!
Who are the women who shaped your life? What are some of the messages they shared with you? What can you do to celebrate them and their contributions to your life?
Happy International Women’s Month!