Strong Women in Action

Today is International Women's Day!

I am so very fortunate to know so many amazing and wonderful women and to have been able to intertwine myself into such an amazing network of supportive women.

Today, I want to focus on these amazing women.

This may sound very strange to some, but I am very grateful for having found the a4cwsn community.
(I know, some of you don't believe me at all about this, but it is what it is. I have always said that iPad or not, I am most grateful for the amazing friendships I gained and I still to this day stand behind that 100%. It was never just about an iPad, or just apps to me, and to many others.)

I was able to virtually meet some of the most inspirational women I've ever known in my life. Advocates in the true sense of the word.
They don't just advocate for their own family either. They advocate for mine, yours, anyone who crosses their paths that may require it.

These are women of action.

When a4cwsn asked for something to happen, they made it happen.  When the 50/50/50 fundraising began, a4cwsn had an idea to ask individual app developers to support the cause. It was asked that a4cwsn members go to their facebook pages and ask them to donate.

 

 

 

 

 

Many responded and happily donated to the cause.

 

Obviously, these are just a few examples. This also isn't the only work that these women did.  They also blogged, and another mom held a huge fundraiser at her daughters school.  It was dubbed the iCheer For Special Needs Kids event.

Linky-do for full article

 

The iCheer event raised 10k.
Lois Annette Smith donated 3 iPads for the 50/50/50 campaign (in total she donated $2,269.00, WOW!).

These are nothing but a small example of the work that these women have done for a4cwsn.
Not only did they help a4cwsn owner, Gary James, expand and grow the page.
They helped members on the facebook page. Finding them apps that would work with their children, supporting each other during difficult and stressful times. Giving ideas, encouragement and sometimes just a virtual shoulder to cry on.  Cheering and laughing with the good times. We became like a family.

These women should not be vilified. They should be applauded.
They had friends, family, therapists join this mission, they had developers jump on board to support this cause. They made a4cwsn what it was (and please, don't try to tell me it's the same or better now. You'll never know because you didn't have an opportunity to experience it! Its now just a shadow of what it once was.)

I am so proud and honoured to call these ladies my friends.  They have not only endurance that Superman would be jealous of but they also have dignity and class.  (That's not to say they do not have the ability to curse like sailors when need be). When they see something that does not make sense, they don't just sit back. They ask questions. They don't do something just because it's the popular or easy thing to do. They do not stand idly by and watch something bad happen while not saying a word. They speak out.  Despite the attempts at intimidation and the threats.

I love you ladies. Thank you for taking the time to reach out to me when I and many others were new at a4cwsn.  Thank you for being strong for myself and others during times when we could not. Thank you for finding the joy and happiness in life. Thank you for sharing and celebrating it not only with me but with all of those around you.