Tell us about a woman who has inspired you on your journey.

March's blogging prompt comes courtesy of Chalon.

We enjoyed the collective blogging format CiKeithia introduced in February so much that we decided to keep using it! We hope you like it too and would love to hear your responses to the monthly prompts. Plus, it sure makes blogging easier when no one person has to write all the words!

Chalon: It was incredibly difficult to choose just one among the many incredible women who have shaped and inspired me. My late grandmother inspired me to be virtuous, to give my best, and to reach my full potential. My grandmother’s unwavering strength and encouragement shaped me to be who I am today. She was the epitome of resilience and rising to the occasion. She taught me how to see life from multiple perspectives and taught me the importance of education, deep thinking, and strategic movement. Her wisdom and relentless support inspired me to push boundaries and achieve my wildest dreams. I am forever grateful for Christene Rosetti Griffin Ervin. She lives in me.

CiKeithia: Women’s History Month is such a beautiful time to acknowledge the powerful women who have had an impact on our lives, both past and present. I am also reminded in this moment to give these women their flowers now. I am inspired to share with the many women in my life who continue to shape, guide, and inspire me.

I admire my health and wellness coach, Dr. Ayana Gore. Two months ago, I took the courageous step of getting serious about my health. The pandemic wreaked havoc in my life in many ways, but the most significant is the lack of attention I was paying to my physical and mental health.

One of the first things Dr. Gore said to me was, “I want you to know that this is a lifestyle change.” Those words really stuck with me. Was I ready? Or had I just mastered the language of desiring change without really putting in the work?

Well, I am happy to report that I am putting in the work to get the outcomes I desire. I am reconnecting with myself on so many levels, and frankly, it has made the realities of doing this very hard yet important work more bearable.

I am slowing down to embrace life’s many lessons and expressing joy and gratitude for the space to grow. The journey never really ends, but I am beyond thankful for Dr. Gore’s impact on my life.

LaToya: Celebrating Women’s History Month is a powerful way to think of and appreciate those women who have had a lasting impact on our lives. I’m so excited to share about a woman who has inspired me on my journey.

Since I was a little girl, my grandmother, Thelma Lockhart Holmes, has been my greatest inspiration. She embodied what it means to be a spiritual, loving, and honest person, showing me the power of kindness, integrity, and unwavering faith. Her deep connection to her community was evident in the countless lives she touched—always giving, always supporting, always leading with love.

Throughout her career at Leland School District, she wasn’t just serving meals—she was serving warmth, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. Generations of students adored her, and the impact she made extended far beyond the lunch line. The legacy she built lives on in the hearts of all who knew her, a lasting imprint of love, generosity, and community.

My life goal is to share love, care, and hope with all I connect with. Through my life’s work, I’ve been able to build relationships and make an impact in ways I never thought possible. I approach people with love each day because of the profound influence she had on me. It has now been two years since she passed, and while she is no longer physically here, she walks with me every day, keeping me grounded. Her love, wisdom, and presence continue to guide me, shaping the person I am and the work I do.

Heidi: I've often been told I don’t follow instructions well, and maybe my response here proves that point. Choosing just one woman to highlight felt impossible. The more I tried, the more I realized that my journey—both in race and gender—has been profoundly shaped by being part of a collective of women.

Being part of a team, especially among other women of color, has helped me embrace my whole self while also learning how differently we each experience the world. So, I want to give a special shout-out to my graduate school friends, who expressed our group identity through matching backpacks and homemade protest t-shirts. Thank you for awakening my Asian identity and activism.

Much love to my former co-workers—our "Old Futures" crew—who, even 20-plus years later, still genuinely like each other. You cared for me when I was a baby queer, and now you're cheering on my queer family baby.

Of course, I am deeply grateful for Team Equity Matters (past and present)—a powerhouse group of women of color who make me laugh, sometimes cry (both happy and sad tears), and challenge me in the best ways. Thank you for walking with me on this difficult, debris-filled, yet joyful path to racial justice.

And finally, I get through the hard times thanks to group threads filled with memes, snark, ROFL emojis, and feminine superpowers. I’ll leave it to you to guess who sends the snarky texts and cat photos.