Note: This reflection is by my esteemed colleague and guest contributer Roxie Nammour, Chaplain

March is Women's History Month. It's a time we set aside to honor women's contributions in science, business, sports, social movements, and so many other fields for centuries. In America, women's contributions in these fields were often overlooked. As a result, they were omitted from history. That's why we celebrate Women's History Month, and the opportunity gives us all to get a more complete picture of our American history.

I don't know about you, but I loved that video and there are a lot of people I hadn't heard of before and so I just thought it was a great way to start Women's History Month. In gratitude for the many women in our lives who make a difference, I recognize that today we come together in our healthcare ministry because of the foundation laid by the Sisters of Saint Joseph and by the Sisters of Providence. Strong women forward thinking, compassionate risk takers.We are here because of them and we are also here because of the strong women we serve alongside, our leaders who continue to empower us and lead the way. And we are so grateful.

The past few years have also highlighted many of the problems in society that need to be addressed, such as racial disparities, continued discrimination towards various groups, and hurdles to dreams of diversity. Many have become more aware and open to hearing previously unheard voices during Black History Month, which we celebrated in February, or celebrating the accomplishments of women with excitement.

Love calls us to serve all and to put into action, our values such as compassion. Thunder wakes people up and crackles with energy, and this can be called justice. So perhaps we make this year a year of compassion and of justice, and we hope together, as I close with the ending of Maya Angelou's powerful  poem.

Out of the huts of history’s shame 
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise
I rise
I rise.

Shared by Liz Sorensen Wessel