Thanking Women

The following article was originally published by Sarah Buckmaster on LinkedIn in 2017.

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Instead of giving something up for lent this year, I decided to take something on. I wanted to focus on a project that would mean something to me, and offer some light and energy to the current climate of negativity and fear. 

I could never have imagined that inspiration on what to do would be sparked by 74-year-old, right-wing, Polish MEP, Janusz Korwin-Mikke. “Of course women must earn less than men” he stated, in European Parliament at the beginning of March 2017 (the year seems important to highlight as we could be mistaken in thinking we’d hopped in a time machine and gone back to the dark ages), “because they are weaker, they are smaller and they are less intelligent”. 

Following quite a few tears of frustration, I felt anger and motivation in equal measure, and as I watched Spanish politician, Iratxe Garcia-Perez, condemn the ridiculous statement, I felt such an immense sense of gratitude that she was there to defend European women from this archaic mentality. Where Korwin-Mikke was offensive, out-dated and nonsensical, Garcia-Perez was rational, informed and inspirational.

Seeing her in action made me think of all the women who have inspired me, and how grateful I am to have crossed paths with each and every one of them. I suddenly felt the need to reach out to them all – to thank them for being such an inspiration to me, and for contributing to the world in such a positive way. My project was born!

For each of the 40 days of lent, I wrote to a woman who has inspired me at some point in my life. Some of them were women who I have known for years (family and friends), some only months (new neighbours and colleagues), and others I have never even met in person (writers and leaders that have inspired me through their work). I wanted to reach out and thank these women; to share with them how they have inspired me to be the person I am, simply because of who they are.

I posted my 40th and final card on the weekend, and what started out as a way to thank these women has become one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. 

Over the past month and a half, I have written to female family, friends, colleagues and role models across the globe - some of whom I have met and others I have only read about. I wrote to my current boss who sparked a complete change of direction in my life; I wrote to an old university lecturer who inspired me to stay humble and sensitive whilst passionately pursuing my dreams; I wrote to my oldest school-friend thanking her for almost 30 years of friendship, and I wrote to a brand-new friend who welcomed me to my new town with a warmth and generosity that will stay with me through the ages. I researched and found contact details for old school teachers, neighbours, well-known writers and inspiring female leaders. I reconnected with a woman who lodged with my family when I was 4 years old – thanking her for a book she gave me that inspired me to live a life without fear. And on International Women’s Day (March 8, 2017), I sat down for several hours and wrote to my Mother, the greatest inspiration in my life.

Taking time each and every day to think about, and write to, these inspiring individuals has connected me to the women in my network in a profound way, grounding me in a community of strength, support and compassion.

This morning, I decided to listen again to the interaction in European Parliament that kick-started this whole experience for me. I re-listened to the ugly words of Janusz Korwin-Mikke, and then to the strong, articulate and genuine response of Iratxe Garcia-Perez, and, this time, I smiled. I was reminded how it is from the murkiest and dirtiest waters that we see the growth of the most beautiful lotus flower. Now, more than ever, I am immensely grateful to be surrounded by strong, independent and inspiring women; “here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.”