Celebrating Strong Women, International Woman’s Day, March 8, 2010

On this International Woman’s Day, I would like to celebrate the strength of women. Sadly there still are too many of my gender, who feels deep down in their heart of hearts, grossly threatened by accomplished women. That is a mystery to me.

If a person is accomplished, how can their gender diminish that accomplishment? I’m 6’2’’ and 220 pounds. The love of my life is a foot shorter and well over 100 pounds lighter than I am. Yet this diminutive dynamo kicks my butt on the golf course. She is more skilled, has greater consistency and is just better. I’m not keen on being beaten in anything by anyone. I am sadly aware that size and strength pale in comparison to skill in golf. So what if it is a tiny terror of feminine pulchritude, she beats me, gender has nothing to do with it.

Strength is not just measured by breadth of bicep or endurance; it is measured in character, dedication and perseverance. My personal life has been enormously enhanced by the strength of many of the women around me. Daughters, by law not birth, have honored me with their love and overwhelmed me with their skills. These women are mothers, wives, professionals and yet they have time and strength to show their father by law how incredibly wonderful it is to have daughters.

I feel a deep sadness for those of you too narrow minded or insecure to recognize the benefits of having women as equal partners in your life. For those of you in relationships or nations that are blind to the enormous wealth women can bring to life, open your eyes and see, second class citizens add little value. Equal partners double your worth. Look at the women around you and celebrate their existence on this International Woman’s Day!