“To Every Woman in Every Season.”

Dear Queens,

“A woman is the epitome of the statement, I can do anything.”

That’s a quote from my book Dear You, I Dare You Again, and today, on International Women’s Day, it feels especially fitting.

As a mother, a daughter, a sister, a cousin, and a friend, I understand that there are certain life experiences many women carry in common. 

Some are spoken out loud, and some are held quietly within. Some become stories we share. Others become silent strength we learn to live with.

Today, I simply wanted to take a moment to speak to you.

Woman to woman.

Heart to heart.

No matter what season you may be in, I want you to know that you are deserving. 

Deserving of the same love you so freely give to others. 

Deserving of rest.

 Deserving of grace.

 Deserving of softness. 

Deserving of joy. 

Deserving of the strength it takes to begin again.

So often, women are expected to carry so much. 

To nurture, to show up, to pour out, to push through, to keep going even when we are tired. 

And while that resilience is beautiful, I also want to remind you that your worth is not only found in what you carry for everyone else. 

Your worth is found in who you are.

You are powerful, even in moments when you feel uncertain.

You are valuable, even in seasons that feel slow.

You are worthy, even when you are still healing.

You are allowed to dream out loud, even through obstacles.

International Women’s Day is a celebration, yes, but to me it is also a reminder.

A reminder that women are layered.

We are soft and strong.

We are nurturing and ambitious.

We are healing and becoming.

We are capable of carrying vision, creating legacy, and still remaining deeply human.

I want every woman reading this to remember that you do not have to earn the love, grace, and care you deserve. You are already worthy of it.

So today, I honor the women who keep going.

The women who are building.

The women who are healing.

The women who are dreaming.

The women who are leading.

The women who are learning to choose themselves, too.

May you continue to stand tall in your own unique way.

May you continue to trust your voice.

May you continue to believe that there are no limits to what you can do and no limits to who you can become.

With love,

Sheema