Happy Women's Month

It's that time of the year again...happy women's month! This year's theme is #EachforEqual, which promotes a world with equality for everyone, no matter your gender. While I wanted to write how the women movement has really been a defining point in getting women equal rights (which is still a fight today), I also want to dedicate this blog specifically to all the amazing women in my life who have had a positive influence on me...so here it goes (and a big thanks to you all):

Passion Starter

Let's go back to the start...like some 10 years back when I was around 14 and when I first discovered my love for writing...all thanks to a wonderful English teacher. Here's how it happened:

We had to select extra-curricular activities to do and as the lazy potato that I am, I chose the poetry class because I truly thought I would just sit back and not have to do anything. And on the first day, the English teacher in charge of the class asked all of us to write a poem on anything we wanted. I decided to do it because why not, I had nothing else to do and I really enjoyed it and the teacher later loved what I wrote (PS: it was about my experience in school and emotional support).

And I still remember what she said to me "you're good at this, never stop writing!". And fast-forward to now where I work as a copyWRITER - I mean this whole experience was why I started loving and developing a passion for written words and I am so grateful to her for really believing in the words of a 14 year old insecure boy.

Goals-Driven

The next person on the list is someone I encountered over 4 years when I was in high school (yeah you guessed it - it was another teacher) but this time, it was different. The teacher was always very encouraging (even when I failed miserably sometimes) and I really enjoyed her class. She was the first one to really show me how to do a proper research and what a research meant. 

She was always energetic, kind and happy. I must say it's been some years since we last saw each other but we still keep in touch and she is still so supportive of all my endeavors. If only I had someone like that in my Maths class...

Skills Development

The next amazing person on the list is a teacher I encountered while being at the University. The best part of the story is we've never even had a class together but the first time we met, I just knew she was the one to help me out in all of my stress for dissertation! She was so knowledgeable, confident and professional and really created an environment that pushed me out of my comfort zone. 

One thing that I appreciate with her (which I did not understand at the time) is she was constantly asking me to step up - having a perfect dissertation was not enough, it had to be ultra perfect and yes I used to complain a lot but today my dissertation has been published in an European academic journal - so I guessed everything turned out great in the end and it was all worth it. And I still look up to her amazing work ethic and just how easy she can tackle anything and I am lucky we get to continue on a research journey together.

Professional

Work is always a mix of emotions...I mean it's a viper's nest and everyone is out looking for themselves. But I must say that I've learned a lot about copywriting and marketing from someone who I ended up admiring a lot. Her on-point strategies and quick wit is what truly made me gravitate to her and frankly, I learnt a lot about my craft and how to really master it. And yes, we do tend to disagree but that's part of working with someone, but in the end we support and look out for each other.

Best Ones

And of course I saved the best for last - my mom. My mom and I have always had some similarities in characters and we understand each other without even saying a word. Truly, I am blessed to have a mother who is funny, intelligent, a hard worker and who spreads light wherever she goes. She taught me to see life from other people's point of view which help me be grounded and understand other people. And she always have the best words when I am feeling down and always manages to find a way to make everything better. 

Women have played a great role in many aspects of my life and I couldn't be more thankful and grateful to them all. Happy Women's Month!