If you read anything I’ve written as a guest writer or on my personal blogs, you are fully aware of my thoughts regarding self-acceptance and self-affirmation. For those of you who are not familiar with my ideas - I will provide a little background. In a nutshell, I don’t think we should expect or look for acceptance outside of self, but I do believe in positive influence.

I recently saw a commercial that ignited a lot of thoughts in my mind concerning affirmation and acceptance of self. The commercial highlights the power of influence through media and how it can be used to teach young girls they can aspire to do anything in life. Although I understand the message and I realize how influential media is, I think we can use better sources of positivity to encourage and inspire our youth. Personally, I would prefer my niece and nephew be exposed to images and achievements of Condoleezza Rice over a hip hop artist that uses broken English and profanity to express thoughts; and also considers purchasing a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes a major accomplishment - but, I digress.

As I gave thought to this subject, I considered how effective seeing positive women have influenced me. However, in order to put that influence into action I needed to believe in myself. Which, brings me to the title of this post. March is Women’s History month, a time I think is perfect for reflection, sharing, and learning. There are several women in history that I find influential and inspiring because I’ve seen them on television or I read about things they’ve done. I would jump at the chance to meet Michelle Obama, Condoleezza Rice, Hillary Clinton, or Oprah Winfrey to converse about what drives them. However, there are some additional women who inspire and encourage me that lived centuries before I was born.

Eve, Hannah, Sacagawea, Harriet Tubman, and Susan B. Anthony are a few women who demonstrated courage without the influence of television and film. Which causes me to believe everything they needed to leave their mark on all of us today resided within them. God is no respecter of persons, so why would you or I be any different?

Biblically, Eve was the first woman - “mother of all who have life.” Eve had no other woman to emulate, confide in, or ask for advice. Hannah, a woman I identify with, was considered abnormal because she was unable to have children during a time where a woman’s lot in life was to be a wife and mother. In spite of ridicule and sadness, she exercised her faith and trust in God.

A teenager by the name of Sacagawea was taken from her home and people, but enabled peaceful trade and a successful expedition. She was the only woman on this journey with 32 men, but exercised resilience to be an asset to the mission. I cannot begin to fathom the amount of strength and courage Harriet Tubman had to do what she did. And although I don’t agree with every tactic used by Susan B. Anthony during the fight for Women’s Rights, I realize her zeal and determination came from a place of dissatisfaction for the way things were. And even though the victory in 1920 didn’t secure the Black vote per se, I believe it was a stepping stone for the rights we have today.

I want to encourage you to take some time this month to find a way to celebrate Women’s History; and in the process inspire another woman and a young girl to be a maker of history. Let’s be examples of, “Nevertheless, she persisted.”