Let's Make December 10 Brag Queen's Day!
“That brain of mine is something more than merely mortal; as time will show.” Ada Lovelace
On December 10 two women, largely unrecognized during their lifetimes, were born. Ada Lovelace, daughter of the poet Lord Byron, brought a ‘poetic’ sensibility to Charles Babbage’s “Analytical Engine” and not only produced a table in 1848 illustrating how the engine might calculate Bernoulli numbers that is often described as the first computer program, but also anticipated artificial intelligence.
The poet Emily Dickinson was also born on December 10. She wrote almost 1,800 poems during her lifetime, only 10 of which she saw published. Today Dickinson is considered to be a canonical poet; her poems speak to us in a voice passionate, idiosyncratic, and timeless.
Consider that a reclusive virgin wrote...
Wild nights - Wild nights! (269)
BY EMILY DICKINSON
Wild nights - Wild nights!
Were I with thee
Wild nights should be
Our luxury!
Futile - the winds -
To a Heart in port -
Done with the Compass -
Done with the Chart!
Rowing in Eden -
Ah - the Sea!
Might I but moor - tonight -
In thee!
How many Emilys and Adas are out there today toiling in anonymity?
Lest you think such cloaked genius is an artifact of the past, consider that women received a measly 2.8% of venture capital invested across the entire startup ecosystem in 2019. Today Ada Lovelace and Emily Dickinson are recognized for their brilliance, but why did it have to take so long?
Let’s make recognizing each other’s accomplishments a part of our programming. With the changing era and renewed efforts to focus on equality, it’s time for women to put the spotlight on the achievements of which they are most proud. Share your accomplishments with your friends and shamelessly celebrate your collective successes. Reliving your wins and celebrating your friends’ achievements creates fertile ground for the seeds of future successes and even greater accomplishments.
Whether big or small, all wins born out of your passionate pursuit of excellence made you into who you are today. Taking time to celebrate Brag Queen's Day by bragging about your accomplishments will leave you feeling energized, inspired, and motivated to take on your next challenge.
Please share your brags in the comments below so that we can celebrate you.
Owner of ADORNit / Carolees Creations at ADORNIt
4yAwesome! May we have more please! It’s energizing to learn about women of strength and courage
Co-Author of Acts of Friendship and Drink Wine and Giggle
4yThanks Lynne for making this a day for women to shamelessly brag. I'm proud of having earned my CA and for having a long and successful career. But to be honest, what has been most fulfilling is to have raised my three children and having the courage to change my work arrangement so I could devote time to my family. Oh, and I can't forget to mention that I'm so proud to be a co-author with you of two books: Drink Wine and Giggle and Acts of Friendship.
MBA P.Eng. President/Owner at Vassilakos Farms Inc.
4yWomen should celebrate their accomplishments. Happy Brag Queen Day!