A letter to myself on International Women’s Day

You inspire me every single day.

In the workforce, it’s nothing short of remarkable to witness women taking the reins and driving progress. Yet, even in 2025, we still face the criticism of being “too loud” for speaking our minds and “too emotional” for having conviction in ourselves.

But you come from a long line of resilient women who have faced adversity head-on, and you will never allow yourself to be silenced or made to feel that your compassion and belief in your own worth are weaknesses. Your emotions are not a flaw; they are the very essence of your strength.

You push yourself physically, working out over five days a week and engaging in numerous sports, despite the narrow-minded remarks that attempt to box you into a traditional notion of femininity. You’ve been called “too muscular,” “too big,” “too strong”—yet all of these labels are simply reflections of others’ insecurities. Watch as you continue to surpass expectations and leave those who challenge you in your dust.

You are powerful, both intellectually and physically, and you possess the resilience to conquer anything that comes your way. Your mind is sharp, your spirit unyielding, and there is no limit to what you can achieve.

Note to All Women:

To all the incredible women who, like me, stand tall in the face of adversity: your strength, your brilliance, and your capacity for empathy are revolutionary. It is not weakness to feel deeply; it is power. It is not a flaw to voice your truth; it is courage. The world may try to label us, to restrict us, to define us by narrow standards—but we will never be confined.

On this International Women’s Day, let us stand together, unapologetic in our strength, unafraid to challenge the status quo, and united in our unwavering belief that we are enough, just as we are. There is nothing we cannot achieve, and no ceiling we cannot break. Keep pushing boundaries, keep showing up, and above all, keep being unapologetically, beautifully you.