Being WOMAN

Even if we are aware or not, women do play a significant role in everyone’s life and I believe that it is safe to state that without women we couldn’t describe a successful or an accomplished life.

Mothers, daughters, sisters, wives – despite the role they each play, I think we all could agree that on top of everything else women are highly responsible for the successful continuation of life on this planet.

As we all know, mostly from the history books, in the early days, women were typically engaged only in activities around the house (such as raising children, cooking, cleaning, taking care of the family members or other administrative tasks relating to the household), but nowadays many conditions have changed, and women are taking part in way more activities, other than family and kids since they are no longer confined within the boundaries of the four walls.

In today’s modern world, the social and economic status of women have soared to height, and due to their extremely versatile nature, women are progressing tremendously.

It is really pleasing to see that their empowerment opened more doors for them to thrive and shine.

Women are capable, hardworking and because of that they are engaging in different work fields in order to further explore their inner talents, while becoming more independent and able earn for themselves; they are the backbone of any progressing society, and are equally important as men are. 

On the other hand, respect for women is one of the greatest gifts a father cold show a son, because (after all) a woman brought each of you into this world! 

Once upon a time, Mahatma Gandhi said:
“A woman is the companion of a man, gifted with equal mental capacity.”

May we recognize and appreciate the existence of the women we each have in our lives.

“The empowered woman is powerful beyond measure and beautiful beyond description.”

Socializing: 2021 – INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’s Day

On Monday (March 8’21) we had our annual reunion celebrating International Women’s Day! Unlike the years before (when we had the chance to meet in person, enjoying as a group a cheerful ambiance, in a public space), this time we gathered ‘on line’ due to the prolonged austerity measures of the times we are living.
Needless to say that it was nourishing at least to see each other and reconnect on a subject we all hold in high regard.
This time, we opened the evening with a toast (as each invited guest, from the comfort of their own living room, was accompanied by a glass of good wine), honoring all the amazing women we each have in our life - to the women who are wise, kind, positive, compassionate, smart, diligent, resourceful, beautiful & unique!

Once more, I’m wishing all women out there the strength to continue to inspire, the strength to continue to smile, and the strength to continue to love!

Even though it was not a literary evening, but rather a social gathering, a number of significant writings featuring women have been referred to and to further uplift the understanding of womanhood, here I will enumerate a few:

Poems: “Balada doamnelor de alta data” (by Francois Villon) | "De-or trece anii" (by Mihai Eminescu)
Books: “Don Quixote de la Mancha” (by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra)
“Trecute vieti de doamne si domnite” (by Constantin Gane) | “Adela” (by Garabet Ibraileanu) | “Enigma Otiliei” (by George Calinescu) 
“Ultima noapte de dragoste, intaia noapte de razboi” (by Camil Petrescu) | “Patul lui Procust” (by Camil Petrescu)  

Also, a number of famous Romanian women have been mentioned, and here I am glad to share those names with you:
Smaranda Gheorghiu (poet & novelist), Sofia Ionescu (first female neurosurgeon in the world), Lucia Sturdza-Bulandra (a very well regarded actress of her time), Sarmisa Bilcescu (was a Romanian lawyer, the first European woman ever to obtain a license and a PhD in Law from the University of Paris), Ana Aslan (biologist & physician, founder of the first institute of Geriatric), Elena Caragiu (actress & writer, wife of the well-known actor, Toma Caragiu), Smaranda Braescu (Romanian parachuting and aviation pioneer, former multiple world record holder), Ecaterina Teodoroiu (WWI heroine of Romania), Maria Rosetti (a well-known Romanian political activist, journalist, essayist, philanthropist and socialite).

International acknowledgements featuring special women around the world (in different fields of expertise):
Appropriate for the occasion, here are few more highlights (slideshows): “Women who changed the world”, “500 Years of Female Portraits in Western Art”, 
“The most inspiring women in the world”, “The Atlas of Beauty”, “2021-Women personalities in the world“.

ARTICLES: "70 Famous women who changed the world" (listed in chronological order), "Meet 10 women in science who changed the world"

In addition, several original poems were recited, more thoughts were voiced and personal perspectives were shared, in a smooth ambiance of mutual appreciation.
We wrapped up the evening on a positive note, trusting that the coming spring will bring us renewed joy. Until next time, my warmest regards to each of you!
Alice

● Previous events I organized on the same theme: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’s Day – 2020, 2019 

● Some of my additional greetings referring to the same matter:
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’s Day – 2021, 2020, 2019

March 8, 2021: Happy INTERNATIONAL WOMEN's Day!

Each year, on March 8, the entire world is celebrating women and the variety of roles they play in our society, from their birth till the end of life. Generally speaking, from giving birth to a baby, or from keeping the home safe and clean to portraying excellent outcomes in any workplace, a woman’s contribution is remarkable, and today is a great occasion to celebrate all these accomplishments.

“You educate a man, you educate a man. You educate a woman, you educate a generation.”

Ladies, I wish you each enjoy this beautiful day and please stay safe and healthy!

● My previous greetings on the same theme: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN's Day – 2020, 2019