“We are family
I got all my sisters with me!”
–Sister Sledge

Women have had a shared fight in spite of  having been tricked into being on opposing sides for far too long.  Race has dominated our separation for the majority of our shared history through a system built on pecking order that allowed women to fall  prey to further dividing themselves, based on race.  We accepted the idea the boys presented, that one group was over and/or better than the others.  And so, we gave way to the Achilles heel of our collective power and failed to unite, that is, until now.  

The 116th Congress has 102 women serving and it is the most diverse, in terms of race, ethnicity, religion, and so on, than it has ever been. Let’s not blink on this, ladies!  Let’s change the world by really coming together.  We have to let old hurts and disappointments go, and use them instead to inform tough decisions.  Let them teach us how to not repeat the mistakes of the past.  Let’s hold each other accountable to show up for each other in every way.  

What seems clear to me is that, as long as the boys run things by themselves, we won’t make much progress.  Yes, we need them, but are they clear on how much they need us? Are we clear about how much we need each other? Let’s claim our independence and our true freedom by standing together in claiming freedom from: 

• Structures that keep us apart and rank ordered in value and contribution
• The idea that we can’t do this together
• Believing that my actualization in some way thwarts yours – to the contrary – I need you to actualize so I can too
• Society defined roles and expectations that keep us from being our true selves
• Relationships that don’t fulfill us because, for us to become who we truly are, we can only use relationships that foster our growth and full independence. 

Let’s Unite!  This time for real.

Dr. Lisa

PS: Our theme song is “We are Family,” and you know the line – “I got all my sisters with me” Sing!