Woman, Empowered.

I need to take a moment to express this, because it is in honour of one of the stand-outs at the Women’s Build. Her name is Jenny T. Also known as “Jenny of the Block” … or something like that. She is an incredible woman. She took this Women’s Build and made it hers (in part ... at least I think so!). I don’t know what her official title on this project is (something to do with actually co-ordinating the project though), but I know she is a no-bull-sh!t kind of woman, who takes any crap that anyone throws at her, and turns it right around. She is capable of leading a project that many others, including, quite possibly myself, are not (yet) able to do.

I am so happy to see that Jenny has risen to the top of this project and is glowing. I absolutely admire her work, and how she conducts herself. She even wears her reputation on her sleeve, and I absolutely love that! LOVE IT!!! I get the idea that there are several people who do not like her way of doing things. Does she just absorb it? Hell no!! If they can’t cope with her way of doing things, I think she kind of enjoys calling them on their inability to cope with her particular leadership and less than fluffy and perfect conduct, and she has offered them, very politely and tactfully, a piece of their own cake. Here, if this is what you say about me, I will show the world that this is what you say about me, and let the world make a judgment call.

You know what? We will never know who called her some of her more “choice” nicknames, but she did mention some of those names in her speech one time. I think there are many women out there, me being one of them, who can relate to having to fight past those jerks and slothes who sit around passing judgment and making it harder for you, while they do nothing but give themselves the authority to judge. You need to push past the cynics, impress the people you should, and be value-based. And to everyone who just calls you names, well, you can make them into “nicknames” when people call you them, and then stand on the podium and publish those names later. Damn f^ck hun, but that felt as good and empowering to me as I hope it did to you! How do I become more like her? Not by just being around her, but by doing everything it takes to make and achieve my own goals, and not spending time crying about what other people do wrong. In fact, wearing what other people say to try to drag you down on your sleeve, and shining the light on the sh!t in such a way that they might just regret their actions, if they have the brain cells to do so.

They are not the ones who did all the hard work. They sat back and threw stones, wallowing in jealousy or bitterness, while Jenny pushed through, and “got’er done”, and continues to “get’er done” every single day of the build.

Who is the one who truly shines? Not any of those people who sat back in judgment, calling out names, but Jenny. She both chastises and compliments where each is due. She is confident; she is firm. She makes things happen. She makes decisions and enforces action. She is strict, and makes her statements and commands with confidence. These things are just a part of why I aspire to be more like her.

Here is the part I am personally truly grateful for. I saw her the second day I was at the build, first thing in the morning. She hadn’t had her coffee yet. I helped her, in my keener energy, to laugh through putting up caution tape. That same day, I worked with her at the very END of the day, when I think both of us were stumbling over our words a bit, and joked with her about that fact – gee, I’m seein’ you at your VERY BEST today hun, ain’t I!? Those were moments I am grateful for sharing with her. I am also grateful for her help, in allowing me to come back on Wednesday, and I kinda wish I could have come back Thursday, Friday and Saturday. But Saturday especially is the wedding, Friday we are taking women in our family out for dinner, and today I had to get some errands done for Mother’s Day, that considering all the other events of the upcoming weekend, I had to do today. I had a very good time at the Build though, and I am grateful for the powerhouse behind it all, that “got it all done.”

Kudos to you, Jenny, and your contribution to Canada’s First Women’s Build.