Women Inspiring Women with Dresslily

March 2, 2020 / 30 Comments

Widespread celebrations of women as a gender began in New York City in February of 1909 and became the focal point for the women’s rights movement. Soviet Russia declared March 8 as the official women’s day in support of the newly found women’s suffrage in 1917. Fifty years later, the worldwide feminist movement adopted the idea in 1967. By 1975, the United Nations declared March 8 as International Women’s Day, a day for commemorating the role of women in the workforce or working women in general. Some people acknowledge this day in protest while others simply celebrate womanhood. (Source)

Each year, the United Nations chooses a theme to coincide with International Women’s Day. For 2020, the theme is “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights” and women from all generations will take to the streets of New York City on Friday, March 6, from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in observance of the holiday. This year the aim is to unite generations of women and girls who have been leaders and activists in the gender equality movement. This event will not exclude the change makers of other genders and will forge ahead in empowering all women and girls in the future.

Original Post: Inspired by Vintage Style Files: Parasol Trend (August 29, 2019)

You are probably already seeing tons of “women inspiring women” posts flying around the internet with International Women’s Day just a week away. To honor the efforts and amazing qualities of women everywhere, I just wanted to share a brief post about what makes me proud to be a woman.

While I have never really personally experienced oppression or discrimination because of my gender, I am not so ignorant as to believe that it doesn’t happen. We live in a rather cruel world sometimes where people will attack based on anything that is different from themselves. But in the midst of the cruelty that exists all around us, there are really phenomenal people of all genders who fill our lives with inspiration and motivate us to be better humans. We owe those people, all of those people, a huge debt of gratitude. The ones who have taken the hard road to challenge the status quo and get shit done for the better good of humanity.

Original Post: The Sunday Afternoon Quarterback #14: Taking a Break with RV Share (December 8, 2019)

I have never joined a women’s movement. I have never attended a public protest against injustices based on race, religion, gender, or anything else. I have never marched on Washington, D.C. or New York City or anywhere else for that matter in support of an important cause. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t stand true and firm in my own convictions. It simply means that my life experiences have been different from others and I have just not been compelled to do these things. But my experiences have led me to a place where I have a public forum to share my support of all women, all good people in general in their quests for a good and loving and kind and equal society where there is room for all us to be successful in our own right.

So what makes me proud to be a woman is probably the same exact list of things that makes me proud to be…well…me. I have never felt less than anyone because of my gender. Certainly, there have been times when I have felt minimized but most of those occasions were my own doing. Feeling inadequate because of my level of expertise or education maybe didn’t measure up in the moment. My own insecurities which I have long since learned to silence when necessary for my own mental wellness.

Original Post: 12 Quotes About Kindness with DressLily & #SpreadTheKindness Link Up #44 (October 31, 2017)

But being a woman, I am proud that I have been blessed with the ability to give life. I brought two little humans into this world who are pretty amazing. And with that life giving ability, I have also been granted a fairly high tolerance for pain and discomfort. There are not too many things in this life that can make you as uncomfortable as all the horrors that accompany parenthood. If you have kids, you know what I am talking about. We are somehow equipped to deal with really gross and really scary stuff when we become parents. This includes fathers as well who are also really amazing examples of the human species.

I am proud to be a woman who has a voice and the skills and resources to use my voice for good. I am thankful that women before me have paved the way so that I can use my voice freely and without fear of punishment. I am proud to embrace my femininity in a way that makes me feel good. I am proud to be able to be soft and sexual and strong and independent all at once. I am proud to be the complete embodiment of a human being with rational thoughts that sometimes get skewed by emotions. I am proud that I have the capacity to attempt to unravel all of the craziness of the human condition. And that human condition affects us all regardless of our gender.

Original Post: Celebrating my Birthday with DressLily and #SpreadTheKindness Link Up #23 (May 30, 2017)

I happen to be a woman because of the way genetics lined up at the moment of my conception. I have no control over my gender as well as a million other physical attributes that are mine and will always be mine. None of you have any control of these things either. It is just who we are. I am a woman. And I am proud to be me.

In cooperation with Dresslily, whom I have worked with many times over the lifespan of my blog, we want to invite you to share your own story of what makes you proud to be a woman. Or you can share a story about a woman in your life who has inspired you, empowered you, or made you a little bit better because of her influence.

Dresslily

*All of the outfits featured in this post showcase pieces from Dresslily that I have acquired over the years. It is one of my favorite places to find fun and unique pieces on a budget. If you shop now at Dresslily, be sure to use code DLKOL25C at checkout for up to 25% off your purchase. What a great way to celebrate women!

What makes you proud to be a woman? What women in your life have inspired you and made you a better person?

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.

*On March 19, won’t you join and Monica and me for Your Own Twist by styling purple in honor of International Women’s Day.

Original Post: What to Wear on Game Day (with DressLily) When You Have No Fan Gear (October 30, 2017)

I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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30 Comments

  • Dee | Grammy's Grid

    March 2, 2020 at 5:37 pm Reply

    Thanks so much for linking up with me at my #UnlimitedMonthlyLinkParty 10, open March 1 to 26. I invite you to my Themed Linkup 12 for Crock Pot and Instant Pot Recipes, open February 28 to March 10 if you have any appropriate posts. Won’t you join me at my Short Story Prompt Party for fun and creativity? Open March 2 to 9. Just start typing, see what you come up with! Remember, no story is too short! The prompt is: I woke from a long nap to see…

  • ratnamurti

    March 2, 2020 at 7:19 pm Reply

    I am glad that I am a woman. As a very young mum in the late 1960s and in the 1970s, I had to fight (not with my fists) for my children’s and my, rights. Even within the family. Then in the late 1980s I had another child, and even then, nothing had changed. We were 2nd class citizens still. Now my female grandchildren have equal rights, and I am so proud of them. They are so strong, some because they have a father (my son) who believed in equality, and practiced it. Now my country, New Zealand, has another amazing woman Prime Minister, Jacinda Adern, a truly caring woman. We are so proud of her, too.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      March 3, 2020 at 11:01 am Reply

      Ratnamurti, thank you so much for sharing your story. We have definitely come a really long way in my lifetime and I couldn’t be more grateful for all the people who joined this movement to get us here.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Nancy

    March 3, 2020 at 10:59 am Reply

    I am so glad that I am a woman! I think I get inspired by a lot of women, very different women, every day women. Women I meet irl and on the blog. But I believe that every person is inspiring, men or women.

  • Anna Shirley

    March 5, 2020 at 8:07 am Reply

    I remember when I was very young (teenager), somebody on the news called women “minority.” I didn’t understand. How can be literally half of the planet refer to as “minority.”? Later I realized, they didn’t talk about numbers but about social power. So I wish to all women everywhere that we will be not a minority anymore, that we can be just women.

    Anna
    http://www.glamadventure.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      March 5, 2020 at 11:21 am Reply

      Anna, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this topic. I thought the same thing was I was younger! It never made much sense to me. But then again none of this inequality stuff makes much sense to me. I cannot believe that we live in a world, a generation, where this is still a conversation that is necessary. But I suppose slow progress is better than no progress. Keep shining, my friend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Gail

    March 6, 2020 at 8:49 am Reply

    Inspiring and positive post Shelbee. It’s refreshing to read something that isn’t the usual “women are still as oppressed as ever” shtick. As someone whose working life started in the very early 80s, I can assure everyone that we have seen massive change for the better in the workplace since then!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      March 6, 2020 at 11:17 am Reply

      Thanks so much, Gail! Yeah, I feel like we have come a really long way since the generation of my parents and grandparents. I never really felt oppressed in the workplace at all and only a few terrible men throughout the years have made me feel less than. But mostly, my life as a woman has been a pretty positive experience.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Michelle

    March 8, 2020 at 8:02 am Reply

    Lovely post and such cute outfits!

    The idea of being proud over an accident of birth isn’t something I can really wrap my head around. That said, I certainly don’t regret being a woman either! And I’m all about equal rights. I haven’t experienced in overt discrimination due to being a women (although, I suppose it could happen without me knowing). I don’t like the vulnerability I become aware of when men behave badly. But that says more about them than me. And it doesn’t happen often.

    While so many women deserve recognition for fighting the good fight on daily basis, my female heroes are Harriet Tubman, Susan B Anthony, Margaret Sanger, Bessie Coleman, Bessie Springfield, Rosa Parks, and Noraly Schoenmaker aka Itchy Boots.

    Great question!

    Michelle
    http://mybijoulifeonline.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      March 8, 2020 at 11:25 am Reply

      Michelle, thanks so much for sharing your experience and your thoughts on the topic! I agree with you…an accident of birth is really nothing to be proud of (or ashamed of, for that matter). That is a great list of female heroines!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Mica

    March 9, 2020 at 10:55 am Reply

    Love that red dress at the top of the post! 🙂

    My mum taught me and showed me that I could do anything I wanted to. My dad always encouraged me, I remember going to his work with him a few times to see what he did and talking to his colleague who was doing the same job I am now doing! I want my boys to grow up knowing strong women and respecting everyone – and based on their love of frozen I think they have that covered, haha!

    Hope that you had a great weekend 🙂 Thank you so much for joining the #weekdayWearLinkUp 🙂 I just posted this week’s linkup, if you want to join again.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      March 9, 2020 at 11:01 am Reply

      Mica, thanks so much! I was fortunate to grow up with parents who super supportive of as well. They always taught me there was nothing that I couldn’t do if I wanted to do it. I love that you are teaching your boys to respect everyone and to understand and know strong women. I try to do the same with my boys. It sounds like you are successful in your endeavors! I just added a few posts to your new link party. I hope you have a wonderful week!

      Shelbee
      https://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

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