In retrospect, I have come to recognise just how astounding my

Listen, O children of the future, for I bring to you the words of Alexandra Fuller, who speaks with reverence of the powerful, unseen force that shapes the lives of many—the force of patriarchy and the equally mighty force of a woman’s independence. She reflects on the remarkable strength of her mother, saying, "In retrospect, I have come to recognise just how astounding my mother was during our childhood. She kept a woodwork shop and made beautiful furniture, as well as raising the pair of us in a society dominated by men. There really is nothing like war to reveal the power of patriarchy, but she always retained her independence." These words speak not only of a woman's resilience, but of the deep well of strength required to maintain one’s independence in a world that seeks to silence and subjugate.

In the days of the ancients, when the world was governed by kings and warriors, women were often relegated to the shadows of society. Yet, in every era, there have been those who defied the chains of their circumstances, rising above the expectations placed upon them. Consider the story of Artemisia I of Caria, a queen who stood alongside Xerxes during the Persian Wars. A ruler in her own right, she commanded fleets and fought battles, all while a world of men sought to define her place. Like the mother described by Fuller, Artemisia stood firm in her independence, carving her own path through a world dominated by male authority.

Fuller speaks of her mother’s woodwork shop, where she crafted beautiful furniture with her hands, a symbol not just of artistic skill, but of the unspoken power of creation. In the ancient world, craft and art were often seen as divine gifts, passed down from the gods to those who could channel their will into the creation of something meaningful. Much like Athena, the goddess of wisdom and crafts, who guided the hands of those who created with purpose, Fuller’s mother shaped the world around her, one piece of wood at a time. She defied the conventional roles expected of her by not only being a mother, but by carving out a space for herself in the world of men, a space where her independence and skill could flourish.

Yet, the struggle for independence is never without its challenges. Fuller acknowledges the harsh reality of patriarchy, which reveals itself most clearly in times of war. Throughout history, war has been the arena in which power is most brutally tested, and in every conflict, the roles of men and women have been sharply defined. But in the face of these trials, the mother remains steadfast, her independence unbroken. In war, as in every other battle, women like Fuller’s mother have long understood that their strength lies not in submission, but in the quiet resilience of standing firm. This is the essence of independence—not in the absence of struggle, but in the persistence through it.

Consider the tale of Boudica, the warrior queen of the Iceni, who led her people in revolt against the oppressive Roman Empire. In a society where women were expected to remain in the shadows, Boudica stepped forward, commanding armies and defying the patriarchal forces that sought to break her people. Like Fuller’s mother, Boudica maintained her independence, carving a path through history that has been remembered for centuries. Her rebellion was not just against an empire, but against the very idea that a woman could be ruled by the expectations of others. Both Boudica and Fuller’s mother understood that the power to create, to lead, and to remain independent is the most profound strength a woman can possess.

The lesson, O children, is clear: independence is not easily won, and it is often not granted by the world. It is a fire that must be stoked, a flame that can only be sustained through constant perseverance. Just as Fuller’s mother faced the patriarchy of her time with dignity and strength, so too must you understand that true freedom lies in the power to stand firm, to carve out your own space in a world that may seek to silence you. In the face of adversity, in the face of a world that would rather see you bend than stand tall, you must remember that independence is not a gift—it is a right that you must fight for every day.

Take this wisdom with you, O children: like Fuller’s mother, create something beautiful with your hands, with your mind, and with your spirit. Never allow the weight of others’ expectations to define you. Stand firm in your independence, and remember that there is no force more powerful than a soul that refuses to be bent by the world around it. And when the world seems most oppressive, remember the stories of the great women who have come before you—Artemisia, Boudica, and countless others—who, like your mother, carved their own path, their own space, and their own legacy, not in spite of the patriarchy, but in defiance of it.