Today is International Women's Day. This celebration was started in 1909 to recognize how women have worked for equality, liberty, justice and empowerment.

Locally, this is Celebration of Women Week. In that spirit, I'd like to salute three extraordinary women I've recently encountered. The first I've known about a decade, Sarah Hudson-Pierce is a local writer, a minister's wife who hosts her own talk show on the Shreveport Channel, and a woman who shows a true spirit of strength, and perseverance. Sarah has had a colorful, sometimes tragic life that involved living in foster homes and orphanages, moving all over the South as a minister's wife and facing problems head-on. She tells her story in her essays and poems, and because of her willingness to share her life with others, she has made a difference in the lives of many women.

But Sarah feels uncomfortable in setting aside a special time to celebrate women. In her essay book Southern Vignettes, she writes about Celebration of Women Week and sums it up by saying, "We will know we've arrived when we just do it, reach for our dreams, without asking or seeking permission, not whining, but reaching out for support".

Through Sarah, I had the pleasure of making an interesting discovery about another local woman I met, Janie Upscomb at Sarah's birthday party, which was held at Boulevard House just off Fairfield Avenue. Janie took a chance and followed her heart 19 years ago when she purchased a century-old Victorian house on Fairfield and turned it into a bed-and-breakfast inn. She poured time, money and her heart into renovating the house, which is now Fairfield Place. Then she bought what was formerly the Boldridge house, behind Fairfield Place and worked on renovating it into a second bed-and-breakfast. Her keen awareness of the traditions and hospitality of the past has made her a successful businesswoman. A gracious spirit and attention to detail, coupled with a love for old things, has brought Janie accolades. Her breakfast menus are legendary, and the many extra touches such as planning guests' itineraries and keeping records of previous visitors' preferences, bring people back to this New Orleans-style retreat nestled in the heart of the Highland District.

Janie has made a difference because of her ability to survive and thrive in a demanding business, during good and bad economic times. In a promotional brochure, she states "I believe that if you give people the very best and you give it personally, people will recognize it."

The third person I'd like to recognize is just becoming a woman. Her name is Sarah Michelle Gross and she is a junior at Caddo Magnet High School. Sarah recently won an essay contest sponsored by the National Women's Political Caucus of Northwest Louisiana. I was fortunate enough to help judge the contest, which asked the question "Is it or is it not important to elect more women to public office?"

Sarah believes it is important to elect women to public office. She states, "It is often claimed that women cannot be as effective office-holders as men because of their committments to their husbands and children. But this is an outlandish argument because if husbands and fathers can hold effective office, then so can wives and mothers." Amen, sister.

Whenever I get together with ohter women, I sense a knowing spirit flowing throughout our souls. Maybe it's that intuition thing, but behind the smiles and nods of encouragement, it's there.

We are fortunate to sometimes come across other women who cause tiny ripples all around them, a constant stirring of everyday celebrations. These small victories offer hope to women everywhere. So to each of the women mentioned her, I say, "You go, girl." Just do what you have to do, but make each day a celebration of how far we've come and a challenge of how far we have yet to go.