Women’s History Month
Engage Writing Challenge: March 2024
Hi Everyone,
Welcome to Women’s History Month on Engage.
Last month, we celebrated Black History Month, and it was great to read all the great stories our writers sent to Engage.
Now we’re already getting swept up in the spirit of International Women’s Day on March 8th.
The excitement is building here at the Engage core, and we can’t wait to know more about your incredible achievements and those of all the women in your lives and beyond.
In hindsight, International Women’s Day emerged from the tireless efforts of courageous women who dared to challenge societal norms and demand equality and justice.
Its roots date back to the early 20th century when the world was on the cusp of monumental change.
This was a time before I was born, and I am thankful to have lived only in a time when women were no longer subdued to their male counterparts.
That was not always the case here in Portugal, and as we close in on the 50 years of the Portuguese Carnation Revolution of April 25, 1974, I feel even more compelled to stand for equality and inclusion.
But before we get there, March 8th remains a symbol of unity in the fight against oppression.
From the suffragettes advocating for voting rights to the labor movements demanding fair working conditions to the “Three Marias” who rebelled against oppression in my country, this day embodies the collective strength of women throughout history.
So here on Engage, we want to join the awareness chain and celebrate the indomitable spirit of the defiant women on whose shoulders we stand today.
They have shaped history and courageous women worldwide will continue to propel us towards a more inclusive future.
Yesterday, I shared a story about the “Three Marias.” If you haven’t seen it in your feed, I invite you to read it here. It’s a story of defiance with three protagonists who share a common name, “Maria.”
The Triple Goddess is the perfect image for the crucial role of women in every aspect of human society as we know it.
Furthermore, I am the proud son and grandson of three Marias.
Inspired by the symbolic amplification of the Triple Goddess, I invite you to join our new writing chain.
Our writing challenge for March 2024 runs under the prompt:
Maiden, Mother, Crone: History is Herstory.
1. Women’s History Month
This March, we invite you to explore women’s contributions to history. Share stories about the women around us—the unsung heroes who have shaped the course of our lives.
Share personal stories and memoirs so they may, through your words, reverberate in our hearts and linger in our thoughts.
2. UN Campaign — Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress
On International Women’s Day, March 8, 2024, Engage aligns with the United Nations under the theme “Invest in women: Accelerate progress.”
Explore the transformative power of investing in women to address global challenges.
How can empowering women spark change and pave the way for a healthier, safer, and more equal world?
Share your insights through the lens of the maiden, mother, and crone.
Read more about the UN Campaign here.
3. International Women’s Day — Inspire Inclusion
March 8 is International Women’s Day, a day to envision a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.
Join the movement to forge women’s equality and inspire inclusion.
Share stories that celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness about discrimination and call for action to drive gender parity.
Remember, International Women’s Day belongs to everyone, everywhere.
#InspireInclusion.
Explore more at internationalwomensday.com
4. US National Women’s History Month 2024
The National Women’s History Month’s theme for 2024 is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.”
We invite you to share stories that inspire and promote inclusion and diversity, envisioning a future free from bias and discrimination.
Learn more about the National Women’s History Month theme
Call for Submissions
We invite you to share your personal stories that celebrate the feminine principles within each of us, regardless of gender.
This march, let your writing be a reminder of the defiance of the Maiden, the nurturing power of the Mother, or the wisdom embodied by the Crone.
- Submit your entries by March 31.
- Tag your stories: “Engage” and “Engage Challenge.”
- Aim to write at least 800 words.
- Consider using the tags “Memoir,” “Life Lessons,” and “This Happened to Me” to get your story featured on our homepage.
Community Corner
Engage is a community-centric publication. That’s why we want to be a haven for writers and their engaging personal stories.
With that in mind, we aim to amplify your voice by cross-pollinating your stories.
To boost your creative spark and help get you inspired, here are some enticing challenge stories shared by our authors in February:
Where You Direct Your Attention This Year is Where You Live Your Life
What does that have to do with the Year of the Dragon?
By
Finding Light in Darkness
A friendship story across cultures
By
Welcome Harrison, the Wood Dragon
2024: Have you ever been scared by what you’ve just begun?
By
In our author’s spotlight, I’d like to invite you to read some of the most engaging stories we published last month.
Even at Nice Hotels…Stuff Happens
Finding humor in life on the road
By
Appreciate Every Sunrise
Life’s too short to be miserable
By
How to Be a “Real Writer” In 2024 by Springing These Traps
Some may surprise you
By
What’s Wrong With Using AI To Write?
Just ask my grandpa!
By
Vinyl Records Are Making a Comeback
I always felt they would
By
Latest News on Engage
Engage was chosen to be an exhibitor during the first Medium Pub Crawl. Save the date and join us on March 19.
We have also disclosed our privacy policy:
We invite you to join us
Learn how you can be part of our writing chain:
Closing thoughts
I dedicate this story to the memory of an empowered woman, the American fashion icon, designer, and businesswoman Iris Apfel, who left us at the age of 102 while I was writing this piece.
Ad Aeternum Vale!
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