"Some people were wild at me. They would say things like "Oh that woman. She's taking the part of the man. " I thought to myself. I suppose they were partly right. But I've never stopped the man from doing anything. I've been waiting for years for men to put the world to rights. And they hadn't. Well, God gave me eyes to see, a head to think, a tongue to talk. Why not use them." - Dame Whina Cooper
Celebrating International Women's day by highlighting te Whaea o te motu (the mother of the nation).
She was a Māori civil rights and land rights activist who united her people to lead a historical march across the entire length of Aotearoa (New Zealand). She also, promoted Maori women's health and wellbeing (particularly, housing and employment).
Although, you may be more familiar with her most quoted words "Take care of our children. Take care of what they hear, take care of what they see, take care of what they feel."
I admire the rebellious spirit of social justice.
I was laughing this morning when I remembered all the times I sat in detention or was made to sit outside of class to copy from front to back the story of Dame Whina Cooper and Princess Te Puea at Turakina Maori Girls College word for word.
I eat my words "this is a waste of time!!"
Mana wahine, Wahine toa.
Who inspires you?
Image: Mark Tubberty
