On Tuesday, February 28, the Broward Chapter of the American Red Cross and the North Broward Chapter of The Links, Incorporated co-hosted a book reading with Marita Golden, author of The Strong Black Woman: How a Myth Endangers the Physical and Mental Health of Black Women. The virtual event was attended by staff and volunteers of both organizations and moderated by Judge Stefanie Moon, the Red Cross Broward Chapter Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee Chair and North Broward County Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, Legislative Issues, Public Affairs and Disaster Relief Committee Chair.

During the virtual reading, Marita Golden, an award-winning author of 17 works of fiction and non-fiction, shared three passages from her book and helped to unravel the myth of the strong Black woman in front of an audience of women leaders. Marita’s book is intended for anyone wanting to learn more about self-care, healing and the pressures that modern women endure by simply existing in today’s culture.

Asked to elaborate on the myth of the strong Black woman, Marita shared her belief that it stems from a maladaptation adopted by Black women who were stripped of their freedoms and dignity. In response, Black women developed an armor of strength and resilience to survive in a world conditioned to limit their power and potential. Marita added that the current generation of Black women has evolved to understand the harm caused by this maladaptation and must learn vulnerability to reject this ideology and prosper as complex and multi-dimensional humans.

Prior to the virtual reading, I chatted with Marita over the phone and talked about her life and work in Maryland, where she is based. As a young child, Marita loved to read and write and credits her mother for becoming the writer she is today.

Today, Marita is a veteran teacher of writing and is the co-founder and President Emerita of the Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Foundation, an organization that supports professional and aspiring Black writers. She told me she never knows where the next story will come from but that a great story takes time and dedication. Her advice for young Black writers trying to break into the literary world is for them to take time to become exceptional writers so that they’re able to write a story that people will feel compelled to read.

The Strong Black Woman was borne from the knowledge that Marita suffered two ‘silent’ strokes, an attack of the brain that Marita was unaware of when it happened. After living a life devoted to healthy eating, regular exercise, transcendental meditation and mindfulness, Marita wondered how her body could betray her. She knew the statistics and had studied the “twice as likely” syndrome. A syndrome that results in Black men and women being twice as likely to develop lethal health conditions. In her research, Marita found that Black women are slightly less likely to have breast cancer yet are 40 percent more likely to die from it. Black women are the fastest-growing demographic to develop Alzheimer’s and the mortality rate of babies born to Black mothers is demonstrably higher than that of babies born to White mothers. In The Strong Black Woman, she explores the cost of Black women neglecting their physical and mental health and details how the myth of the strong Black woman has led to a generation of women seeking help and healing.

After reading The Strong Black Woman, Marita hopes readers walk away understanding how vital it is that Black women stay physically, mentally and emotionally healthy. She shared in her book how she vowed to live a long and healthy life after the sudden death of both her parents in her early twenties. Through therapy, community and daily spiritual work, Marita has kept her promise to herself. She urges women to take time for themselves, set boundaries, and learn how to be still. Marita credits her spiritual practice, which combines meditation, prayer and affirmations, as the most important thing she does daily to remain healthy. In this fast-paced world, she told the women on the call that ten minutes, a few times a day, to practice stillness can help with finding joy within.

Judge Stefanie Moon, the moderator for the virtual reading, told the group that Marita’s book had profoundly changed her life. She heard her own voice and found parallels in Marita’s words after reading The Strong Black Woman – at least half a dozen times now. Her takeaway from the book is that “self-care must be intentional,” and she finds joy in sharing Marita’s words and wisdom with her friends and family.

The Red Cross is grateful to Marita Golden, Judge Stefanie Moon and all the participants who attended The Strong Black Women book reading. In an environment where women can have it all – by doing it all - we should heed Marita’s guidance and slow down, learn to say no and build everyday practices that will help us sustain a full and fulfilled life.

Written by Stephanie Wesseling, American Red Cross Public Affairs