We Don’t Need To Change Who We Are. We Just Need To Step Up, And #TakeCharge.

Do the  stories of women featured on Meet The SHEROES  section, seem like something you can only aspire for? They are infact, regular women, like you and me. What makes them super SHEROES is the determination, and hard work they put into their work, home, make a difference, and add value to all that they do.

On a recent trip, to what can be called a tier-three city, I realized that such women are everywhere,  in our homes, in offices, running shops, businesses, and reaching for the sky. The pilot of the aircraft I flew in was a woman, and I felt so proud of her achievement, even though I did not know her. Seeing her in the cockpit doorway as I disembarked, made me flash a smile of sisterhood. Good to see where you are at, lady!

The hotel of the small town I stayed in, had a small gift shop crammed with flashy technicolor knick-knacks. And behind the small counter sat a young woman, let’s call her K, with a toddler in her lap. K handled customers with a big smile ,while the toddler was happy to wait for her turn to play at the computer. She’s a #mumwithoutbabysitters who does not let anything get in the way of work. “You have brought your daughter to work today?’’, I enquired.’’She comes in with me everyday. I have no one to keep her at home with, and she loves it here playing at the computer’’.  Perhaps, this is a lesson in raising tech savvy kids too! Way to go, #mumpreneur!

A visit to the hotel’s coffee shop had more surprises in store:  they had an all women staff in their smart waistcoat and trouser ensembles. It was a treat to see them work with a smile, high on professionalism, efficiency, and politeness. “You have women staff waiting tables ? That is unusual in a small town.’’ I asked the manager. “It keeps our customers well behaved and polite, madame. They watch their behaviour here,’’ he said. Women are the transformative force indeed! Great to feel what your presence can achieve, lady.

Later, I met the supervisor at a a state-run organisation. She radiated professional calm in her crisp cottons and looked like nothing could ruffle her. I was not the least surprised to see that the place  was run with clockwork efficiency, discipline and had an air of sanctity. Good to see how you run the system, lady.

Women who hope and dream are everywhere. Our SHEROES network has women who write in from Champaran, Ambala,Thrissur and Lakhimpur Kheri apart from urban cities.  Seeing these vignettes from small town India, I realized that we don’t need to change who we are or become someone else. All we need to do is step up, and #TakeCharge.

Do you have an inspirational story to share, from your own life, or of someone you met, and felt inspired by? Please do email Karuna@sheroes.in, or leave a comment below, and we will reach out to you, to help share that story with the world.