By Saramarie Wade

Women.
Mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and teacher.

Our first true love. Our first love as nurturer and the very foundation of our human existence. Without women, none of us would be here today. In today’s world, many women are able to reflect on having achieved the dreams held by the women of yesterday.

But while women have achieved a great deal, the march towards institutionalized rights, freedoms and fundamental change is far from won and nowhere near over. Women have tried to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls to be inclusive as well as ensure quality education for all. Women like Malala Yousafzai, who everyday speaks out for equality, has been influential in the Middle East where women are subjected to the greatest of inequalities.

In far too many instances, women and girls are still manipulated to feel ashamed of themselves and the very violence that was committed against them. Bullying, child abuse, domestic violence, physical and mental abuse continue to affect our sisters, daughters and mothers directly.

I think of the women and girls in war-torn Syria, Libya, Iraq, Sudan and many other disadvantaged countries in the Middle East. The girls in Nigeria and all parts of the world who are forbidden to have equal rights as their male counterparts. We cannot condone leaders who make sexist remarks, when women have come SO far.

The exploitation and oppression of women all over the world create an atmosphere that unbalances the true nature of human rights. Without women’s rights there are no human rights.

During this time of Lent, I can only reflect upon the strongest and most loving woman, Mother Mary. Part of Mother Mary is the mirror of God’s strength and purity. Mark 9:22 says “If the heart of the faithful Christian who believes in Jesus Christ, finds everything possible according to his Word, all things are possible to him.” Believe it.

What can be impossible for the material heart of Mother Mary, who conceived the Son of God in the womb, gave him birth, taught him, took care of him in childhood, accompanied him in all labors and sufferings and loved him more than all the hearts of heaven and earth put together?

When I think of the women today, I think of myself as the future and I am influenced by my faith and the lessons taught to me by my own mother. I think of the virtuous women in Proverbs 31: Her strength and honor, her wisdom, her kindness that keeps watch over all her children, praying to God for the strength each day in a manner that is pleasing to Him.

I myself continue that responsibility as a role model to my younger sisters and with that I find strength in my faith and my relationship with God in the center of my family.

Finally, to the beautiful women of our diocese, you have come a long way, and together I know you will be that beacon of hope that shines upon the next generation of young girls and women. Let this be the greatest of our responsibilities: to forever secure the future of our human existence as a gender with full rights and freedom.

Saramarie Wade is a junior at The Mary Louis Academy, Jamaica Estates. She gave this speech about Women’s History Month at her parish, Our Lady of Light, St. Albans, March 26.