Celebrating the New Generation of Women

This month is National Women’s Month. I want to devote this column to celebrating and honoring the new generation of girls (who will grow up to be women) emerging as heroes amid the most trying human circumstances.

First among them is Sophie Cruz, who must be in her teens by now. Back in 2015, when she was only 5 years old, she courageously broke through the security of Pope Francis to give him a letter. In the letter, she appealed that her parents, who were undocumented immigrants, not be deported from the United States. At such a tender age, she was ready to stand up for the human rights of people migrating to new countries for a better future.

Then there is the young environmental Swedish activist Greta Thundberg, who, at 15, not only convinced her parents to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle but bravely stood outside the Swedish Parliament on Fridays to call for more substantial commitment to climate change action by holding up a sign that said, “School Strike for Climate Change”.

Then there is the senior high school student from Florida, Emma Gonzalez. After seventeen of her peers were killed by a gunman in school, she led her classmates to hold gun control rallies in their Florida community and called on their government officials to act on this crucial measure.

Honoring these brave young girls, we celebrate the women and men who raised them well and women’s role in breaking barriers and bringing hope to society.

I end by giving honor to the women of my life, too- my wife Minda, my five daughters Pinky, Cecile, Tess, Gigi, and Ginny, and my three granddaughters, Samantha Noelle, Sofia Camille, and Toni Gabrielle.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

“The world needs strong women. Women who will lift and build others, who will love and be loved, women who live bravely, both tender and fierce, women of indomitable will.” – Amy Tenney

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE:

“Strength and honor are her clothing; she is confident about the future.” -Proverbs 31:25