Let’s give praise where praise is due! It’s a beautiful thing when we can learn to not only survive but thrive, from women who’ve had a major impact on the black culture. Through their stories and will to win, we are able to embark on our own journeys of turning life-altering events into flames that spark success.
- The ultimate OG- Maya Angelou! She was raped, mute, and a sex worker yet- in her own words “Still, I Rise”. At a young age, Maya was raped by her mother’s boyfriend (Three out of four rapes are committed by someone known to the victim) who was later killed shortly after she confessed it was him. Because of this, she went mute for about 5 years! She lost her voice yet eventually still used it to empower women around the world. Maya Angelou was able to use her story and shortcomings as a black woman to uplift black women. What she did was turn her pain into purpose!
- Halle Berry- When we think of Halle Berry we think movie star, someone that’s admirable, a somewhat private person. In taking a deeper dive into her story, there’s pain behind her eyes and an ongoing journey to reach her higher self. At a young age, Halle Berry witnessed her sister being physically abused by her alcoholic father and as a result, she has been in therapy for over 30 years. She stated “I felt helpless and like a coward, because I didn't do anything and couldn't do anything. I spent many of the early years of my life trying to make sense of all that and recover and find my self-esteem.” It’s admirable that though she suffered from self-esteem issues, Halle was still able to thrive as an actor. Her story is one of pushing past your pains to evolve and never giving up on yourself.
- Last and definitely not least, Oprah! - How many of us have been watching Oprah all of our lives and going, Damn! What does it take to be this successful? Her net worth is 2.2 billion! And how ironic is it that adversity is a contributing factor to her success? At 9, Oprah began to be sexually abused by members of her own family- her cousin, uncle, and family friend. At 14, she was pregnant with a son who was born prematurely and later died shortly after. Known for her controversial and “in your face” approach to journalism, Oprah has used her platform to encourage those abused to use their voices unapologetically to tell their stories. We have to use our experiences whether good or bad to fuel our success, to connect and to foster inclusivity.
At the end of the day, black women were born to beat the odds! Shop our “Born To Beat The Odds” hoodie today!
