I thought of staying home today for my own little Day Without a Woman protest… but then I made the conscious choice to come to work.
I recalled that time when I expressed myself, my voice, my discoveries, my opinions and my experiences and was silenced. Told that I didn’t have a right to use my voice in the way I did. I was told that I needed to stay silent in order to save myself. It made me get louder.
I recalled the time when I sat across from a male associate who “explained” to me that male dominance in the workplace is a thing that women have to accept and work around. I squirmed in discomfort as he sat across from me, peering down at me through his glasses, and saying “you need to understand this.” My rebuttal left him speechless.
I came to work today as that woman who was once told that I needed to be quiet, that I wasn’t of a high enough “level” to have my opinions heard. I came to work as that woman who was told I was “weak” when I chose to walk away from dynamics that no longer served me, my goals, and my character.
I came to work today because I was expected to fail, but didn’t. I came to work today because I helped build something out of nothing. I came to work today because I am as much of an owner in this business as he is.
I came to work today in humble recognition of my privilege in the world and in my immediate surroundings. I came to work today by choice, for all those women for which choice isn’t an option. I came to work and stand strong for all those women who have been told they can’t do something.
I came to work as a kickass woman business owner, ready to work on my terms, my way.
Happy International Women’s Day to all women who join in and continue the fight all over the world. Keep it up, keep it strong, keep it loud.
Anne-Marie Fischer 
Proud of you my sister for the strong, intelligent, beautiful and successful woman you are.
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