Hello Samantha,
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I find myself reflecting on the loss of my grandmother, “Gamma,” to breast cancer. It’s been 16 years since she passed away in 2008 at the age of 59—just a year younger than her mother, who also died at 60 from breast cancer. Losing her felt like losing a piece of myself, and since then, breast cancer screenings have become non-negotiable in my family.
Gamma was one of six children, had five kids of her own, and worked in medical billing. She loved listening to Maxwell, but more than anything, she loved her family. She was the matriarch, the one who brought us all together. Holidays were spent at her house, and every summer, my cousins and I would stay with her while our parents worked. When she passed, I was in 8th grade, and I felt the shift. Read More
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"The future depends on what we do in the present." – Mahatma Gandhi
A reminder that the strategic planning and community work we do now will shape the progress and success of our future efforts.
"You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas." – Shirley Chisholm
This reflects the Queens' focus on action through planning new programs, recruiting, and building a long-term vision for impact.
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Annual Queen's Narrative Board Retreat | |
This month, members of our Queens Narrative Board gathered for our annual retreat to spend time reflecting on the past year and focus on strategic planning for the future. Together we laid out our exciting plans to continue the work of our anthology initiative, the launch of a youth spring series, recruitment and onboarding of new members, continued Queens Convos, and the development of a 3–5-year strategic plan. This retreat provided a space for us as a collective board to recharge and build alignment on the vision for next year’s impactful programming, ensuring continued growth and empowerment within the community. A big thank you to Diana Preston, executive director of Caring Medical Staffing for allowing us to use her space for our board retreat. | |
Your Voice, Your Power: The Importance of Voting | |
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Voting is one of the most impactful ways to shape the future of our communities and our country. The decisions made by elected officials affect everything from healthcare access and education to jobs and public safety. When we vote, we are choosing leaders who will advocate for policies that reflect our values and improve the well-being of everyone.
Every vote matters, and each election is a chance to stand up for what you believe in. Whether it’s health, economic opportunities, or social justice, your voice plays a vital role in shaping a better tomorrow.
Key Massachusetts Voting Dates:
- Early Voting Begins: October 21, 2024
- Mail-In Ballot Request Deadline: October 29, 2024
- Election Day: November 5, 2024
Let’s take action and vote for the change we want to see. Your vote is your power!
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Royal Wellness: Breast Cancer Awareness Month | |
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Together, We Can Make a Difference: Empowering Women Through Awareness and Support
This National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, A Queen’s Narrative stands with women in the fight against breast cancer. Early detection, education, and support are key in saving lives. Together, we honor the strength and courage of survivors and honor those who are no longer with us, while raising awareness to encourage regular screenings and self-care.
Empowering Facts & Actions:
- Take Charge of Your Health: Women can beat breast cancer through early detection. Regular mammograms and self-exams lead to early diagnosis, improving survival rates.
- Build a Strong Support System: Encourage friends, family, and community members to stay proactive about their health. Share resources, attend health workshops, and uplift one another.
- Advocate for Health Equity: By raising awareness, we can push for better access to screenings and treatment, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Together, we can take control of our health, uplift our communities, and inspire hope for the future. Let’s continue to rise and thrive!
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Celebrating the 106th Annual NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet
Queens Jazmine, Samantha, and Aumani proudly attended the 106th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet, an inspiring event hosted by the NAACP Springfield Branch. This year's banquet focused on honoring community leaders who advocate for social justice and equity, while also highlighting the ongoing fight for civil rights.
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The evening featured an inspiring keynote by Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley, President & CEO of the National Council of Negro Women. The banquet also honored incredible individuals Jaylen Lovejoy and the Pioneer Valley Project Teen Youth Team (Youth Awards), Cleo Brown Martin and Cindy Gaynor Harper (Community Service Awards), Edward Hatten (Veterans Award), and Dr. Sonia Dinall (President's Award). | | |
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FAB Passion Fashion Week:
New England
This month, our Queens, Samantha and Jazmine, received an exclusive invitation to FAB Passion Fashion Week, New England, where they attended both a meet-and-greet event and the "Fashion is Culture" themed fashion show at the Community Music School. During the events, they had the opportunity to connect with renowned designer Richie Richardson, the visionary founder behind this initiative. The showcase featured 12 diverse designers representing New England, New York, and the Caribbean, celebrating a blend of cultural influences through fashion.
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Girls, Inc. Speak Out: Leading Change for Women and Girls Fundraiser Event
In the spirit of supporting young girls, our Queens, Samantha and Jazmine, attended the Girls, Inc. Speak Out: Leading Change for Women and Girls event at the Log Cabin. They had the chance to connect with Vanessa Pabon-Hernandez, the new Executive Director of the Women’s Fund of Western Mass, and formally express their gratitude for the Women’s Funding grant, which will support A Queen's Narrative in the coming year.
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LOCAL MONTHLY EVENTS
- Cultural Connections: A Celebration of Black and Brown Literature, Saturday, November 2nd from 1pm-5:30pm
- Elias Brookings Elementary School 433 Walnut Street Springfield, MA 01109
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Learn More Here
- Wellness on Wheels (wow) bus at MLK Jr Family Services Emergency Food Pantry, Thursday, November 21, 2024, from 8am-11am
- 3 Rutland Street Springfield, MA 01109
- Learn More Here
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DONATIONS
Please help us continue to uplift the voices of women and girls by participating in our fundraising drive by giving $10, $15, $20, or more today. We are forever grateful. Thank you!
DONATE HERE
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