I am Woman

It is fitting that on Day #68, I celebrated the Ivy League Championship for the Women's Basketball Team of Penn!  Because, on 3/8/16, I was in Jadwin Gym (just as I was in 2014) to watch them beat the Tigers to clinch the Ivy Title.  And 3/8 was International Women's Day, so it just seems like it was the right time to clinch this!  And, as I was driving home from Princeton, thinking about this post, I realized why I enjoyed it even more on International Women's Day.  Because, for my entire life, I have always been surrounded by strong women.  From my mother and sister in 911 S. 47th Street, to my caring, but firm, grandmothers and aunts, to my amazing cousins and 2nd cousins, my family is filled with amazing, caring, funny, strong women.  And, of course, I am married to a strong woman and we are, together in partnership, raising two strong (almost, at times, TOO strong willed) women.  And, in every facet of my life, Penn (each and every department in which I have worked has had strong female leadership, and in the Band, and the students in the Nursing School, and my Student Affairs colleagues), Church, Community, and Friends, I have always been in situations where there has been strong women to learn from, to work with, to help build up, and support when needed. I have to think, though, it all started at 911 S. 47th where my mom really showed me, every day, the benefits of embracing strong, female leadership and the benefits I could get from seeking out, and benefiting from strong women.  And, when I was thinking of songs, I, of course, thought of this one from Helen Reddy.  I remember listening to my mom's album of this song, and hearing it now takes me back to 911 and my mom and the foundation on which my whole philosophy has been built. Thanks Mom, and thanks to all of the strong, supportive, amazing, beautiful women in my life!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu4xpDuf84A