#IKNOWASTRONGWOMAN

Each of us have known and witnessed a strong woman that creates an impact on our lives. In the celebration of International Women’s Day, I would like to acknowledge and highlight the women I know and why I consider them strong women in my life.

My mother Josephine who gave me life is a strong woman. I know that it is not easy for her to let me be adopted due to poverty but the mother's love is unconditional. She chose to give me for the sake of my better life even though it thorns her heart. She endured the pain of missing and carried out the suffering but knowing that I am in good condition makes her happy. There were no days she kept remembering me and blaming herself for being inadequate in all aspects of her life. The hardship of sacrificing for separation wasn’t easy at all but it was mitigated by her fortitude and love. Now that we were connected she is always in my heart and words are not enough to explain how strong woman she is.

My aunt Maribel who became my mother is a strong woman. She is the breadwinner of the family and she will do everything just to provide the needs and wants of everyone. She wakes up early in the morning and she is always the last one to sleep. Despite of many complications to her health due to diabetes it won’t stop her from prioritizing us over herself. She said diabetes will not become an obstacle to her from that moment I saw her determination and strong will power to overcome the disease. I never see her crying, pitying nor feeling sorry for herself instead she projected herself as a strong woman who is capable of everything that is impossible. She has been through a lot of hardship from a very young age up until now but I never see her giving up. The most striking one was when my aunt witnessed how his father died from typhoon and as the eldest daughter with four siblings she filled up the responsibilities of her father and also saved the family from misfortune and poverty. My aunt’s experiences and all of her bad times mold her into a strong woman.

My friend Alliah who is battling depression since her high school days is a strong woman. She doesn’t know how strong she is but I believe that she is truly a strong woman. The fact that she is still able to manage waking up every morning, keep trying to do tasks and showing up in our online class everyday are still signs of hope and courage. The desire to give up wasn’t in her vocabulary. She still chose to struggle, keeps fighting the pangs of depression and gives smiles to people face makes her a strong woman. I have been where she is and I know how hard it is to keep up in life.

All women regardless of their age, color, status, backgrounds and nationality are strong women that we need to be proud of.