The Woman I was Named After

-Originally published on March 8, 2019-

The woman I was named after was a woman of colour

The woman I was named after was a woman of colour and a woman of influence

The woman I was named after was a woman of colour and a woman of influence who changed lives

The woman I was named after was a woman of colour and a woman of influence who changed lives and lives on through her writing

The woman I was named after was a woman of colour and a woman of influence who changed lives and lives on through her writing and worked as a sex worker

The woman I was named after was a woman of colour and a woman of influence who changed lives and lives on through her writing and worked as a sex worker and was sexually abused at the age of 8

The woman I was named after was a woman of colour and a woman of influence who changed lives and lives on through her writing and worked as a sex worker and was sexually abused at the age of 8 and gave birth to her son at 17

The woman I was named after was a woman of colour and a woman of influence who changed lives and lives on through her writing and worked as a sex worker and was sexually abused at the age of 8 years old and gave birth to her son at 17 and STILL despite all of this, is one of the most influential women to ever live.

The woman I was named after was Maya Angelou.

Today is International Women’s Day.

Remember those who set the stage for the life we live now and thank them.

Thank you