Women: we’ve been historically powerful and influential since the beginning of time. Look at Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Eve persuaded Adam into also taking a bite of a fruit from the tree of good and evil. Esther saved an entire race of people from death, Ruth broke every societal norm possible for her day, Mary carried the savior of the whole world in her belly for 9 months and raised him, Mary Magdalene serves as one of the most redemptive stories in the Bible, and Sarah gave birth at 90 years old.
Women have also been historically strong in my family life since I was born. My mother’s mother was a strong women who pretty much raised 3 girls by herself. Since my father travels a lot for work, my mother and my two sisters were in my bubble for all 19 years of life. Womanhood being seen as inferior or weak was never really spoon-fed to me by seeing my father do everything for us. When there’s a pipe to fix or walls to paint or bushes to plant, it was usually my mom with the help of us, her daughters, to do it all. Being a female has always made me feel stronger rather than weaker.
So I guess being surrounded by strong women became a theme in my life after this year being placed on a team of 6 other influential girls to spend all 9 months with for the Race. These girls have even more spurred me on and encouraged me to be the influential woman I was created to be, one that delights in the Lord, trusts in Him and fears Him. I honestly thought that being on a team with all girls was going to be miserable when we first got our team cards at Training Camp. Strictly estrogen for 9 months???? But oh how the Lord has changed my perspective on it all. I’m more than thankful for these girls who have only increased my appreciation and adoration of what God made women to be.
Womanhood is beautiful. Something that needs to be celebrated and not covered up or ashamed. Its something that needs to be fought for. Ive been in third world countries for a while now and I have seen some sick ways that women are treated. In Africa, the woman walks behind the man. When you’re sitting in a chair in a room of women and children and a man walks in, he automatically gets a chair and you sit on the floor. Women carry the children, the groceries, the firewood, everything. Women do not look men in the eyes. Women can’t run businesses, households, anything. They are to cook and clean and watch the children.
But just look up stats on women across the globe to hear gross facts:
- Women in Yemen legally can’t leave the house without their husbands permission
- In Saudi Arabia, women can’t drive
- In Pakistan, there is a bill that says that men can “lightly beat” their wives as a form of discipline. They also say that women only count as half a person when giving witness, where men count as a whole person.
- If it is your wife, its not considered rape. This includes the 15 year old sold into marriage by her family.
- In Nigeria, a man can beat his wife without any prosecution.
I am proud to be a woman. I am proud of America in the progression of female rights, now why not fight for the rights of women in other countries. I wouldn’t consider myself a feminist. I don’t think there can ever be complete equality of men and women because I don’t think that men and women are even on the same playing field when it comes to life. We weren’t meant to compete, but to complement. I mean it is so clear that women can do things that men cannot and that men can’t do things that women cannot, so why don’t we just cheer each other on instead of tearing each other, meaning genders, down? We may have different sexual organs, but we are all human and deserve all of the same rights.
Forget the small wage gap in America (I mean we need to give ourselves some grace in the amount of moms who selflessly stay at home to care for their families, and for the years we have to make up for not working so long ago), we should be fighting for typical human rights and societal norms, many that are stripped away from women because we are seen as less than.
Im thankful to have spent the past 9 months with girls who have a passion for women globally, who spur each other on in womanhood and who want to change the way the world sees us. I couldn’t have asked for better women to surround myself with on this journey and as we prepare to go back into the world of cheeseburgers and baseball, where the biggest issue for women almost doesn’t compare with what we have seen.
An ode to the 6 strong young women of Semper Fortis:
Kara: the first word I think of when I think of Kara is genuine. She is a woman after God’s own heart who pursues Him wholeheartedly in everything. She said she wasn’t fun at the beginning of the Race, not only have I seen her prove that statement wrong but I’ve also seen her break out of her shell. She is the most kind, the most personable, the most wise, and the most well-rounded person I know. and don’t even bother laughing at her jokes, she’s already got that covered.
Katie, a straight-shooter, a part-time comedian, a chaser of all good things, a forever best friend. She inspires me to grow in my relationship with the Lord, and with that as a person, woman, friend, etc. She gets me. She doesn’t shy away from the truth and runs after what she wants. Seriously, I think this woman could build the Great Wall of China all over again if she really willed it. She is strong and bold and funny and honest and humble. She is powerful and influential, she’s a world-shaker type of girl.
Ky, the first word I think of for her is perseverant. This girl has visited every hospital possible on the Race and is still here, mostly in tact and half-way healthy. She’s struggled with health but knew this is where she was supposed to be, so she didn’t let anything get in the way— not even typhoid or blood infections! She strives for goodness always. She’s loved by so many, gentle and slow to speak, thoughtful and clumsy.
Kyla is one of the people I spend the most time with. We spend every day at the children’s home together and sleep right next to each other every night and I couldn’t be happier about it! She is funny and has the best laugh; she is kind and genuinely seeks the Lord in everything; she is constant and intentional; she’s a friend everyone needs in her life. Seriously, I don’t think anyone could not like Kyla. She is the most accepting and loving, and makes anyone feel like a million bucks. A true gem, even if she is from the most boring state of Iowa.
Lillabea has taught me that beauty can really be found anywhere. She can also talk to anything, anywhere and inspire them somehow. She has a way of words and creatively loving people. A sister forever. She loves to write and draw and read, the simple things in life but gives them astronomical meaning. She loves people and the Lord so greatly. She inspires me to love my friends well and to have fun and be wild and dance harder than my legs can go. She strives for justice and fun and seizes every day to its full potential.
Paige is the most unique person I’ve ever met. She gets inspired easily, uses her talents for others, and seeks after the Lord with her whole heart. She cries more than anyone i’ve ever met but she embraces emotions in full force for what they are. She is obedient to the Lord and has child-like faith. She is thirsty and hungry for more of the Lord. Ever need someone to jump in the pool fully clothed with? Paige will probably be up for it.
These 6 girls have placed a template of female community in my life that I hope I follow forever. Thank you, SF, for empowering me, encouraging me, loving me, being with me, these past 9 months. I love you women a WHOLE lot. <3
