Red For International Women's Day

Today is International Women’s Day and I couldn’t be more excited. We should celebrate all the contributions that women make to the world every day. There are so many women in my life that deserve recognition for all the amazing things that they have done so today I will be sharing a personal story as well as what International Women’s Day means to me.

International Women’s Day

So what is International Women’s Day? International Women’s Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It also serves as a call to action for gender parity (www.internationalwomensday.com.) Many women are taking the day off of work today to protest unequal pay, prejudice in the workplace, and to show what a day without women is like. Women are encouraged to wear red on this day to represent solidarity. International Women’s Day is important to me for all the reasons stated above, and I’m going to tell you a little bit about my life so you can see just how important the day is to me.

Growing Up

My mom has always been such an important person to me. She put her career on hold to raise my three sisters and I. Yup, you heard right, I am one of four sisters so I guess you could say that growing up, I was surrounded by women. Not only did my mom take care of almost everything at home, but she raised us to be different. I can’t stress enough how much I owe my life to my parents. They have been my backbone and have raised me to become the person I am today.

Who Am I?

Well, I am a recent college graduate, that graduated a semester ahead of my class, summa cum laude (with the highest honors.) While in college I maintained a 3.9 average (damn that last point) and worked multiple jobs and internships. I knew I wanted to graduate with my dream job so I worked hard to make that dream a reality. I worked with children at a nonprofit for my first two years of university, and in my last 2 years I worked as a secretary at my business schools office. I have my degree in marketing and maintained quite a few internships throughout my years in school. I interned with a nonprofit thats sole mission was to raise money for local nonprofits, I also worked with 1800 Flowers as a communications and social media intern, and with Estee Lauder as a strategy intern.

Working in the Business World

The business world is tough. Business is mainly male dominated, and it’s a world where there isn’t equal pay for men and women. I never want anyone to look at me and think I’m not good at my job because I am 1. a minority (proud Latina over here!) and 2. a woman. I am strong, intelligent and determined to be better every day of my life.

I love working for companies that aren’t afraid of women’s power. Josefine “Estee” Lauder is someone I admire for everything she was able to accomplish. So you can imagine that I was ecstatic when I was hired as an intern at Estee Lauder. Next week I am starting my career as an IBM business consultant. Yet another company I admire! IBM is a Fortune 50 company that is run by CEO and President Ginni Rometty. I am so proud to be working for a company with not only an incredible impact on the world, but with a strong CEO that can represent the strength and intelligence of all the women of the world.

I’m Sorry

I’m sorry that we aren’t always treated the way we deserve. I’m sorry that we all suffer, and I’m sorry if I can’t help. I’m sorry that women are objectified and perceived as less by some. I’m sorry that we are put down for the simple fact that we are females. I’m sorry that people don’t always show their appreciation for you, because you deserve to be appreciated. I know that we live in a world where things aren’t equal for men and women, but know your worth and keep fighting for what is right.

Thank you!

There are so many women I would like to thank. Thank you to my mother for always being there for me and doing more than enough for my sisters and I. Thank you to my sisters that drive me crazy, but that I love with all my heart. Thank you to my boyfriends mom, for making me feel like part of the family and raising the amazing gentleman that I get to call mine. Thank you to all my best friends for proving that you don’t have to be blood to be family. Thank you to all the amazing women of the blogging community that work their butts off to create something that they are proud of. Thank you to all the women who work so hard for themselves, their families, and their country. Thank you to all the men that fight alongside us for the respect we deserve. Finally, thank you to all of you reading this for being the amazing person that you are!

Let’s Support Each other

Today, and every day, let’s work hard to support each other. Time and time again we show the world that we can do anything we set our minds to. We can band together and help each other and the world.

I want to create a space where everyone feels special, unique, and important. If you ever need someone to listen, feel free to shoot me an email and I’ll be there. You’ll always have a voice here and I hope that with this blog I can make at least one of you smile because then it’s all worth it. Remember to always love and support each other.