The 3 Best Ways to Honor Black Women this Women's Day

March marks Women's History month in the U.S., the U.K., and Australia. Don't ask me why Canada has their women's' month in October, cause along with celebrating Thanksgiving in October, Canada just does things a little different, lol. And although I'm happy to call the suburbs of Toronto home, we're gonna ignore that "little" difference and big-up some women on the blog today. Women of color to be more precise.

There are so many dope women out here changing the game for not just themselves and their own families. But they are inspiring girls and women everywhere that are watching from near and far. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that someone is always watching. You don't have to be a celebrity or anything like that either, cause at the very least, your children are watching and learning from not only what you do, but also how you talk to yourself. You know that old saying "do as I say, not as I do"? Well, good luck with that in this decade. Cause it ain't happening. What you DO is ultimately what teaches those around on how to go about life.

With the actual International Women's Day happening tomorrow (March 8), you're likely to see a lot of shout-outs on social media in addition to events happening both today (Saturday) and tomorrow. But if you were left wondering how to honor the black women in your life, I've compiled a little list below of the 3 best ways to honor the black women in your life this weekend.

brunch.

Being that International Women's Day falls on a Sunday this year, a Sunday brunch is always a great idea. You would know better than me what kind of place in your area is likely to have some good food for you, but if you don't, start Googleing now and go ahead and make that reservation as well. Cause you're not the only one brunching tomorrow, I guarantee that.

If you need to know anything about brunching, our sis, the Brunchnista is the connoisseur when it comes to that topic. But I mean, "I don't like good food," said no woman ever. So you can't go wrong.

While you're thinking of enjoying a brunch, why not support a black business while you're at it. For a list of some great black-owned brunch spots, check out this post on the Black Girls who Brunch website. She lists out 19 different cities across the U.S. where you'll be able to dine at the hands of fellow black queens and kings.

pass it on.

Take the opportunity to remind your children and/or your loved ones of the achievements accomplished by black women either in your own family lineage or in the community, city, or country you live in or originate from. If you don't know of any women in particular, this is a great opportunity to educate yourself as you encourage the younger generation to continue carrying the torch.

We know our kids are tuned into social media waaaay too much. So make them join in on the research to find notable black women that they can relate to either by geographic location or by DNA. Fresh off the heels from Black History Month, they might even know something we don't. Better yet, make them pick a black woman in today's pop culture that they admire and learn WHY it is they admire this particular woman. What from, or about this person's life can they apply to their own life? One thing Tony Robbins taught me a long time ago, it's that success leaves clues. So allow your children to figure out what the "magic" is in this woman's Black Girl Magic.

It could be their voice, their dance skills, tenacity, work ethic, determination, beauty. Whatever it is, it needs to go beyond just being famous. If we're looking up to Beyonce, why? Work Ethic. Serena Williams - Passion. Marsai Martin - her wit and gumption to dream big. You get the idea. Because all the traits mentioned that I admire about the 3 amazing black women above, is something I can apply to my own life. And that's the point of this exercise. Yes, we're rooting for everybody black out there. But we're also reminding ourselves that WE are incredible black, beautiful forces to be reckoned with.

collaborate.

Get together with women from work, from church, or just your girlfriends and figure out how you can best support each other. When you actually find your tribe, love on them hard. This Forbes article states that women who support one another are more successful. So why wouldn't you want to be your girl's biggest cheerleader?

Support comes in a variety of shapes and forms. There's emotional and tangible support. Emotional support could be as simple as lending an ear. No one is saying you have to have all the answers. But "just" being there can be the best medicine any doctor could've prescribed. And tangible support isn't always money. Help a sister out by doing her makeup for her upcoming event. And if it is money she needs, do a bake sale in her honor. Get creative and love on each other.

If you're all "girl bawses" in your own right, then take the opportunity to celebrate the successes in your life and plan a girls' trip or a weekend getaway. Essence Magazine has an excellent guide on spending 72 hours in D.C. which of course would fittingly include a visit to the National Museum of African American History & Culture.

why even celebrate? - conclusion.

The point of, and spirit behind International Women's Day is to acknowledge that we women are more than warm bodies accompanying, or standing behind the men in our lives. We are world-changers and game-changers that have achieved greatness in social, economic, cultural, and political spheres. We're out here demanding equal pay, equal rights, and equal recognition in all the aforementioned areas of influence.

And that's just it sis, celebrate the little wins as much as the big ones. Don't let it stop you in your tracks, but acknowledge the win as you continue the journey (and sometimes battle) to keep winning. We're not solely doing it for ourselves. Like I mentioned earlier, someone is always watching and taking notes.

We as women today are enjoying many of the battles fought and won in the past, but we're far from done. The fact that legislation like the Crown Act, making it illegal to discriminate people based on their natural hair, need to be passed tells us that our work is far from done.

But be encouraged y'all. We're doing it out here and we can take notes from the clues left by the queens before us. Let's get it y'all!

Grace & Peace.