The #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ChallengeAccepted Movement emerged a week and a half ago on the page of Brazilian journalist Ana Paula Padrão. A PR and “influencer marketing manager” at the social-media firm speculated that the latest round of black-and-white selfies could have been inspired by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s speech on the House floor last week which might have resulted in a spike in social-media posts about women’s empowerment.
Globally there has been a massive increase in abuse related deaths, human trafficking and violence against women. Women in Turkey began posting black-and-white photos on social media last week to protest femicide and domestic violence and to grieve the violent death of Pinar Gültekin, a university student who was reportedly killed by her ex-boyfriend this month.
Today is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons and the United Nations refugee body (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) has launched a global call for justice for victims of human trafficking. The #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ChallengeAccepted Movement is to use my platform to bring awareness to the women across the world being abused and often killed, starting here in the USA.
Bearing witness to the attacks that continue to befall Black women, Malcom X 1962 statement still resonates in 2020: “The most disrespected woman in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.”
Here we are in 2020 with the murder of Breonna Taylor reigniting the fight for justice for her and the hundreds of Black women who have lost their lives at the hands of police officers, domestic violence, kidnapping and human trafficking. Disrespected, unprotected, and neglected only scratch the surface of how many Black women in America feel right now.
So in honor Breonna Taylor, a beloved 26 year-old EMT who was murdered during a “no knock” raid when plainclothes officers shot her 8 times in her home and all my black and brown sisters, I join in the #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ChallengeAccepted Movement to add my voice and speak up for the voiceless and challenge us all to continue the fight for liberty and justice for all, in the USA and all around the world.
To me, this is what standing in solidarity and support for women is about and as a girl mom, I owe it to my daughters to be the change I want to see in this world. Here are some links to organizations that you can donate to or partner with to support in action: Center for Family Justice, Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants and Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
