Women.

Women:

The kitchen is their home

And their homes are their stretch

Women:

Their families are their lives

Their furniture is their friend.

Women:

Dough is their glove,

Their children are their purpose.

But wait—

Hold your breath for a minute and tie your tongue to your teeth

And think.

Just think.

Open your eyes, broaden your mind and see;

How it's Cleopatra who taught us how to lead,

And how it's Zenobia who taught us how to save,

How it's Kosem who showed us how she mothered a nation,

And how it's Christina who showed us how she changed it all just by being herself.

And if you still have doubts, my dear,

Then listen to the story of Harriet Tubman,

Or maybe to the tale of Artemisia,

And keep an ear out for Joan Of Arc,

And how rebellion rejoiced under the flag of Boudicca.

So after all the great Victorias and Elizabeths you'll see

Don't you point your fingers at me

When we speak of service.

Well, let me make this clear,

My purpose is to serve my home, my country and the world

But at the end of the day, my service—

first and foremost—

belongs to me.

Written by Theodosia Grey, a 20 year old Bangladeshi interested in Sociopolitical and historical events.