Happy International Women’s Day, this one is for my grandmother.

L Here - International Women's Day this year goes to my Grandmother, Francesca Caramagno, who never needed LinkedIn. She, unfortunately, passed away this past week, but am holding close to me all the things she taught me.

She was born in Brooklyn and was raised by Sicilian parents. Her first language of Italian and had to teach herself English. She was made fun of in school because of her darker skin tone and dark eyes. But this never stopped her and made her the strong Sicilian, spitfire she was. She was the definition of the American dream. While society was telling her she should stay at home and raise children, she did that while also achieving a bachelor's, masters, and then a PHD!

This woman showed me how to have courage, to be unapologetic about being myself, and have the desire to travel. She saw more in this world than people dream of. Traveled through Europe with a backpack, traveled across the country in her car, embraced New Orleans for its spunk & loved New York. I told her I was always thankful for her showing me the world, and teaching me never to settle.

One of the last things she said to me was, "Lauren, you are a great businesswoman." This may seem like a normal compliment to most, but coming from Francesca, it is one of the highest. She always turned lemons into lemonade, and I've always tried to do the same.

I think work ethic starts at home, by whom raises you and teaches you what is important.

So, cheers to you, G-MA, on International Women's Day. Thank you for spending your career in speech pathology in the public schools of New Orleans, trying to make the world a better place.

And Happy International Women's day to all the other badass women out there. Never settle!