Voices of Women who dared not hide. Maya Angelou, Alice Walker, Ani DiFranco
I recently stood in the presence of Ani DiFranco.

 

On stage, with her guitar, her wily grin, and her voice, she filled the outdoor space. Though I have never been a member of the die-hard Ani fanclub, I have loved some of her songs & admired her revolutionary ways for a long long time.

 

Standing there, sweaty, listening to this mighty soul work her magic, I felt a familiar feeling, one that has crept up on me any chance I have been lucky enough to listen, to watch, or to read a woman who dared not to hide.

 

The feeling is so particular.

 

It feels like a rush of ancient water moving from my chest into my throat, and then eventually up so far that it has pour out through my eyes. It is in these moments – part soul-level recognition of something I didn’t even know I had been longing for & part absolute, unabashed awe – that I feel most alive, most at home in this world.

 

Each time it has happened, it has subtly reshaped me.
Every time I am a little more free.
Every time I am little closer to remembering the whole truth.

 

Today, I’d like to offer up glimpses into 3 big moments of this nature which have shaped me. I do so that I may encourage you to remember when you have been moved, changed by the voices of women.

Writing on the wall.

During my years living in New York City as a young woman I walked by a mural, somewhere on the Upper West Side, with the words of Alice Walker written on it.

 

It read:
“The Nature of This Flower Is to Bloom
Rebellious. Living.
Against the Elemental Crush.
A Song of Color
Blooming Gloriously
For its Self
Revolutionary Petunia.”

 

The moment happened over and over again each time I walked by it. Something I must have done 50 times or more over the course of the decade that my wild heart called that wondrous & concrete place home.

 

That poem is written in colorful & permanent ink on inner most walls of my psyche.

Eve Was Framed.

The day I marched with 1.15 million people completely rewired me. The March for Women’s Lives in Washington D.C, 2004 was my first protest and a full-bodied immersion into the power of women’s voices.

 

That feeling, oh that feeling! I remember furiously writing notes as Gloria Steinem spoke. I remember Whoopi Goldberg somehow making us laugh and cry at the same time.

 

That march was protesting W-era legislation limiting the access women had to safe abortions, among other things. The absolute absurdity of a bunch of men in a room deciding what women could do with their own bodies really struck me clearly that day. And the feeling has only grown in the 14 years since.

 

My favorite moment of the day was finding a pin which said: Eve was framed. I knew that statement to be true.

 

Though I lost it many years ago, I swear I wear it, wherever I go.

Queen Maya

As a girl, I knew her as Oprah’s mentor and always loved her poetry.

 

But I tell you reading her autobiographical series of books in my late 20’s did something mysterious to me.

 

In 2013, 2014 & 2015, I embarked on the journey of reading these. They start with the legendary I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings & go on though 6 more volumes.

 

The more I read Ms. Angelous’ books, the less I could hide from my own truths – past, present, and future. Learning everything she had been through – tragedy after tragedy – and how she kept growing stronger and brighter through every piece of adversity helped me remember the majesty of the human spirit!

 

I will forever bow in reverence to Queen Maya & thank her for reminding me of the courage within, the power I have to turn things around, and to dare to thrive in this world.

 

After the journey with those books, Her rich voice & poetic language sneaks up on me constantly. When I am teaching, Her words dance through my head and out of my mouth with the greatest of ease.

Your Turn!

In the comments, please share a moment from your own life when the voice of a woman has reshaped you. Who was she and what impact did she have on you? Can’t wait to read these! Let’s share!
 

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