Women’s History Month: Audre Lorde
Some people write poetry. Audre Lorde wielded it like a sword and a shield. As a Black, lesbian, feminist, mother, warrior, and poet, she challenged the world to see injustice, to name it, and to fight for a future where no one is left behind. But she also taught us something just as radical: that self-care is a necessity, not a luxury.
Born in 1934, Lorde used her words to disrupt, to heal, and to empower. Her poetry and essays explored racism, sexism, homophobia, and classism, but she also wrote about the emotional toll of living at these intersections. She believed that fighting for justice wasn’t just about activism, it was about survival, and that meant protecting mental health, self-worth, and inner peace.
-She broke barriers in literature, unapologetically sharing her experiences as a Black lesbian woman.
-She fought for intersectionality, recognizing that systems of oppression are deeply connected.
-She redefined self-care as an act of resistance, reminding us that taking care of our minds and bodies is part of the fight for justice.
One of her most powerful lessons? "Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare." Lorde understood that burnout, exhaustion, and emotional suffering were not just personal struggles, they were tied to systems that thrived on oppression. For her, rest, self-love, and mental well-being were revolutionary tools.
This Women’s History Month, we celebrate Audre Lorde, a fearless truth-teller who showed us that mental health is power, healing is resistance, and our voices matter.
Read More About Her: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audre_Lorde
Image Description: A black-and-white portrait of Audre Lorde, the influential Black feminist, poet, and activist. She stands with her hands in her pockets, wearing a loose-fitting dark tunic with a V-neckline. Her short, natural afro frames her strong, determined expression as she looks directly at the camera. The plain white background emphasizes her commanding presence and unwavering confidence.
