Eve by Valerie Parente

I am every woman
who came before me.
Every moment they sacrificed
carved out a space
for my dreams.

I am every moment
a woman is believed.
Every truth they told
lays the foundation
that sets me free.

I am the truth
flawed as it may be.
Every mistake a girl makes
we feel empathy
all the way back
to our first girl, Eve.

– Valerie Parente (3-13-2026)