Women’s Lives Matter
“Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” Maya Angelou
Women’s Lives & Issues Matter – women’s photo collage
Women’s Lives & Issues Matter – Quotes Collage
Women’s Lives Matter: Why do Women’s Lives & Issues Matter? Issues affecting women and girls’ lives matter to me, not just because I am a woman, but also because I believe in gender equity and equal justice for all. Yes, ALL lives matter. I grew up in a household of strong women who weren’t afraid to speak their mind. However, my mom, grandmas, and many of my aunts grew up in a time when there were many more restrictions on women’s career choices and physical movement. Some of them couldn’t go to school because getting an education was reserved for men and boys who were expected to run the household later in life.
My generation benefited from the sacrifices and the price my mother and her cohorts paid so we could feel free to do almost anything we wanted. It’s easy for some women to thumb their noses at the women’s movement today, but if you take time to read up on history, you’d be shocked to discover that women were considered chattel for many years in the USA. You’d be appalled to learn that there are places in the world today where women are still owned as possessions, like cars and toys. Have you ever asked your Mom what it was like for her growing up? What was it truly like? Not the amnesia induced version … Why is your life different from hers?
“The connections between and among women are the most feared, the most problematic, and the most potentially transforming force on the planet.” Adrienne Rich
Hear Our Voice: Women’s march on DC, Jan 21, ’17
Across Women’s Lives: Major Issues Facing Females Globally
Both of my grandmothers were amazing women who raised large families with skill and wisdom. My paternal grandmother raised my dad alone after her husband died suddenly of a heart attack. She sent him to school during a time when education was not available to all or even considered a road out of poverty. My maternal grandmother was a fierce lady who spoke several languages and raised a household of fifteen children, some of whom died at birth. She watched some of her children’s lives unravel and nursed a few through their darkest moments.
I believe that all women have the potential to live fulfilling lives and that female empowerment must begin with each of us. We must rise above our petty bickering and learn to support and uplift each other. We must stop sabotaging our gender. For every wall we tear down, for every glass ceiling we break, for every stride/demonstration/walk we take for change, we must bring others along with us and mentor the younger generation.
More Below!
“Women have always been courageous… They are always fearless when protecting their children, and in the last century, they have been fearless in the fight for their rights.” Isabel Allende
Women’s Lives & Issues Matter – Elizabeth Lesser Quote
Across Women’s Lives: Major Issues Facing Females Globally
Why do Women’s Lives & Issues Matter? If you can’t think of a reason, ask the question of someone else and then ponder why you are at a loss for words. Of course, all lives matter … women carry half the sky on this earth, yet many women around the world live deferred dreams. We need to open our hearts, eyes, and minds to hear our collective voices. We must never forget to speak up for the voiceless.
This page was created to share all my posts and other curated materials on women and girls. If something interests you, respond to it. If there is vital information you’d love to share that we can all use to learn and grow, share it. I welcome every visitor to this page; I welcome each and every one of you as a mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, aunt, girlfriend, and supporter of women’s rights and human rights.
Positive Motivation Tip: Everything we do matters to someone. The lives of all humans matter. Girls and women matter. We are connected, and our silence over inequities is death. Issues that affect us affect others around us. Take charge and lift each other up. Women’s lives matter.
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos woman, via Wikipedia, women’s march posters, via AmplifierFoundation, or from my personal collection.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Trackbacks
- Across Women’s Lives: Major Issues Facing Females Globally | Mirth and Motivation
- National Women’s Health Week: 5 Health Tips from #RelaytheRed & #NWHW | Mirth and Motivation
- International Women’s Day: Join #Kiva.org/Dreams & #WomensLives | Mirth and Motivation
- Women’s History Month: Curriculum Of A Mom | Mirth and Motivation
- Women’s History Month: Words Of Wisdom & Writings | Mirth and Motivation
- Take #iBlogSurvey15 – Women’s Blogging Industry & Business Survey | Mirth and Motivation
- Heart Health: #WomensLives & Go Red For Women | Mirth and Motivation
- For Our Sheroes: #WomensLives Matter | Mirth and Motivation
- World Cancer Day: Dispelling Misconceptions. Debunking Myths | Mirth and Motivation
- Haiku: Think Pink… | Mirth and Motivation
- Heart Matters: National Wear Red Day | Mirth and Motivation
- Weekly Writing Challenge: The Golden Years | Mirth and Motivation
- Reflections: World Humanitarian Day | Mirth and Motivation
- Haiku: Where Is Our Humanity? | Mirth and Motivation
- International Day of the Girl Child: Empower Girls. End Violence. | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: ATTITUDE | Mirth and Motivation
- Reflections: UN Forum On The Culture Of Peace | Mirth and Motivation
- International Volunteer Day: 10 Ways You Can Participate | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: LOVE | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: Responsibility | Mirth and Motivation
- Gratitude: Ten Things We Must Not Take For Granted… | Mirth and Motivation
- Reflections: What Are We Feeding Our Children? | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: HAPPINESS | Mirth and Motivation
- The Heart Truth®: Take #RelaytheRed Pledge | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: What’s A Wellness, Fitness & Healthy LifeStyle? | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: Honoring SERVICE | Mirth and Motivation
- Nobel Peace Prize 2014: Two Voices For Children & Youth Rights Win | Mirth and Motivation
- 100 Top Inspirational & Motivational Books by Women | Mirth and Motivation
- Musings: Women & Peace… | Mirth and Motivation
- International Women’s Day: Inspiring Change | Mirth and Motivation
- Womensphere: Empowering Women to Connect | Mirth and Motivation
- Reflections: Feed Minds, Fight Hunger… | Mirth and Motivation
- The Journey Of Life: 100 Lessons From Around The World – A Review | Mirth and Motivation
- Inspiration: Life Lessons With Oprah… | Mirth and Motivation
- Musings: Do you feel connected to your body? | Mirth and Motivation
- Musings: Can A Hug Make You Happy? | Mirth and Motivation
- Inspiration: Aging Beautifully… | Mirth and Motivation
- Gratitude: Remembering Maya Angelou | Mirth and Motivation
- Inspiration: Embracing The F Word… | Mirth and Motivation
- Reflections: Speak To Us Of Children… | Mirth and Motivation
- Reflections: 100 Is The New 78… | Mirth and Motivation
- Inspiration: Four Documentaries Worth Seeing… | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: GROWTH | Mirth and Motivation
- Musings: Define Yourself… | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: APPRECIATION | Mirth and Motivation
- Reflections: Education & Emancipation Denied… | Mirth and Motivation
- Highlights: Social Good Summit 2012 Day 2-3… | Mirth and Motivation
- Musings: Ten Tips For A Saner Life… | Mirth and Motivation
- Soulful Sounds: The Greatest Ladies Of Jazz – Part 2 | Mirth and Motivation
- Soulful Voices: The Greatest Ladies Of Jazz – Part 1 | Mirth and Motivation
- Extraordinary Art: By Patrizia Maimouna Guerresi… | Mirth and Motivation
- Reflections: Acceptance & Our Happiness Quotient… | Mirth and Motivation
- Schiaparelli & Prada: Impossible Conversations – Exhibit Opens At The Met… | Mirth and Motivation
- Reflections: In Hindsight, Optimism Prevails… | Mirth and Motivation
- Reflections: Be The Change… | Mirth and Motivation
- Fiction: Jacaranda Returns Home For Good | Mirth and Motivation
- Dylan Farrow’s Open Letter: What Would You Do? | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: SILENCE | Mirth and Motivation
- Reflections: Happy Mother’s Day | Mirth and Motivation
- For My Mother… and Father – Love’s Vacuum Filled | Mirth and Motivation
- Mother Energy: Living Life with Courage and a Loving Heart | Mirth and Motivation
- Oprah’s Gift: An Inspired Mother’s Day Weekend with Oprah | Mirth and Motivation
- From Anguish to Activism: A Mother’s Journey to Get Your Wellness On | Mirth and Motivation
- Reflections: On Hope – Don’t Quit On Your Life… | Mirth and Motivation
- Sprinkles of Love: Happy Mother’s Day! | Mirth and Motivation
- Musings: In My Mother’s Garden… | Mirth and Motivation
- Inspiration: Happy Mother’s Day… | Mirth and Motivation
- Hello world! | Mirth and Motivation
- National Wear Red Day®: Join The #HeartChat | Mirth and Motivation
- Heart Matters: An Interview w/ Dr Gary H Gibbons of NHLBI | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: International Women’s Day #IWD2016 | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: Women’s History Month | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays : The United State Of Women #StateofWomen | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: PREPARED | Mirth and Motivation
- We Will Rise: Empowering Girls Education Globally | Mirth and Motivation
- Weekly Photo Challenge: GRACEFUL | Mirth and Motivation
- Heart Matters: 7 Heart Healthy Tips | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: Celebrate Mother’s Day! #mothersday | Mirth and Motivation
- International Day of the Girl Child: EmPOWER Girls | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: International Women’s Day #TimeisNow | Mirth and Motivation
- Gratitude: Remembering Maya Angelou | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: International Women’s Day – #IWD2019 #BalanceforBetter #InnovateForChange | Mirth and Motivation
- Womensphere: Empowering Women to Connect | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation 2020: International Women’s Day #GenerationEquality #EachforEqual | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: International Women’s Day #GenerationEquality #EachforEqual | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: APPRECIATION | Mirth and Motivation
- Hello world! - Mirth and Motivation
- Heart Health: Why Go Red For Women & American Heart Month Matter - Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: Celebrating Women's History Month and More... - Mirth and Motivation
Beautiful quotes from beautiful women. I love this. Nicely put together!
Thank you Heather!
I love, love, love the quote about finding ways to lift each other up. That’s the way to be!
Exactly and you are that way already.
This is such an uplifting post. Without women there would not be a civilization.
There are still a lot of obstacles set by ourselves and society that we need to navigate. Those on the side of progress have the unshakable drive necessary for change though.
True … and I’m grateful for it!
Thank you for this post. I love reading your work. You’re always so powerful and inspiring. The quote by Maya Angelou about women standing up for themselves gave me shivers. I just finished reading Chimananda Ngozi Adichie’s “We Should All Be Feminists,” and I feel so inspired. Have a beautiful weekend!
Oh wonderful! Enjoy your weekend too and Thank you!
I am so thankful that times have changed and that women are able to play important roles in society. I know that I was the first on our family to get a college degree. Granted it has been a waste of money since I can’t work.
This is a great post. I can’t help but agree with you that women have changed history a lot and are an important part of it.
These quotes are so beautiful and I love that your photo collages represent women of all races and backgrounds!
Yes. I love this message! I think we need to be great role models for young girls so they grow up to dominate the world! Girl Power 🙂
I so agree with this! Women are important and we are powerful and strong <3 Let's show them what we're made of!
I always find myself inspired and moved by your posts.
Great post.
You inspire me. Thank you so much!
Love the quote on empowering fellow women. Too many times we feel threatened of each other existence!
True … and I wish the behavior would just stop. We should see each other as allies not enemies or competition.
Truly appreciate your post. This really empowers all the girls, ladies and women out there. Amazing and inspiring.
I love the beautiful quotes. I like Maya Angelou’s quote. When a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women. So true!
Me too… it spoke to me and helped inspire this post. <3
Love these quotes! I couldn’t agree more. You had some awesome grandmothers in your family. They sound like they have helped influence you in some awesome ways.
Such a great post. Very motivational.
Such remarkable women who should be celebrated!
Women plays a big role in the world. Without women, there is no men. – Mhar Sefcik
I think everyones life matters. and these are great reminders to give those who give so much credit.
What a beautiful and inspirational post. I keep hearing in the news how some big businesses and some state governments are trying to infringe upon women’s rights. It is so disheartening–they all need to read this article!
I love this post and its very inspiring too. And the photos & quotes are amazing as well. Women are so powerful & I agree we must all take charge & lift each other & stay motivated always.
I admire all these women….such an inspiration! Women’s lives matter indeed! Great read.
What an inspiring/empowering post. I think all lives matter and it is crazy that people are still being treated differently for gender or race or other uncontrollable factors.
Women empowerment at it’s best! This is the message that you carry in this article. Well done Eliz.
A very inspiring and motivating post, This should be spread around the world.
I am in love with that ‘hen’ quote by Margaret Thatcher. I feel like I should put that on a TV shirt or something.
I agree with this, Woman are worth respecting for. Thank you for the inspiring post.
Elizabeth, what an uplifting post. Good on you for putting it together. During my lifetime, in my part of the world, women have become much more visible in public office, in science, in the arts, in business. But, true equality remains illusive. So often women, now, must shoulder the primary burden of childcare as well as maintaining their jobs in a fiercely competitive market place. Your post reminded me of how much has been achieved, something that is easy to forget when focussed on all that is still to be done.
Thank you Jill for taking a moment to stop by and comment… You are right, we’ve made important strides even as we battle for others… May we never forget those who came before us.
Women and indeed all life matters! Thank you for a lovely and inspiring posts. Your photos are always so beautiful as well!!!
this is fabulous. I read a horrible story yesterday about a father in Dubai who refused to let rescue workers save his drowning daughter because he didn’t want them to “dishonor” her by touching her and he let the girl die. I was so saddened by it. Reading this has lifted my spirit again highlighting the power of women
Yes, our lives do matter and our living and being will remind those who doubt it. Great post.
We do matter. Behind every great man and woman their is a mom who raised them.
Princess Diana and Oprah are two women I knows from the list. These women am sure are amazing in their own ways.
it is amazing how much has changed for women. my great grandmother remembered when women got the right to vote and now we have women running for president! we have come a long way but still have a long way to go
Inspiring quotes – I wish there was more I could do to help woman – It seems never enough – this is beautifuly written
Awesome stuff.. and love when women help each other, lift them up and be awesome role models for our younger girls
My life is not too different from that of my mom’s when she was young but I would say it is drastically different from my Grandma’s. Women’s lives matter and it is so sad that there are still so many countries where women are not appreciated and are thought of as servants to men. I hope that the UN and Emma Watson are able to do good work with the He for She campaign. I was not treated any differently by my parents because I was a girl but I have heard the stories from my Grandma’s of how they were viewed differently in their families because they were women
Women work too hard because we now work on top of all of our other “duties” and we need to remind ourselves to take the time to enjoy life!
We need to fight for ourselves too.. but it surely helps to have great role models. thank you!
I have always enjoyed Maya Angelou’s writing and her strong spirit. I am also impressed with young Malala – just caught the special last night (2/29/16) on her harrowing, life-threatening experience and how surviving it only made her stronger than ever! Such an inspiration!
EVERYONE matters… all lives matter.. unless you are a jerk… and while your life still matters.. I don’t want to be bothered by jerks. lol
Wow, what an inspiring post! I see that many people agree! 🙂
I’d like to also take the chance to mention your photo collage. I love your choice of pictures! Beautiful and powerful women on their own way!
as much as there is still progress to be made to achieve true equality we are truly blessed as we have so many more choices than the generations before us
Beautifully written post. Women’s lives most definitely do matter. I’m a stay at home mom and sometimes feel isolated, but my life matters… and not only to my kids, but to the others that I do life with every day!
I enjoy the many contributions women have made to so many things….but we don’t get enough credit. Even the humblest of women at one point or another has demonstrated strength and courage.
Every life matters, we still have a long way to go to find peace and equality for not only for women but all humans alike.
Amazing post! I love how you delivered the message!
Love Love Love this part of your blog. Those quotes at the top are really powerful. I especially like the one about never being enough. It’s easy to forget many of the struggles women have gone through and still go through today to make our mark in the world. The strong women you mention in your article paved the way. Very nice post. Really made me reflect and feel grateful.
What a very powerful message. It is easy to forget what our grand parents went through for us to live the way we do now. We are so blessed and should always continue to stand up for ourselves when needed!
I love the first quote you have one here. We all need to stick together as women; that is why we have each other! We are all in this together- I guess you could say like the High School Musical song 😉
Kaitlyn
I love the quotes you chose to include here. Very empowering!
It’s hard to believe how different women had it a generation or two ago compared to today. You’re grandmother sounds like an amazing lady being able to take care of 15 children and knowing so many languages.
I really like the part about lifting each other up. We really need to encourage each other and help each other instead of competing and putting each other down
Such an empowering post! I absolutely agree with the quote you posted: Women have always been courageous…They are always fearless when protecting their children and in the last century they have been fearless in the fight for their rights.” Isabel Allende
I’ve enjoyed reading some of your blogposts, especially on bedtime stories (in which I’m quoted), “20 things I wish I had known before blogging,” and the “Affirmations” post.
Certainly, “Women’s Lives Matter.” I really like that you included experiences of women from your family, as well as referring to women from around the globe and different time periods. Most recently, I wrote about 19th century poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, who excelled in a time when women were not allowed to attend university.
Also, your post reminded me of the millions of women in developing countries who struggle on valiantly, though prevented or strongly discouraged from reading a book or attending school.
This blogpost is so timely and inspirational. Thanks.
Hello Yolanda,
What a wonderful surprise to see and read your comment. I appreciate your visit and feedback. You made my day and have reminded me why we do this… 🙂
I will look up your Barrett Browning work and read it. Thank you for stopping by and have a relaxing Memorial Day weekend! <3
This is a beautiful with a lot of remarkable women that are great role models! It’s quite empowering
Everything about this post was beautiful! I loved the quotes especially. This was a great read. Thanks for sharing, I feel inspired!
Thanks for your insightful analysis and discussion, along with the poems, quotes, and photos. At the age of 59, I feel like I’ve made a huge stride in my womanhood by earning my Doctor of Education degree – something only about 3% of the population does. I’m not sure how that small percentage breaks down further by gender, age, or race.
Congratulations on your achievement! I am so proud of your effort and hope more women will push through on their dreams.
You know what I’ve realized? I complain about my ” gender issues ” more than I should. Like periods are horrible or something like that and I never take the necessary time to love it. So thank you for the reminder.
Holy Trackbacks batman! 🙂 I do love this post. The quotes are beautiful and empowering.
Such an inspiring post. I hold my mother in the highest of regards, she has done so much for me and continues to do so, I would be truly lost to not have her in my life. Women should be celebrated, those who are with us, those who have passed. We’ve all contributed in one way or another through sacrifices and we continue to change the world.
I love to see women empowering women. We all need to work together to keep ourselves motivated.
I find all the inspiring women around the world in this post. One of my favorite is Oprah Winfrey. Love her courage to be able to stand up what is right.
Women are to be celebrated and have contributed so much to our society. I love that you are highlighting and bringing attention to the ladies!
I am so grateful you made this post! My best friend has been struggling with self-confidence and thinking she has no place in certain areas because she is a woman. But this is truly inspirational and empowering, especially your words ‘I believe that all women have the potential to live fulfilling lives and that female empowerment must begin with each of us’ – I will have to show her this! Thank you for sharing!
it is so inspiring! Women are power. Women can achieve anything. I am sure we’ll have more female accomplishments in future
So true!! It blows my mind that some people don’t see how women are being treated all around the world.
Women lives matter as well as each life matters. It is very important to remember we are all people sexes aside.
Women are so strong! I love hearing stories of inspirational women because they are a great reminder that we can rule the world!
What a great post celebrating women. Thanks for sharing all your thoughts and about the women in your life!
It is sad that women are still under valued and not appreciated, even in this day and age, more so in some parts of the world than others. It’s hard to believe the disparity that still exists in many cases in salaries for women doing the same jobs as men, or co-starring with men in movies. I know I read a case recently – a couple instances, I think – where the male co-stars advocated for their female co-stars to get equal pay. I say good for them, and at the same time, shame on the producers for not thinking about paying female and male co-stars equally.
Such a beautiful post! Great job! WOmen rock!
There are some really inspirational women on this list, i’m so glad that we are being acknowledged for our achievements now!
Yes, Women’s Lives DO Matter! It’s amazing to me, how women are still treated in some parts of the world. It has also fascinated me too, both what women prior to me went through, and also how much work we still have to do here.
Your quotes are always so inspirational and beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
It’s so inspiring to see you bringing to light the many issues that women across the globe are facing. Certainly, our lives do matter: we bring so much passion, intelligence, and strength (among other things) to this world we live in.
I really enjoyed this post. I am a mother of 5 girls…it is not easy raising girls in today’s society. Television and social media have a huge influence in their lives. So, I try to be the constant force in theirs. Showing them that they are strong and should never be silent, is a theme in our household. Thank you for writing this…as I will be sharing it!
I love the quote from Oprah Winfrey, A queen is not afraid to fail failure is just a steppingstone to greatness
Every lives matter and so women’s lives matter. Women are indeed powerful on our own way. I was raised but a single mother for 4 children that made me stronger.
It is not even a question that women’s lives matter! Thanks for highlighting this message in the many ways you did!
“For every wall we tear down, for every glass ceiling we break, for every stride/demonstration/walk we take for change, we must bring others along with us and mentor the younger generation.”
That line right there sent shivers down my spine, because it is 100% true. The younger generation needs to know what we go through everyday as a woman. We want gender equality for all and it starts with the younger generation.
I love to see the support for women. It’s a given that women’s lives matter/
All womens life’s matter and this is a significant post… 💜💜💜
You must have been so empowered growing up with a house full of women like that because I grew up in a “children should be seen and not heard ” Household, I love this post and these poems
They often say educate a woman and you have educated a whole community and I think that is such truth. I love these quotes and inspiration towards women. Thanks for sharing!
This is such an important post since women are always at the end of the food chain – in every group.
Does anyone give a shit about all the covert stalking experiments being done to women worldwide?
A beautiful way to feel inspired on this Women’s Day! We are enough, we are strong, and we are resilient.
I really agree withb this: “I believe that all women have the potential to live fulfilling lives and that female empowerment must begin with each of us. “. I think it is important to come together and support teach other as women as it is really ough to do it by ourselves.
Great post on a really important topic. It’s quite shocking how women are still treated in many parts of the world.