Written by Minister Sonya Hosey

I have always admired black-led nonprofit visionaries, women entrepreneurs, and political leaders of faith. These leaders started with a passion in their hearts and life experiences to make a change beyond their communities. These are women on the front line who are not afraid to break glass ceilings. Women such as Shirley Chisholm, in 1969, became the first Black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Let us have a dialogue about women, faith, and wellness,” that explores the intersection of women’s spirituality, roles, and overall well-being. This intersection highlights how faith and gender influence women’s mental, emotional, and physical health.” 

In scripture, these influential leaders impacted the nation and made eternal history – Deborah, a Judge; Hannah, a Prayer Warrior; Tabitha, a Philanthropist; Lydia, an entrepreneur; and Mary, the mother of Jesus. 

However, most times, it comes with a cost. According to the CDC health equity 2022 report, there is gendered racism, “racism, or a system of policies and ideas that cause and maintain racial inequities between those who belong simultaneously to minoritized gender and race groups. As leaders, it is essential to have dialogues to acknowledge and learn from women of color’s lived experiences and how gender bias can impact women’s mental, emotional, and physical health.

The CDC reports health outcomes showed that Black women had the highest chronic stress load compared to Black men, White men, and White women, a pattern not explained by socioeconomic factors, such as poverty.

Women leaders must become entrepreneurs of our health – mind, body, and spirit. You must organize and operate your body like a disciplined business – understand the importance of self-care, focus, and learn new strategies to become well. Discipline will include a complete sabbatical from all forms of technology, healthy living,  and detox from adverse environments and people.

 You must trust God and embrace the distinct mission and assignment given.

We should speak the Jabez prayer over our lives – Jabez 4: 9:10 “Oh, You would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory. Let Your hand be with me and keep me from the evil one.” And God granted his request.

Women, it is your time to break glass ceilings!