An Empowered Woman

First off, allow me to wish you all a happy women's international history month!

Be as it may, on the 8th of March was women's day, I think this is defiantly something we should celebrate every day! (I'll even have an episode close to this topic on my podcast "Write Your Life with Astria Mikaelson."

Before we begin, let's take a minute to applaud and appreciate everything that women do. Our Mothers. Our Sisters. Our Grandmothers. Our Aunts. Our Daughters. Our Couzens. Our Friends. Us.

We are strong and capable and bold and smart and radiant!

Women empowerment is such an important essential for everyone to embody.

To be able to lift each other up and let each other know that we are there for them. Through any matter.

In today's post I wanted to reach on a verity on topics, surrounding women.

Some of its history. And some is on how you can become an empowered woman.

Not to mention quotes and more.

How Do You Know Your Empowered?

An empowered woman is someone who knows her worth. Who values and respects herself. She doesn't let the opinions and perceptions of others dictate her life.

She is strong and independent and isn't afraid to stand up for herself and for those who can't stand up for themselves. She is a force to be reckoned with. As. She. Should.

And the empowered woman knows very well that it's healthy to celebrate others wins and beauty! This will never take away from yours in the slightest nor will it make you any less of who you are. Instead, it will bring you both up and this is exactly what the world needs more of.

What The World Sees

Usually, women are either perceived as being the "Good Girl" or "Bitch" and this is far from the actual truth. Because we as women, have parts of both sides, and there are even two more that live within us.

The so-called good girl and her traits is that she shows more of her giving side, spreading kindness, being creative, and tries to do right by everyone.

The so-called bitch and her traits is the part that comes out when people may not be treating you fairly, she's keeping you safe in certain conditions, and taking a stand.

There is a video on YouTube I found that explains this so much better than I could, I'll leave a link and it is called: Becoming an empowered woman by Paula Lacobara.

Where she also describes the other half of ourselves that is the "Wild Woman" and the "Victim."

It's very interesting and I highly recommend giving it a watch!

Women are so interesting and ever changing and complicated at times. But truth be told, we are marvelous. Just by simply being us.

Women Of History

I can bet that you've heard the term, "Well behaved women rarely make history," at least once in your life. And by looking at a historical point of view, that is most certainly the case.

Women are seen to behave a certain way. Live a certain way. And quite frankly, the list goes on.

BUT, and this is a very big but, (yes, I snickered while writing that.) When we look back on at the times that have already passed, we can see that the women that actually made it into the history books, (and there should have been A LOT more... although that topic is for a different day,) have went out of their way to be who they wanted to be. Despite anyone telling them different. They did not keep silent, people pleased or always agreed.

No. They held their head up high and stood firm to their beliefs and morals.

They went for careers that were male dominated. They pushed through for equality rights just so we women today in the modern world wouldn't have to fight so hard.

As we should all keep the same hopes and firm hand on making these changes better for the future woman after us.

Because there is still a lot of work to be done.

And we are going to talk about a few of these courageous women today.

1. Ba Trieu "The Vietnamese Joan Of Arc" born around 225 ce - 248 ce

Ba Trieu, was a gifted fighter, and powerful leader who fought for independence in the 3rd century.

When she was advised to marry, she replied that she would be better off serving her people as a warrior for independence against the controls of the Chinese, (that had oppressed the Vietnamese for centuries.)

As well as saying, "Why resign myself to menial housework?" to her parents when they tried to talk her out of going to battle.

She gathered, trained and led an army around one thousand to assist her brother's army, Trieu Quoc Dat, into battle. She was only 19 years old at the time and this battle was successful and was appointed leader by the army for her courage and leadership skills. Even today, Ba Trieu is a renewed hero and is a strong example for the country's women of a fighter against oppression!

2. Ada Lovelace 1815 - 1852

Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, is considered to have been the world's first computer programmer.

She was an English mathematician and writer, who wrote the first algorithm for a machine in the 1800s!

Ada wrote a paper called the "Analytical Engine" that sadly was never built.

But she is still seen as a woman of science, engineering, math's, and technology.

She was a true visionary and before her time.

In fact, at the age of 12, Ada conceptualized a flying machine. This was when she studied birds and the suitability of many materials, she constructed a winged machine, to which she even wrote to her mother explaining how it was to be.

3. Mary McLeod 1875 - 1955

Mary McLeod devoted her life to a cause, in a time when education was hard to gain for African Americans. She stepped up and was a voice and teacher to those who were in need and wanted of an education.

Mary was born to former slaves, after the Civil War. And as well as an educator and political activist.

She even opened one of the very first schools for African American girls!

Founder and president of the school that is today Bethune-Cookman University (1904.)

She also founded the Mary McLeod Hospital and Training School for Nurses.

A natural born leader that helped strive for others to have a better life. If that isn't courageous, I don't know what is.

4. Grace O'Malley 1530 - 1603

Grace O'Malley, was an Irish Pirate in the 16th century! Sailing the seas while raiding ships and fighting off the English Government expedition that was sent to stop her.

(I know, she is already my role model.)

Being already the head of the O'Malley dynasty in the west of Ireland, after her father's death she took control over the active leadership of the lordship by land and sea.

And she is celebrated in Ireland as the original "Pirate Queen."

Grace was respected by both her people and her enemy, the English.

And until recently, (the 2000s,) she was simply and largely airbrushed from history, because she didn't fit into the usual norms of "womanhood."

A highly ambitious and independent woman that is still a living legacy to this day.

5. Bertha Von Suttner 1843 - 1914

Bertha Von Suttner, had been the first woman peace activist AND first woman to be awarded the Nobel peace prize! Along with her legal scholar, Tobias Asser, for their help in developing an international order based on peace rather than war.

She also wrote one of the most influential books, the anti-war novel, "Lay Down Your Arms."

Bertha was known for being an author, and teacher of languages and music.

In 1891 she formed a peace group in Venice and helped with the "Austrian Peace Society" and became president.

Throughout the years she worked to continue to convince the world that we should have peace and harmony if we want progress.

In Conclusion

And there you have it. Five courageous and strong women of history that you probably haven't heard of enough!

And still to this day there are women making changes and making waves. That someday people of the far away future will be learning about.

I don't know about you, but just reading about their stories is motivating enough to jump at the chance to make history in your own glorious way!

Again, I wish you a happy womans history month! I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I did writing it and don't forget to subscribe by e-mail to stay updated on everything for the blog and podcast.

Until next Tuesday, & with love, Xx. -A

Currently: I'm relaxing. Enjoying the calm and quiet evening that it is. Spending time with family and staying really busy the last few weeks. But in a good way.

P.s. the snow just keeps coming down and I'm beginning to think that spring will not "sprung" anytime soon.

The house smells of coffee, tea and cinnamon because of the paper dying for the shop.