By Rashidat Olamidayo Ajakaye
Am I a proud woman?
I begin as a cheerful child chasing butterflies in her father’s compound,
an inquisitive child learning the language of the world.
Am I a proud woman?
After relatively long years of nurturing,
I become a daughter dedicated to the pride of her parents,
even with the threats of sexual proposals and faceless promises.
Am I a proud woman?
Sometimes, I do not become a sister
but all times…I become a friend to myself and others,
reinvesting my attention for others to select right life decisions
from the dilemmas of passion and social expectations.
Am I a proud woman?
I am as educated as the walk of time,
tí a bá kọ́ obìnrin ní ẹ̀kọ́, a ti kọ́ ẹgbẹ̀rún ènìyàn.
I do not just parade the house with my office hills,
my native intelligence is dearest to me,
if not for women, the tables would be under the chairs.
Am I a proud woman?
Just as an octopus multitasks with different arms,
I multitask!
I become a worthy wife and a dear daughter-in-law.
Saving my pride for countless “I am sorry”.
Saving the dance steps of my home
for the drum beats of my husband’s home.
Am I a proud woman?
In this shell, I become a mother,
being the closest confidant and philosopher of my children,
when our children want to wander wild,
I know the way to ring the caution bell.
Am I a proud woman?
Obìnrin tí ó bá jẹ́ olóòótọ́ ní ilé, yóò jẹ́ olóòótọ́ níta.
I am a teacher,
thousands taught me and I teach a country,
a country for free not only paying students.
Am I a proud woman?
I am an entrepreneur,
I am a tree that births a forest,
luck or work…I promote positive possibilities
when I listen to fertile but unloved ideas.
Am I a proud woman?
With all my prosperous transformations within the elastic shell
of childhood, motherhood, grannyhood, great grannyhood…
I am a philanthropist,
for I fill the gaps of wealth recreation in my society and beyond.
Am I a proud woman?
Today, I brag my gender in honour,
I am a proud woman,
yes, we are proud women.
Happy International Women’s Day!
© RASHIDAT OLAMIDAYO AJAKAYE
STRIDA… guiding you to striking confidence in academic and creative writing!
2026
