The ‘Weaker Sex’

Drawing inspiration from women in history

If history had to speak

About some great women in the past

It’d surely talk about a star-studded cast.

Let’s acknowledge some who had shown us the way

And helped us become the strong women we are today

Starting off with Cleopatra, last ruling queen of Ptolemaic Egypt

Known for her exquisite and graceful beauty

But there’s more to her heroic acts and civic duties

Then there was Khadijah — wife of the Prophet Mohammad

And the first woman to embrace Islam

Who ran her own business and managed her own income

And the fearless Lakshmibai — Indian woman who fought against the British

Was also the Queen of Jhansi

Still considered as a symbol of courage and bravery

Do you remember Florence Nightingale,

founder of modern-day nursing?

Who poured her heart out

while helping people with bandaids and slings

Oh and there was Rosa Parks — a black civil rights leader

Who refused giving up her seat to a white passenger

Because of her skin color

Nope, didn’t forget Mother Teresa

Who helped the poor with love and affection

Also a symbol of peace and all forms of compassion

Lastly, the former Princess Diana

Known for her activism, glamour and strong commitment

Who ran awareness programs

and stood up against systematic oppression

History repeatedly taught us about their virtues and wisdom

To not be labelled as the ‘weaker sex’— but as humans with great ambitions

Women empowerment is not only about our bodies

or having an unapologetic mind

But also about having a strong presence and maybe a heart that is kind

Thereupon, thanks to the women in history who came out of their shells

So today we would feel proud of every fibre, every cell.