Milestone

WORK

March 8th is International Women’s Day, a milestone I enjoy celebrating every year. To mark the occasion, I take a few minutes to reflect on the previous year and how far we women have come — myself and my colleagues as well as women as a whole.

I’ve always been part of a male-dominated industry, particularly on the coding and server technology sides of things. I clearly remember sitting in numerous web conferences and classes over the years at which very few women were present, though recently this has certainly begun to change.

And yet, we’re all still fighting for equal pay in our industries–whatever those industries may be. This video shows the importance of education to the career success of women and men alike.

That is why I lend to women entrepreneurs through Kiva.org, a charitable organization whose motto is “loans that change lives.” I’ve been participating for years, but you can start today by joining the Beneficial Studio Kiva Group (no extra charges apply and all future loans will be counted congruently). In the spirit of this year’s theme of #MakeItHappen, let’s create some beneficial change for others struggling for fairness in this world.

LIFE

My IWD celebration tradition began when I met my friend Keely, who I instantly connected with after meeting in 2007 through an initiative to help green women in business.

It was an easy tradition to adopt, particularly since we often celebrate together. Over the years we’ve met up in San Francisco, Portland and Seattle to mark this yearly milestone. We’ve recorded podcasts, exchanged jewelry (I still have my earrings!), planted flowers, attended conventions and enjoyed numerous cups of tea . . . and every year the tradition becomes a bit more meaningful.

For you it may be a different milestone that you enjoy marking in a special way: a blog anniversary, a health marker, a marriage or adoption date. Whatever days of the year you choose to celebrate, it’s the ritual and the preparation — the thought that goes into the occasion — that make it special.

INSPIRATION

“Today is the most important day of our lives.”

― Thich Nhat Hanh

TAKE ACTION

What milestones are you celebrating this year? Can you think of a way to make those celebrations more meaningful and special to you?

Originally published at Your Vibrant Journey: A Journal by Beneficial Studio.