Monday Motivator: Happy Birthday, Helen

Today is the birthday of Helen Reddy, best known for her anthem "I Am Woman," which was a major motivator to women in the seventies looking to secure equal rights. Now the song eventually became something of a cliche and was played in later years as a mockery of itself. However, the message is a powerful one, even if the tune is a bit dated.
Reddy wrote the song herself after looking for a positive song lifting up the power of women and being unable to find one. Even though the song is called "I Am Woman," anyone who is currently being alienated from their "inalienable" rights - or even anyone who's feeling a bit like life's got them down - can find meaning in the words.

I am woman, hear me roar

In numbers too big to ignore

And I know too much to go back an' pretend
'cause I've heard it all before
And I've been down there on the floor
No one's ever gonna keep me down again

Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman

You can bend but never break me
'cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
'cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul

Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman

I am woman watch me grow
See me standing toe to toe
As I spread my lovin' arms across the land
But I'm still an embryo
With a long long way to go
Until I make my brother understand

Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to I can face anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman
Oh, I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong

I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong
I am woman

And for those of us who really do dig the song:
Happy Birthday, Helen!