YOUR QUILT

“The true worth of a race must be measured by the character of its womanhood” (Mary McLeod Bethune).

When preparing to write this piece for the March R’ebel of the Month I began to think of some of my favorite women in history in order to connect to Women’s History Month. Women such as Sojourner Truth, Louisa Mae Alcott, Barbara Jordan, Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou and countless others came to mind. All were [are] powerful, hardworking visionary women who had a way with people as well as a way with words. As a little girl who loved to read and the power of language, I often imagine myself writing a great novel or speaking to great crowds one day, and I believed that the women were my personal coaches, instructing me on what to say, how to say it, how to carry myself and the snappy comebacks I should have to outsmart the hecklers. Then I began to think of the women in my life who have inspired me to just be myself because myself is just that beautiful, strong and important.

I would like to call them my “patchwork quilt.” Each one is a vibrant piece of my life that have in their own way, contributed to the collective force that has moved me forward through the highs and lows of life.  These women are my great grandmothers, my grandmother, my mothers, my friends of past and present, my enemies (they helped me too!), strangers with kind words and women I admire but have never met before. I am an important piece too.

Women’s History Month is about reflecting on the contributions of women throughout the ages and making sure we take responsibility for building up the womanhood and leaving it in a better state for future generations. I believe this month should also be about recognizing the women in our lives who have taken the small steps to contribute to a dream that was not their own, just so they could see another woman beat the odd and succeed.

We should take time to thank those that have guided and carried us, listened to us, accepted us and for influencing our paths and future history in the world. It has become all too common for women to be pitted against one another, to be set up to knock each other down, to compete for things that do not matter or even exist, I urge you to do what you can to end this in your life and honor the womanhood.  Think about what your quilt would look like. Envision the shapes, colors, patterns and stitching that have influenced swathed your life. Thank these women and be appreciative of their histories as well as your own.

Peace. Love. R’ebellion

- Ishshah