A Woman of Noble Character

The acrostic poem about the woman of noble character is interesting because she's not described by her beauty or her youth or her ability to seduce men. She's described by what she does - she provides for her household, she plants vineyards, she gives to the poor, she speaks with wisdom. She's valued for her character and her capability.

I was raised in a tradition that emphasized women's beauty and their role as wives and mothers. This poem includes those things but adds so much more. The woman here is an entrepreneur, a judge, a provider, a teacher. She's full and whole and valued for her complete self.

I'm trying to raise my daughter with this vision - that her value isn't in her appearance or her utility to someone else. It's in her character, her work, her contribution, her wisdom. This poem gives me language for that.