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YOU! HAVE THE POWER | Dr. Ellen Brown

March 19, 2019 by  
Filed under Community

Women making history ‘first’

BY DR. ELLEN BROWN

DR. ELLEN BROWN

March is Women’s History Month, which became nationally recognized in 1987. April is Black Women’s History Month. Not there quite yet, but on its way to national recognition.

So many women have toiled, cried, marched, sat and shouted for their voices to be heard; but not for themselves. It was always for their people, children and futures. Women are always looking for a better way of life for others.

Who are some of these women? What did they accomplish? Was it “measurable”? Was it “on the agenda”? Were they “properly attired for the occasion?”

For most of them, it was just something that needed to be done. For most of them it was the result of them sitting down and not moving because “I’m just tired and something has got to change!”

These women had a cause, or a gift, or a need and with that they set out to just go and get it done. I wonder how often they were alone? Afraid? Hungry? In danger? Cold? Short on cash? Pregnant? They could not wait for someone else to pick up the cross — it had to be done, and they just did it. Many are still doing it.

The list is long and that is a good thing! It is still growing today with “firsts” coming fast and furious. During this month, why not create your own list of Black women whose names should be on this list? She may be in your family, workplace, church, neighborhood. She may be someone you only know from media. She may even be YOU!

Let’s say their names — and where my list ends, yours can begin: Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Fannie Lou Hamer, Mary McLeod Bethune, Marian Anderson, Shirley Chisholm, Althea Gibson, Dorothy Height, Phillis Wheatley, Charlotte Ray, Madam C.J. Walker, Butterfly McQueen, Mary Church Terrell, Rosa Parks, Ruby Dee, Aretha Franklin, Ida B. Wells, Hannah Brown, Sarah Ann Knight Preddy, Anna Bailey, Dee Dee Jasmine, Josephine Baker, Zora Neale Hurston, Daisy Bates, Coretta Scott King, Aretha Franklin, Angela Davis Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Carol Moseley Braun, Gladys Knight, Dr. Linda Young, Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama Serena & Venus Williams, Mae Jemison, Beyonce! Who is on YOUR list?

Think of the women today who are just doing what needs to be done. Support them and let them know you care and see their vision. And then take a page from their playbook and empower your own self. Because YOU! HAVE THE POWER.

Ellen writes on political topics that encourage interest, discussion and action. Have a comment, question or idea? Contact Dr. Brown at ebrown.nci@gmail.com.

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