My understanding of sisterhood was shaken after the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. The cries of my black sisters finally broke through, no longer to be contained by code-switching for survival, and helped me to question how I defined sisters. I was all-in on that effort, because I was certain that I was not only a staunch feminist but also a defender for race and social equity. It was in doing a 30-day racism awareness challenge that I began to see how narrow my world view was and how much I was drowning in my own whiteness. This challenge asked me to identify my closest friends – most were white. It asked who my favorite authors were – most were white. The artists who inspired me – most were white. My influencers – most were white. Holy smokes.

In this process, I began to grieve for the challenges my black sisters have endured differently. I began to understand their challenges and triumphs in a new light and my concept of sisterhood has evolved. My personal responsibility and accountability for sisterhood has dug deeper into my purpose and passion. For me, sisterhood must actively work to include black, brown and white sisters. It must include my trans sisters, who face fear and rejection for living authentically. It must include my sisters from all socioeconomic backgrounds, including and perhaps especially women who have rejoined society after incarceration. In short, boundaries placed upon my definition of sisterhood weakens sisterhood.

Through my journey to understand and redefine sisterhood, which I hope never to complete, I have met some amazing women. Women who have been challenged, who have stumbled, and who have defied the odds. With this blog, I want to share their stories. I hope their stories will make you smile. I hope you will cheer their triumphs and empathize with their struggles. My wish is that, together, we create a broad and inclusive definition of sisterhood that seeks the freedom and elevation of all.

Books that made me think the most about my definition of sisterhood:

  • Our Separate Ways: Black and White Women and the Struggle for Professional Identity by Bell Smooth, Ella L J, Nkomo, Stella.
  • Race and Leadership: The Black Experience in the Workplace by Laura Morgan Roberts
  • The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heath McGhee
  • White Tears/Brown Scars: How White Feminism Betrays Women of Color by Ruby Hamad
  • The Transgender Issue: Trans Justice is Justice for All by Shon Faye