As a first-time dad, I find myself inspired by the profound joy of my venture into fatherhood. Blessed with a daughter I shall affectionately name Miss Mango; I am awe-struck at her brilliant mind and calm demeanor. Life has an intriguing way of presenting us with unique moments to cherish, moments that serve as stepping-stones on our life journey. The importance of pausing to reflect on these recent experiences should not be overlooked - they arm us with life-enhancing lessons, enabling us to navigate life's hurricanes and peaceful harbors alike.
In honor of International Women's Day (IWD) on March 8, a global day celebrating the vast achievements of women while also making a call to action for accelerating gender parity, I would like to take the time to acknowledge the pivotal women in my life. As a husband, a son and, of late, a father to the delightful Miss Mango, the occasion calls for a moment of gratitude and reflection. My spouse, the woman I serendipitously met in Chicago years ago, weaved life's journey with me from traversing continents to settling in the Pacific Northwest and arriving at our most cherished chapter yet - parenthood. As a global technology leader and inspirational advocate, she is my unwavering confidante, my rousing promoter and my astute critic, the lighthouse guiding me through life’s triumphs and trials. I owe a debt of gratitude to my mother - my first teacher and my lifelong guide. Her unconditional love and support having shaped me into the person I am today. She spiritedly drove countless miles to basketball practices and golf matches, patiently walked through homework and stood as my caregiver during times of illness. To her, I offer my deepest thanks. I extend my appreciation to my mother-in-law, the silent protector of our family. Her wisdom and nurturing have enriched my understanding, urging me towards a home that thrives on timeless values and traditions. It's a joy working towards a common aim of enhancing our home's cohesion and our future stability. My sister-in-law, the advocate of thought-provoking ideas, deserves special mention. Our mutual exchanges on societal matters have enlightened and broadened my perspective. Her optimism and innovative approach often challenge the norm and provoke thought and discussion. The pinnacle of this tribute is our pride and joy, my daughter, Miss Mango. Her arrival has permeated our lives with unparalleled joy and responsibility. As she blossoms, I hope to create an environment where she can flourish, unconstrained by prejudice or limitation. May she dare to dream and strive for those dreams with assurance, knowing she stands on an equal footing with the world. IWD might only be one day on the calendar, but it exists each day as a personal mandate. We have a long road still to travel to reach an egalitarian society, where opportunities are not bestowed based on gender but on merit and potential. The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said, "Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time." It is a reminder for us all to relentlessly pursue change for the advancement of women. It begins in our homes and circles, with our mothers, spouses, partners, sisters and daughters and extends to every woman across the world. Thank you to the pivotal women in my world, for all that you have done and continue to do. Here's to your resilience, your wisdom, and your vision. I join hands with you in solidarity this International Women's Day, in creating a world that respects and cherishes the uniqueness and strengths of every woman. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorElliot is a Senior Manager in the Cybersecurity practice at EY where he enables organizations to build in risk thinking from the onset, enhancing global innovation with confidence. He leads global teams to reduce response times and minimize the impact of security incidents by building and operating mature security, logging, monitoring, alerting, and incident response practices. He successfully led response to and recovery from complex security incidents, such as data exposures, third party compromises, and vulnerability exposures, by coordinating across large enterprises through effective incident response procedures to minimize business impact. Archives
March 2024
Categories |