I Didn't Know by Nasaria Suckoo Chollette
This poem is about the everyday woman, just surviving, but making the way for the rest of us to live well and ending up making creating culture.
When I was raisin up with the pink tipped cloud
And pushing through een land bush,
When I was cutting tops and plaiting thatch
And sewing baskets and making rope
And ragging rugs
When I was busy living
I didn't know that I was making History. Lord I did not know.
When I was stomping up to highland grounds in whompered feet
And waltzing over cliff rock
When I was pulling up roots and planting back
And cutting hands and mashing flesh
And boiling dumplins whole
When I was busy surviving
I didn't know that I was making History. Lord I did not know.
When I was sitting heart sore on lonely bays
Lips giving praise
When I was racked with fear and belly bawling
And hushing sobs and still smiling
And beggin that sea to give him back
When I was busy praying
I didn't know I was making History. Lord I did not know.
When I was cutting, catchin, cryin, climbing, washin, wadin, waxin, kneedin, knottin, mixin, motherin, fatherin, feedin, flingin, backin, barterin, battenin, budgetin, bakin, bearin, loving...
I didn't know I was making History. Lord I did not know.
But now that I am older, wiser, gray
I want you to know
All them suckers, trees, plants and roots you harvesting
Come from my grounds
And I am the Mother of your
Reapin, gatherin, hoardin, grazin, amassin, gleanin, grabbin,
Livinn good
I was making History. Lord I did not know
This International Women's Day, Sunday 8 March 2026, Cayman National honours the everyday women whose strength, sacrifice and resilience shaped our community. We are proud to support the voices and organisations that continue to champion women and preserve the cultural legacy they built, because when women thrive, we all gain. #GiveToGain