Break the Bias

I bless the matriarchs who went ahead of us, showed the way, and began to change our history. I bless the women of valor who chose to fight battles that were not really theirs but they saw the needs, the will, and the gap. I see women who chose to break the biases. I honor you. I am where I am because you chose to face the fears, I think of women like Wangari Mathai, Oprah Winfrey, Kamala Harris just to mention a few. 

When I look at women who made history, women who made changes,  I cannot help but see some similarities. These are women who made a choice not to live in the norm. They pursued what was not considered normal. They did not give up on their first attempt. They gave their best. 

They had a dream, could be a dream when they were young girls or found dreams in their adulthood. Even amidst the challenges, they still believed they were not just born to exist but they were earth-shakers. Look at someone like Tererai Trent from a child bride survivor to a Ph.D. holder. 

I see women who found their worth and fought for the spaces. They got served at the tables and when there were no seats, they bought their own chairs. There were days they did not feel enough but still, they changed the narratives afraid. They endured the pain, but regardless they moved. They knew which battles to fight. 

The truth is we live in a patriarchal society that disregards women, which makes women feel like living is a favor. It is not. Dear woman, it is time to break the bias. You are beyond the body size and the hairstyle. You are beyond the number of children you have. You are not just an experience you have gone through. You are strong-willed, you are capable of leadership positions. But, you need to rise. You need to break those biases. But the greatest thing to silence is the voice you hear inside your head, the voice that you are not worthy, you are not capable of making steps. You are not a great person. 

Silence the voices. Then move out and take up your position. 

When I feel at my lowest, I look at the mirror and I speak to the person I see and affirm her. I tell myself of the great things that I have accomplished and the progress made. 

Dear woman, as you celebrate this day, I hope you find a woman who has changed the narrative and you can draw strength from. I hope you realize that silence does not save anything or show humility. I hope you know that you were created to live in your purpose. So rise dear woman, and be who you were meant to be. Do not be afraid and when afraid still do it. Regardless of age, circumstances, experiences, trauma, RISE. Break those biases.