In this first episode of the 7 Things My Mother Gave Me series for International Women’s Day, I reflect on a simple Jamaican proverb my mother often used while I was growing up:

“One one cocoa full basket.” Little by little, the basket fills.

In this short reflection, I explore how this wisdom continues to shape how I think about growth, relationships, and the theme at the heart of this year’s International Women’s Day: Give to Gain.

Sometimes the most meaningful things we build, as in trust, knowledge, opportunity, and change, happen one small step at a time.