On This, The Last Day of Women's History Month: You

I know SO many phenomenal women--I wish I had the time and talent to write about each and every one of you, because each and every one of you deserves to be recognized for what you do.  Your lives are important, and what you do, every day, matters.  Matters to someone--trust me, it does.

• If you are a teacher, you are a phenomenal woman.
• If you are a mother or a step-mother, sister or auntie, you are a phenomenal woman.
• If you are a role model to children, you are a phenomenal woman.
• If you are a role model to other women, you are a phenomenal woman.
• If you fix the bodies of humans, you are a phenomenal woman.
• If you fix the bodies of animals, you are a phenomenal woman. 
• If you fix "things" for others, you are a phenomenal woman.
• If you plant things, clean up things, recycle:  anything to help this planet, you are a phenomenal woman.
• If you use your words to inspire others, or to bring beauty to the world you are a phenomenal woman.
• If you use music to inspire others, or to bring beauty to the world, you are a phenomenal woman.
• If you use art to inspire others, or to bring beauty to the world, you are a phenomenal woman.
• If you keep a journal, take photographs, preserve things from the past--anything to keep the history of women alive, you are a phenomenal woman.
• If you stand up for the rights of others, you are a phenomenal woman.
• If you stand up for yourself, you are a phenomenal woman.
• If you stand your ground, and argue in defense of your beliefs, you are a phenomenal woman.
• If you are an athlete, and you work so hard to inspire others, you are a phenomenal woman.
• If you are not an athlete, but you work hard to inspire others, you are a phenomenal woman.
• If you take care of your family, your friends, your friend's children, and would do anything for them, you are a phenomenal woman.
• If you hold public office, you are a phenomenal woman.
• If, every day, you go to work because you know someone is counting on you, you are a phenomenal woman.
• If you love another person, have committed yourself to them, you are a phenomenal woman.
• If you live your life to be an inspiration to others; if you live to make this world better; if you live so that after you die, you are missed, you are a phenomenal woman. 

Maya Angelou, on This--the Next to the Last Day of Women's History Month

 I love this poem by the phenomenal Maya Angelou.....

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I'm telling lies.

I say,

It's in the reach of my arms

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.

I say,

It's the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

Men themselves have wondered

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can't touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them

They say they still can't see.

I say,

It's in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

Now you understand

Just why my head's not bowed.

I don't shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It's in the click of my heels,

The bend of my hair,

the palm of my hand,

The need of my care,

'Cause I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.