Some of the most influential women in your life include your closest relatives such as an aunt, mother or grandmother; however those figures were also once young women full of inspiration and hope with their own role models. In my case, my grandmother is a woman of a mysterious past that she carries with an intimating amount of grace. I never understood how she could stay calm even when God challenged her strength. For instance, when my grandfather died she always put on a brave face so no one would ever ever feel the grief she had to endure. Therefore, my grandmother is one of the most empowering women in the world, and I want to share her story.
My grandmother lived a rather simple life, something close to what you could call the American dream. Growing up in a humble home in Derby Connecticut, she enjoyed dancing, talking on the phone, and going wherever the wind took her. In high school she was a part of her school’s majorette team as a baton twirler. When I asked her if she ever had to worry about the future she simply replied, “No.” I was taken aback by her response because as a senior in high school I constantly worry where I will end up in just a few months. Following her response she told me the reason the future was never a haunting fear was because as a woman in the 70’s the only career paths available were a teacher, nurse, hairdresser, secretary, or a wife. She even stated, “There wasn’t enough time to think about the future. Life was very chronological, married, kids, and then work if you needed to.” Surprisingly she didn’t claim to be bothered by this, because she didn’t mind the limited options or depending on a husband which is something that would be commonly frowned upon in the 20th century. Despite her controversial statements, I realized that my grandmother was a symbol of perseverance.
Besides accepting defeat by her limitations she embraced them all throughout her life and still to this day. For instance, my grandmother explained to me how she never needed to feel the validation of being better than a man. Instead, her empowerment was formed within her own mind and body. Working as a volunteer for Ronald McDonald’s home, she was granted the position to be one of the main directors of the organization. When reminiscing about her volunteering days she stated, “being in charge of others made her feel powerful.” Doing this alone was considered to be one of her most empowering moments as not only a woman but an individual. Having a sense of power and responsibility made her feel independent and in control, just enough to leave a mark of her forever. However my grandmother believes the advancements for women over the past couple of decades is astonishing. She can even recall seeing women’s rights activists during the 70s and 80s which is what she would consider one of the biggest turning points for female empowerment.
Despite everything going on in her generation, I think it’s important to focus on the battles that make my grandmother the woman she is today. When I refer to her past I truly mean when my grandfather’s health depleted right under my bedroom. Suffering from brain cancer, death creeping in slowly making time the only enemy. My grandmother’s soulmate, best friend, and support was slipping through her fingers. Nonetheless, she still kept striding through even the darkest moments of her life, getting up early every morning to go to work to then spend the late hours at night sitting beside my grandfather because lord knows she couldn’t rest without her love. Life had truly caught up to her, the ball was no longer in her court, all she could do was hold on to every last minute until a piece of her died on December 26th, 2009. I was only just a baby when this occurred, but I know how much of a toll this had on my grandmother. According to my mom she truly believes my grandmother was never the same. What’s astonishing to me is the courage my grandmother had to pull herself away from the grips of grief.
Presently, my grandma is fulfilling her dreams of living in Florida with a garden to attend to while the sun rays beat off her back. This is why my grandmother is one of the most powerful women in my life, because despite losing a part of her life she continues to live each and every day like it’s her last because I know that’s what my grandfather would’ve wanted for her. Moreover, the way my grandmother carries herself reminds me what it means to be a woman. Standing strong even when the whole world is against you and doing so with grace and confidence. Because being a woman is a powerful thing.
