Ganbatte is a Japanese phrase of encouragement made of two characters: gan, which means stubborn or firm, and batte, which means stretch or extend. It's difficult to translate the phrase well, but it conveys the idea of standing firm, doing your best, working with perseverance and tenacity, and committing to finishing a difficult task.

Although the phrase is in the form of a command, it's used in a positive, sympathetic, supportive way. In English we might say, "Hang in there!", "Do your best!", or "Good luck!", but ganbatte is a combination of all three rolled into one. My sisters and I learned this phrase when we lived in Japan. Since we were children, there was much giggling and the phrase quickly evolved into "gummy-butt". That was more than 50 years ago, and it's stayed "gummy-butt" in our family lexicon to this day.


"Wherever women gather togather failure is impossible."
-- Atrtibuted to Susan B. Anthony

This quotation is a distillation from part of the speech that Susan B. Anthony gave on Feb. 15th, 1906 at the 38th Annual Convention of the National American Woman Suffrage Association.

"I never saw that great woman, Mary Wollstonecraft, but I l have read her eloquent and unanswerable arguments in behalf of the liberty of womankind. I have met and known most of the progressive women who came after her - Lucretia Mott, the Grimké sisters, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucy Stone - a long galaxy of great women. I have heard them speak, saying in only slightly different phrases exactly what I heard these newer advocates of the cause say at these meetings. Those older women have gone on and most of those who work with me in the early years have gone. I am here for a little time only and then my place will be filled as theirs was filled. The fight must not cease; you must see that it does not stop.

There have been others also just as true and devoted to the cause - I wish I could name every one - but with such women consecrating their lives, failure is impossible!"

Today the Women's March organization carries on with the same spirit. Their vision statement says "Women's March is building a base of feminists to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression. By 2050, we will be a feminist-led movement that ensures anyone and everyone has the freedom to lead empowered lives in safety and security in their bodies, in their communities, and throughout the country." You can learn more about them and how you can help, at www.womensmarch.com.