Circle of Women

“Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:31

I have a magazine subscription that is a splurge in my life. The path that led to this magazine started with stumbling upon a podcast. I am not sure how I found Radio Cherry Bombe. It could have been an Instagram post, another podcast, or a chef I was curious about. But somehow, in 2021, I started to listen to host Kerry Diamond interview women in the food industry. These interviews exposed me to the ingenuity of women despite barriers and how camaraderie and collaboration helped women become more successful. It was more than the delightful aprons created by Ellen Bennet for Hedley & Bennet, or the celebrations that Elisa Sunga hosted with her Cake Picnic. It was coming together as women, recognizing the obstacles that have held us back, and moving towards the future where women can be creative, lead, and live fully.

Last Sunday, I prayed with three young women. Our pastor instructed us to pray over one another a blessing of some sort for their future lives. I had been sitting behind the three young women in church, watching them interact with one another. Laughing, worshipping, and praying, I saw them connected in a way only tween/teen girls can be. They giggle at the same things, pretend disdain at adults’ attempts at humor, share heartbreaks and challenges with one another, and love each other fiercely. They are on the brink of womanhood, with so many dreams, goals, and ideas. When I came up to them, I didn’t have anything profound to say that spoke to their future. Instead, I felt led to bless their friendship and ask God to help them be hospitable whenever new tweens/teens entered the group. I prayed that God would help them enlarge their circles despite their strong connections. After a group hug, I felt as blessed as I hoped my prayer would be for them.

When I became a Christian, I was one of the outsiders coming into a group of friends that shared a history. They all attended a small Christian school while I attended public school. They could all sing beautifully and even had matching outfits for a vocal ensemble they were competing in. When I sang, it was less than harmonious. Yet, despite their connections, they were able to invite me to be a part of their group. I never felt like an outsider. They celebrated my wins and helped shape the woman I am today. Today, I am still in a relationship with two of these women, our friendship spanning almost 40 years.

This past Sunday was International Women’s Day. It was affirming to see women across different industries celebrating other women in their industry. Reese Witherspoon paid tribute to other actresses, Ina Garten honored Julia Child and Martha Stewart, along with other women who “were fabulous chefs and food writers.” Other women praised their moms, aunts, and teachers who made an impact on their lives.

In this post, I wish I could list all the women who inspire me. From my aunts to my sisters, to my oldest friends, to my daughter and daughter-in-law, to my newest friends, to my co-workers, to my volunteers, to all the young women in my life—you are all amazing! I hope to always be your biggest cheerleader, to sit by your side when life is hard, and to advocate for you when life seems unfair. Thank you for being amazing women, and let’s continue to make this world a better place for all women!