A tribute to generations

 

I recall a moment years ago when I was a young adult, standing on my grandparents’ screened-in back porch with my mom, an aunt and a couple of female cousins. It was a dinner for some holiday occasion and much of the family had gathered to celebrate, like many families do.

I can’t remember our conversation. What I DO remember is overhearing my uncle say to my dad nearby, “Look at that group right there. Given half the chance, they could run the world.”

That’s what it means to grow up in a family that not only respects the power of a woman but EMPOWERS her. The men in our family understood the assignment: women don’t need rescuing; we need teammates, partners who walk alongside us, not in front.

Reflecting on that simple yet profound moment years ago, I understand how it shaped my sense of strength and self-worth. My uncle’s words, spoken with admiration and respect, affirmed what the women in my family had always known - that we are capable of great things and worthy of every opportunity to lead. Growing up in a family where empowerment wasn’t just a concept but a practice lived out daily.

It’s with that spirit that I cast my vote this year. My choice was not just a ballot mark, but a tribute to the generations of strong, empowered women who came before me - and to the men who stood beside them, believing in the strength of our voices.