March 8th marks International Women’s Day.  I have decided to set aside my cynicism (at least publicly) and be positive.

That we shouldn’t need a day doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have one; we still need it.

I have many hopes for all who identify as women.  I look forward to a time when:

• what makes us different is celebrated and valued
• we are all free to make our own choices without fear of judgment and persecution for not meeting gender role expectations
• we are free to be proud of our gender and what it affords us
• we can stop feeling pressure to meet the male standard and seek sameness, but change the standard to include and value what makes us women
• we can all possess ownership of of our bodies and reproductive potential
• we can all express ourselves in ways that we deem appropriate
• we all have access to equitable opportunities, pay, and acknowledgement
• the unpaid work that we do is valued as much or more than the paid work we do
• we all receive recognition for what we contribute to the world in which we live

I look forward to a time when we don’t have to designate a day to celebrate our worth.

What are your hopes for those of the world who identify as women?