Defined by her African and Caribbean ancestry, the 50+ black woman is resilient and diverse. A reluctant heroine, she nonetheless exhibits and has undergone the journey of our favourite protagonists of fiction, fairy tales, and films, for their bravery, strength, perseverance, endurance and sacrifices as their journey unfolds, filled with challenges, meeting their misfortunes head-on. In her case, she will have experienced the many parallel struggles of being black; female; considered strong on one hand, aggressive on another; combating the oppression of her rights and shaming her body and hair.
She comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Her melanin content determines her many shades from light, medium and dark. A sassy character, she has a fun personality; loves music and is generally a good dancer who enjoys a whine (provocative hip-gyrating dance). Her hair is her crowning glory and at this milestone stage of her life, finally accepts its natural texture.
Of the ‘Silent’ or ‘Baby Boomer’ Generation, she may well have been part of the Wind Rush Generation who arrived in Britain during 1948-1971. Thankfully her contributions are recognised and celebrated on Wind Rush Day, 22nd June.
Having undergone a multitude of transitions ranging from adulthood; marriage; motherhood; work/career; illness; menopause; death of parents, family and friends; divorce; yet another is dealing with retirement and what this represents. These transitions, create an accumulation of experiences that facilitates going forward, together with the invaluable support and kinship of a sisterhood community. From this mature and wiser perspective she will hopefully have finally found peace; is proud of who she is; live her core values; voice her opinions; follow her passions; lives life today; learns from her yesterdays and anticipate tomorrow with optimism discovering her truth and faith in whatever she deems a higher power.
Whether using prayers (her ancestors being religious Christians), a sisterhood community, or BFFs, the need for solace is always welcome and heartening quotes help, all the more so when they are from an admired and/or inspirational black woman. A few of these are highlighted below:
“One of the hardest things in life to learn are which bridges to cross and which bridges to burn” (Oprah Winfrey)
“We must cease being participants in our oppression” (Stacey Abrams)
“We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own ‘to-do list” (Michelle Obama|)
50+ black women have come far and according to the United Nations an average of 22% of ministerial portfolio cabinet positions in the Caribbean are held by black women from Mia Motley, Prime Minister of Barbados; Sandra Mason President of Barbados; Paula-Mae Weekes President of Trinidad & Tobago and Nyan Silveria Jacobs, Prime Minister of St Maarten. That said, success should not be based on others’ achievements but on our, paradigm.
Her foremothers would be proud of the achievements made to date. But though progress continues to be made and the battle has been won to a degree, by way of the next generation and those thereafter, hopefully, they will attain the victory diligently worked for, finally winning the war.
The 50+ black woman is me and you and to sing our praises as the resilient women that we are, You Go Girl!
