The Courageous and Healing Work of Women
The Courageous and Healing Work of Women: Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month, an opportunity to celebrate the contributions women have made throughout history in social justice, healthcare, science, art, public service, sports, and a variety of other fields. As you move through this season of renewal and celebration, we encourage you to create space to reflect on the women who have used (and are using) their skills and hearts to advocate for the mental health and wellbeing of all people.
Jaime Black | Métis artist who is raising awareness about missing and murdered indigenous women and girls through her public art installation, The REDress Project. Since 2009 Black’s work has been displayed at multiple sites throughout North America, including the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. In a 2019 article in American Indian Magazine, Black shared her motivation: “I felt like we all know someone who has experienced violence in her life, women who feel powerless and who don’t have a voice…I had to do something to address that.”
UN Women + Center for American Women and Politics | Women in public service at the local, state, federal, and international levels create and implement policies that support the social and healthcare needs of women everywhere. According to the Center for American Women and Politics, “Research shows that women make government more transparent, inclusive and accessible.” This sentiment is echoed by UN Women, which states that “Women demonstrate political leadership…by championing issues of gender equality, such as the elimination of gender-based violence, parental leave and childcare, pensions, gender-equality laws, and electoral reform.”
Naomi Osaka, Simone Biles, + Simone Manuel | Courageous professional athletes who model that self-worth is not based on what a person achieves and that mental health and wellbeing are more valuable than medals. These three women have used their platforms and their voices to normalize creating space for self-care and for seeking support. They are blazing a brave trail for professional and recreational athletes to honor their physical and emotional needs. Read more here.
Carry it Forward | Take it Deeper
The women described above are just a few of the countless, remarkable ones who help improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and their communities. As you move through the world this month, spend time with one of the following activities to reflect upon and more deeply engage the work of women, which is the work that keeps the world spinning and healing in deep and meaningful ways.
Choose one of the women referenced in this blog post and read more about their stories and their contributions. Ask yourself: What am I drawn to about this woman’s story? What about her story connects with my own?
Recall a woman in your life who has supported your mental health and wellbeing. Send her a text, a card, or give her a call to thank her for the role she has played in your healing and recovery.