In Tupac Shakur’s rap song, “Keep Ya Head Up” he says, “since we all came from a woman, got our name from a woman and our game from a woman, I wonder why we take from our women?” He later in the song says, “I think it’s time to heal our women, be real to our women. I know your fed-up ladies but keep your head up.” There has never been a more important time for us as women to keep our heads up. A woman’s womb is the cradle of civilization. From her very being comes generation after generation and without us the world would stop. With our significance why do we struggle so much with our place and value? We as women should not be limited to the kitchen table, we belong at all tables and our voices heard.
History has not been fair in telling, “Her-story.” Women have been left out of the history books for centuries. It was not until the 1970s that educators started talking about their accomplishments and making sure students were getting this knowledge. However, it would not be until 1986 when Congress declared March as National Women’s History Month. Women are the backbone of not only the family but also of society. As the saying goes, behind every good man stands a just as good (or greater) woman. This March let us remember to not only share about all the wonderful accomplishments made by women but also thank the women in your life for all they contributed to helping make your life a better place.
Right now, there are women and organizations fighting to have a Black woman placed on the Supreme Court of the United States. There are many qualified women such as Sherrilyn Ifill, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, Melissa Murray, and Michelle Alexander to name a few. The highest court in the land was established in 1789 and it would take over two centuries before a Black woman would even be considered. Now is the time. Let us value their efforts and abilities.
I think it is important for women to understand, know, and embrace their worth at an early age. I have worked with women of all ages, and I have learned the sooner young girls are able to grasp their worth the higher they will be able to climb and achieve the goals they have dreamed of. We need to sow positive seeds into their lives so they can grow into their full potential. When we invest time and energy in our young people today, it will pay dividends tomorrow. We need to let our girls know that they do not need a man to complete them. They can create their own future and they are responsible for their own well-being and happiness. When we as women know our true value, we will not allow people in our life who do not value us. We must no longer accept or settle for less than what we deserve. A woman who knows her value will love and respect herself and not depend on someone else to validate her.
Each week during the month of March I will highlight a different woman and share how she not only touched my life but also about the various accomplishments they have contributed. It is my hope that sharing a little about each of them will inspire other women and girls to believe in themselves and to know that we all have something to give that will be part of our legacy. For over two decades my family has dedicated time and resources to helping build up the self-esteem and confidence of girls with the hopes of helping them become great women and know their value. You can do the same.
Healing Without Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on.
Visit www.WendyGladney.com and www.forgivingforliving.org to learn more. Wendy is a life strategist, coach, consultant, author, and speaker.