“It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent.”
– Madeleine Albright
It’s becoming more apparent in the latest years that people of all backgrounds – women and men are showing up and want to be counted as those who believe in a world that is impartial, broadminded, ethical and safe for all, one in which the human rights and dignity of each person is protected.
This year waits for all of us with loads of activities to support, promote and celebrate women’s achievements (in all areas of expertise and worldwide). Following International Women’s Day (8th of April) more events follow and continue to do so to create awareness of the female force in this planet. May will bring with it National Women’s Health Week in USA (May 14th-20th), June will celebrate Women in Science (June 1st-3rd). The Fur Guru wants to join in and celebrate all the ladies in planet earth.
This writer also grew up surrounded by inspirational and exemplary women. She had for a mother one of the most hard-working, resilient and fearless woman that taught this Guru how to conduct herself with dignity, inner- strength and integrity. By a loving and caring grandmother that would change this Guru’s nappies, (in the 70’s, no disposable ones… God bless that woman’s forfeited love!) while singing and teaching the little Guru how to enjoy the small, beautiful things. My grandmother instituted the belief in me of moving forward with example; by being grateful and forgetting about any bitterness or resentment of what life and war took away from her. My Godmother, (the one with the cold head and warm heart) who will give end to all my high-school sorrows with much listening and yummy food in the same amount. My cousins, two sisters that have been “part of the gang” since the day I arrived in this world and had provided me with so much fun, support and also quite a few boyfriends. And finally, my sister; the biggest fan of this Guru but also the support, the telling-off and her other half.
So, please be aware; this new venture does not come only as a consequence of all the turmoil created by International Women Day, as I believe that, to be a woman, requires of exceptional acuity, grace, intelligence, courage and ability to open your mouth when things are not cool on a daily basis. It comes naturally, taught, by need or as a basic survival skill. We (all girls) have managed to move through history and become multi-functional and magical creatures capable of overcoming any natural, social or economic challenge. This endeavor is also about recognition and tribute to all the women in my life and around the world. Those who I grew up with, the ones I have met through my way in this wonderful planet (may them be family, friends, co-workers, personages or even fantasy characters from books I read). In one way or another, a lot of them have left the Guru with lessons, happiness or astonishment. All of them have made her feel reassured, never alone.
Women are supposed to grease the wheels of other people’s exchanges, keeping everything running effortlessly. The collective notion is that women, as the more exposed and in need of other members of the tribe, require people to take care of us at all times. For the rest, we ladies exist only in relation to other people, as girlfriends, as mothers and as employees to validate us. The Fur Guru will be proving wrong all these assumptions with the help and example of the most powerful, successful and inspiring women in our industry.
We are everywhere, we make changes, we work hard, we are nurturers by nature and we definitely have a lot to say. Which takes me to my favourite topic: words. This is the beginning of the compilation of words, sentences, statements that women have to say. I’ll start by the industry, which I work for. This is the start of a series of conversations with influential and daring ladies in the fur industry that are set to talk to The Fur Guru and to the world. Ready or not, here we come.
P.S. Next week we start this venture with one of the most inspirational figures of the fur fashion world. A woman that through hard work, persistence and positive attitude has gained the reigns of fashion and the corporate world. Maria Reich AKA The Fur Boss will be meeting the Guru. Be aware my darling readers, she has a lot to say and she means business.