In honor of International Women’s Day, the Spence-Chapin team has been meditating over the powerful words of remarkable women who have offered wisdom and motivation through their voices and personal life stories. We cherish the day in which people all over the globe celebrate women’s achievements and champion equal rights. This is because, we are not only a predominately female team, but our work in connecting families is fueled by the virtues of devotion, passion and strength that is possessed by our women heroes.
Here are some of those powerful words from our heroes that we turn to for inspiration. We hope they inspire you as well!
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. ” Maya Angelou
I choose this quote because of life experience. I have learned to change my perspective to help change a negative lesson learned into a positive life experience.
—Jetina C., Domestic Outreach Coordinator
“Representation is so important, because many generations are watching. We want to build on accomplishments and legacies, and to motivate each other to exceed expectations.” Taylor B.
This quote from one of our birth mothers at Spence-Chapin highlights the importance of womanhood. As women, we need to stand together, support, and motivate one another for great success.
—Jennifer M., Domestic Outreach Manager
“Responsibility to yourself means refusing to let others do your thinking, talking, and naming for you; it means learning to respect and use your own brains and instincts; hence, grappling with hard work.” Adrienne Rich
Being a mother is hard work. It is the rewarding hard work of being responsible to yourself and others at the exact same time. Creating family takes bravery, in both surrendering and accepting that responsibility for another human life, for the best outcome for that life. The ability to commit to this is a woman’s right and the source of elevating and enlightening our society!
—Yolanda N., Legal & Compliance Coordinator
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Anne Frank
Especially powerful because of the context in which it was written, this quote inspires me to use every moment as an opportunity to do good, no matter how small or insignificant the moment may seem. We should never wait to make a difference and work toward a better future. The time to start is now.
—Christine P., Associate Director of Development & Communications
“If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place.” Nora Roberts
This quote has always inspired me because it is aligned with my personal code of ethics to always reach for possibilities even when it seems that none exist.
—Patricia P., Marketing and Outreach Coordinator
“You can never leave footprints that last if you are always walking on tiptoe.” Leymah Gbowee
I believe Gbowee’s words embody the spirit and legacy of one our organization’s founders, Clara Spence. Spence was a trailblazer in that she defied social conventions and risked being cast as a pariah for her work in championing the adoption of abandoned infants and children. In her time, it was more common for orphans to be relegated to institutionalization or relocation; taking in children from other families was considered a bizarre act at the turn of the century. However, Spence rose above the norm to create a career out of helping vulnerable children find loving homes and reinvent adoption as a socially accepted practice.
—Evelyn J., Marketing & Design Assistant
