#womensconvention2017

[jmjfemi]

When I had the opportunity to be on a panel for the Women's Convention, Thank you @yodisabledandproud for sponsoring and getting me there #Detriot #CoboCenter #SupportNotOvertake #youthpanel #Oct28 #fbf #womensconvention2017 #2017wasgoodtome #sorta #notreally (at Cobo Center)

[sunnyhourss]

It's been one week since the Women's Convention and the only word that can describe that weekend is: transformative. Here's what I came back with:

1. There is nothing more beautiful than a diverse, intersectional group of determined women. We are only powerful together.

2. It's okay to cry. It's better to hug.

3. Feminism cannot exclude men. I need my brother in this with me, I need him to respect women and know what consent means. I need him to know it's okay to cry and that he too, can be anything that he wants. I need him to use his privilege to be my voice. 

4. America  cannot be a country where women who look like Linda Sarsour or Tamika D. Mallory should feel compelled to walk around their own convention with security guards.

5. Unity is not uniformity. I don't have to look like you to care about you, protect you or stand up for you. 

6. Black women are formidable. And Queen Maxine Waters is a force to be reckoned with. But also give Angela Rye, Symone Sanders, Brittany Packnett and Senator Nina Turner a listen. 

7. Women need to be at the table. A record number of women have committed to running for office in 2018 - we need to keep this momentum going because we cannot keep letting old, white men pass policies which impact our lives. Run for local office, for your school board or city council. Representation matters.

8. Stay perpetually outraged. Stay perpetually engaged.

9. But don't burn yourself out. We need 100% of you so indulge in some self - care. Treat yourself to that massage, get that dinner with your friend that you've been putting off, surround yourself with love.

Here's to all the dynamic women I met at the Women's Convention. May we continue to shake this world.