Courageous Sister Girl

You are strong! You are smart! You are beautiful! You can do hard things! Each morning before my girls exit the truck to go into school I affirm them with these words. They are reminded of who they are and what they are capable of. Why is that necessary every single day? Well there is so much self sabotaging that infiltrates the brain. I figured it makes sense to be the loudest voice in their heads. I figured if I plant these seeds, relentlessly they will begin to wander, why does she say this everyday? This must be true. Let me allow myself the opportunity to attempt what is more challenging and if I fail, at least I know I can do hard things so let me reset, refocus and reattempt. As a result of what is being planted, the seeds take root and in season a beautiful bloom sprouts.

During this month that has been set aside as Women’s Suffrage Month, I recall a roll call of beautiful souls who have been or are “noisey” women in our society, meaning they are making strides in their leadership, careers, relationships, parenting, and community; Cicely Tyson, Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Shirley Chisholm, Marcia Fudge, Stacey Abrams, Nina Simone, Ruth Bader-Ginsberg, Gabrielle Douglas, Simone Biles, Venus and Serena Williams, Michelle Obama, Kamala Harris, Jill Biden, Laura Bush, Martha Dennis, Gloria Powell, Jennifer Dennis, Mary Payne, Melody Clark, Yvette Hughes, Helen Pruitt, Donna Doss, Rolandria Fields, Natalie Ezell, Candy Caster, Candace Kinley, Candice Miller, Courtney Cook, Kimberly Davis, Kimberly Johnson, Jessica Reed, Dr. Rutha Carr, Dr. Gwendolyn Neal, Janell Hankerson, Earlean Lyons, Pamela Helton, Jennifer Guerra, Mary Katherine Stout, Nancy Wilson, Dr. Jessica Ruffin, Tikeila Rucker, Tamera Whitelow-Watkins, Erin Do, Angela Christian, Gina Jones, Jackqueline Adams, Monecia Caston, Mary Farmer, Harmony Harlmon, Velinda Humphreys, LaToya Hughes, Lakeicha Coleman, Tamika Chatman, Forrestine Covington, Latishia Bowden, Catina Jackson, Gloria Cage, Valerie Orr, Teairra Hunter, Bridget Crutchfield, all of the incredible women of Brown Missionary Baptist Church, all of my St. Mary’s School mommy sister girlfriends, and all of my Devastating Sisters of the best sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

During my reflection I recognized the common thread among these ladies. The spirit of self love and compassion for others, whether exuded both qualities or either of the two, these trailblazing women are undoubtedly fierce, fabulous and the blueprint to keep in your pocket while building your life. Throughout decades, women have been overlooked in the workforce, overworked in the home, undervalued within society. Needless to say, a unified voice, perseverance and persistence has changed the trajectory of a woman’s ability to become the CEO of a company or her own company. Women, today are SHEros found maintaining a home, rearing children, loving her husband, involving herself within the ministry and the community, fighting injustices, leading in board meetings, starting businesses, and caring for herself gracefully, simultaneously.

Oftentimes, I have asked the question, “How does she do it all?” She does it all with style and grace. She does it all willingly and valiantly. She does it all with purpose in her heart and drive in her soul. Personally, I believe, if it is to be done, make sure there is a courageous sister girl on the team. She is focus. She is bold. She is driven. She is control. She is powerful. She is delicate. She is precious. She is necessary. She is grit. She is grace. She is faith. She is taking care of herself all while doing so. So much love to all of the Women in the world. You are strong! You are smart! You are beautiful! You can do hard things!