When you are surrounded by negative things it is hard to find confidence. But you have to find it. Believe that you can do it.
You were created for this moment.
Believe that you are capable and able.
Remember you are not alone.
Be confident.
In honor of Women’s History Month I will share more images from my Queens photoshoot. I chose women from history who had an impact on history.
Betsy Ross was a woman who ran a business during a time when most women could not own property and where not considered citizens. She was able to influence leadership and get some of her ideas on the able.
Elizabeth Griscom Ross was born in 1752 in Gloucester City, New Jersey was an upholster who made the first American flag. Her parents were Quakers and sent her to a state-run Quaker school. Afterwards she became an apprentice to an upholsterer.
She married John Ross (nephew of George Ross who signed the Declaration of Independence) in 1773. This marriage caused her to break from her family and start a business with her husband. Among her first customers were George Washington, for whom she made bed hangings. When the Revolutionary War started, John was a member of the Pennsylvania Militia. He died 1775.
Betsy worked at the upholstery business repairing uniforms, making flags, tents, blankets and other things for soldiers.
The legendary story is that Betsy convinced Washington to alter the six-pointed stars on the flag to five-pointed stars.
She married again in 1777 to Joseph Ashburn and they had two children. He died in an English prison during the war. In 1783 she married John Claypoole and they had five daughters.
Betsy stayed in business until 1827, after which she passed it on to her daughters.
She died in 1836 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
This is about having or showing assurance. It is about pushing down the negative voices around you and in you. We all trust in something. There is a source that we believe in whether it is to always bring bad luck or help us make our goals. We all believe in something.
I find my confidence in God. I trust that He will make all things work together for my good. Philippians 1:6. This month we are going to be confident in the things we do and the people around us.
What do you put your trust in? Where do you find your confidence?
Today think of all of the things you know how to do. Write down all of them. Depending on how old you are the list may be pretty long. Don’t take anything for granted. And you know what? You are still learning. You are not done yet.
Remember. You are able. Tell yourself everyday.
Best known for her role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. Parks refused to give up her seat and move to the back of the bus. She was arrested, lost her job and was the subject of death threats.
But as the movement grew stronger she became an icon of what activism looks like. After the boycott, Parks moved to Detroit. She went to work for US Rep. John Conyers in the House of Representatives from 1965 to 1988. She died in 2005.
Madam CJ Walker was not born with a lot of opportunities. She was the first child her parents had that was born free of slavery. When both parents died she was young and was raised by her sister. But the woman born Sarah Breedlove was able.
Sarah married young and had a child. She was determined her daughter would have all of the things she never had. She started out doing the things she knew to do, but later learned new things. She was able.
A woman who grew up without parents, without a formal education, and all of the other things we are waiting on became very successful. She was able.
Tell yourself. You are able.
Madam CJ Walker was born Sarah Breedlove in Delta, Louisiana in 1887. After moving to St Louis in 1888, she worked at a laundry and became a part of the community. She learned about haircare from her brothers who were barbers. She became an agent for Annie Malone, who owned a company that catered to African American hair care. Walker would later become Malone’s biggest rival.
Walker moved to Denver in 1905 to sell Malone’s products and start to create her own. She met and married Charles Walker. She began selling her products door to door, and her market grew to the point where she could hire other people to sell them for her. She opened a college where she taught other women how to take care of their hair. She also opened a manufacturing plant to make her products. She created a method of grooming that helped promote healthy hair and scalps. Her goal was to teach women how to live better.
She became a millionaire and her products were sold all across the US and the Caribbean. She supported organizations like the YMCA and scholarships for education of African Americans. She tried to fulfill a need in the community.
In this image it spoke to a woman who was able to be where she was. It did not limit her.
People of African descent have made significant contributions to society. This month is an opportunity to look at those achievements and celebrate those people.
This Month’s shirt Everybody’s History
Last month we were capable
I am able
In addition to being capable of doing something, You are able to do it. This month as we celebrate Black History and see all that our ancestors accomplished, remind yourself that you are able.
You have power, skill, proficiency, and intelligence to accomplish the tasks before you. You have the means and the opportunity.
Tell yourself this every day and watch how your life changes.
You are capable. Write down everything you accomplished this month. Even those little things. Learn to appreciate those little things. Continue to remind yourself that you are capable. You have skills and talents. You accomplish a lot every day. Appreciate your talents and skills. Value yourself.
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