Date: March, 21, 2021. Author: Kasey Osgood Dillon

We were created as equal.

And intended for radiance and dynamic influence, together. Connected. Women are incredible at sisterhood.

Some of my biggest and loudest laughs have been with my girlfriends. No doubt, my most heartfelt tears have fallen on them too. I don’t have to say a word and my sisters know what I am thinking. And no matter how old I get, my mother is the very first person I want to call when something happens, good or bad. My mother-in-law has lived a life of patience and reminds me that God is big enough for everything. My grandmother was honest, hard-working, and loved me so. And my sweet, bold, and brave 12-year-old daughter gets to witness the beauty and strength of sisterhood.

This goodness is a gift. A God-given gift that is intended to be used for life-change. The gift of sisterhood should allow us to dream bigger than we ever thought possible. It should encourage us to shine in colors brighter than we have ever seen. And it can allow us to lead in ways that are grace-filled and irresistible.

So sisters, let’s start a conversation. And then see where God takes us.

Date: March 3, 2021. Author: Kasey Osgood Dillon

I am changing the narrative, at least for today.

It is Women’s History Month and there are few things that burn deeper in my soul than equality for women, across all facets and throughout all of our human-created systems. But today I want to recognize the good men, who join us in this essential movement towards equity. OK, so before all of you feminists stop reading (I am one of you and I understand your hesitation with this), please hear me out.

There are men willing to walk side by side with us, even behind us at times, and battle against systems of oppression. These are men elevating women as equal and standing in board rooms and homes and churches claiming that patriarchy is unacceptable and wrong. They are willing to learn from us, follow us, work with us. Opposite truth. There are also men unwilling to listen to the voices of women, unwilling to respect the opinions and thoughts and leadership of half of all humanity, unable to recognize the existence of a system that places men in a position of power over women. Unchallenged leadership of the ones unable and unwilling to hear is toxic. We don’t have to look far to see loud and clear examples of this.

Ladies, if we want equality, we need these good men to work with us. Because they will. They are. I am married to one of them. I live next door to one of them. I was raised by one of them.

They stand in places, where we don’t have access or influence yet, and they challenge a broken and isolating system of power. Because they know our value, a value I believe is wholly God-given.

Globally, movement is happening. Systems of power are changing. And this is good. So good.

We need each other, both genders willing to stand and speak up, for what is right.

So, to you men asking the question, “As a man, how have I benefitted from a system of male power and leadership and how can I be part of changing this?”, thank you. Keep going. Your conviction is essential. We were created as equal.

Date: February 23, 2021. Author: Kasey Osgood Dillon

Working women – you are an incredible example of strength and patience.

This is a simple pat on the back, a toast to you, and a moment to notice.

COVID-19 has forced us all to scramble, especially those of us with children. Studies consistently show that women have largely shouldered the burden of change, demonstrated by the rate of women leaving the workforce being double that of men since the onset of the pandemic. If not leaving a job or career altogether, women have collectively reduced their hours of work to account for childcare needs, at a much higher rate than men.

Statistics count but here is the human side of what I witnessed today: a mom running a Zoom meeting for three dozen people while being handed an iPad by her young daughter. Simple right? But far from simple and so beautiful. This mom was able to toggle between mute and unmute without missing a beat. She was able to educate her daughter, show love and patience, kiss her head, and then send her “back to school” without even a pause in the meeting. Without even a pause. I also suspect (all before 9 am alone) that she answered a dozen emails, called to make an orthodontist appointment, shoveled the driveway, possibly put in a load of laundry, resolved a dispute between employees, fed the dog, ordered lightbulbs off of Amazon, talked to her mother, registered herself for Yoga, and told her other children that YouTube does not count as educational or as school (for the 986 th time this month).

I certainly do not write this to suggest that all women should be in the workplace or that women

primarily at home are not equal and amazing. Because, oh my goodness, you are! I also recognize that men and fathers have sacrificed immensely over the past year. I am an advocate for all men and women as equal. We all should be celebrated for who we are and who we were made to be.

This is my day, however, to recognize my fellow working mom’s. You are noticed. What you do is

noticed. Your contribution to your career is noticed. And your contribution at home is noticed. So here is a pat on the back and a toast to us all. And to those of you that stepped away from your career for this season, we eagerly await your return. You are necessary.

May we be each other’s greatest cheerleaders? I am changing the narrative, at least for today.