Lip Service

Today is International Women’s Day. And as you may have seen on Facebook and Twitter, there is a campaign to celebrate the date by wearing red lipstick. Or, by a catchier turn of phrase, to #RockTheLips 

While I’m all for an excuse to go glam, at first I questioned what lipstick really had to do with female empowerment. I understood that women joining together to wear a striking red gloss on a single day would make a statement and heighten awareness. But was it just something fun to do? I’m not sure why, for me, the celebration of women required more than just donning a red hue on my lips.

I was pleased then to see that the movement was ultimately encouraging supporters to participate in a micro-lending platform that could help women achieve their entrepreneurial goals. Many of these worthy candidates were from Mongolia, Paraguay and other far-away lands. And most weren’t impacted in the least by my red lips saying rah-rah for the date. But the meager contribution I made (that didn’t cost me a dime; by simply logging on to Kiva I received a $25 credit) could quite assuredly be life changing for them. 

Though red lipstick may be a fun and frivolous way to celebrate International Women’s Day for me, it’s also a reminder that women around the world are doing their best to advance their lot in life by whatever means they’re given. And perhaps throughout this year, every red carpet lip pout or glam model pucker will be the gentle reminder I need to think about those women and check back in to see who could make another $25 go farther than I could ever imagine.  
So, happy women’s day and may our eyes and our ears be opened by a little red lipstick.