The quote, "Throw dirt on me and you will see how I bloom," credited to the indomitable Mexican artist and activist, Frida Khalo, speaks volumes about resilience. Regardless of various perspectives on her complex life, Khalo stood as an emblem of women's emancipation, pioneering the path to liberation for all, well ahead of her era. Like countless women who had to pave their own path, she too faced rejection, not only from the polite society but was also forcibly sidelined from leadership roles, discriminated against due to her gender, skin color, and language. Yet, these formidable women have crafted their own destiny, creating their own rules, steering their future, and mastering the art of transforming every 'no' into a resounding "si, se puede."
If there were every a time, when that indomitable spirit of resistance is needed it is now. We are faced with some of the worst draconian laws against women’s bodies, their choices and their basic freedoms in a country that claims to be a bastion of liberty and justice for all. Around the globe, girls are prohibited from obtaining an education, women are a constant collateral damage of war through violence and rape, mothers are torn away from their children at borders, and during the pandemic throughout many parts of Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean women bore the brunt of the suffering.
I was raised by a missionary mom, who was born in the heart of Comerio, Puerto Rico, amidst hardships, I am the living embodiment of my mother's enduring legacy. She who instilled in me the virtue of resilience. Despite her limited resources and education, she achieved her GED, advanced her studies at a community college, and broke through barriers, becoming a teacher's assistant and Lancaster City's first welfare worker. Her deep fascination with biblical heroines like Ruth, Noemi, Esther, Deborah, and Dorcas, women who transformed trials into miracles, imprinted a profound influence. Even after her premature death, her unwavering faith, commitment to education, and mastery of creating delicious meals on a shoestring budget, reverberate within me and my siblings. I am inspired by the narrative of her relentless determination, a testament to her everlasting influence and tenacity.
Often not acknowledged by many, the Wesleyan movement, officially attributed to John and Charles Wesley, owes much of its foundation to their mother, Susana. Facing adversity, she carved a disciplined process of discernment, dialogue, and mutual accountability. Susana boldly established her kitchen as a community of faith, defying her husband's wishes. Noted historian, Dr. Paul Chilcote, in his book 'Wesley and the Women Preachers of Early Methodism', sheds light on how Susana's teachings sowed seeds in John Wesley that bore fruit in influential women like Grace Murray, Sarah Crosby, and Mary Bosanquet. In essence, Susana's contribution to the Wesleyan movement is an authentic and integral part of its history.
Perhaps reaching back through history we can see that women have been leading long before they were granted permission and that this history should teach us something for United Methodism today. As we prepare to convene in Charlotte, NC in the upcoming month, I pray that we have learned that its really not up to us to legislate who God calls. This understanding transcends boundaries, making it universally applicable. As we commemorate Women’s History Month, let’s acknowledge that women shaping herstory is actually the story of all of us.
This reflection was originally published by the National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry. It has been republished with permission. You may also view this reflection in Spanish and learn more about the NPHLM's work here.