All my life, the presence of strong women has been the defining characteristic of my family. This quickly became clear to me as I watched my mother while growing up. She was a single mother who exemplified resilience, independence, and unwavering strength. Following in her footsteps, I watched my older cousin take on the role of a single mother as well, embodying the same qualities that I had long admired in my own mother. She was young and trying to figure it out day by day but she was STRONG. Four kids later and she still is!
The lineage of strong women in my family runs deep, as even my cousin's mother was a single mother, and also a mother figure to me. If there's one person in this world that you can't tell me anything about it's my "Nanny." If you know me, you know this but I digress.
In the absence of male figures to lead the way, the women in my family stepped up and took charge, showing me by example what it means to be a leader in your own right. While there were men in my family, it was the women who held the reins and set the tone for how things were done. They led not out of a desire to dominate, but out of necessity and capability. Witnessing the way they navigated challenges and guided our family with grace and strength, I understood that true leadership knows no gender and is defined by merit and character. Being surrounded by a tribe of alpha females has shaped me in profound ways, molding me into the person I am today. Their collective strength, resilience, and perseverance have inspired me to embrace my own power and to never shy away from challenges. I learned that being a strong woman and a capable mother were not just choices, but inherent aspects of my identity. I am proud to carry on the legacy of these remarkable women, knowing that their influence will always guide me as I navigate the journey of life.
Malcolm X once said that the most hated person in America is the black woman. Well, my family currently has FOUR living generations of strong black women.
Of course each generation carries with it a unique set of experiences, struggles, and triumphs that have shaped our identities and perspectives but one thing remains the same. WE ARE NOT TO BE PLAYED WITH! We are all different in many ways but that fiery spirit of pushing forward and not be overcome by trials and tribulations burns within each and everyone of us. Even little Jazira is already a force to be reckoned with and I love that for her. Honestly, I love it for all of us. I won't lie, we may be hard for most men to deal with which is why most of us are currently single but one thing is for sure and two things for certain, any man whom finds a wife in one of us is a lucky man indeed. They don't make em' like us anymore. Love you ladies!!!
Here are a few more of the strong and influential women in my family that are not in the pictures above but had to be recognized!
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