The First Woman

Mama and Auntie Nida in Manila.

2008

Since it's women's history month, I had to do a very loud shout out to my mother who just received a long overdue promotion! What I love? 1) She was so excited about getting her own office. ("I get a door!") and 2) Mama's got a government job in the Department of Social Services in Santa Barbara. Who says that there aren't government employees who don't work for the people?

Initially studying to be a nurse my mother had to drop out of college to travel with my daddy around the world. Sound romantic? It really was. But relocation didn't stop her, oh no. My mother was able to attend classes at a small business college and soon made her name as an accountant. (Typical Filipino, for real.) I remember when I was in grade school she worked two jobs and hustled long enough to buy herself a Lexus.

But it doesn't stop there. My mother's success is a large inspiration when it comes to dreaming my own dreams. Not only has she successfully put two strong Filipino women through college (and about to graduate a little Filipino man) but she's got everything she wants in life, at least from what I can see. Including that new Coach bag. I know that my father's support was integral to the process and I love his story of success equally. But because she is an Alpha and because she is a Female... I want to holler at the First Woman in my life. <3