Honoring the Resilience and Leadership of Black Women
A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble
“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (Psalm 13:1)
In the days following this election, many of us feel the weight of disappointment. For Black women, that disappointment cuts especially deep. Year after year, election after election, they have fought tirelessly for equality, justice, and voting rights—showing up to the polls, rallying for progress, and calling for a better, more just America. Too often, they have seen their hopes met with heartbreak, as promises are broken and injustice remains. Yet they continue to press on, knowing, as Maya Angelou once said, “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
It’s hard to overstate the power of Black women’s courage and resilience. When we look at the progress in civil rights, voting rights, and women’s rights, we see their fingerprints all over it. They have led not because it was easy, and not because the path was clear, but because they believed in the promise of something better—for all of us. And in every election, they show up, even when the system has let them down, again and again.
The question echoes, “How long, O Lord, until we see the end of racism? How long until our children are safe?” This cry, heard from generation to generation, is not just a cry of anguish—it’s a call to each of us to take a stand, to do our part. When we feel weary, their example invites us to rise and carry forward the work they have already begun. In the words of Fannie Lou Hamer, “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.” The resilience of Black women reminds us all of what it means to be truly committed to justice, to keep going when it’s hard, and to hold onto hope, even when it’s difficult.
For those of us who are not Black women, it is essential to recognize our role in how we hold and use power. It is not the job of Black women to educate us, nor to bear the burden of guiding us toward justice. We must take on this work ourselves, learning, unlearning, and understanding our responsibilities in challenging systemic inequities. We move forward with humility and the conviction that justice is a shared journey—a journey we are each responsible for advancing.
Today, let’s take a moment to honor this resilience and consider our own contribution. How can we lift up the voices of Black women who have so often been the ones carrying the movement? How can we walk alongside them, learning from their courage and persistence? It is our shared responsibility to move toward justice, as part of the larger tapestry of love, compassion, and healing that they have helped to weave.
Let their example inspire us. May we, too, learn to persevere, to hope, and to work for a world where every child is safe, and every voice is heard.
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
For Non-Black Folk:
How can I actively support and lift up Black women in their ongoing work for justice and equality?
How does the steadfast hope and resilience of Black women inspire me to keep moving forward in my own life?
For Black Folk:
In what ways can I allow myself to fully acknowledge and honor my grief—grief for the injustices I’ve witnessed or experienced, and for the progress that still feels painfully out of reach—while also finding ways to nurture hope and resilience within?
What sources of support, inspiration, or community bring me strength and renewal as I navigate the ongoing challenges in this work?
Prayer for the Day
A Prayer for Resilience and Justice
Spirit of Justice and Love,
We come together, called to work for a world where all are treated with dignity, free from racism, misogyny, and oppression.
Give us the strength to stand against hatred and the courage to confront prejudice in all its forms.
May we listen deeply to one another, honoring each story, and building bridges of compassion and understanding.
Inspire us to act boldly, to dismantle systems of injustice, and to create spaces of equity and belonging for all.
Help us walk together, united in purpose, so that love, justice, and peace may flourish in our world.
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
For Non-Black Folks: Listening and Learning
This week, make a commitment to listen to and learn from the experiences and stories of Black women. Seek out books, articles, or podcasts that share their perspectives and histories. Reflect on what you learn, and consider how you can incorporate this understanding into your daily life and actions. Let this practice deepen your empathy and commitment to justice, and let it move you to actively support and uplift those whose voices so often go unheard.
For Black Folks: Honoring Your Resilience
As you go through this week, find moments to reconnect with the inner strength that flows through you—a legacy of resilience carried by Black women who have come before you. Start by finding a quiet space, sitting comfortably. Take a few slow breaths, feeling grounded. As you breathe, reflect on the courage and love of those who came before, women who endured and persevered. With each inhale, breathe in gratitude for their strength. With each exhale, release any burdens you’re carrying, knowing you’re held by a legacy greater than yourself.
Later, set aside five minutes to let your heart speak. Open a journal or simply sit in reflection. Let yourself be honest—about your hopes, your frustrations, your dreams. Know that your voice is sacred, that your experiences are worthy, and that expressing them is part of honoring your story.
As each day ends, close with a simple prayer: God, thank You for the resilience within me. Grant me rest, peace, and hope. Remind me that I am enough. Amen.
Let this practice remind you that rest is your right, that your voice matters, and that you are deeply valued. May you feel grounded, renewed, and held in love.