A Woman's Place

Hey World Changers! This is a very special month. Yes, it is Women’s History Month, thank you for bringing that up. Yes, this month we also celebrate International Women’s Day, and while I will spare you my playlist (Hey Beyonce, Hey Cynthia Erivo!), I cannot let the month pass without spreading just a lil bit of “#girlpower and nod to #courageouswomen everywhere. Somebody cue the Wonder Woman? theme song!! Ok, ok maybe later, but I can barely contain my exuberance, my excitement for the future of the femdom. Ladies, let me talk to you for a minute.

Accept

While there are very many things that need our attention in the world, wrongs to right, stories to tell, and mountains to climb, I urge us to take a step back. More accurately, we need to step up to a higher vantage point to get out of the muck of the news cycle and the wash cycle (is it laundry day?) and the never-ceasing drum of problems. Ok, NOW cue the Wonder Woman? theme song! How might we ensure that women have a seat at the table, at EVERY table? First, let's realize that you personally Shelly, do not have to sit at every table. Give Irina, Amara, Madhu, and Tameka a seat. I have a mission to empower 1000 women to empower 100 women. Globally. That may be one million but I will not singularly touch these women. I will empower the women who will teach others who will serve yet more. I said Wonder Woman?, not Super Woman?. There are no trophies for topped off or badges for burned out. Let your sister help you. Work together, #createdontcompete, and remove the scarcity mindset. Another woman's shine doesn't dim your brilliance. #collaborationisqueen

When I talk about acceptance, I do not mean resignation, Queen. No, it is clarity. As the beautiful Dr. Maya Angelou said, “when people show you who they are, believe them”. We need a solution mindset. Accept the fact that some things suck (technical term). To truly see them for what they are, we have to pick ourselves up first, get to a clearer vantage point. See the things for what they could be and map out a plan to get there.

Calibrate

There are some really horrible things, and yes, some horrible people in the world. People that will try to speak over you, speak for you, or just ignore you. You owe them nothing. One more time for the people in the back, you owe them nothing! I serve unapologetically from my joy and genius and encourage other women to do the same. That means being authentically you even when (especially when) it is uncomfortable to do so. Not everyone is going to like you, sing your praises, or dance to the beat of your drum. In other shocking news, water is wet.

If you keep waiting around for people who don't like you or don't think they need you to acknowledge you, you're gonna need a Snickers. I wouldn't sign up for that class. There is something that moves you, that lights you up, that you know like the back of your hand. You don't need validation, you need forward motion. SO WHAT if you have to go back to school, so what if you only have 3 years of experience, not 10, so what if, if, if, if. If you need to make a change to the plan, that does not mean you have to change the goal. Alter, tweak, fine-tune if you need to, but keep that same energy.

Transform

Know that you will be tried. Life is not easy, and pioneers have to get crafty. Steel yourself with the knowledge that not only are you not alone (look to the countless women before you who have done what seemed impossible), you are fearfully and wonderfully made. That's scripture for #yougotthis! There is no task before you that you can not meet, no weapon formed against you shall prosper. Like the chrysalis, you sometimes have to go get still and quiet and break down all that you thought you know to spring forth with new wings, and a renewed mind. Sometimes "I am", is a full sentence. Get some perspective if you need it. Think of every time that you thought you couldn't do something and recall how good it felt when you did. Remember that for every time you didn't "win" you persisted, and that got you right here, right now, this moment.

A.C.T.ion

Once you are seeing things clearly and have decided which battles to gear up for and which cards to hold on to, do SOMETHING, do anything, do ONE thing that moves you closer to your dreams, makes your ancestors proud, fulfills some part of your personal vision for your life. It doesn't have to be big, but it has to be you. It has to move the needle on something you care about. Success loves speed. Courage follows action, not the other way around.

Little girls who dream of tomorrow are waiting for you to show them how to rise today. Life is a series of moments. What will you do with yours?

I am Malaika Simmons, daughter of Cynthia Banks, granddaughter of Joyce Cook, great-grandaughter of Marie Jenkins, great-great-granddaughter of Josephine Lassiter. I stand on the shoulders of giants. I am the dream of my ancestors. I am.

*Not affiliated with Wonder Woman?, Marvel?, or the Marvel? Cinematic Universe but I mean, seriously, I do own a pair of golden cuffs…don’t try me.

With Gratitude Always,