Gratitude

November is when the season of pumpkin spice turns into hot cocoa with peppermint as we rush around preparing for the busy winter season. So many of us struggle as we try to balance our careers, families, friends, and service commitments. In November, I try to lean into gratitude as my preferred state of mind while navigating the various duties I have as a business owner, leader, mother, friend, and activist.

My practice of gratitude extends beyond the month of November, but I strive to include it as a daily practice during this time of year because the daylight hours continue to recede, and it gets harder to get up each morning. Words of gratitude can connect us and bring us closer together. In a world that seems increasingly disconnected and polarized, verbalizing what I am thankful for creates a framework for a more hopeful future.

I am grateful to the members of NFBPWC for the continued support of our organization and its leaders. The kinship that we feel in this organization helps us move forward as we advocate for women across the nation and the globe. I am thankful that I have this amazing opportunity to serve as our president as we realize our goals together. It is an honor to work with such an incredible group of women who truly see the benefits of being part of an international women’s organization. In the month of November, I am grateful for the 19^th Amendment and my right to vote, as a woman; despite the many years it took for all women in the USA to be equally extended the right to vote.

A final and fitting gratitude for all Veterans this Veteran’s Day and an acknowledgment that NFBPWC began on the heels of World War I with a mission from the government to “coordinate identification of women’s available skills and experience.” As stated on our website (https://www.nfbpwc.org/heritage):

While mobilizing for World War I, the U.S. Government recognized the need for a cohesive group to coordinate the identification of women’s available skills and experience. A Women’s War Council, financed through a federal grant, was established by the War Department to organize the resources of professional women.

These women founded the first organization, NFBPWC, that focused on the issues of working women. As our organization continues its efforts to ensure equality and equity for working women, it is imperative that we intentionally recognize and thank our female Veterans for their service and all Military Affiliated Women (https://www.nfbpwc.org/Military-Affiliated-Women) for their support of our democracy. Happy Veteran’s Day!