March 8th is International Women’s Day. IWD has been commemorated since 1911. Back then most women around the world did not have the right to vote, or many other rights for that matter. Today millions of women around the world will celebrate how far we have come – and how far there is still to go for gender equality to be fully realized.

Last year Virginia posted a Photo Journey celebrating how far we have come. (You can view it by clicking here: International Women’s Day – A Photo Journey.)

To honor this year’s campaign – #ChooseToChallenge – Virginia would like to share a favorite song that encapsulates this year’s theme: “Sing” by Annie Lennox. I have been a groupie of Annie Lennox since the Eurythmics (serving overseas her “Diva” recording played on constant repeat.) She has been a gender equality activist for eons.

“Sing, my sister, sing

Let your voice be heard
What won’t kill you will make you strong

Sing, my sister, sing…

Don’t hide your light behind your fear…
I tell you womankind is strong

Take your beautiful self up to the heights again

Back to the place where you belong…

Sing out
Sing loud
Sing proud…

Sing, my sisters sing  (Lyrics: Annie Lennox)

Here’s a YouTube of the song…

(Email readers you know the drill, click to the Roses website to have a listen.)

Here’s to women having the courage to speak out – loud and proud – challenging what needs changing and celebrating achievements across so many sectors around the world.

Sing, my sisters, sing!!

grace, peace & gender equality

Virginia : )

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.  You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.  ~ Eleanor Roosevelt ~