JESSICA RUFFIN
Director, Social Justice Institutes, Carlow University
“’Black Girl Magic’ celebrates the beauty, power and resilience of Black women. I often think of all the amazing Black women in my life, and this phrase is something that I use daily to celebrate their hard-earned accomplishments.
Unfortunately, their work can not overshadow the work that still needs to be done. The recent Data Snapshot on the ‘Inequities Affecting Black Girls in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County,’ (according to Dr. Sara Goodkind,) reminds me of how critical it is for us to not just view ‘Black Girl Magic’ as a tool for celebrating our accomplishments, but rather a reminder to reach back and tell our girls where they come from and what they are capable of.
Black women have always played a critical role in recognizing and standing against injustice, but this report is another reminder that we are not always the primary beneficiary of our efforts. Join me and be intentional in looking out for and supporting movements that support Black women and girls.”
MAURITA BRYANT
Assistant Superintendent, Allegheny County Police Department
“I have to relate my response to my experience with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. I joined the police force in 1977 under the federal consent decree, which mandated that for every White male hired, one Black male, one White female and one Black female had to be hired. Black females were at the bottom of the list and that stigma followed us long past our initial hire date. Many supervisors felt or assumed that Black females were inferior to males and White females, therefore we were the last to be considered for any type of assignment… As the years passed, and the department became more progressive, Black females carved their way into positions, either by rank or specialized skill; we earned individual respect partly because of our expertise and contributions to the department, or because of the positive working-relationships we formed over time. However, in the minds of many cynics, the stigma of the quota system still rears its ugly head, because no matter how hard you worked, or what you’ve accomplished in your career, its perceived that any promotional opportunities given to Black females has to be related to a quota system. Black females have had to work twice as hard, pulling themselves up from the depths of discrimination and gender-bias to continually prove they are more than qualified to handle the tasks and responsibilities placed before them…
Although, Black females have been faced with more challenges than most, they have persevered and have made numerous contributions and inroads to the advancement of the law enforcement community.
African American have always had a sense of fairness about them and in many instances where there was a semblance of injustice or unfair treatment, they spoke up and tried to influence outcomes through reasoning or by addressing inappropriate behaviors. There have been many African American women whose shoulders we stand upon, because they were the pioneers who paved the way for us to achieve the advancements and accolades we enjoy today. These proud women were mentors and role models who taught us to have faith, to believe in ourselves and our abilities, to lead by example, and to always reach back and empower someone else.
The role I would like to see women play in the future is one of true equality. Where neither the color of your skin, your gender, your gender-identity, or your culture will impact the diversity of thought that she brings to the table. Many innovative ideas are stifled because females have no voice at the table, no influence to change archaic-thinking and no access to resources or opportunities to create positive change. Over time,women have learned to “work around” chauvinists to achieve results. They let men think it was their idea. Ideally, I would like to see women appreciated, recognized and respected for their contributions.”
LA’TASHA MAYES
Founder and executive director, New Voices for Reproductive Justice
“Black women face a political time that desperately needs our voices, experiences and leadership while simultaneously oppressing us based on our race and gender. Our issues vary, yet, our interests remain the same––health and well-being for ourselves, our families and communities, and the liberation of Black people.
Reproductive Justice centers key issues for Black women and it prioritizes our leadership; organizing; and advocacy on sexual and reproductive health, including abortion access, LGBTQ rights, access to healthcare particularly Medicaid, ending gender based violence, mass incarceration and environmental justice. Black women face the threat of violence, at all times, and when we go missing, are brutalized by the police and die at the hand of our intimate partners; the silence is deafening. Economic stability requires equal pay, living and family sustaining wages and paid maternity leave and sick days and the dismantling of institutional racism and sexism that disproportionately impacts Black women.
Black women always resist and survive. We build our own movements, like Black Lives Matter, that change the world and confront White supremacy. During this time, we must love, support and trust Black women.”
MARISA WILLIAMS
“African American women have always been on the front lines fighting for justice and equality, even when we weren’t the direct benefactor of the fight. Today, it’s not just one dimensional issues that we face, our issues are multifaceted. It’s not just equal pay and jobs; it’s being denied healthcare and educational opportunities. It feels like we are fighting for civil rights that our mothers and grandmothers fought for, and won, years ago. Shouldn’t all of these just be human rights? What makes us less entitled to them than anyone else?
Living in ‘hostile territory’ is not new to Black women, but it doesn’t make it right. Black women will continue to lead the way in holding our political leaders accountable. If they won’t do what the people elected them to do, Black women will rally to replace them.”
MONICA D. LAMAR
Principal, Pittsburgh Dilworth Pk-5, and president, Alpha Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
“Women will still face the issue of sexism (prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination against women based on sex). This is an issue that women leaders face and I continue to challenge in my career. I have experienced sexist comments, and prejudice from both men and women. African American women are going to have to return to the idea/concept of ‘when I climb the ladder, I will take others with me!’ African American women have never been able to make it without the support or encouragement of another women that help open the door. We cannot forget that’s how we made it. This is a concept that if we all embrace it, our communities and world can be better. African American women must model the change.”
KIKI BROWN
Personality, WAMO 100 and CEO, Nice 2 Media Marketing & Promotions, LLC
“In my opinion and with my personal/professional experiences, I feel women STILL aren’t taken seriously. We have passion and it’s mistaken as being “too emotional.” If we’re the boss, and we have strong demands or high expectations of our employees, we’re considered ‘the bitch.’ We aren’t paid the same salaries in most industries and that’s still shameful and embarrassing in 2017. We ALMOST had a woman in the White House (keyword: ALMOST) and we fell in LOVE w/ our past first lady. So, how come we can admire them, but not appreciate them or respect them (us) in the right way?
More people have registered to vote. We have exercised our rights to march for freedoms of equality and for a long time, we neglected those rights due to ignorance and fear. We play a role because we’re now presidents, congressmen/women and judges. We are community leaders, and strong men and women who realize it’s more important to stand for something than to fall for anything. We have a long way to go, but as long as we continue to fight the good fight, it’s a point of accomplishment for our people and our justices that will be made one day. To look at where we’ve come and see today where we are, it’s a huge accomplishment.
In the future, I’d like for there to be more higher positions being held by African Americans. I’d like for us to care more about OUR SAFETY. Protest about OUR violence; not just that of a Black man being gunned down by a police officer! We have to respect that ALL LIVES DO MATTER (even ours). Making a T-shirt and marching down the street when a police officer kills a Black man, but remaining silent when a Black man kills another, makes no sense to me! As a mother of a young Black man, I need for MY COMMUNITY to look after and protect my son as if he were their’s. I want for our businesses to support one another. There is money to be made and we can all make it. Let’s stop being greedy and selfish; keeping it all to ourselves. It’s not how we grow together. That’s what I want to see play out in the future. Is it realistic? I think so. My parents raised me to be more optimistic when it comes to my life and the lives of those I care about. So why not?”
SABRINA SAUNDERS MOSBY
Executive Director, Strong Women, Strong Girls
Black women have always been the backbone of critical movements, yet, we do not profit from the movement at the same level of commitment that we give. Although I see more Black women in leadership roles, where they are decision makers or the greater Pittsburgh community is lifting them up for the great work that they do, many people and organizations that profit from or talk about empowering the Black community and Black women, seldom make good on their promises. As a Black woman, I am all too familiar with the history of our struggle, but I also understand and have experienced survival as a Black woman. I think we can all agree that it’s about time for more Black women to thrive.
For our region to advance, Black women need to have a seat at the table as decision makers. Black women must continue to demonstrate our collective power by working collaboratively and intentionally across the issues. It’s important for Black women to support and help develop leaders who will champion our needs and address critical concerns for Black women and our families.
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