08/03/2026
On this International Women's Day I find myself wondering what my younger self would think of me today.
Many women grow up with a strong, loving mother to look up to, someone they draw their strength, softness, and sense of self from. For a long time, I felt lost because for me, my mother was none of those things. I had nothing to reference, no clear blueprint for what womanhood could look like.
So instead, I found myself looking outward, to the inspiring women I have been blessed to know and love.
My mother-in-law, Mary O’Malley, being one of the most stand-out, incredibly inspiring and strong women. My beautiful sister-in-law her sister Mary, and all four of my gorgeous nieces.
And without a doubt, my friends, the ones who show up, the ones who check in, the ones who understand why sometimes I need them more than most.
Every single one of those women has had someone who inspired them to become who they are, and in turn, they have inspired me to become the woman I am today.
What I love most is that they love me knowing my motherlessness, knowing my vulnerability, knowing that sometimes I still feel less than because of that missing piece.
And yet, because of them, I can now stand tall, square my shoulders, and say:
I will not apologise for being too sensitive.
I will not apologise for caring deeply.
I will not apologise for being strong.
I will not apologise for being confident.
And I will not apologise for taking up space.
This year’s theme, "Give to Gain", feels especially meaningful because every woman who has given me kindness, encouragement, strength, or understanding has helped shape something stronger in me.
And perhaps that is what we gain most from one another: courage, perspective, belonging, and the quiet permission to become ourselves.
So thank you to those women, because of you, I think my younger self would look at me now and simply say, "Thank you for never giving up"
Who are the women who shaped you?
Tell them today🌷
❤️
