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These are alarming and turbulent times. I can not let the death of George Floyd pass without a mention; his death, and far too many others. Racism is rampant. I have few words. I thought I understood racism. I was wrong. I didn't. I am learning. I make mistakes, but I am learning. In the meantime, I offer the following: I see you: "Black America I see you. You are seen, heard, and affirmed in your anger, in your sadness, in your rage, in your fear, and in your deepest desires to have the ease, rest and safety that you are deserving of as human beings."~ Rachel Cargle A prayer seems necessary today. "Mother of Mercy, the cries of the world keep me awake at night. I rise from my bed, but

This year, 2020 is the centennial anniversary of the passage 19th Amendment, protecting women’s constitutional right to vote, and allowing women to exercise that legal right. Fact: The 19th Amendment never directly mentioned women. The text actually states “The right of citizens of the United States or by any State on account of sex. Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.” This historic anniversary offers an opportunity to not only commemorate this milestone in democracy but to explore its relevance to issues of equal rights today. Interestingly enough, the Constitution is a gender-neutral document. The word ‘male’ did not even appear in the Co

From Sacred Dreams, May 2020, by Amy Weatherly I think we all need to be reminded of our "oneness" right now, and our need for connection. I know I sure do. We need each other. I think it was Brene Brown who told a story about a village where all the women washed clothes together down by the river. When they all got washing machines, there was a sudden outbreak of depression and no one could figure out why. It wasn't the washing machines in and of themselves. It was the absence of time spent doing things together. It was the absence of community. Friends, we’ve gotten so independent. We’re “fine” we tell ourselves even when in reality we’re depressed, we’re overwhelmed, we’re lonely, and we’

Sunday mornings are traditionally a time of prayer, gathering in community and offerings. During these strange times things have changed dramatically, and very quickly. I have come to love this woman, Nadia Bolz-Weber very much. She is real, she is insightful and she speaks love. This touched me deeply today and I felt a real urge to share. We may not be gathering in crowds to worship, but remember, it is within us to pray, worship, however that is for you, individually. It is not the building that hosts prayer. It is within each of us. Let's not lose sight of that. I send this out today with love and wishes for peace and health for everyone. The Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber, Lutheran pastor an

I particularly loved the lines "women try to tame themselves as they get older." I will never try and tame myself, ever again. I only want to grow wilder. This spoke loudly to me and I thought it was a great Sunday morning share. I hope you enjoy. From Sacred Dreams “If all girls were taught that they were born wild and free. That their mind, body and soul were in their own keep. That they have just one life and they must make it their own. That they need to walk their own path and don’t need to be shown. That a cage isn’t for them. They should be free like a bird. That they have a voice and a right to be heard. That other women aren’t their enemy – we’re all in this together. That

" Grandma how do you deal with pain?" " With your hands, dear. When you do it with your mind, the pain harden even more rather than relieving yourself." " With your hands, grandma?" " Yes, yes. Our hands are the antennas of our soul. When you move them by sewing, cooking, painting, touching the earth or sinking it into the earth, they send signals of caring to the deepest part of you and your soul calms down. This way she doesn't have to send pain anymore to show it. " Are hands really that important?" " Yes my girl. Thinking of babies: they get to know the world thanks to their touches. When you look at the hands of older people, they tell more about their lives than any other part of th

The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing and protecting Women’s constitutional right to vote. I am always on the lookout for little known women who fought so tirelessly for this right. I also applaud the League of Women Voters as often as possible, for their work. The League of Women Voters was founded by Carrie Chapman Catt in 1920 during the convention of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. The convention was held just six months before the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, giving women the right to vote after a 72-year struggle. Lest we forget, it was a struggle. Please use your right to vote, and do

Information from interviews, the Michelin Guide and Essence Magazine The Culinary Arts can be one of the toughest industries to make a name for yourself and Chicago is definitely one of the toughest towns in the country. But after less than a year as the chef de cuisine at cocktail den/basement restaurant Kumiko and Kikkō in that touch city of Chacago. In 2019 chef Mariya Russell became the first Black woman to earn a Michelin star. She tells ESSENCE, “I don’t understand…. How is this the first time this has happened?” Discrimination and other barriers run rampant in the field, making it very difficult for Black chefs to get visibility, especially Black women and other women of color chefs.

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size But when I start to tell them, They think I’m telling lies. I say, It’s in the reach of my arms, The span of my hips, The stride of my step, The curl of my lips. I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me. I walk into a room Just as cool as you please, And to a man, The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees. Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees. I say, It’s the fire in my eyes, And the flash of my teeth, The swing in my waist, And the joy in my feet. I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me. Men themselves have wondered What they see

Barbara Polk Washburn was born on November 10, 1914. She grew up in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. She attended Boston Girls Latin School and graduated from Smith College, class of 1935. After graduating from Smith, she took courses at Harvard. An acquaintance urged her to apply for a job at the fledgeling Museum of Natural History (now the Boston Museum of Science) as the private secretary to the director, Bradford Washington. He was also a mountaineer and photographer. She was not really interested. She commented, “I don’t want to work in that stuffy old museum, and I certainly wouldn’t want to work for a crazy mountain climber.” Eventually she did apply for the pos

This beautiful woman was unknown to me until last week. She appeared in my FB feed with a message that really spoke to me. I wanted to know more about this dynamic lady. Please, listen to the Ted Talk below. I think she is totally amazing! “People who walk in purpose collide with destiny. When you find destiny, you find peace.” Bertrice Berry was born in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1960. She was one of seven children who grew up in poverty, raised by a single mother who was plagued by alcoholism. Later in her life she recognized that her mother’s drinking was a way to mask her own pain and the burden that she endured as a black woman with sparse resources for herself and consequently, her