March is hands down my favorite month of the year. Each year as I draw closer to celebrating another revolution around the sun, I slow down from the daily hustle and intentionally engage in what I call "moments of reflection." Aside from it being my birthday month (and yes, I'm the type to celebrate ALL month), I love that March represents a moment to restart. The slough of Winter begins to fade away, and we can slowly begin to see the beginnings of Spring - a time filled with fresh smells and blossoming newness. I particularly love March 1st because it creates the perfect bridge between the closing of the wonderful month of February and Black History Month and starting March which is also Women's History Month.
I like to celebrate March 1st as my very own National Black Womxn's Day*. On March 1st I love to pause and reflect on the amazing contributions of Black womxn from around the world. There is no way I could possibly acknowledge every single amazing Black womxn in this post but I would be remiss to not thank the Lucys, Anarchas, and Betseys who unwillingly sacrificed their bodies to inform what we know today about gynecology and obstetrics. I hope my dedication to addressing Black maternal mental health concerns honors their too often unspoken legacy.
I also love to take the day to individually thank all the Black womxn in my life who have been instrumental along my life’s journey. It is my moment to give back all the love and support my community has shared with me throughout the past year. I know that I have grown tremendously as a Black womxn because of each and every one of these interactions. To my entire village - thank you!
Today, I challenge you to take a moment and thank a Black womxn in your life. To take it a step further, I encourage you to thank her for specific character traits you admire - not just the things she does or has accomplished. Celebrate her in a way that is unique and special to your relationship.
Looking for a community of Black womxn navigating the joys and challenges of pregnancy and postpartum? Join Moving Mamas every first and third Saturday of the month at 10 am PST. Email hello@familytreewellness.org for more information.
*Last year, GirlTrek, a Washington, D.C.- based nonprofit health movement for black women dubbed March 1st as Black Women’s Appreciation Day!
Written by Qu'Nesha Sawyer, PhD, APCC