THE ART OF WOMANHOOD: Fierce, Feminine, Fearless

By Angela M Mitchell and Nadia Monsano

The Art of Womanhood: Fierce. Feminine, Fearless is a moving and powerful book that highlights the stories of ten badass Sistas in different stages of womanhood. From the thirty-year-old mother to the seventy-year-old grandmother, this book chronicles their experiences, trials, triumphs, and the strength they have drawn from their Divine Feminin

• Language: English
• Publisher: Back To Her
• Release date: Apr 25, 2024
• ISBN: 9798869303769

Book preview

FOREWORD

Life can be full of unpredictable twists and turns, and during these unexpected moments, we often find ourselves pushed to our limits. However, in these trying times, we discover the true extent of our resilience. Angela Mitchell is a perfect embodiment of what it means to be resilient. Her unwavering spirit and determination enable her to overcome every setback and emerge stronger and more radiant than ever before. Even in the depths of life's darkest storms, her light shines brightly for all to see.

Angela's journey was one of transformation and growth. She has surpassed mere existence and has become an inspiration for those around her. With her unwavering will and determination, Angela has illuminated the paths she has treaded, imparting her wisdom and guidance to those who seek it. Every trial and tribulation Angela has faced has served as a classroom for her, imparting valuable lessons that have shaped her character and purpose. She has embraced every challenge with an open mind and a willingness to learn, using her experiences to grow and evolve.

With a renewed mindset, Angela has turned her adversities into steppingstones, using them as a springboard to propel her toward her destiny as a Fierce, Feminine, and Fearless Woman. Her unwavering determination and resilience have helped her transform her setbacks into opportunities for growth and self-discovery. In essence, Angela's journey is a testament to the power of the human spirit and the limitless potential within each of us. She is a shining example of what it means to be a strong, empowered woman who is unafraid to pursue her dreams and positively impact the world.

Drawing from her own life experiences, Angela has become an inspiration for women around the world. Her resilience and confidence offer hope and empowerment to all women. Her book, The Art of Womanhood; Fierce ~ Feminine ~ Fearless, celebrates the unbreakable spirit of women who defy the odds and overcome their circumstances. Angela and her fellow authors exemplify this spirit. The book contains a collection of stories that testify to the unwavering will of women who are determined to carve their own path to success. The stories are about self-love, physical transformation, and pursuing purpose.

May you find valuable wisdom and inspiration as you read The Art of Womanhood. Each story has the power to transform you, helping you become resilient, strong, and confident. Embrace the journey and the woman within yourself. Like Angela Mitchell, may you become a source of light and inspiration for others to follow.

— Joan T Randall

CEO Victorious You Press

INTRODUCTION

I turned fifty on September 1, 2022, and I was a distraught mess! I was a ball of crazy-ass emotions, and none of them were good either. I was thinking, What the hell! Man, where did the time go? I am halfway to one hundred, and I am terrified! Most folks have a big birthday bash or maybe take a special trip, but not me. I decided I wanted to rent a cabin and spend the night in the middle of the woods by myself. This was a crazy time for me. I wanted to recharge and embrace the spiritual transition I was experiencing. So, I found one that was literally in the middle of no damn where. So, me and Fiona, my Chorkie dog, headed out there.

Well, that didn’t work out at all, and I got my ass out of there before I ended up on an episode of Unsolved Mysteries. I’ll tell that story another time, lol. But during the drive home, I decided I was going to produce an anthology. I had been thinking about the ups and downs, trials and triumphs, and the chaos and calm that I had experienced throughout my life. Yet, I made it through it all, from becoming a mother at seventeen years old, to surviving sexual assault and domestic violence, to selling drugs, going to jail, and all the other craziness that life brought. However, my Divine Feminine gave me the strength to overcome.

There is an art to being a woman, and there are many more like me out there with stories to tell–stories that can only be told by the women who lived them.

What does it mean to be a woman? How do we define womanhood? Those are two questions that came to mind when I decided to put this project together. Initially, I wanted to highlight the experiences of women who were entering the great 50-year-old mark and beyond, but The Most High decided that was not to be. I received messages from women of all ages, races, and places in the world wanting to be part of the project, so I decided to be obedient and switch it up, and here we are.

Fierce: Strong, Proud, Dangerous, and Ready to Roar!

What does it mean to be fierce? I took that into account when I came up with the subtitle because that’s how I see us as women. We are intense storms, strong, even when we need someone else’s strength, and dangerous when backed into a corner. When I think of the fire that comes along with fierceness, I think of my grandmother, Esther Perryman. This woman raised me and my sister for the first few years of our lives. I remember her coming to pick us up in Detroit because my biological mother was not able to care for us at the time.

I don’t know exactly how old we were when we went to live with her or how many years we stayed with her, but we were there when she died. I was just eight years old. I remember walking into the bathroom of the farmhouse we lived in and seeing her husband hovering over her lifeless body, frantically trying to perform CPR, but she died anyway. All my life, I have been told that she was a fighter who didn’t take shit from a soul! I saw her kick ass a time or two, so I know she was no joke! I always admired that about her and was always proud to be told that I took after her. But I always wanted to know more. Why was she a fighter? What happened that made her always have to defend herself? I ask those questions because I know why I always felt like I needed to fight and defend myself out here in the world, and I had to have her fierce spirit to do it!

Fearless: Not Afraid, Brave, and Bold!

This term is kind of double-sided. On the one hand, we are often filled with fear and anxiety, and it can cripple us, hold us hostage, and chain us to past hurts and experiences. But, on the flip side, we use that fear to move forward and take action. We become fearless when faced with the trials of motherhood, sisterhood, and all the other hoods we find ourselves in as women! We keep moving because we don’t have a choice, so we become fearless!

Feminine: Having Qualities Associated with Women or Girls—Gentle, Soft.

Womanhood has been under attack for so long that it almost seems like the norm. We are being told how we should dress, speak, and behave. There are people who want to control what we do with our bodies and our minds and have their own definition of womanhood—all while attempting to leave us out of the conversation!

Nah! This is our SUPER POWER, baby! Our softness, our nurturing spirit, our natural tenderness, and our grace. We are the givers of life, and when we are loved and whole, the world is just right.

I encourage you to read every story in this book. And no matter which story you connect with the most, I hope that you find a little piece of your own life and its experiences somewhere between these pages. I pray these stories inspire you to share your own testimony someday and carve your space in history!

Please know that you are what the world has been waiting for! You are love! You are light! And you are peace! I wish you infinite blessings, Sista.

— Angela M Mitchell

FIERCE

I build a strong foundation that inspires and empowers me. I develop the courage and wisdom to overcome challenges and use my spiritual gifts to serve others and create a better life for myself.

The Audacity of Absence

Alisha Guilford

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Imagine sitting on the front porch with your sister, enjoying the vibes, and the fact that school was out for the summer was a bonus! We did not have any plans, and we did not take vacations as most families do these days. We were happy to be with our friends, walk the block, hang out at the basketball court, and go to the corner store to grab whatever snacks we could get after turning in our empty soda bottles for some change. Our house was across the street from the store, so we saw all the comings and goings from the comfort of our huge picture window or front porch.

A car pulled up; it was a taxi, light blue, if I recall correctly. I did not give much thought to it until my mother walked over to greet whoever was inside. Then she called me over to introduce me to the occupant of the car. This man was dressed like Rick James, his hair braided with beads on the end, and he wore a red leather outfit. My mom casually introduced me and said, Do you know who this is? In my fourteen-year-old mind, I thought, Now why should I know who this man is, unless it really is Rick James? If that were the case, why would he come to our house? I knew this man was from Buffalo, and some of my older cousins had been to his house before, but again, why would he be at mine?

Then, my mom told me who he was. Without saying a word, I turned and went back and sat on the porch with my sister because this could not be how I would meet the man whose name was on my birth certificate. The man who I had not given any thought to his absence as I was growing up, just as I’m sure he did not give any thought to my existence. And now he wants to appear out of thin air. Why now? I am going into my freshman year of high school. Where have you been for the last fourteen, almost fifteen years? During all this time, I don’t think I cared or wanted to know anything about him. I had survived this long without him. This must be some kind of joke.

This man lived less than ten minutes from me