Happy International Women’s Day

I’m inspired by so many women in my life. From the women in my life who are leaders, shapers, movers, women raising the next generation, women who have overcome, women who are fiercely advocating, and women shaping the world with kindness, love and compassion....thank you. I hope you get to thank the women in your life as well today. Remind them of how they have changed your life. 

In Sikhism we have innumerable role models from Bibi Bhani, Bibi Amro, Mata Khivi, to Bebe Nanaki, Mata Gujri and Mai Bhago. It was Bibi Amro who was singing Gurbani and introduced (Guru) Amardas to Sikhism. It was Mata Gujri who strengthened the will of the small Sahibzaade before their martyrdom. It was Mai Bhago who rallied the 40 Mukhte and went to go fight in battle. Sikhi teaches us equality, and our Guru Jis got rid of the discrimination against women that was occurring at the time such as sati (women burning on their husbands funeral pyre) or discrimination on the basis of menstruation. After all there would be no life at all without the menstrual cycle. The Guru Jis recognized the importance of uplifting women in times when women were considered inferior. 

In Sikhi we are taught our bodies are a costume. We are not attached to our identities as male and female because from one life to the next we could be either, it is simply what we are born into as a vessel to carry our minds and souls. This is why we do not need to be held back by society’s pressures on us as women or men. Whether it is Punjabi culture, or western culture, there are various pressures externally placed on us. For us to realize our own potential, it is vital that we connect to the One. I think it is possible for us to recognize and uplift as the Guru Ji's did, in celebrating the role of women, while at the same time recognizing that we are all equally a part of Waheguru.