Honoring my mother on International Women’s Day

Of all the women who inspire me (I could list so many) who have paved a very wide road for me to travel without many barriers, today I want to honor my mother.

She is the mother, a grandmother, a wife of 55 years, a retired Gynecologist, Trailblazer, and Boss Lady.

She immigrated to England from Pakistan in 1965 as a medical doctor, ready to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology. Her father was the one who inspired her to go abroad. Her father asked her and her 3 siblings if they wanted to study abroad and she was the only one who raised her hand. My grandfather gave the same opportunity to his daughters as he did his sons. My mother knew there were more opportunities for women outside of her home country and she wanted more for herself. The day she left, her mother knew she would not return. Deep down, my grandmother wanted more for her daughter and that desire, to allow her to become the fierce, independent woman she became, was stronger than her own desire to keep her at home, under her wing. I have so much respect for my grandmother for letting her go, letting her soar.

And soar she did!

Trailblazer and Boss Lady - she and my father graduated from medical school and left England for Canada. She had to re-qualify in Canada with 3 kids and a husband working long hours trying to start his own career as a surgeon. She made the bold decision (for that time) to not practice obstetrics since she wanted to be home at night with her kids. This was unprecedented for the time. Her male colleagues scoffed at the idea of only having a gynecology practice, but being the only female gynecologist in our city, her practice soared! She also paved the road for other female doctors to think differently about how they can practice medicine and have a family.

At 82 years old, she is still a boss lady and trailblazer always grateful for everything she has in her life. I can only hope to be that kind of role model for my kids and grandkids.