“A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.” This phrase by Coco Chanel is something we can all agree with. Strong women are the foundation of society – they are our mothers, sisters, wives, grandmothers, aunts, friends, and confidantes. International Women’s Day celebrates women’s achievements, raises awareness on equality, lobbies for gender parity, and more. If it weren’t for the strong women of our past, we wouldn’t be able to vote, study, or become whoever and whatever we want. Today, we celebrate strong women everywhere, raising their voices high.
The Women Of Boldr
In case you didn’t know, 52% of our workforce is made up of women (including cis and transgender women). Strong, smart, inspiring, and talented human beings who we are lucky to know and call team members. We wanted to use this platform and give our female team members a place where they can voice their opinions and share their message. Here’s what they had to say…
What International Women’s Day Means To Boldranians
“Women’s Day is a reason to celebrate all the hard work and determination of the women who came before us, who fought for women’s rights across the world. I was born just one year before Sections 15 and 28 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms came into effect, establishing the constitutional right to equality. I have been lucky enough to grow up when most women’s rights were established, and I want to celebrate the women who paved the way for the life I lead now. This year I will celebrate being able to get up to go to work and provide for my family, my right to vote, and to be able to be proud of the woman I have become.”
— Jennifer Wiertel
“I never cared nor thought about this day before. Not until I became a mom. This gave importance to who I was, to my gender – from a little girl, a pre-teen, a teenager, a lady, and a woman to a Mother. All of these transitions added up, and I still couldn’t believe I brought a human into this world. I’m now a mom who’s willing to protect her kid, who’s capable of giving unconditional love forever.”
— Raisa Roxas, Graphic Designer at Boldr.
“Women’s Day for me signifies a vital role in society. It’s an important event to celebrate because womanhood is incomparable. I’m actively participating in various women’s organizations in our community, giving lectures to women and informing them that they are not just good at doing household chores, but that they can do so much more than that – if they want. Our slogan states “Kababaihan Ilaw ka ng Lipunan,” and it symbolizes the worth of a woman in the world we live in.”
— Luzette Necio, Sales Development Representative at Boldr.
“When I was younger, Women’s Day used to represent a chance for me to get with my female friends and do girly stuff. Today, it is so much more. It’s a fight against oppression, injustice, and inequality. It’s remembering that thanks to brave women before me, today I have the right to decide, to vote, to study, to work. This day, for me, represents female freedom.”
— Daniela Gonzalez, Senior Marketing Manager at Boldr.
“International Women’s Day is a reminder for all of us that we simply cannot afford to do things without women, as we are not just naturally nurturing, but innately capable. Women’s expertise in business, technology, and the wider economy is now being recognized, and it’s important to bear this day in mind to empower us, women and girls, to achieve our full potential. To celebrate this day, I will watch a movie with a strong female lead like Winter’s Bone or Mulan.”
— Mary Ann Del Mundo, Hubspot Nurturer at Boldr.
“Women’s Day is an important celebration because it commemorates the beginning of having the same rights men have. I celebrate it by sharing small presents or messages with my friends and with my mom.”
— María Isabel Galindo Jaramillo, Client News & PR Communication Specialist at Boldr.
“Personally, I consider International Women’s Day to be an opportunity to uplift other women and acknowledge them as courageous, strong, and fierce beings. Not a celebration but a reminder that there’s still a long way to go when it comes to women’s rights”.
— Ana Paula Aguirre Jara, Shift Lead at Boldr.
“More than a celebration, for me, it is more about commemorating what thousands of women have done throughout history. It is a day of reflection, appreciation, and gratitude. This year I will join the peaceful march in my community and together, with my sisters, we will embrace and sing about our pains, our experiences, our achievements, and what it means to be a woman. It is always a day full of many emotions!”
— Marianna Medina, Implementations Analyst at Boldr.
“Women’s Day to me is a reminder of the progress that women have made in discovering themselves and their superpowers. It’s definitely a day to celebrate as we can see how much more can still be accomplished. I’d like to celebrate this year by giving back; even in the smallest way possible. Small and random acts of kindness and paying it forward. Every time you guide a woman/girl into realizing what superpower they have, you inspire them to choose the better yet selfless option for themselves.”
— Reema Dowlani, Manager of PH Office Operations at Boldr.
“Women’s Day means the world to me, not just because of the obvious (I am a woman, after all!), but because it’s the day where we get to celebrate the powerful and amazing individuals in our lives. Every woman in the world represents power, creativeness, uniqueness, equality, and pride! The world wouldn’t be the same without women in it.”
— Lorilie Quetua, Email Support Specialist at Boldr.
“Women’s Day means the world, or rather the universe, to me. More than a celebration, it is about embracing diverse concepts of womanhood and how we make sense of it. First, we express our love and gratitude to the women who brought us to this world, our mothers. Second, we share the love with the women who have always been with us: our grandmothers, aunties, sisters, cousins, nieces, in-laws, friends, classmates, teammates, close allies, and special people who we care about the most. And third, we advocate for the women who have always loved the world and helped to change how we see it: farmers, nurses, doctors, lawyers, scientists, social workers, soldiers, firefighters, police officers, fisherfolks, journalists, artists, transgender women, teachers, and many more. In these three points, love is always present. I love the idea that a woman brought us to this world and women have also been a powerful catalyst to how we change the world that we live in. In history, women were often marginalized. They were not allowed to vote because of their gender. In some practices, women were regarded as inferior to men. These notions have been shattered. Gone were the days when women were limited. Nowadays, women can be whatever they want. Women lead. Women inspire. Women encourage us. Women empower us. Women motivate us. Women challenge us. Women teach us that in a world where we can be anything, be kind. Beyond a celebration, Women’s Day is a symbol for us to entrench our love for them in how we do things: our policies, our values, and our lives. Women’s Day is more than a celebration. It is advocacy – a campaign that amplifies the voice, especially of all the girls and women who are speechless because we still live in a society where they are challenged. We thank, embrace, and most of all, love all the phenomenal girls and women who remind us that power is always from within.”
— Jaze de la Cruz (she/her), Sr. Client Success Manager at Boldr.
“It’s a day when we must remember that every woman deserves respect, that we have a place, and that we can and do wonderful things every opportunity we get.”
— Celina Saavedra, Data Service at Boldr.
“It helps me remember that we are able to make big generational changes. We have come a long way in a really short time, and it has taken many of our lives. My responsibility is to do my part and make the world better for future generations, as well as the importance of including other overlooked groups like native women, transwomen, non-binary, and so many others. Together we are stronger. A day to feel grateful for our rights, freedom, voice, and independence that some days I take for granted. Today I can decide what’s best for me.”
— Claudia, Customer Advocate at Boldr.
“Women’s Day to me is the acknowledgment of all the hard work of women and girls around the world. It is an important celebration, not only because we celebrate women and girls, but also because we honor those from our past who helped the movement of gender equality and rights. Without these movements, having an equal future remains out of reach”.
— France Oñate, Shift Lead at Boldr.
“Women’s Day is the recognition of women and their bravery. It is the time of the year to recognize the passion of each woman for all the efforts and love they gave to their individual lives. Women’s Day is important, to celebrate how far and liberated we have come today compared to how limited we were in the past, thus giving hope of progress to every child around the world. Women’s Day is also a reminder that there’s still a gap between genders. That double standards are very much alive, and patriarchal society still exists.
— Del Moron, Sales Development Representative at Boldr.
“For me, it’s a moment of reflection, of feeling proud, it means the constant struggle that we have had facing a patriarchal society, it means that we have never given up. But it is also a day to reflect on the long road we still have to travel as a society to avoid the things that we have faced day after day for centuries. Every year since 2018, I have gone to protests in my city where we not only march, we also sing, dance, and open discussion and reflection groups. We give each other words of encouragement and hug each other to let each other know that we are not alone.”
— Adriana Abigail Garcia Peraza, Talent Acquisition Associate at Boldr.
Women Who Inspire Us
International Women’s Day first emerged from the activities of labor movements at the turn of the twentieth century across North America and Europe. The first national Women’s Day took place in the United States on February 28. It all started with some brave women protesting against poor working conditions, leading up to women’s right to vote, work, study, and the feminist fight. We would like to take a moment to remember the acts of women who had an impact on our personal lives, society, and the world. The women who inspire us.
“My inspiration would be my daughters, Heather and Scotlyn. They have faced military postings and relocations, the divorce of their parents, a variety of custody arrangements, and the COVID-19 pandemic. They have learned from each experience and have become stronger individuals. They know they can survive it all and that they always have each other. They inspire me every day to be a better mom, always have confidence, and believe in myself. In 2007 I lost my other inspiration, my mother, Cynthia. She taught me that no matter the diagnosis, there is no crystal ball of life and that you should live every day as your last day because no one knows when it’s their time.”
— Jennifer Wiertel
“My mother is the woman that inspires me. She had a “telenovela life story” growing up. She came from a province and went to work in the city at the age of 16 as a helper from our distant relative, and after to another family where she was treated as part of the family. Alongside this work, she also studied. From there, she finished school and now has been working as a Court Stenographer for 35 years. Her story of hard work and sacrifice inspires and motivates me as a mother.”
— Raisa Roxas, Graphic Designer at Boldr.
“There are several women whom I admire and look up to. One of them is Miriam Defensor Santiago, known for her intelligence and outspoken ways. Another one is Catriona Gray, who effortlessly waved our flag in the pageant scene with her grace, charm, and wit. Lastly, is my mom, she has shown me how to love unconditionally and how to be selfless. She devoted her time to reaching out to her fellow “nanays” to come out of their homes and be productive individuals not just for their families but also for themselves and their community. She started a simple livelihood program for mothers who can’t work on a regular 8-hour job. That training program has helped them to not be solely dependent on their husband and to help them earn a living.”
— Luzette Necio, Sales Development Representative at Boldr.
“My biggest inspiration is my sister. She’s five years older than me, and she’s also Super Woman. She’s smart, cunning, amazing, and brilliant at what she does. She is also the kindest, warmest, most generous person I’ve known. She has a huge sense of justice and is always willing to fight for the right thing. She’s beautiful inside and out, and I couldn’t have asked for a better role model of womanhood, sorority, and personal greatness”.
— Daniela Gonzalez, Senior Marketing Manager at Boldr.
“Aside from my mom, I admire Kim Kardashian as she is, undeniably, a marketing genius. She is the world’s best marketer. In order to win in life, all women need Kim K skills.”
—Mary Ann Del Mundo, Hubspot Nurturer at Boldr.
“A woman I truly admire is a Colombian activist named Natalia Ponce de Leon. Eight years ago, she suffered an acid attack that disfigured her face and almost cost her her life. Natalia’s recovery has been painful and long. But instead of victimizing herself, she created a foundation to fight against acid attacks, by providing awareness, medical advice, and what’s most important, by speaking up to the government to create a strict law that punishes this kind of gender violence”.
— María Isabel Galindo Jaramillo, Client News & PR Communication Specialist at Boldr.
“I admire the women in my family and all around the world! Especially those women in places of power, many of whom had to fight tooth and nail to get to where they are, and most of the time are seen as inferior. I admire all women who are willing to stand up for themselves and for whatever they’re passionate about.”
— Ana Paula Aguirre Jara, Shift Lead at Boldr.
“I have been inspired by many women throughout my life. The women in my family have always shown me what it is like to keep a family together, to make it through, to be strong but also to be in touch with my emotions. My girlfriends have made me comprehend that I have never been alone, that they understand me more than anyone else. Every day I learn something new and incredible about my fellow women.”
— Marianna Medina, Implementations Analyst at Boldr.
“I’ve been blessed to see inspiring women in front of me my entire life. Women who stop at nothing to grow and see through the potential that everyone has. Moms, friends, and sisters who only want what’s best for you. They stop at nothing until you have become the best version of yourself.”
— Reema Dowlani, Manager of PH Office Operations at Boldr.
“It is a cliché to say that it is my mother, but she is really the woman who inspires me the most! My mom and I weren’t the closest since I am a papa’s girl, but when I became a mom myself, that is when I realized that my mother deserves all the love, respect, honesty, and loyalty she can get from her family. She sacrificed a lot for us. We all wouldn’t be who we are today if not because of her undying love and support. She made us the best person that we can be. She helped us grow and achieve our dreams. She is our number 1 fan and always takes pride in everything we do. I am a better person because of her. (I love you, mama!).”
— Lorilie Quetua, Email Support Specialist at Boldr.
“My mother has always inspired me, not to become the best version of myself, but to be the most authentic version of myself. She teaches me to celebrate my uniqueness and quirkiness, my strengths, and how phenomenal I am just like her. She has always been supportive of me and my passion. Her love is incomparable. Her brightness helps me radiate love to the people around me. Love that is kind, empathetic, and compassionate. Through this, I love that I always make her proud. If we make our mothers proud, that inspires them to continue inspiring us. Proud moments stem from all things good or bad. That is okay. Our mothers have known us from the day we were born. We cried when they brought us to this world. They were happy. They have always been with us, laughing or crying. They held our hands from the moment we first learned to walk. And, every step of the way, my mother has always been with me even though we are miles and oceans apart.”
— Jaze de la Cruz (she/her), Sr. Client Success Manager at Boldr.
“I come from grandmas with a powerful will, sure in what they want and how they want it. My father’s grandma is always talking about how she designed her house, how she directed the builders, and how she is proud of the result, in which she lives every day. My mother’s grandma was a public school Principal, she used to build roots for her family. Today, she is the breadwinner for my grandpa. Even the grandma from my partner’s side is a strong woman! When she was younger she played softball and rode horses and bicycles, things that in her time were “inappropriate for a woman”. Our State, Yucatán, gave women a place to be and they didn’t hesitate to take it, and here we are, my grandmas, my mother, and me as proof of what we can do to shine.”
— Celina Saavedra, Data Service at Boldr.
“The women that inspire me are Maya Angelou, Lauryn Hill, and Angelina Jolie. (Poets and Humanitarians)”
— Lamour Nel
“So many to pick, and I chose my mother. She was my home, my safe place, the one that took care of me and told me fairy tales that she made up on the fly. The one that taught me that I deserve respect and that being a woman doesn’t have to be painful. I’m walking over giant shoulders, thanks to all the work and effort of the women that came before me, I can be all that I am. It hasn’t been easy for any of us and the work hasn’t been perfect, I’m proud of being her daughter. Now I’m my own home and I hope that one day I can be someone else’s, I will tell them the stories of those that came before them.”
— Claudia, Customer Advocate at Boldr.
“My mom, Helen Oñate, greatly inspires me. Growing up, I’ve seen the hardship that she endured to be able to support her children, may it be emotionally or financially. I was a sickly child until I was about 13 years old and it greatly affected my family’s financial status. This didn’t stop my mother from looking for other options just to be able to support our studies. She became a help/nanny to a Filipino-American family. I never heard her say anything nor complain about having to help my father work for our future. This inspired me to work even harder to get us out of the financial issues that we have had and help both my parents retire. She has done a lot for us, for the family, and for me. It is really true and noteworthy, a mother’s heart is made of gold.”
— France Oñate, Shift Lead at Boldr.
“Every woman in society has their own way of inspiring people. For me, my mother is my inspiration, because she taught me how to grow full of love and respect. Motherhood is a choice they make every day, to put someone else’s happiness and well-being ahead of their own. To teach the hard lessons, and to do the right thing even when they’re not sure what the right thing is.”
— Del Moron, Sales Development Representative at Boldr.
“The entire lineage of women in my family, my mother, of course, my sisters, my grandmothers, my aunts, my cousins, each and every one of my friends, my colleagues, and every woman I have ever heard of. Myself, my 5-year-old self who inspires me to fight and be the woman I wanted to be as long as I dreamed. And from history, I really admire Elvia Carrillo Puerto from Yucatan, Mexico. A political woman who fought for women’s right to vote in Mexico, who learned about feminism and did not give up until she achieved her goal.”
— Adriana Abigail Garcia Peraza, Talent Acquisition Associate at Boldr.
A Message From Powerful Women
We are proud to have in our team some of the most wonderful, smart, funny, independent, and amazing women in the world. Here is a message from them.
“My message to everyone who will read this is “Start with You.” Start taking care of yourself, as you cannot fully care for others when there is nothing left in the tank to give. Start rethinking the way you talk about yourself inside your head, redesign how you perceive yourself, so you can inspire others. Start taking yourself on an hour date per week, fall in love with who you are today so you can work on creating a better you for tomorrow. It all starts with you.”
— Jennifer Wiertel
“To those who will be reading this article, let me share with you a simple line that my mom taught me: there will be times that people will judge you because you seem to be weak and vulnerable, and that is because you are a woman. Let your action speak for what it is that you have to say. Celebrating Women’s Day is like unveiling the inner power and value of a woman. It is also conquering one’s fear and taking a big step in promoting women’s contribution to society. Gender equality is hard to take in because, in reality, men and women are equally gifted, talented, and skilled in their own unique way.”
— Luzette Necio, Sales Development Representative at Boldr.
“Listen to your parents, especially your mother. No matter how hard she is to you, no matter how she yells at you, no matter how you complain that she makes you do chores on a weekend when all of your friends are going on vacation or to the mall. (Trust me, when you’re living alone, that’ll help). All of these things are for a reason and will help mold you. Fight for what you believe in. And watch movies with women protagonists, it’ll enlighten and boost your confidence.“
— Raisa Roxas, Graphic Designer at Boldr.
“We’re by no means done – but we are aware of how far we’ve come and we’re paving the way for the future so that girls anywhere grow up in a world where they can truly become what they always wanted to be”.
— Daniela Gonzalez, Senior Marketing Manager at Boldr.
“Behind every successful woman is Herself. Keep believing in yourself because behind the success of most women would have been HER drive, HER determination, HER pushing herself, and most of all her believing in HERSELF”.
— Mary Ann Del Mundo, Hubspot Nurturer at Boldr.
“The best way to be the change the world needs us to be as women is to stop competing with each other. We all are beautiful, talented, and powerful. We need to learn to admire each other, to get inspired by other women. The best way to celebrate Women’s Day is to stop criticizing each other, and to start working on becoming the best version of ourselves.”
— María Isabel Galindo Jaramillo, Client News & PR Communication Specialist at Boldr.
“Women kick ass! Women are so powerful and important, as well as detrimental to society. We must all be proud of our achievements and see society as a sisterhood and not a competition. IWD is a reminder that when we stand together, we stand stronger. Let’s help each other grow and achieve our goals, let’s acknowledge how far we’ve come, and move forward together to change the course of history, to achieve equality and promote respect amongst ourselves, as well as help educate others.”
— Ana Paula Aguirre Jara, Shift Lead at Boldr.
“First of all, to everyone who reads, I want to say that today more than ever, I feel so proud to be a woman. For many of us, it has been a long road of deconstructing ourselves, forgetting what many of us were taught, and then learning new things. Feeling much freer, more comfortable with ourselves; knowing that in all of us we have someone who surely understands what we have gone through, the fears, the injustices, but also the many joys and great achievements of recent years. Of course, we still have a long way to go, but seeing the small steps we make every day, I know we will get there very soon. I hope I will get to see a world in which all women have the same opportunities, where they can choose freely, feel safe and be who they are without fear. But as we get there, let’s keep supporting, learning, and hugging each other!”
— Marianna Medina, Implementations Analyst at Boldr.
“I wish I could write everything I want to say to women in one sentence, but I don’t think I can do that. What I want women of all ages to know is that we shouldn’t hide our superpowers. Each one of us has a unique quality that makes us whole and complete. We hold the keys to our happiness, growth, success, and prosperity in our own pockets. We just need to figure out where the locks are. Also, throughout this beautiful journey we are on, let’s not forget TO DANCE!”
— Reema Dowlani, Manager of PH Office Operations at Boldr.
“Always be who we are meant to be! Women all over the world have come a long way in achieving gender equality and women empowerment. Women before us paved the way for us to move forward and take pride in what we do for our communities and our countries. We can do what we want, and we should use every avenue we can to advocate for better opportunities and equal standing in every place. Women are so powerful that even the highest and most respected men in history bow down before our beauty and intelligence. We should always use our voice to make the Earth a better place for everyone to live in.”
— Lorilie Quetua, Email Support Specialist at Boldr.
“My message is to all the little girls and boys who are reading this, or to your mothers, parents, or guardians. I once was bullied because I was different. I have always been flamboyantly gay. Other people would regard this as a weakness to tease and use that against you. You will hurt. You will cry. You will shut your windows or doors because of the harm. From elementary to high school, people used bakla against me (I am using bakla because of the Philippine context which may be different from gay). It was in university that I accepted who I am and embraced my identity. When I started to know myself more as part of the colorful LGBTQIA+ community, I unleashed my power and gained freedom. I am gay and proud of it. Now, I have embraced the womanhood in me and am transitioning to a woman because I believe that I will be happier, more comfortable, and more confident. Gender is fluid and we are all in a non-linear rainbow of progress where everyone has their own timing and pacing. To all the little boys who have yet to discover who they are, it is okay. Being different is being unique. We are all different and unique. Your Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression (SOGIE) is never a weakness because everyone has their own SOGIE. You will hurt. You will cry. But that is not because of who you are but because of whatever you do to achieve your goals and dreams, there will always be a challenge. As long as you do not shut your windows or doors and shout for help, these challenges will come to pass. In my answers here, I have mentioned my mother and the LGBTQIA+ community. Why? Because Women’s Day or Month knows no time. It can be anytime and anywhere. It is so powerful that it transcends and overlaps with other powerful concepts and celebrations. Just like you. If I were to talk to my little boy self, I would want him to be proud of himself. Because now, looking back, I am proud of who I am and never regret anything. I am now a woman. And to anyone surrounding these little boys and girls, let us always come from a place of love and kindness. Do that. You will all feel proud of yourselves.”
— Jaze de la Cruz (she/her), Sr. Client Success Manager at Boldr.
“There is a traditional meal in our region called Queso Relleno – this dish is very complicated to cook. One time I was sharing the kitchen with my mother while making it and I complained “Who invented this complicated meal!”. My mom’s response was, “Before, women were almost exclusively working in the kitchen, so their talents remain there”. Now, I realize and appreciate the complexity of our traditional meals. There is a woman behind them, sharing her talents with us, and we honor them with each meal.”
— Celina Saavedra, Data Service at Boldr.
“I want to share with you a quote from Maya Angelou: You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, and how you can still come out of it.”
— Lamour Nel
“Let’s question ourselves first, small changes go a long way, and each one of us is important to make the future we want a reality. Start listening more and really allow others to share their truth. Let’s make this a better place for all of us.”
— Claudia, Customer Advocate at Boldr.
“International Women’s Day is more than just a gesture of recognition during a particular part of the year, it’s also making a gender-balanced world all year round to achieve economic and social progress. We have to know that celebrating Women’s Day makes us visible, that we’re also here to help with progress, may it be within a smaller community or the entire world. Women’s Day celebrates the breakthrough of our women and girls who helped push for gender equality that’s been helping with eradicating poverty, breaking circles of deprivation, and enhancing ways of life. Gender equality also empowers not just women, may it be cis-women or transwomen but also men with opportunities of success and unlocks tremendous talents and skills to advance human development for generations to come”.
— France Oñate, Shift Lead at Boldr.
“Everyone must read articles about women empowerment because this will help us to identify the importance of women in every aspect of life. It’s important for them to know what abilities women have: physically, mentally, and emotionally. That’s why we need to believe in the saying “what men can do, women can do better.” Women empowerment is not only for pure women, in the new generation of society we also need to recognize those strong trans women who are always fighting for their rights. Gender doesn’t matter at all for empowering women, as long as you are capable of its responsibility in society”.
— Del Moron, Sales Development Representative at Boldr.
“We should use this day to reflect on how much we still need to do, how we can contribute positive things to society so that women can gradually achieve the EQUITY they are looking for. We do not need to be congratulated, we need everyone to be part of the actions to be taken to improve. Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe you must become its soul. -Coretta Scott King.”
— Adriana Abigail Garcia Peraza, Talent Acquisition Associate at Boldr.
How Do You Celebrate International Women’s Day?
It’s difficult to picture a world without women. Whether as moms, sisters, daughters, or friends, they play a vital role in our lives. They have not only made our lives better by being there, but they are the ones who give us life and have molded us into the persons we become. Women represent half of the world, yet in a lot of places, they still have to fight for their rights and gender equality. Collectively, it is our job to help create a gender-equal world and a better future. To every woman who participated in the writing of this article, thank you. We are happy to share your message. You inspire us every day. And for everyone reading, celebrate the women who inspire you the most, take the time to reach out, and tell every woman you admire how grateful you are for her.
