Black Girl Magic and Women’s History Month
By Tabitha Ervin,
Editorial Director
This month is Women’s History Month and also International Women’s Day will happen on March 8, 2022. We will provide some history of the month and it’s origins but also Black Girl Magic and what that means as we look to highlight and honor black women in the Fort Wayne community this month.
Every time my daughter and I are reading a book and she says, “she looks like me”, I get all warm inside. I’m sure it gives her a sense that she is important and she matters just like the girl in the book. It makes her feel seen, feel important and makes her feel beautiful.
She is in the 2nd grade and has her first black female teacher of her school career and I can’t tell you how excited that made me feel. but also the importance of strong black women being represented all around her.
The importance of honoring black girl magic and how it shows up in our lives and our children's lives matters especially as they grow up in environments where not many look like them. Representation is important and we are excited to honor black women in the community who are strong and powerful and represent black girl magic!
Jamescia Thomas, CNN
The term Black girl magic has become a way to honor achievement, beauty and strength among black women, the hashtag has also taken off in popularity.
"The concept is important because it names and identifies the ways that black women make space for themselves, celebrate themselves, and connect to each other," said Asia Leeds, an assistant professor at Spelman College in Atlanta. "I think that the various hashtags allow us to curate our magic and facilitate new connections and discoveries."
Phrases like #beingablackgirlislit #blackgirlmagic #melaninpopping are being used by black women among each other to affirm their beauty and intellectual prowess, unapologetically celebrating every inch of themselves and each other. Spelman professor Michelle Hite said it's a natural outgrowth of the way black women support each other offline.
Hite, who teaches English studies, said the phrases have become a way for black women to say, "I see you [black woman] and I see you excelling and being successful in a context that is hostile to your very presence there, which makes it all the more glorious." Hite admitted it has been her affirming relationships with black women that have made her "recovery" possible.
Many black women have to recover from the traumas they may experience simply being a black woman in today's society, according to Hite.
Womens History Month
nationaltoday.com
During the month of March, we give a little extra attention to all of the amazing accomplishments of strong, determined women. Since 1987, the United States has formally recognized March as National Women’s History Month. Every woman has a story to tell and gifts to share with the world. So get ready, because this month is about honoring magnificent ladies, and we are ready to celebrate it to the fullest.
Women’s History Month celebrates the often-overlooked contributions of women in history, society, and culture. It has been annually observed in the United States and other countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia, every March since 1987.
The month-long commemoration started with Women’s History Day in 1978, organized by the school district of Sonoma, California. Hundreds of students participated in the essay competitions, many presentations were given, and a parade was held in Santa Rosa. The idea caught on and, a few years later, school districts, communities, and organizations all over the country were celebrating the day. In 1980, the National Women’s History Alliance championed for the holiday to be observed as a national week, and this was backed by President Jimmy Carter, who issued the first proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. The following year, Congress forwarded a resolution establishing a national observance. Six years later, the expansion of the event to the whole month of March was successfully petitioned by the National Women’s History Project.
nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org
The 2022 Women’s History theme, “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope,” is both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history.
Women as healers harken back to ancient times. Healing is the personal experience of transcending suffering and transforming it to wholeness. The gift of hope spreads light to the lives of others and reflects a belief in the unlimited possibilities of this and future generations. Together, healing and hope are essential fuels for our dreams and our recovery.
This year, in particular, we are reminded of the importance of healers and caregivers who are helping to promote and sustain hope for the future. The NWHA encourages communities throughout the country to honor local women who bring and have historically brought these priceless gifts to their families, workplaces, and neighborhoods, sometimes at great sacrifice. These are the women who, as counselors and clerics, artists and teachers, doctors, nurses, mothers, and grandmothers listen, ease suffering, restore dignity, and make decisions for our general as well as our personal welfare.
