March is Women’s History Month so I want to highlight Gabrielle Union who recently made a fabulous and powerful speech at the Essence Annual ‘Black Women in Hollywood’ luncheon. Gabrielle Union accepted the “Fierce and Fearless” award.  She delivered a moving speech where she reflected on her past insecurities and decided to change her thinking and behavior. She  now chooses to celebrate other women instead of “hating” on them.

Here’s some of the speech:

“We live in a town that rewards pretending. I had been pretending to be fierce and fearless for a very long time. I was a victim masquerading as a survivor. I stayed when I should have run. I was quiet when I should have spoken up. I turned a blind eye to injustice instead of having the courage to stand up for what’s right. I used to shrink in the presence of other dope beautiful women. I used to revel in gossip and rumors, and I lived for the negativity inflicted upon my sister actresses or anyone who I felt whose shine diminished my own.

It’s easy to pretend ‘to be fierce and fearless because living your truth takes real courage. Real fearless and fierce women admit mistakes and they work to correct them. We stand up and we use our voices for things other than self promotion. We don’t stand by and let racism and sexism and homophobia run rapid on our watch. Real fearless and fierce women complement other women and we recognize and embrace that their shine in no way diminishes our light and that it actually makes our light shine brighter.”

A common stereotype about women is that we’re “catty,” so I applaud Gabrielle for suggesting that we uplift and support other women instead of put each other down. We’d be more powerful if we come together and not rip each other a part. Ladies, let’s exercise unity and sisterhood and continue to be fierce and fearless 😉

What does a fierce and fearless woman mean to you?

“I can do anything…I am strong…I am invincible…I am woman!” ~ I Am Woman, Helen Reddy

Watch the video of Gabrielle’s speech on the Essence website.

Feel free to comment, share, and like this post. Follow me on Twitter @AshleyCaprice