The Beauty of Women, Strength, and the Village

Women make history daily, but March is the month when our accomplishments, discoveries, and contributions are celebrated. In the third decade of the 21st century, women are striving and thriving to reach new heights and receive the accolades that were once only dreams.

For some, like Vice President Kamala Harris, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown, Rep. Maxine Waters, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, and many others, dreams took them to Washington, DC and the halls of power. For others, like Whoopi Goldberg, Viola Davis, and Angela Bassett, Broadway and Hollywood have called upon them to make us laugh and cry while telling our stories.

Many of our dreams have been formed by the strength, tenacity, and sacrifice of others—those who came before us. These women are the trailblazers who lay paths for the rest of us to follow and give us the inspiration and courage to forge our own paths. Without Oprah Winfrey, there’d be no Tamron Hall. Without Josephine Baker, there’d be no Beyoncé. Without Althea Gibson, there’d be neither Venus nor Serena. Sure, these people would still exist, but they likely would not have become the celebrated icons they are today.

There are countless other Black women whose names are unfamiliar to us, but whose labors and accomplishments are no less important or impressive. These are the teachers, doctors, lawyers, inventors, writers, griots, and chefs who add knowledge, health, justice, technology, history, and flavor to our everyday lives. And of course, we mustn’t forget our mothers, aunts, cousins, and sisters.

I was blessed to be born into a family of accomplished women. My mother has worked in media for most of my life; first in children’s educational television, then later in radio and journalism. I have aunts that run the gamut from a beauty queen to a poet, and a talk show host and artist. One cousin founded a line of Black greeting cards and another forged the path for three generations to attend Howard University. I’ve seen the example set of women who have labored to have 50-year marriages, and the courage of women who struck out on their own when their marriages were no longer the best situation for themselves and their children.

In 2023, women are showing the strength, beauty, education, and love needed to advance ourselves and future generations. I ask that we also show ourselves and others grace as we navigate uncharted waters and seek new and exciting adventures in business, sports, government, education, motherhood, and every other field that has been opened and made available for us to strive, thrive, and succeed.

Thank you to my mother, aunts, cousins, nieces, sisters, friends, and every other woman who is working every day to make her own history and create a more beautiful, peaceful, and loving world for everyone. It takes a village… and every one of us is needed.

SHE Wins! Aspiring Law Student Scholarship Award 2024

Earlier this month, SHE Wins Inc.  Founder and CEO A’Dorian Murray-Thomas announced the winner of the  SHE Wins – Sherman...

BERKELEY COLLEGE CELEBRATES ‘REMARKABLE RESILIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE’

Photo Caption: Berkeley College celebrates the perseverance and achievements of more than 1,000 graduates during a Commencement ceremony on Thursday, May...

BERKELEY COLLEGE NEWARK NETWORKING BREAKFAST

HIGHLIGHTS NEW INITIATIVES AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Business partners, community leaders, and alumni focused on collaboration and education during Berkeley College’s second annual Newark...

Kean and Howard Universities ForgeHistoric Dual Degree Agreement

Kean University students now have a faster path to earning a doctoral degree in pharmacy under a new dual degree...

Community Education Forum w/Alfred Bundy: David Tomkins, Alexandra da Costa Santos & Renita Mangru

In this episode of Essex County College’s Community Education Forum, host Alfred Bundy speaks with guests David Tomkins (ECC Athletic...

Essex County Commissioner A’Dorian Murray-Thomas Incredibly Accomplished and Just Getting Started

Simply catching up with A’dorian Murray-Thomas feels like a grand accomplishment. The newly-elected county commissioner is also CEO of the...

How the 50-30-20 Rule Can Help You on Your Journey to Financial Success

Having a plan for your money is crucial to building a solid financial foundation. If...

BUSINESS IN BLACK

A Talk with New York City Mayor Eric Adams | By Glenn Townes Challenging the...

Rev. Dr. Valerie Oliver-Durrah & Brooke Durrah

Mother & Daughter Building a Legacy of Black Excellence in Brooklyn Known throughout Brooklyn as...

This Mom Is Fighting Hunger by Starting a Company That Reduces Food Waste

Atlanta mom Jasmine Crowe-Houston launched Goodr, a company that keeps food out of landfills while...

Aisha Glover Helps Audible Make an Impact in Cities Around the World

Aisha Glover joined Audible as VP, Urban Innovation in 2020, when Audible’s Founder Don Katz...

New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency Celebrates 40 Years of Service

On January 17, 2024, the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) celebrates its...

City Council President LaMonica McIver wins special primary to fill late New Jersey congressman’s seat

Newark, N.J., City Council President LaMonica McIver has won the Democratic nomination for the special election to replace the late...
Read More

Philadelphia pastor elected to lead historic Black church in New York City

New York’s historic Abyssinian Baptist Church has elected its new senior pastor, likely bringing an end to a national search...
Read More

Newark Symphony Hall Presents: The Black Creative Economy Summit

2024 SUMMIT OVERVIEW Newark Symphony Hall’s flagship event is back for another year of impact. The Black Creative Economy (BCE)...
Read More

Baseball great Willie Mays dies at 93

Baseball legend Willie Mays, widely considered one of the best players in the sport’s history, has died, according to the...
Read More

WBGO is 45

Jazz lovers packed the newly renovated, beautifully appointed Terrace Ballroom at Newark Symphony Hall on April 12 for a grand...
Read More

Baptist Ministers and The Positive Community

25 Years of Positive Change! Founded in 1898, the Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Greater New York and Vicinity (BMCGNY&V) is...
Read More

Donald Payne: A Friend Indeed

There is no question that Essex County and Newark lost a great leader with the unfortunate passing of U.S. Representative...
Read More

Trust and Obey… and God will do the Rest!

“Hmmmm, hmmmm, hmmmm!” That was the chant of the massive congregation gathered at The Riverside Church for the sermon last...
Read More

Patti Labelle Headlines Inaugural Newark Symphony Hall Gala

Newark Symphony Hall (NSH) celebrated the legacy of Jazz legend and Newark icon, Sarah Vaughan, with the inaugural Sarah A. Vaughan...
Read More

Should You Focus On Exercise When You Want to Lose Weight?

Exercise may not be the best way to lose weight. A quick Google search on...

Holy Name Announces New Leadership Appointments

Holy Name, the region’s leading independent health system, appointed Cynthia Ziegler as Vice President of...

You Can Live Well

As a fitness expert, I often encourage clients to care for themselves first. It seems...

Season’s Greetings

Stay Safe and Enjoy this Wonderful Time of the Year The upcoming holiday season is...

Powerful Stories of Breast Cancer Survivors

WORLD’s Stories from the Stage: The Podcast Kicks Off New Season Stories from the Stage: The...

They are Fit to be First Responders

By Barry Carter In a spirited competition among first responders, Newark and Essex County police...