As an African American woman, my hair is unique. I can use a small bundle of my locks to pick up the other hair on the floor; this is how I clean up my bathroom during wash day. I grab a few from my comb and use them to pick the other hairs up off the floor without touching them. Our hair is like a magnet, and it tells a lot about our genetic make-up, and I believe the biggest tell of African American women’s hair is that we, too, are a magnet for each other. We can become a bundle that encourages and inspires others.
This week, as I watch the historical confirmation hearing of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, I am reminded of the struggles we face not only as women but also as African American women. It also reminded us we all need daily encouragement. As women, we sometimes hide our true feelings behind a mask. However, behind those masks are hidden tears, tears of being misunderstood, tears of being treated differently, tears of being of our accomplishment and capability being ignored or misused, tears of being taken for granted, just a volume of hidden tears that society causes us to shed. The mask is soaked; the heart is heavy. Yet, by the grace of God, we are still here fighting.
Sisters, we are in this together! As African American women, we face many challenges and obstacles. But with unity and sisterhood, we can uplift and encourage each other to be the best we can be. We have a history of some inspiring and powerful black women who have achieved greatness. Let us use our past to unite and empower each other! There are so many ways in which we can do this. We can start by sharing our stories and listening to each other. We can also offer help and advice when needed. And we can lift each other when we feel down. By coming together and supporting each other, we can achieve anything! Like the African proverb reminds us, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
One of the greatest gifts we can give to women everywhere is to pray for each other. Even if you are not a religious person, you can still pray for the women in your life, the women you see on social media, the women that you are reading about in the news. Just grab your pen and get their names and pray for a sister. Prayer is the most powerful weapon today, and when we pray with faith, there is nothing that can stand up against us. If you don’t know how to pray, start with these simple words: “God help her.” You can also ask for guidance from your spiritual leaders.
As we come to the end of Women’s History Month, let us not stop encouraging, uplifting, and empowering each other any way we can. The month may be over, but our struggles are still going strong. We can make every day a Women’s History Month by continuing to support and love each other. Let’s keep the sisterhood alive! Let’s keep the sisterhood alive! Black women encourage one another today. There is so much we have to do. We are strong, beautiful, and mighty! Let’s not allow anyone or anything to stop us from being the best we can be!
Thank you for reading, and please share this post with your sisters. Together we can make a difference!