"A woman has strength and vulnerability. She is capable of balancing life because of her resilience. She is soft and she's also a hardass - depending on the situation. She nurtures and she cares. She knows that loving is not easy but she loves with all her soul. She supports, encourages, and motivates. She faces bias and discrimination with grace. She has her boundaries. She has integrity and carries herself with dignity, She believes in herself. She's a light to someone's darkness. She humbles herself before her God, She protects her own. A woman can defend herself and her loved ones, She can stand on her own. She doesn't need someone to complete her. She will stand in front of her other half and her loved ones, she knows when to stand behind and most times have someone stand behind her. She doesn't take shit from anybody. When she loves, she loves deeply. She can forgive. I am Resilient. I am proud of my ability to be nonjudgmental. I watch people's body language and listen to their tone of voice. I can see right through bullshit, though. Or just plain adaptable. I would like women to not be afraid of setting boundaries. They need to dig deep inside of them to know that they are only as good as they make themselves to be. They need to be able to defend themselves physically yet have the courage to be vulnerable and let someone take care of them. Hold their head up, walk the talk. Learn everything and train. Never stop learning. There's no such thing as "I can't because I don't know."Ignorance is not and excuse. Learn to hold on and when to let go. Be proud of what's been accomplished. Follow your heart and listen to your head. Balance both. Know your passion. Know your truth. It's your story to tell."
Melissa Buot-Favazza
Age: 58
Occupation: Private Tutor & Volunteer