A Note from One Sisterfriend to Another
I’ve been thinking about the creativity of Black women.
Not only the creativity we recognize in art, music, literature, and fashion, but the kind that
shows up when something needs to change, and the usual way of doing things isn’t working.
I’ve known women who could look at a problem, see what was missing, and begin figuring out
what to do about it.
That deserves more recognition than it often receives.
With Love,
Belinda
SisterFriend Reflection
”For the master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house.”
—Audre Lorde
When I think about Audre Lorde’s words, I think about the women who understood that working
harder within a system wasn’t always going to change what was wrong with it.
Black women have a long history of creating what wasn’t available to them.
When educational opportunities were denied, they helped establish schools and institutions
of learning.
When their concerns were dismissed, they organized, advocated, and made themselves heard.
When communities needed resources, they developed networks of support, shared knowledge, and created ways to meet needs that others had overlooked.
We often describe these women as resourceful.
And they certainly were.
But resourcefulness doesn’t quite capture the imagination, leadership, and determination required to create something that didn’t exist before.
I think about parents and advocates I’ve encountered throughout my work
in education and disability advocacy.
Many understood the rules and procedures they were expected to follow.
But they also recognized when those procedures weren’t producing the outcomes their children needed.
They asked questions. They challenged decisions. They brought other families
together. They insisted that the people responsible for making decisions
listen to those most affected by them.
Their contributions weren’t always recognized as leadership.
But that’s what they were.
And this is where Audre Lorde’s words continue to challenge us.
It isn’t enough to become skilled at navigating a system if we never question why the system works the way it does.
Of course, knowing how to navigate existing systems matters. Families
need information, guidance, and practical support right now–not
only promises of future change.
But we also need people willing to ask whether a different approach is possible.
I think Black women have been doing the work for generations.
And while I’m beginning with Black women’s experiences, I recognize that Brown and
Indigenous women have also challenged exclusion, preserved knowledge, and created
possibilities within their own communities.
There is something important here for all of us.
We can appreciate the ingenuity that helped women navigate difficult circumstances
without romanticizing the circumstances that made such ingenuity necessary.
We should celebrate what women have created while continuing to question why
they had to create it in the first place.
That, to me, is the difference between making do and making change.
Where Purpose Meets Strategy
This week’s strategy? Look beyond the immediate solution.
When something isn’t working, we naturally ask how to fix it.
But there’s another question worth asking:
Why does this problem keep happening?
That question can move us from addressing one situation to understanding what needs to change.
Here’s a Challenge
Think about a recurring challenge in your workplace, organization, school, or community.
Instead of asking only how to resolve it this time, ask:
What would need to change so that we aren’t having this same conversation again?
You may not have the authority to change an entire system. But you can raise a question
that deserves consideration.
May you have the wisdom to recognize what needs attention and the courage to ask difficult questions.
May you encounter people who listen carefully, take your concerns seriously, and are willing to
consider another way.
May the knowledge and creativity women bring to our communities receive the respect they deserve.
Your Turn, SisterFriend
What’s something women in your family or community created because what
nedded wasn’t available?
I’d love to hear their stories. Share one in the comments below.