thisisallison

I’m still not really clear on how I define role model. However I have always admired and learned from women in my family and community. In our day (all of us grown ass women) it seemed as though people were more hands on and I’m not just talking whippins! They were active and very visible in the community. I never once felt like I met a woman in my community that wasn’t strong, intentional, and nurturing. They were all our mom in some way. They had unwritten, non-verbalized, permission to put you in your place if needed or gently place a bandage on your knee when you were hurt. When I left my community (neighborhood, church, Girl Scouts, salon/beauty parlor/hair dresser) daily to attend school or afterschool programs, those women did not exist. It wasn’t until I came home at the end of the day when I felt like I was in a “real” place.

In media I have always admired Oprah. She allowed me to believe in myself and know that I could be anything I want to be. I’ve never thought I couldn’t be who or what I wanted to be. At 40 I still believe I can reach those goals that are still on my list. It’s never too late. She went from tv station, her own show, a magazine, books, a network , and the list goes on. She never stopped creating and I truly believe we are here to create with the purpose of leaving something better behind for generations to come.To all my ladies born during and before the 80s, we had it good when it comes to women to emulate.

Recent generations have a different reality. Television and social media play a huge part in influencing us especially the younger generation. There are definitely amazing women to admire now but there are also a lot of distractions with women fighting on tv, augmenting their bodies, and fading their skin. It no longer feels like it did when I was a kid. I felt like there was no question that little black girls were beautiful with our shiny Vaselined legs, coco buttered faces, big bows and hair barrettes! The message today seems, depending on who or what you follow is different. Some little girls look and act more like women. It makes me wonder how and when things changed. Or perhaps they haven’t changed and the more glamorous appeal of social media gets all of the attention instead of our community sheroes. We are powerful. We are leaders. We are Trendsetters. We are creative. We are intelligent. We are beautiful. We are our ancestors’ wildest dreams, our parents’ answered prayers, and if you look around there is a young girl looking for someone like you.

• Who were your role models or who did you identify with growing up?
• What seeds are you sowing to leave something for the next generation of women?

Let’s talk!