In celebration of International Women’s Day on Thursday, March 8, the Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) invited people to share stories of our inspirational grandmothers, or #granspiration, as the Twitter hashtag frames it. What a great idea for a blog.
Writing about my grandmother, Johanna “Josie” Coll, or “Nana” as most of us called her, is a daunting challenge. She’s not the kind of woman you can easily sum up in a Twitter feed or even in my 450-ish word blog. But she is a big part of the reason that my communications and speaking practice is anchored in The Truth Strategy.
Nana rockin' the truth at her 90th birthday.
After 93 impressive years, my Nana passed away last October. It was a heart-wrenching loss. She was the quintessential matriarch — a strong, loving, wise, resourceful, generous, unifying, funny, insightful, charismatic, supportive and proud Canadian immigrant — who left Ireland in 1957 with my grandfather and their eight children. With little in their pockets, they worked to give their kids a better life than Ireland could provide and embraced a new life in Vancouver, adding one more baby to the fold.My grandparents took a courageous leap to provide their family with a better future — one that now includes 23 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild (the baby count rises almost daily).
When she passed away, I spent a lot of time thinking about what made my Nana so very special. In the simplest terms, it was this: she was honest. She told the truth — the good, the bad and, yes, the ugly. But she did it with such love, candour and sincerity that my very large Irish family and many others sought it out. Nana would always deliver honesty and expected the same in return. And no matter how tough the truth was, she always sent me off feeling like I could conquer the world.
Growing up in a world dominated by men, my Nana encouraged each of her 16 granddaughters to pursue whatever ambition they desired. She was in awe of the possibilities that Canada offered her grandchildren, thanks largely to the decision she and my grandfather made almost 60 years ago. She encouraged me to pursue every opportunity I was given and occasionally mused about what kick-ass things she would pursue if she were of my generation. These ponderings were often followed by her instructing me to “Go for it, Maure.” So I did. And I do, daily.
My Nana taught us to live each day with heart, gratitude, honesty and the powerful common sense of an Irishwoman. She was living proof that you can’t go wrong by telling the truth. And she made the best cup of tea ever. Truth.
On this International Women’s Day, I thank my Nana and all the grandmothers of the world who have shared their truth. Let’s embrace their example.
– Mo Douglas
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