I See You :: An Open Letter to Women

Written by: Melania Klemowits, Exploit No More's Executive Coordinator

Today is International Women’s Day. A day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This year’s theme, Press for Progress, is a call to motivate and unite the community - everyone alike - to think, act, and be gender inclusive.

---

Dear Woman,

I don’t know what circumstances lead you to this letter, but here you are, and I am grateful for that.

Today is about celebrating you! Your successes, your progress, your strength, your incredible being.
Don’t do that, I know you just flinched a little, slouching in your chair while reading that sentence. You’re thinking, I am not a woman worth celebrating. What have I done that’s good in this world?
​
I’ve felt the same at way during my life; everything was in slow motion, like wading through jello, and my body was numb. There was no happiness, no sadness, no anger, no spark. I was alone in a crowded room and worse, sometimes I was just alone.

Dear Woman,

I’m going to stop you right there – you have done good in this world, you are good, you are worthy.

You may not have seen the goodness that you’ve created but it’s there. What about the time you held the door open for the older couple with their arms full of groceries? What about the time your daughter or son had a nightmare and you crawled in bed with them and held them until they fell back asleep? What about the time you smiled at someone who looked like they were having a hard day?

Celebrating the small victories of a day in the life of a woman are just as important as celebrating the big achievements. The world may get caught up in the hype of standards and image – but you, beyond any doubt, are worthy of celebrating.

Dear Woman,

If I could, I would throw you a party for yourself – any party you want, I would make it happen.

Dear Woman,

I see you.
In your hurt and pain, I see you.
In your loneliness and confusing, I see you.
In your long nights and unkept hair, I see you.
In your healing and redemption, I see you.
In your joy and freedom, I see you.

Dear Woman,

Wherever you are in your journey – beginning, middle, going through a big change, starting a new adventure, I see you.

I see you as someone who is worthy of celebrating, who is accepted with all the bruises, scars, and history, who has been put on this earth to do good things.

I am so glad to be living in a world with you in it.