LIVING HERSTORY: CELEBRATING BOLD AFRICAN-DESCENT WOMEN
Join us as we celebrate Black History Month on our blog this February. We’ll celebrate Bold Women’s Day during Women’s History Month in March. Follow this blog every Monday, as we reflect together about bold women—women whose collective voices are changing the lives of women and girls every day!
Week 4
Yara Shadidi- Legacy
Yara is an actor, model, activist, “mover and shaker.” She is recognized for her role as Zoey Johnson on the sitcom Black-ish and its spin-off Grown-ish.
She founded Eighteen X 18, a platform to encourage her peers to vote at 18 for the first time. Yara’s Club, in partnership with the Young Women’s Leadership Network, provides online mentorship in hopes of ending poverty through education.
Michelle Obama spotted Yara on the “30 Most Influential Teens of 2016” list. At 19, she interviewed former President Barack Obama at the Obama Foundation Summit about social media, race, and influencing change.
One way to support young women like, Yara, is to follow the blog this month and view one of the movies mentioned. Engage in conversation about their dreams and aspirations. Develop your plan for supporting her story.
Questions:
1. How are we mentoring and making room for girls and young women to find their voice?
2. Why are we intimidated by their story?
Prayer:
Good and gracious God, thank you for the leadership of young women like, Yara Shadidi and others who are dedicated to working for justice for a better world. Help us to be supportive the efforts of young women in our midst. Amen.
Valora Starr is the director for discipleship, Women of the ELCA.