Often times women throughout history are described as ‘the wife of’, delicate, or demure, and History books paint these women as dutiful and beautifully happy wives or daughters in a shining light. The books also inadvertently express that these are the women that others worked to emulate. While those women are important, and at times worked on small community projects for the less fortunate, women that worked to create public change and fight injustice and inequality were labeled as ‘troublesome’ and at times institutionalized or jailed. History and the world today would not be as strong and evolved without the women who worked to make a change, to cause discomfort to those who became comfortable at the expense of others, and to make good trouble. Classrooms Without Borders has allowed women to feel empowered, to feel as if we can help the country and world to evolve all thanks to the unwavering female leadership of both Tsipy and Kate. This seminar has ignited a fire due in large part to the inspiring female activists and leaders who showed bravery in times of peril, strength in their love and forgiveness, and creativity in the face of oppression.
Marching Down Freedom’s Road Seminar has introduced all of us to women who are brilliant, compassionate, and beautiful souls. The stories and work from Dr. Lynda Blackmon Lowery, Ms. Annie Pearl Avery, Artist Michelle Browder, and Reverend Carolyn McKinstry imparted a feeling that none of us will soon forget. Dr. Lowery was the youngest person to march on Bloody Sunday. Her spirit was absolutely infectious. She shared her story through smiles, tears, and laughter. One of the many valuable lessons that she shared was that she did experience fear, but she looked to the older generations to help her to push beyond fear and achieve her goal. Her pride in her actions was unparalleled, she marched and endured beatings and stated, “Before my 15th birthday, I was jailed 9 times and twice in the State Prison Camp. You are looking at a proud and happy jailbird. Why? Because I didn’t go to jail for hurting anyone, didn’t go to jail for taking anything from anyone. I went to jail for what I believed in.” The strength in her heart in 1965 was stoked by her Grandmother’s words stated to her time and time again, “Behold the only thing greater than you walking on this Earth right now is what you see in the mirror,” and later those of Dr. King, “You can get anyone to do anything with steady loving confrontation.” and she made history, and continues to do so through beautiful talks and the creation of her Stories book with her sister, and her own book Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom. We later were happily surprised to meet Ms. Annie Pearl Avery, and learned that she had spoken in Pittsburgh to share her story. She was a lively and strongly independent woman, who stated she walked with those who marched for freedom, not behind them. She showed what determination and spirit can lead to. We also had the truly amazing opportunity to meet Artist Michelle Browder who proudly shares amazing metal work to raise awareness for the world of Gynecological needs of women, and the mistreatment, exploitation, and purposeful misreporting of information gathered on the topic from enslaved women. She shared with us not only her work, but her person and her story, creating a beautiful space of knowledge and inspiration. The love and attention she uses to design her 3 metal statues for Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey provide them the respect that they were denied in life. She tells their stories of strength and resilience, rather than allowing them to be overshadowed by Dr. Sims. Her artistic work and vision allows the world to see the true Mothers of Gynecology that are no longer lost to history. Reverend Carolyn McKinstry was present at the 16th Street Baptist Church bombings, and was friends with Addie, Denise, Carole, and Cynthia who brutally lost their lives in the bombing orchestrated by KKK members in Birmingham. Reverend McKinstry was eloquent when saying, “Judge someone by their fruit.” Her lesson of never carrying hate in your heart expresses a strength that is filled with self empowerment.
These brilliant women imparted lessons and wisdom that combats hate, and showed the work and power required to reach difficult goals. These women, the Doctors, the Activists, the Artists, and the Reverends show how self respect and self empowerment can lead you to goals that would have seemed impossible until you see how important and valuable you are to the world. These women are all formidable, beautifully strong, and inspiring, weaving lessons and paving pathways for all future generations.
