EDITORS NOTE: MARCH

Written By YARI BLANCO
 

HAPPY WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH!

Celebrating women is at the core of why we exist and do what we do at theGIRLMOB, but we would be looked at sideways if we did not acknowledge this celebration. I’m so amazed by the vastness that is to be a woman, and I am so grateful that I am continuously learning myself and what my version of womanhood looks like. Working for The Wing has exposed me to so many different types of women, and it has really forced me to retreat inward and take inventory of how I view myself and my role as a woman in this world. It’s also made me think about femininity with new eyes. I hope that you are equally exposed to conversations and content that ushers you into a new world view, because the truth has always been that we are so much more than the shape of our bodies and the clothes we wear. That is to say that those things are simply the first layer to a decadent and multi-level cake.

In honor of this month, I wanted to share some of the women who have and are currently inspiring me. This is a short list and doesn’t include JLo or Michelle Obama because those should be obvious :)

These women are using their platforms to push for other women, especially women of color. They’re using their voice to help heal, to help educate, and to help motivate the rest of us. They make me go, WOW!

MICHAELA ANGELA DAVIS

I love myself when I'm smiling especially with lashes! Face blessing by @fairweatherfaces ..Oh and a LEGEND had her fingers in my hair today #SeasonedBeauties #AndreaFairweather #RuthSanchez

1,770 Likes, 55 Comments - michaela angela davis (@michaelaangelad) on Instagram: "I love myself when I'm smiling especially with lashes! Face blessing by @fairweatherfaces ..Oh and..."

ALEXANDRIA OCASIO CORTEZ

Sometimes people ask me how this feels. To be honest, at least in part, I feel scared. Anxious. Overwhelmed. And that's okay. It is a surreal experience to go from being virtually anonymous to having an enormous amount of attention overnight. Things went from feeling like folks going out of their way NOT to cover our campaign to feeling like there's a microscope on my every word, joke, meal, outfit, or makeup decision. Every time a media event like this happens I get NERVOUS. But I also think about how I never got to see anyone like me on any magazines growing up. I never saw a version myself in leadership, or on TV, or anywhere really and think, "That could be me." . I think of that saying, 'be who you needed when you were younger.' When I was younger, I needed to see myself in others. I needed mentorship. I needed an example. I needed to believe that I could. Knowing that gives me the courage to overcome the doubt, the fear, and anxiety: the idea that if I do this, then maybe it will help someone else. . The whole time I campaigned for Congress up to the primary, I didn't even have health insurance. I was uninsured until not long ago. I STILL feel squeezed w/ healthcare. So to suddenly be on the cover of a magazine despite all that is enough to make my head spin. I try hard to keep my life as normal as possible, with just a few changes to accommodate the whirlwind. I still live in my 1br BX apartment, but I may move 2 blocks to get a little more space for all the boxes. I go to my same bodega, have the same mailman, play in the same parks with my nieces and nephews. . The hardest part has been feeling like my full, human, 3-dimensional self gets flattened into a 2 dimensional character for mass consumption or critique. It's weird. I stumble like everyone else. It's hard feeling like I have a whole movement on my shoulders. But I also know that's not true - movement means we're ALL in this together. I happen to have one mic to amplify the work and causes of others, but it's not the only mic. . The goal is to keep pushing so that LOTS 👏🏽MORE👏🏽 champions get the shine they so deeply deserve. That means to everyone out there - your cover is next. 📸: @cassblackbird

121.7k Likes, 3,561 Comments - Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@ocasio2018) on Instagram: "Sometimes people ask me how this feels. To be honest, at least in part, I feel scared. Anxious...."

MIMI VALDES

Thanks to @lradel, @sarahjanespellings and @thecut for this article on @nymag. This pic by @gab is very me! 😊 (hair by @arimeihair and make-up by @samanthalmua)

2,127 Likes, 176 Comments - Mimi Valdés (@mimivaldes) on Instagram: "Thanks to @lradel, @sarahjanespellings and @thecut for this article on @nymag. This pic by @gab is..."

SIEDEH FOXIE

It's been a whirlwind of change leading up to fall and I'm slowly emerging back on the gram. I feel like I've gone really deep into the unknown, which was/is terrifying at times, but oh so unexpectedly beautiful and humbling, it literally brought me to tears. I've shed so many layers, and my ever expanding heart still feels a little raw to the touch, but I just take that as a sign that I'm still processing/blossoming/birthing unto myself. Venus is retrograde and I'm embracing the hyper sensitivity, with my intention to stay open and receptive to all that's coming though. And well, I would be so honored to share these transmissions with you. UPCOMING EVENTS: 10.25 | @witmalive Conversation Series @theassemblagenyc Geeking out about neuroplasticity, manifestation, and flow consciousness with some super dimensional star seeds (oh, hi sis @nicole_adriana_cassanova!). 10.26 & 11.9 | DEVOTION Honoring Venus retrograde, an offering to spirit in gentle awareness and humbling gratitude, raising our voice in prayer, poetry, and song. 10.27 | @healhaus Life in Ritual Cultivating ritual as a sacred vessel for spiritual development, building a working relationship with the guiding forces of spirit through its various forms. 11.1 | Seeds of Our Ancestors Gather in ceremony to heal generational wounds and honor the gifts of our ancestors. . . . You know what to do, check the link tree in bio for details and to RSVP!

506 Likes, 23 Comments - Siedeh Foxie (@st.foxie) on Instagram: "It's been a whirlwind of change leading up to fall and I'm slowly emerging back on the gram. I feel..."

ELAINE WELTEROTH

BOZOMA SAINT JOHN

MELODY EHSANI

Exercise your power today 💪🏽

3,952 Likes, 44 Comments - Melody Ehsani (@melodyehsani) on Instagram: "Exercise your power today 💪🏽"

IMANI ELLIS

This life has taught me so many things but what I know for sure, is that we are stronger together. Look at what we did! #CULTURECON | 📷 by @mark.c

716 Likes, 64 Comments - imani⚡️ (@imaniimani) on Instagram: "This life has taught me so many things but what I know for sure, is that we are stronger together...."

While we honor WHM, this March we are also focusing our attention on BODY AGENCY. Focusing on how we treat our bodies. You’ll see stories on what we eat, where we go to move our bodies, and why we should try at home remedies versus over the counter tings… We only get one body, and it’s really up to us to pay attention to what it tells us. I know from personal experience that I tend to neglect myself and then pay the consequences later.

A reminder that you’re no good to anyone if you’re not making sure to take care of you first.

I hope to see you all at our event later this Month!

Peace & Light.

Yari B.

post image by ellie & co

YARI BLANCO
Previous

MARCH HOROSCOPES
Next

FINDING YOURSELF AGAIN