I’ve always admired strong male figures in both history and my life- Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, King Kalākaua, King Kamehameha, Marvin Gaye, Bernie Sanders, Bill Snyder, my former band director Mr. Riggle, my dad, grandpa and papa. Unfortunately, through my adoration of creative, intelligent and determined men, I dismissed all of the inspiring women who have created movements. Women are the creators of life; every single being was delivered through a woman. On this International Women’s Day, I wanted to recognize the beautiful, powerful, empowering women I look up to and admire. Papahānaumoku, Rosa Parks, Anne Frank, Michelle Obama, Ke Aliʻi Pauahi, Toni Morrison, Queen Liliʻuokalani, Zora Neale Hurston, Linda Sarsou, my mother, my sister, my grandmothers and my friends. These women have birthed me, helped me grow, taught me, inspired me and have made me who I am. WoC, undocumented women, LGBTQ women, Muslim women, women with disabilities, today is for us all.
