Celebrating Unsung Heroines In Our Midst
Shout out to Eve Sengstaken—Toy Design Major, Otis College of Art & Design, Los Angeles—for sharing her clay sculpture of a female warrior action figure.
As I watch the horror unfold in the Ukraine from the safety of my home and the comfort of my life, I’ve been wondering, “What would I walk into the face of death for? What calls so loudly to me that I cannot not answer? What would I give up my life to save?”
Last week, CNN reported that the demographics of the trains heading into Ukraine had changed. It appeared, according to this report, that approximately half of the trains returning to Ukraine are now filled with women. The reporter interviewed several women who, after bringing their children and parents to relative safety in Poland, stepped back onto a train bound for Kyiv and into the line of fire.
They’re answering the call, just as the men do, to fight for freedom and to save their homeland.
One of the women interviewed looked into the camera with bright, clear, confident eyes and said with a soft, authentic smile, “There are some things in our heart that we know we must do. I cannot not do this. I cannot not return to Kyiv to fight. This I know.”
Women have been fighting in wars for centuries, and yet, it gave me pause. Would I do the same? Or, would I settle my kids and parents in relative safety and stay with them, hoping for freedom from afar?
I do not know the answer at this moment. It’s possible that my answer would change based on the situation, timing, and context.
What I do know is that in this month dedicated to celebrating women and the impact they make in this world, I would like to honor that Ukrainian woman who knew with every fiber of her being what she needed to do in that moment. I would like to honor women who create the space to hear their hearts speak and who act on what they hear.
All of us are surrounded by such women, who are for the most part not elevated to celebrity status. They come in the form of friends, colleagues, family members, and neighbors who appear to live ordinary lives. Sometimes we may even witness a stranger whose name we’ll never know, but it’s obvious they’re living their life’s purpose.
As this Women’s History month comes to a close, my hope is that we can all make a commitment to notice the heroines in our midst—the everyday, ordinary beings and warriors who live life aligned to what is important in their hearts. That we can we not judge what is important in another’s heart. And that we can simply celebrate those who know what they must do, and have the courage to do it.
Often, it’s hard to be intentional about creating the space to hear what the heart speaks. One practice that I find helps is asking myself, “What’s important now?” A simple question, amidst all the chaos, clutter, and distraction.
Try asking yourself every morning, every night, or throughout your day: “What is most important in this now moment? If my heart could speak, what would it say is important right now?” If you need help accessing pause, clarity, or purpose, use one of our free meditations to unplug and quiet the noise, or join us at an upcoming Inseus event.
If you feel called to support those in need who have been impacted by the crisis in Ukraine, check out CNN and Public Good’s Impact Your World campaign. A donation through their campaign will support 44 organizations working on the ground in Ukraine. They also provide links to each of the included charities if you’d like to donate to one directly.
Mindfully yours,
Ashley