Choose To Challenge… the notion that you can only be celebrated at your peek.

“Choose To Challenge” was a prevalent theme this Women’s Month and different initiatives by various organs saw the excellence, power and dynamicity, among a multiplicity of facets of women, highlighted. From sports stars and media moguls to cooperate ladies (women of authority) and entrepreneurs, women kicking “behind” in the spaces they occupy were paraded, stirring conversations around what it means to be a woman in the 21st century or more precisely in 2021.

Now as inspiring as it was, is and will always be to see our fellow sisters being trailblazers and occupying pages in history books, it becomes quite unfortunate when we fail to identify with these Queens because we feel like our crowns aren’t as shiny or even sadder, when we don't feel like we have or are deserving of crowns. This by no means translates to the soul feeling this way being “envious”, not at all, but it does mean that they have aligned “celebration” with “platform.” This may be a conscious or subconscious thought but the bottom line remains, the woman in question is most likely not going to count her self as part of the ladies being celebrated during this period and beyond.

In her mind, her voice isn’t loud enough so she often shies away from raising her hand when activists are called for. The image she holds of women worth acknowledging in the culinary industry is one where they wear toque blanches and have cooking shows on internationally acclaimed stations, therefore, her “boot” business where she sells soul food that she makes in her kitchen at home doesn’t cut the chase. Her customer base encompasses friends and family who ask her to design something on special occasions at affordable prices and so she doesn’t deem herself as a successful designer. She’s on a journey of mastering what holistic health means to her but finds herself receding when she is triggered, and so she never shares any wisdom and wellness tips because she is still work in progress. The list of ways in which we undermine our worth because it doesn’t fit “status quo” is endless.

Now, I am big on being progressive but even bigger on celebrating the tiny victories. Constantly seeing ourselves in the shadows of what we could be robs us of the opportunity to soak in the light we actually exist in. Without the accolades or making it onto the list, you’re still a woman worth celebrating. Behind the scenes, you’re making an effort to brush your teeth twice a day at-least three quarters of the week, you’re fighting the spirit of procrastination by trying to have written half the essay a day before it is due, leaving the other half for the hours prior to submission and developing discipline with regards to your social media usage. That sure is worth applause if you ask me and anyone else who struggles with it or has been there before.

Work In Progress is built with the intention of wanting to be a magnifying glass on the worth, beauty and strength that is found in the process of “becoming.” That is why it was of utmost importance that I inform or remind you that when they say “Happy Women’s Month” or shout out to all the “Sheroes,” they are talking to you too. Yes, you who feels messy, undone and like a Tanganyika sardine (kapenta/matemba) fish in a sea of whales. You may feel unseen and unacknowledged but remember that you embody all that the heart of these festivities are built on.

Honour the expedition you are on.

Your hills and valleys.

The meticulous work that goes on behind the scenes of the movie of your life and the scenes that the world gets to see.

Just because you’re “work in progress” doesn’t mean you are any less valuable, you are the “IT”.

Now, if you hadn’t celebrated yourself this past month, please do so in the next eight months of the year. Make up for lost time. You deserve it Queen.

Adoration and Respect

Pretty Conscience.