Happy St. Paddy’s Day! It’s a perfect day to look at one of Ireland’s strong women. Brigid of Kildare is the only female patron saint in Ireland. According to the Irish Times, she was “a powerful Abbess who offered an alternative to the confines of domestic life to up to 14,000 women, a peaceweaver, a fearless negotiator who secured women’s property rights, and freed trafficked women. And she was also reputed to be an expert dairywoman and brewer.”
She sounds like a badass to me. So Wickeds, what characteristics do you think define a strong woman?
Edith/Maddie: A strong woman knows herself and believes in herself. She’s clear about what she needs and about what she won’t tolerate, and she treats others with respect, always.
Julie: Fierce kindness, with a deep belief in herself, and love of life. Funny also helps.
Sherry: I have to gently disagree with Edith and Julie. I think that often times strength is thrust upon us even when we don’t believe in ourselves. That situations and events, both joyful and tragic, mold us and make us strong especially when we don’t think we can do it. However, I completely agree with Julie that funny helps!
Barb: A clear-eyed sense of self and circumstance, a sense of purpose and the confidence and drive to achieve it. I do agree with Sherry that often these things have to be found, sometimes painfully. They are not always, or even usually, innate or bestowed.
Liz: Sherry, completely agree that strength comes in many different forms and circumstances. To me, a strong woman is someone who keeps going despite the uncertainty or self-doubt, and who stays true to herself.
Jessie: I see strength as getting back up when one is knocked down, of persisting along a course and in not becoming embittered by outside forces.
Readers, share what you think makes a strong woman in the comments below.
What a wonderful post to wait up to! I think a strong woman is able to bench 120 lbs or more. Lol. No, seriously, a strong woman handles the tough moments with humor, kindness and patience. We all love life’s fun times and easy wins, but isn’t it the tough moments in life that define who we are? Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Oh, “wake up to” – not wait up to!
And here I thought you were staying up all night anxiously awaiting for our posts to show up — LOL!
Strength of character in women I have encountered means being resolute in action and belief. With that in mind, I find a woman who cares for her family to be a strong woman. In the book The Color of Water, James McBride talks about his mother describing her actions as those of a strong woman. I recently watched a documentary about Sophia Loren and was again captivated by her character in Two Women which I first saw as a young person. Strength of character can also be defined by loyalty in friendships. Strong women reach deep into themselves and stand up under the world’s pressures. Surely all the mothers during this pandemic who have been homeschooling children should be considered strong women. As for fictional strong women, there are all those mystery solvers who just won’t give up until they discover the truth…and the strength of character in them reflects their author’s strength, too.
Wonderful post! My version of a strong woman incorporates all of the traits mentioned above, but most of all, grace under pressure.
All that you described can be attributed to a strong woman.
I do agree with Sherry that sometimes strength is thrust upon you, not something that is just “there” innately. But all of the traits you mention can contribute to strength in women.
We are watching “Poldark” (yes, I know, finally) and every night I see all the female characters and realize there is strength in every one of them in one way or another.
I agree with all of the above. Facing challenges and adversity only makes us stronger. Some days I feel like Samson and others days, like Sisyphus. But I always survive.
I’m with Sherry and Jessie. I would say those things describe a strong person, period, regardless of gender.
A strong woman doesn’t always see her strength. She may allow defeat in the face of overwhelming odds, but in the end, she pulls herself up and does what needs to be done to survive. Even though you accept defeat on some things, you keep fighting back until you get what you need or want. Been there, done that and will do it again if needed.
What a grand discussion! Strength is standing up for herself, and others, caring for herself and others, persisting in the face of obstacles, doing what she knows is right.
One that never gives up, doesn’t know the meaning of “woman can’t do that” and one that is willing to fight for what is right.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
I loved this post, Thank you. To me a what makes a strong woman is being compassionate, self sufficient, brave, not giving up on anything and standing up for her rights. Have a Great rest of the week and stay safe.
A women who knows what she wants in life, she is firm in her beliefs, she does not take nonsense, can work alone and also work with others. She does not have to be a leader but will speak her mind if she believes something is not right.
Strength is getting up every damn day wether you feel like it or not.
Strength is doing one more load of laundry, cooking one more meal, cleaning (again!) whatever you just cleaned 5 minutes ago.
Strength is loving when the object of your affection is less than lovable.
Strength is being a women, irregardless of time, place, country or age.