Experience women’s history & celebrate a new year

MARCH 2021

by Lyle Williams, LMFT on March 15

Women’s History Month
If you didn’t know, the month of March is designated as Women’s History Month. As a man, Women’s History Month is something that I view through the lens of the connection I have with the women closest to me in my life: my grandmothers, aunts, mother, and wife. Because I love my family members who are women and serve many clients who are women, I personally care about the idea of this month. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with some recognized women’s history milestones: https://www.history.com/topics/womens-history/womens-history-us-timeline.
As I read articles about women’s history, I noticed the unfortunate reality that the Women’s rights movement has historically been (and arguably still is) rife with racism. See these articles for more context. 

• https://www.npr.org/2020/08/26/904730251/yes-women-could-vote-after-the-19th-amendment-but-not-all-women-or-men
• https://www.npr.org/2011/03/25/134849480/the-root-how-racism-tainted-womens-suffrage
• https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-020-00554-3
• https://www.thirteen.org/wnet/slavery/experience/gender/history2.html

When thinking of the women I love in the context of the narratives contained in these articles, I feel a mix of emotions that remind me of my role as a man who is in constant relationship with women. I hope that as you read about women’s history, you too will allow yourself to notice how women’s history affects you in the present moment (regardless of if you are a man or a woman). Upon noticing the emotions that arise in you, please reflect on what you need or want to do in response to this thought experiment. 
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Happy New Year!
March, otherwise known as “Abib” in the Bible, is the first month of the year according to the ancient hebrew calendar. According to the ancient hebrew calendar, each month begins with the sighting of a new moon, which most recently happened on Saturday, March 13th (https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/phases/). For those who are confused about why I’m talking about this subject; I have two Bible verses for you to reference. Daniel 7:24-26 explains how the world has undergone a change in how we keep track of time; and Deuteronomy 16:1 tells us to remember the month of Abib. Remembering the month of Abib, which is highlighted by the explosion of new life in this spring season, is a reminder to keep all of the Biblical holy days that follow. If this topic is interesting to you, you can learn more here: https://www.5loaves2fishes.net/ancient-hebrew-calendar.  
In summarization, this month we have an opportunity to remember the history of women while experiencing the spring season. As I’m sure you are aware, nature seemingly gives birth to new life in the spring in a similar fashion to how women have given birth to every single person who has ever lived on the planet (excluding Adam and Eve).  Wow! And all of this points to a deeper truth regarding spiritual birth through faith… but, I digress.