21 Women

When the American flag waved bravely, for women it did not FURL. However, many bold and determined women have changed the WORLD. I am a proud bother of 8 sisters; Two of whom are older and 6 are younger. 4 sisters have passed on, and 4 now remain. But before them or me, there was mom, and before her, there was our dear maternal grandmother. In addition to my wife of 50 years, there is my daughter and her daughter. I have one great granddaughter, and during the journey of 70 plus years, these have been the women in my life. None have been closer nor more loved than these 13. In matters especially in respect, sensitivity, and grace, it is they who have shaped my life more than any other, and for this I salute them. When decisions and laws were made, women were always SILENCED. Seated, but their hearts were determined to create voices of BALANCE. I never realized it before today, that there is an International Women Day. How interesting. All these years of comings and goings and reading, and I never knew. I could mention a few great ones in history or currently, but books are filled with them. Beyond a birth or death certificate and a few mentions in other less readable material, one is not likely to come across any of the above mentioned 13. But I will venture to say that, in strength and weakness, in gifts and talents, in ambition and vision, or in so many other business or social endeavors, my 13 represent multitudes of the 3 billion plus females around the globe. No, these females have no claim to fame, but I now honor them just the same. When I thought upon The International day for Women, it did not take long for my heart and mind to be cast upon a few pearls. I know that there were women like DAISY DOUGLAS BARR, who raised the bar on social consciousness with regard to alcohol. Or the environmentalist, RACHEL CARSON, whom I read about a few years ago. She labored for the banning of the DDT chemical. Or ROSA PARKS who essentially said, 'No, I'm too tired today to give up my seat'. Or SANDRA DAY O'CONNER who became the first female Associate Justice of The U.S. Supreme Court. Women could not enjoy freedom while others like them were in BONDAGE. That's why Women set the tone, inspiring the world with their COURAGE. The above-mentioned women are in the history books and are well known for their accomplishments. However, there are others that I would like to add who greatly affected me but never made history. There was one in Mississippi named MRS GASTON, my fourth-grade teacher who in spite of polio inspired me greatly with her affection, instilling a sense of confidence within me. And There was also one in Chicago named MARY who was a missionary to the inner city. There was another in San Francisco name ESTELL who was a strong voice for my family. There was yet another in Sacramento named JO who in her 90's befriended me and never ceased to rate me highly. For these 21 and more, I am deeply grateful. 032722PSCtest, Tribute To Women Poetry Contest, Beata Agustin.1P Note: 3 Rhymed Couplets anchoring the entire poem