Counting what we gain: A Women’s History Month reflection
What emotions come to mind when you are asked to give?
What you need to know:
- Women’s History Month reflection highlights how mentorship, friendships and career opportunities shape growth through giving and support.
- The #GiveToGain theme encourages gratitude for networks that nurture professional ambitions, personal growth and meaningful life journeys.
The month of March is special. It hosts International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. It also happens to be the month that I celebrate my birthday! The IWD2026 theme of #GiveToGain was an opportunity for me to reflect on the power of strong and supportive networks in all spheres of our lives.
In every connection that we have, whether it is with a friend, a sibling, a parent, a boss, a colleague, a mentor or something deeper, we are expected to give of ourselves. There is that common saying that even nature doesn’t exist for itself.
Water does not drink itself, and an apple does not eat itself. In the same way, the skills we have, the talents we possess and the wholeness of who we are meant to serve others. I really appreciate this year’s IWD theme (#GiveToGain) for its versatility.
What emotions come to mind when you are asked to give? I am a planner and as you can imagine, I try to count the cost of everything I do. How much time will it cost me to give? What are the economic implications? What if what I give is not enough? I was fortunate to begin reflecting on this during my birthday—a time when I was gaining more than giving. I received gifts, amazingly worded notes and cards, treats for lunch—I was celebrated by my colleagues in the office.
Beyond the birthday presents, I found myself reflecting more broadly about what I have gained from others over the years. The support, friendship, security—every form of help you can imagine. The challenge I am giving myself this women’s history month is to recognise and appreciate the people who have given to me, a bit more.
As you read this column, I invite you to reflect on what you have gained through the relationships you have. If you are a Christian, we call it counting your blessings. If you are a philosopher, I invite you to think about the words of Arthur Schopenhauer—we seldom think of what we have but always of what we lack.
As I looked back, three groups of people stood out to me. I hope they inspire you to reflect with gratitude on those who have walked beside you.
The first group is those who gave me, and continue to give me, a chance in my career. Many of my dreams and aspirations would have remained unrealised if key people had not recognised my potential and decided to give me an opportunity. They put their faith and reputation on the line at a time when I could offer no guarantees.
These individuals have used, and continue to use, their professional capital to open doors of opportunity and push me forward. In a world where everyone is busy with their own lives and building their own careers, I do not take it for granted that there are people invested in my growth—people who challenge me to grow and excel professionally. Words will always be inadequate.
The second category (not mutually exclusive from the first) that I will take time to properly appreciate this month is my mentors. I have been in random conversations where there has been an odd comment about ‘finding your own path’ and why having mentors is overrated. I really admire the courage of such people but I know that can never be me.
The best definition of what a mentor does, in my opinion, is in Margaret Ogola’s book, Place of Destiny: “A mentor takes a shapeless mass of hopes and desires and points it out in a particular life-changing direction”. I am grateful for their time, their presence and their authenticity. I can confidently say I stand on strong shoulders.
The third category I will recognise is my deep friendships. The friends who truly care, who look out for me and genuinely want to see me become a better version of myself. My friends have given me psychological safety, a space to discover the depths of who I am and my purpose here on earth. They have also pushed me out of my comfort zone. I am thankful for everything I have gained through meaningful friendships.
Gratitude reminds us that none of our journeys are solitary. Much of what we become is shaped by the people who choose to give to us. As we continue to reflect on the theme of #GiveToGain, may we remember to carry forward what we have gained and give it to others.
The writer is the Research & Impact Editor, NMG ([email protected]).
