The Higginbotham’s – Sanibel Island, Florida – 2019
The phone was ringing. I noticed it was my oldest son calling. “Guess What?” he started. “What?” I answered. “I get six weeks of paid paternity leave once the baby is born. “Wow!” I exclaimed, “That’s a great amount of time off. Your father had to use one week of his two-week vacation allotment when you were born,” I told him.
I remember feeling lucky when this son was born by cesarean section because it meant I had eight weeks of maternity leave as opposed to only six weeks. Those two extra weeks meant I got to spend more time with my newborn, not someone else. I never knew until he entered the world with big brown eyes that I’d fall instantly in love with him and want to mother him as long as possible.
Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham – 2010
In those days, my goal was to climb the corporate ladder as far as possible. I was always ambitious, and leading was a natural skill of mine. But as soon as I saw his face, and eventually the face of his brother three years later, my heart changed and I left the ladder behind and became a woman entrepreneur; a career that allowed me to do what I loved to do – event planning – and be a mother.
My husband would leave for his corporate job every morning wishing he could stay home to help or play, but that wasn’t possible due to finances. He had to work. He didn’t have paid time off. He only had two weeks of vacation. He had no flexibility. Who would have known 32 years later, his first son would be able to do what he couldn’t do.
The Higginbotham’s – Thomas’ Wedding – 2022
“Thomas, I am so glad you get that much time off. It is because of the advocates – both men and women – who fought to change human resource benefits for both genders,” I told him. “I wish we had that option when you were born. Enjoy your daughter when she gets here as long as you can.”
Today’s Wednesday Wisdom is a simple reminder that we have the power to make the world a better place for the generations to follow. It might involve marching, signing petitions, advocating to politicians, raising our voices, sharing our thoughts, and more to make change happen. Sometimes change happens, and sometimes it doesn’t, but it won’t if we don’t work at it.
Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham and the best women’s advocate Billie Jean King – 2018
I can’t wait to see my son hold his daughter for the first time this August and beam at him and this wonderful opportunity he has to share the most important moments of his young daughter’s life with her. Keep advocating, women, and Happy Mother’s Day to those celebrating the holiday.
Women TIES 