To The Women Past And Present Poem by Lianne Gagnon

To the women who are my family
your resilience and concealed strength
made me who I am.
I love you.

To the women who walked before me
the ones who took up space
and claimed it as your own.
I stand for you.

To the women who were non-conformists
backs to the wall
front-facing and stepping forward.
I respect you.

To the women whose fists were raised with placards
exposed to the world
hearts united in solidarity.
I walk with you.

To the women who found your voices
and broke the silence
against your oppressors.
I've heard you.

To the women who were beaten down
bruised and bloodied
but stood back up.
I support you.

To the women who were disregarded
and objectified
made to feel less than.
I see you.

To the women who continue to be shamed and ridiculed
stalked across mediums
but still speak your truth.
I believe you.

To the women who continue to love and nurture
while bound and gagged
by society's man-made mores.
I embrace you.

To the women whose power was taken
but your light remained,
illuminating the dark.
I feel you.

To the women who come after me
I pass you the torch
and cast a shadow as your guide.
We need you, women!