An ode to grandmothers on International Women's Day

Not every person worth remembering made it into the history books. Each month, the Secret Life of Canada shouts out a Canadian or Indigenous person that has had a lasting impact worth celebrating.

How much do you know about your grandmothers? What are their stories worth to you?

In a specialshout out for International Women's Day, The Secret Life of Canada asked listeners to share valued stories about the matriarchs hidden in their family histories.

These women may not have beenwritten about, or have won awards, or have achieved historic "firsts" but the people they were and the choices they madehad a hugeimpact on their communities, families and descendants.

The voice memospoured in.

We heard about awoman who hid in the woods to avoid persecution, and another who raised children alone after her husband was kidnapped, and another who defied the odds to study medicine. Whether up againstcontrolling husbands, strict social expectationsor the dangers of war, these women found ways to survive, thrive and take what control they could of their lives.

Cheers to all the grandmothers rooted in this land and all over the world. We literally wouldn't be here without them.

A sincere thanks to these grandchildren

• Margarita Valderrama Medina told us about her Colombianabuelita Helda Gutierrez de Medina.
• RohitJoseph told us about his ammaTessy Thomaswho pushed for more recycling in Bangalore, India.
• AdamCarriereacknowledged all the forgotten Metis grandmothers who lost their Indigenous status.
• Shari Robitailletold us about her French-Canadian grandma Helen Robitaille.
• Alexa Keelertold us about her bapci Anna Gimonwho grew up in Russian-occupied Ukraine.
• Sylvie Browne told us about both her defiant"gramma" as well as her accomplished "granny."
• ChristinePagulayantold us about herFilipina-CanadiangrandmaConsuelo Ingente Cueto Ocreto.
• DebDonsky told us about her grandma and "love of her life," Rose (nee Rachlin) Nimon.

While we could not include all the wonderful stories we were sent, we would like to sincerely thank everyone who submitted a story.