The HERstory of M.

It sounds silly to think that a simple word break down could be such a mind-blowing discovery, but it happens; listen. The scene is the first day of Keri Graham's class in the Fall of 2017: History of American Women. We were doing self-introductions: Name, Year, Pronouns, and why you are taking this class. The class was pre-dominantly women, I'd say about 99% of the class. I sat in my seat and thought about why I was taking this class. I needed it for my minor: Gender and Identity Studies (GIS). But why be here, right now? It hit me, I am here because men write history, but this class was different. It was about women; History of American Women. With my English hat on, I honed my focus on the class title's bookends: History and Women. In my previous GIS classes, I heard about gender inequality, gender inequity, and that men write history books and tell the stories. When you break down the word history, you hear something almost eerie to think about: History...history...his-story. History is his story. He is the dominant voice. He shaped and wrote our understanding of it. He lead, he dictated, he served, he gave, he loved, he challenged, he conquered, he oppressed, he demolished, and he overtook. He did all of that and wrote about it. I don't know who he is, I don't know who started it, but when you read that, who did you think of? Whose story and narrative are you listening to?

Then it was my turn to answer. With a smile on my face, ready to blow the class away, I said, "Hello, I am Mc Erl Dave Andres, a Sophomore, he/him/she/her pronouns, and I am taking this class because I want to hear about her story. I do not want to hear about his story." The class looked shocked, and my professor smiled and said, "mic drop."

That class focused on the stories of women and how they shaped America that it is today. From Queen Isabella Castile to Pocahontas, to Sojourner Truth, to Harriet Beecher Stowe, Susan B Anthony, Sacajawea, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Edith Windsor, Hillary Clinton, Justice, Sandra Day O'Connor, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Justice Elena Kagan, Michelle Obama and many other women silenced in his story. We read and discussed women's rights or the lack thereof, defining women, women suffrage, immigration, feminism, and how LGBTQ+ rights stem from them. The book " Through Women's Eyes" was written by women about women, and no, you cannot say it is biased. It only fits for the stories of women to be written by other women. It is her story, not his.

Regardless of who you are, where you are in life, your intersectionality, and where life has taken you, a woman or women shaped your life.  Both positive and negative. Many women impacted my life, and I would say a village everywhere I went; women were my backbone. When I lived in the Philippines, many women helped my mom raise me: my maternal grandmother, my aunts, and cousins. They cradled me in their arms when I was a baby and wrapped me in their arms when they no longer could cradle me. They carried me on their chest when I was an infant and carried me on their shoulders too. They supported me in everything I did, cheered me on in the many times I felt defeated, and had an uphill battle. They loved me unconditionally, and it was love that just kept flowing. 

There are three women-- three sisters who particularly raised me to be the person I am today. This blog is their story and how their story made me the person I am today. First is the oldest of the three, Virginia Corpuz, lovingly known as Mama V. She was everyone's Mom. However, she never had children of her own; everyone who lived near us and people from the church respectfully and lovingly called her Mama V. She was the backbone of our family. She was the source of strength, support, love, and faith. She taught me how to pray the rosary in two Filipino dialects: Ilokano and Tagalog, and later in English. She exposed me and taught me the value of our faith and nourished it by bringing me to Mass every Sunday and to houses where she prayed for the dead. Her second oldest sister, Margarita Corpuz, better known as Tita Maya, was also everyone's Tita Maya. She is one of the most giving people I know, who gave so much of herself to everyone, all of her nieces and nephews, to make us happy. She poured her heart into us without asking for much else in return. She enjoyed being with us and always loved being in the company of her nieces and nephews; because of her, I have come to value quality time. These two women gave up so much of themselves and sacrificed so much to help my mom raise us. They do not have their own families, and they have always said they wanted to help raise us, which my siblings and I are grateful for. Of course, the third is my mother, Gliceria Corpuz Andres, better know as Grace or Gracia. She is the greatest mother known. She gives and expects nothing in return. She loves her children and all she encounters unconditionally. She is giving and is always willing to help whenever she can, and will work like there's no tomorrow to provide for her kids. She had many jobs and many hats and not once failed.

I am grateful for these strong women who, together, raised my siblings and me to the best of their abilities to be the best we can be. We are not perfect people, but we have become the best we could be with their bountiful love, care, and affection. If we could be just half of the people that they are, we would become great people. Nonetheless, we strive to follow in their footsteps-- to be strong women/people filled with love to give to those we encounter.

On National Women's Month, I would like to honor the many women who helped make me who I am today. Whether it be through their contributions to the greater society and bettering everyone's lives, you have impacted me. 

To the women who effected change and fought for equity in our world, thank you.

To the women who helped advance technology, thank you.

To the women who helped expand knowledge, scholarship, and work, thank you.

To the women who fight every day, I hear you, I see you, and I thank you.

To the giant women of whose shoulders I stand on, thank you.

To the women in the military and first responders, thank you.

To the women teachers, mentors, advisors, thank you.

To my grandmothers, my mother, my aunts, female cousins, nieces, Godparents, second mothers, and sponsors, thank you.

To my female friends, thank you.

To those I forgot to mention, thank you.

And to all who identify as a woman, thank you. 

I am who I am because you have contributed to society and in my life. I would not be where I am today if it was not for your love, nurturing, and support. Today and every day, I support you, and I hold you ever so closely in my heart. 

How about you, who are you celebrating this National Women's Month? How have the roles of these women make your life better? How different would your life be if they were absent?

Until next time,

M.