In most respects, it was an unremarkable day. Year by year, International Women’s Day usually is. When you’re a woman.

Somebody on the radio was urging celebration; downing tools and striking from all paid and unpaid work to show the world (of men, presumably) what life would be like without us.

Messy, at an uneducated guess. Non-existent, if my O-level human biology lessons still hold good.

So far as I’m aware, even the cleverest and strongest blokes have yet to master the business of childbirth. Some still struggle with washing machines.

Be that as it may, a day for women is what it says on the tin, so it seemed appropriate to give a bit of thought to what makes a woman and how her lot could be improved in 2017.

Not easy when you only have 24 hours and you’re already shouting at the Chancellor’s Budget and bemoaning the imminent loss of Cumbrian community hospital beds.

We are, though, multi-taskers. There’s always room to squeeze in a bit more.


Anne Pickles Mary, one of my neighbours in Brampton, came to mind.

She’s a farmer of the sleeves rolled up and get stuck in variety – and no spring chicken.

A couple of weeks ago she generously invited me to her home for supper. A splendid spread it was too.

“Phew! Bit of a rush,” she said. “We’re calving and today’s glitch was a difficult caesarean affair. Still all’s well that ends well. Tuck in… more ham? Pour some wine.”

Now there’s a woman. On the plus side of 70, up at the crack, off daily to the family farm with not a thought for celebratory, high or holy days. Or not much of one, anyway. Mary is a smiling dynamo.

“The cows don’t know one day from another,” she said.

“What can you do, other than what you have to do?”

I can’t imagine she considered for a single minute that she should withdraw her labour on International Women’s Day. Not that she complains.

A cheerier, more energetic bundle of unfailing stamina would be hard to source.

There are though plenty of her ilk carrying on with their unsung lives in Cumbria.

Lots of Marys. Tough, contributing, community-minded, neighbourly, caring women with families, hard work and welcoming homes.

They’re not Amal Clooneys, Theresa Mays or Meryl Streeps. No time for the niceties of dressing up or provocative speech-making.

Not when there’s stuff to do. Like calving, for instance. So, what is a woman now?

If we had to return to square one and construct one fit for today’s purpose, what would she be?

Forget the sugar and spice plan. That never made sense.

And to be honest, if you didn’t have time to think about it on Wednesday, it’s probably not worth taxing the brain.

Remember, you get only one day a year. When you’re a woman.

Broadly speaking, a 21st century woman is an individual who cares for children and aged parents, holds down a job, runs a home, manages budgets, cooks and cleans, worries about nearly everything, makes umpteen cups of tea she forgets to drink and blames herself when something – anything – goes wrong. It’s a big job.

And because we’re all living to greater ages these days – our fault too, apparently – it’s likely to continue for a lot longer than it used to.

There you go… celebrate! No, really.

We should pat ourselves on the back for being flippin marvellous, against all known odds – not least the renewed attempts by low people in high places to belittle our worth. How very dare they?

So, when considering personal qualities and value, be proud.

Try to remember to drink the tea. If you forget again, pour wine.

And if I might make a suggestion, when looking for a role model – be a Mary.