People may mean well. But to insist that women fighting for justice — especially women working to protect other women — must also abandon faith
People may mean well.
Photo by Freeman Lawoe
But to insist that women fighting for justice — especially women working to protect other women — must also abandon faith, spirit, or prayer?
That’s not progress.
That’s cruel. On par with men who want women to have nothing standing in the way of focusing solely on cooking, cleaning, and tending to their every instant need. It is a form of isolation and control.
As advocates women come to us because their husbands were jealous of them going to church services. Even studying at home. I recall the one woman had to walk to church because her husband would not allow her to use the car to attend services. Another who was dissuaded from speaking in public even if it was an audience of women.
To demand that women’s rights workers be non-religious, to strip them of the very faith that sustains them through unthinkable pain — that is to rob them of their well.
And when the well runs dry, where exactly do you expect us to pour from? Then where will you go?
Faith has always been a power source for women.
It’s what kept Sojourner Truth standing, Jarena Lee preaching, and Fannie Lou Hamer singing freedom songs through fear, loss, and blood and night. It is what kept our people marching on beat after we were beaten.
Our spirituality doesn’t make us weak.
It makes us whole.
It makes the work possible.
It reminds us that justice is not just political — it’s sacred.
If you want women to fight for you and with you, then you must also want them to have something holy that fills them back up.
Because no one can draw water from a dry well.
Women are allowed to have things for ourselves that you may not understand.
🌿 Affirmations:
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I am allowed to have faith that fills me, even if others do not understand it.
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My spiritual life is not up for debate; it is my lifeline.
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I can believe in justice and in God. Those two powers were never meant to be enemies.
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My faith is not weakness — it is fuel.
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I am allowed to bring my prayers to the fight for justice. They belong here.
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I am not required to pour endlessly. I am allowed to refill.
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The world may take, but I am learning to replenish myself first.
- I can serve others without surrendering myself.
- My spirituality does not have to make sense to those who have never lived my storms.
*Note: With joy and honor, I have and will continue to serve on united faith task forces with people of various faiths. This post speaks to those who are “concerned” with women’s rights advocates being traditional spiritual and faith believers.