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Love Letters to the Women Before Me
Women’s History Month Means Celebrating the Greatness of my Predecessors
Dear Memuna,
My maternal great grandmother. I can feel your blood running through my veins. You departed this world just a year after I was born, before my mind became mature enough to remember your face. But I’ve heard stories of you; stories that make my heart swell at the privilege of being your great-grand daughter. My mother spoke of your sass, your no-nonsense attitude and the way you raised the middle finger at those who tried to stand in your way.
I was told that you were a little woman who took up big spaces. And who am I not to believe all that I’ve been told? The street on which you lived still has five grand houses to your name. Your children lived in those houses as grown-ups while some of them moved out and built theirs. I have lived in one of them; the one-storeyed house with sixteen rooms and I still marvel at how you could have done that alone. You were an enterprising giant in the field of transportation. You always listened to your guts, which was what saved you once when an enemy tried to poison you.
Sometimes I wonder what part of you is in me. But just the thought of carrying a bit of your DNA thrills me. You inspire me a lot! And for that, I am grateful. I…
