By Victoria Mejicanos
AFRO Staff Writer
vmejicanos@afro.com
March 1 marked the beginning of Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate and honor women’s contributions to society as well as continue to advocate for their rights. This week, the AFRO interviewed people, asking the best advice they have ever received from women in their lives. Take a look below and be sure to thank the wise Black women who have shaped your life while you have the opportunity to do so.
“The best advice I ever got from a woman was to not let anyone take my joy. I received that advice from my grandma. She tells me that quite often; it’s usually just a reminder to me. It helps me get through the day, it helps me get through life.”
Gavin Claiborne, 22
Ontario, Calif.
Student
“The best advice I ever got from a woman was from my mom. It still sticks with me today. It’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. She was telling me to take a jacket with me to school as a kid, but I take that for everything now. Anytime I can take an opportunity in a situation to get more out of it, I always think about it. It’s bled over into my school work in the best way possible, it’s bled over into my spiritual life and even down into things like making friends.”
Lamar Stephenson, 22
Moreno Valley, Calif.
Behavioral Technician
“My aunt told me I could do whatever I wanted as long as I was the best at it. It’s made me definitely try much harder at things. I used to be a pretty mediocre student, but now I’m excelling.”
Daniel Bratton, 22
Ontario, Calif.
Retail employee
“The best advice I’ve ever gotten from a woman was to support other women in male-centered spaces. Even as a student, a lot of males tend to occupy classrooms, especially ones that are more STEM focused. In those classes, I tend to find other women, especially other POC (people of color) women like me, to help each other pass the class and just give each other a support system.”
Heldana Matias, 19
Riverside, Calif.
Student
“The best advice I’ve gotten from a woman would probably have to be to just focus on myself and stay on track when it comes to school and my goals.”
Tramoiya Mitchell, 19
Riverside, Calif.
Student
“I would say the best advice that I got from a woman would be my mother, and her teaching me to love myself. this world is a good teacher, but it can be really harsh. When I was younger I didn’t really understand her. Now that I’m older, I’m really grateful to her for instilling those things in me because now I’m able to apply them with my adult mind, so I appreciate that from her, it’s helping me grow now.”
Lahni Turner, 28
Moreno Valley, Calif.
Amazon Employee