“A Woman of Valor” to Celebrate International Women’s Day
Honoring Women
Yesterday was International Women’s Day. A day to establish a gender equal world; celebrate women’s achievement; raise awareness against bias, and take action for equality. It was a day to honor the women in our lives, our communities, countries, and around the world!
A Woman of Valor
I have always love the Proverbs 31 – The psalm A Woman of Valor. I remember reading this poem at my mother’s funeral service, almost 20 years ago.
A woman of valor, who can find? Her worth is far above jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and nothing shall he lack. She renders him good and not evil all the days of her life. She opens her hand to the needy, and extends her hand to the poor. She is robed in strength and dignity, and cheerfully faces whatever may come. She opens her mouth with wisdom. Her tongue is guided by kindness. She tends to the affairs of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness. Her children come forward and bless her. Her husband too, and he praises her. Many women have done superbly, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a God-fearing woman is much to be praised. Place before her the fruit of her hands. Wherever people gather, her deeds speak her praise.
An Acrostic Poem
I discovered the following interesting fact: the Proverbs 31 – A Woman of Valor is an acrostic poem. In an acrostic poem the first letters of each line spell out a specific word or phrase vertically, which also acts as the theme or message of the poem. In A Women of Valor, each first letter in verse creates the entire Hebrew alphabet from the first letter Aleph to the last letter Tav.
My Woman of Valor
My Woman of Valor has always been my beloved mother, Sylvia Feldman Newman (of blessed memory). My mother was a remarkable role model for me, family members, and my friends. As said in her eulogy, I had to sort through memories, not search for memories to honor my mother. I was blessed to have a mother who was a beautiful woman physically. She also had beautiful Brain Color Personality Attributes and Abilities that I respected and admired. My mother was a Dependable Yellow Brainer, a Loving Blue Brainer, a Intelligent Green Brainer, and an Entrepreneurial Orange Brainer, especially as my father’s life and business partner, who was a founder of Lab-Line Instruments, Inc. I wrote about my parents partnership in my family business memoir, No Bunk, Just BS (Business Sense): 50 Timely and Timeless Truths Business School Cannot Teach You!
A Favorite Photo
I have included one of my favorite photos of my mother and me. Jordan and I had family photos taken for our 25th anniversary in 1992. I love the photo of my mother and me because we are lovingly embracing each other. This picture says everything about our joyful and loving relationship.
Closing Question
Throughout my life, I have been blessed with family members and friends who also are Women of Valor. Who are the Women of Valor in your life?
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Please Spread the Word
Sheila, thanks for sharing this. I love Proverbs 31! Your friend, Sherry
Dear Sherry. You are most welcome for the post. I think we both work at being women of valor. It is grand that we have so much in common.
With gratitude, Sheila