If you have been attending your classes for the past few weeks, have eyes, and have not had your face buried in your phone, you may have seen random post-it notes posted all around campus. These post-its proclaim everything from Emma Watson quotes to inspirational phrases (but really, is there a difference?). The Kappa Delta women of John Carroll have been handwriting and posting these little messages in celebration of International Women’s Friendship Month.
What is this holiday? It celebrates female friendship throughout the entire month of September. It was conceived back in 1999 by Kappa Delta Sorority as “National Women’s Friendship Day” and was later expanded to include the whole month of September in 2009. The basic premise of this holiday is to take time to show appreciation for all the female friends you have in your life. Why? Because the friendship between women is something special (no offense, treasured guy friends). Female friends will talk for hours on end when a friend needs to vent; offer advice on everything from clothing purchases to switching majors; and work out together before immediately making a B-line for Ben and Jerry’s because it was well deserved. A female friend will pick up the phone at 2:30 in the morning when your life is falling apart and not hold it against you if they have an 8 a.m. class that same day. And, most of all, a female friend will be there for you during the best days of your life as well as the worst, and that is what makes women’s friendship so special.
So how does one celebrate International Women’s Friendship month? Well, we have some suggestions: Have a movie night with your best gal pals filled with popcorn, ice cream, and all the Nicholas Sparks/John Hughes movie you can take! Go out to brunch and catch up with a female friend with whom you’ve had a falling out. Surprise a stressed out friend with coffee and chocolate. Have an at home spa day with manicures, facials, cucumbers—the works! Call an important woman in your life, such as a mother, aunt, or grandmother, and thank them for inspiring you.
No matter how you celebrate, take the time this month to remind your female friends just how much they mean to you and how you would not trade their friendship for anything in the world!