Women’s History Month is about honoring the past while inspiring the future. Every day, mothers pass down lessons of strength, confidence, kindness, and believing in their own potential to the next generation. We asked a few moms to reflect on the messages they hope their daughters will carry with them as they grow.
Christine Atanacio
Becoming a mother at a young age taught me that life will test you, but that challenges also shape you into someone stronger than you ever imagined. My hope is that both of my daughters grow into strong, determined women who know they can become anything they set their minds to.
My lessons to them are to stay kind, curious, and resilient. Learn to work with and care for people of all personalities, perspectives, and backgrounds, always treating others with kindness and respect. Stand up for your voice, remember that your worth is never defined by someone else’s expectations and, most importantly, be kind to yourselves along the way.
Amanda Cortese
My daughter already has something I hope she never loses (and something I wish I had when I was 9!): confidence in who she is. She’s honest, outgoing, and not afraid to speak her mind.
My lesson to her is that I hope she always stays true to that. As she grows up, there will be moments when it feels easier to change who she is in order to fit in or stay quiet to make others comfortable (we have started to encounter these moments here and there). She should always try to be herself, trust her instincts, and never feel like she needs to shrink who she is for her girlfriends (or for future boys!).
Sara Josephson, PE
The main thing that I have tried to instill in my daughter (and son) is that girls and boys can grow up to be anything they want. There are no careers that are just for girls or just for boys. The most important thing is to follow your heart and find something you are passionate about.
