women warrriors

Warrior Woman

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This week at the Carrot Ranch Charli Mills has challenged writers to In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about warrior women. It can be myth or everyday mothers and wives. Go where the prompt leads.

Warrior Women flash fiction challenge from the Carrot Ranch

A warrior is defined as a brave and experienced fighter, a soldier perhaps. While most of us will never be called upon to face the enemy on a battlefield, many will struggle to overcome obstacles of different kinds in their personal lives.

From a young age, children must be encouraged to find their inner strength, to overcome challenges large and small, to be resilient when faced with setbacks, to be confident to try again and to persist even when the going gets tough.

This is as true for boys as it is for girls, but sometimes it feels easier to encourage boys to be adventurous and girls to be sweet and demure. That this is changing is a good thing.

In response to Charli’s prompt, I looked for a warrior a little closer to home. I hope you like it.

Gertrude the Invincible

With flaming hair streaming and eyes blazing, Gertrude stood at the apex surveying the land, her land.  With one hand on a hip and the other raised high, she hurled her words into the wind.

“I did it. I am the conqueror. You,” she pointed expansively with her spear, “are now my subjects. You do my bidding.”

The minions bowed before her.

“I am in-vinc-i-ble!”

“Gertie! Pick up your toys and come inside now. It’s dinner-time,” called Dad from the door.

Gertie complied. Even warriors need to eat. There’d be more conquests and enemies for Gertrude to vanquish tomorrow.

Note: Gertrude is a German name meaning spear and strength. As long as she is encouraged, I think this Gertrude will have little difficulty living up to her name (minus the spear).

Thank you blog post

Thank you for reading. I appreciate your feedback. Please share your thoughts.

49 thoughts on “Warrior Woman”

  4. calmkate

    Great story but this is super freaky … Great Aunt Nora’s [my story] sister was Gertie, short for Gertrude and your story could well be hers being reared in the wilds of Royal National Park decades before it became a NP!

    Liked by 1 person

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      1. calmkate

        lol they are both there but yours is near the top and mine is well down … great posts but seems so much violence to me but then that’s the image a word like warrior summons …

        Liked by 1 person

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  5. Charli Mills

    Oh, Norah, I was so tickled to see my image on the same spread as my hero Maya Angelou! You are my writing Warrior Sister, my fellow on the battlefield of life’s challenges and ever pursuing that elusive “not yet.” You are certainly among the greatest champions I know for education! I got fired up with your young warrior and know she will conquer more. Thank you!

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Norah Post author

      I’m pleased you enjoyed seeing your image on the montage. I think we need a montage of all the buckaroos – each one a warrior in their own way.
      Yep, I think I’m stuck in the ‘not yet’ and I think I’ll be here forever. But that’s okay, learning is important to me cause I’m a life-long learner. There’ll always be something else to learn and something more to achieve.
      Our young warrior is going to change the world! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. Charli Mills

        I love that idea! You are so right — we have heroes for education, heroes for memories, heroes for imagination, heroes for puns — The Avengers of Literary Art! Maybe you’ve read this before, but I recently read that “We are old when we stop learning.” Let’s stay forever young!

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  6. Jules

    There are many ways to encourage young people to share their gifts and knowledge, even or especially those attributes that they maybe unaware of. I believe we all can learn from Gertie.
    As in fuel yourself so you can inspire others. One can be a gentle leader as I believe most educators are. Even those who may not have the paper stating so.

    Wonderful collage too!

    Liked by 3 people

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    1. Norah Post author

      I appreciate the thoughts you’ve added to this post, Jules. Yes, we do need to appreciate each other’s gifts and knowledge, especially the hidden ones. Those who lead through inspiration rather than force are the greatest.

      Liked by 1 person

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  8. Steven

    I wonder what she overturned in her battle. Although not a warrior as such, your post reminded me that the most successful pirate in history was a woman from China. I believe that she ruled over more vessels than any other sovereign navy at the time.

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Norah Post author

      Thanks for that interesting piece of information, Steven. I just Googled it, as you knew I would. I hadn’t heard of Ching Shih before and was surprised to see how recently she ruled and how many ships and men. I hope my little Gertie doesn’t grow up to live a life like that. 🙂

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  10. TanGental

    well, I think we need a support group for the toys, frankly…. what a tyrant! But, hey, if it turns her into a feisty warrior who’ll go out and JUST DO IT, then a few depressed lego pieces in therapy is a small price to play

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Norah Post author

      Ah the toys. But who know what side they’ll be on or what role they’ll have tomorrow. 🙂
      I love the thought of those depressed lego pieces in therapy. I hope you write that story. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. Norah Post author

      I hope that the photo wasn’t showing up because you looked at the post on your cell phone at the exact moment I took down the montage with an error and replaced it with a corrected version. 🙂 Please, let me know if it’s still not showing up.
      Other than that, I appreciate your comment. Thank you. 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

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  12. Annecdotist

    Great photomontage of those various heroic women (although isn’t Mrs Pankhurst known as Emmeline?) and lovely flash to follow (although I can’t help thinking about what happens to children who don’t get the opportunity to lord it over their toys). Thanks for giving us the origins of the name Gertrude – that’s certainly due a revival with so many battles still to fight.

    Liked by 3 people

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    1. Norah Post author

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Anne. I could tell you what happens to some of those children who don’t get to lord it over their toys, but I’m sure you know all too well.
      Thanks for picking up my error with Emmeline’s name. I’m not sure what was going on there. Brain fuzz. Fixed now. 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

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  14. thecontentedcrafter

    This is a great post Norah! Love your pictorial montage with the salute to Charli who is clearly a modern day warrior. (As indeed is your good self!) Women still have a long way to go in terms of being recognised for their daily contributions to society just by bringing their feminine spirit, principles, strength and ethos to the table. All those virtues being necessary aspects of all warriors I think. And dear little Gertrude imposing her will on her world. Who among us did not play that role somehow, somewhere in our young lives. More power to her! An excellent take on this weeks challenge Norah, thank you for it.

    Liked by 3 people

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    1. Norah Post author

      Hi, Pauline. Thank you so much for your comment. I agree with you about the daily contributions of women. I was looking for something that might portray that sentiment (with stereotyping) when I found the last one of the marchers – everyday people having a say about things that are important to them. I’d thought of putting one of my mum in, but couldn’t quickly find one I liked.
      I’m pleased you liked Gertrude. I know (and knew) many little Gertrudes. Sadly, some got the power zapped out of them. Hopefully that will happen less often now.
      I appreciate your thoughts. 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

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  17. Aweni

    Absolutely lovely take on the challenge. And what a lovely tribute to all women especially those whose pictures are up there….including Charli Mills. I love that you brought it closer home…..inspiring.

    Liked by 2 people

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