Hello my loves. I normally try to write my posts gender neutral, however, I’m going to be a little selfish this post. It’s Women’s History Month, right? So of course I have to write something for all the wonderful ladies out there.
There may be a little too many song references in this post, but I hope you enjoy it.

Biggie said, “To all the ladies in the place with style and grace,” well I want you to know that he was talking to EVERY single lady. And if you weren’t thinking this line applied to you, I’m telling you it does. As women, we are a force to be reckoned with. We endure so much and in spite of this, we keep going. If you reflect on our history, you will see that this has always been the trend. Harriet Tubman put her own wellbeing at risk in order to free others. Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross. Maya Angelou went from being mute, after being sexually abused and raped, to becoming one of the most phenomenal poets of our time. These women are just a few of many who never let the current trials of their time limit their capability and impact. They are ladies of style and grace, who have truly shaped our history and will forever be embedded in our hearts. And if they can accomplish so many great things without all of the technological advances we have today, who is to say that you can’t?

 I was sitting in my boyfriend’s room the other day, listening to my favorite rapper of all time, J.Cole, when a verse hit me and made me go “oh I’m putting this in my blog.” In Sparks Will Fly by J.Cole featuring Jhene Aiko he says, “But, baby you only lose when you don’t swing back.” So why was I so eager to incorporate this in my post? It’s so easy for us, as women, to compare ourselves to other women, to accept what people say about us and tear ourselves down about it, AND be our own biggest critic. But you only give power to these negativities when you let them consume you. You cannot change how people view you, I mean you can try but that’s not proven to really influence people. But you can change how you view yourself. And I believe that is the true art of “swinging back.” You are a force to be reckoned with, like Harriet Tubman. You can make a change, like Clara Barton. Your voice can be heard, like Maya Angelou.

So I am saying all this to say, be unapologetically you.
In honor of Women’s History Month, reflect on all the great contributions women have made. And then remember, that you can contribute too. Be the woman that you know you are, in spite of what others may think. Don’t doubt yourself, because things that seem impossible are always within your reach. EMPOWER OTHER WOMEN. How can we succeed if literally the entire world is against us, even if our fellow ladies? And most importantly, love who you are, who you truly are. Because no one will ever love you, like you love yourself. You are a forced to be reckoned with and you can make an impact.

Be bold, be brave, be unapologetically you.

Love,
J.Alane