Here in the UK and other parts of Europe, it is Black History Month. Last week I attended a fire chat chat with the RACE network at EDF. I was asked a few questions, and I share 3 of them here.
Why do I think the theme Saluting our sisters was chosen?
My response and reflection, and borrowing from the words of the artist Lizzo, ‘it’s about damn time!’ It’s overdue here in the UK. The hidden figures are hidden no more. For me, it’s about recognising all the voices that have been silenced and ignored for decades. For the many women who have helped shape our families and communities and our world. Covered for our men in times of war and other tribulations. For the many outstanding contributions made to science, medicine, technology, beauty, fashion, sport and law, it’s time to salute them all.
Who do I salute, past and present, and why?
My mum – who died when I was 30 years old. In those 30 years, she instilled in me some great values. She was a proud Jamaican woman, always listening to Radio 4, and reading a broadsheet once a week. She took action and wrote to MPs lobbying them about the lack of provisions for my autistic brother Malcolm. She wrote letters to Neil Kinnock, and Sir Bernard Weatherall, who was the speaker of the house at one time. She had style and poise. She was kind and would say, ‘Give a portion to 6 as well as 7’. She was careful not to leave anyone out. She believed in me, and we all need that.
The Hidden Figures – Katherine Johnson mastermind and mathematician. Dorothy Vaughn, who was the first black ‘acting’ supervisor with NASA and Mary Jackson an engineer who fought segregation to be educated. All had to fight, and find the courage, to earn their place in a male-dominated and white industry. I love their personal story, and the sisterhood they formed offered support for each other and paved the way for others. They made history against the odds.
Michelle LaVaugn Obama – The first black lady in the white house, who I believe carried out her role with such aplomb. When her harsh critics went low, she went high. During this time, she was raising her 2 daughters and had her mother by her side. She took a career break and supported her husband. That for me is a super role model.
My daughters Grace and Alicya and my niece Kellina.
I salute them for the children they were, the young ladies they became and for the women they are. They keep me young and fresh.
What does black sisterhood mean to me?
When I think about my sisterhood, I feel pretty blessed. My sisterhood is an eclectic mix of women from many countries and nationalities and come in various hews. My early sisterhood in the workplace was white women, as I was the only black or brown woman for quite some years. These sisters were my mentors and allies, and many are now friends.
My Black sisterhood is Everything. I did get a bit emotional when I was thinking about this because it’s a deep bond. It’s Jan Inc. My board members. It’s a safe haven filled with love, understanding, humour, wisdom, support and brutal honesty.
This sisterhood has carried me when I couldn’t do for myself – those Jonah moments – becoming an orphan, other bereavements, getting married, divorced, new jobs, promotions, no promotion, pregnancy, birth, juggling the school run, bad news, great news, children leaving home, menopause, operations, sickness and so much more.
It’s a place where I know that I am valued and celebrated for being me, even when some yearly appraisals say something different. During times of positive exclusion and being overlooked. It’s a place where I can be unapologetically me, Jamaican patois and all! It’s home. A place of deep faith and prayer, there is love, empathy, respect, comfort, support and advice. It’s uplifting with laugh-out-loud moments, you know, the deep belly laughs with tears streaming down your face. Food for the body, soul, mind and spirit. There’s nothing quite like it.
To all my ladies, I take this opportunity to salute you. Be you, black, white, brown, bronze, beige, ink, jet, ebony, hazel, tan, cappuccino, onyx, alabaster, cream, porcelain, ivory, coffee – you get the picture? I salute you all because my life would not be as wonderful and rich as it is without you. Happy Black History Month, Menopause Day and all the other special days this month.
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