This poem has been said to have been written by Maya Angelou, but it is written by none other than the brilliant Pamela Redmond, New York Times-bestselling author of more than 20 books of fiction and nonfiction, including the show that I binged watched, Younger, when COVID started last March. It’s an honor to have her personally share her poem with us on EricaDiamond.com today in honor of International Women’s Day.
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ….
enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own even if she never wants to or needs to…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ….
something perfect to wear if the employer or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE …
a youth she’s content to leave behind…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ….
a past juicy enough that she’s looking forward to retelling it in her old age…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ….
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black
lace bra…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ….
one friend who always makes her laugh… and one who lets her cry…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ….
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ….
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ….
a feeling of control over her destiny…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
how to fall in love without losing herself…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without ruining the friendship…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
when to try harder… and when to walk away…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
that she can’t change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
that her childhood may not have been perfect…but it’s over…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
what she would and wouldn’t do for love or more…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
how to live alone… even if she doesn’t like it…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
whom she can trust,
whom she can’t,
and why she shouldn’t
take it personally…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
where to go…
be it to her best friend’s kitchen table…
or a charming inn in the woods…
when her soul needs soothing…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
what she can and can’t accomplish in a day…
a month…and a year…
Pamela Redmond
—————-
ABOUT
Pamela Redmond is the New York Times-bestselling author of more than 20 books of fiction and nonfiction, including Younger, the novel that’s the basis for Darren Star’s hit TV show. She’s also the cofounder and CEO of Nameberry, the world’s largest baby name website with 7 million monthly visitors. She published her first novel, created her first website, got divorced, moved from New Jersey to Los Angeles, and changed her name from Pamela Redmond Satran, all after the age of 50. The mother of three and grandmother of one, Redmond’s website is pamelaredmond.com. Her sequel to Younger is called Older, and was released last September.
