How Black women ‘reclaimed their time’ at the inaugural Women’s Convention in Detroit

Nov 2, 2017

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When Congresswoman Maxine Waters went viral for “reclaiming” her time during a committee meeting this summer, black women collectively sighed with her.

Beyond the rambling testimony Rep. Waters was shutting down, many women of all backgrounds saw a real-life testimony of taking power back in her statement.

For black women who’ve endured the exhausting realities of sexism, racism and other -isms for too long, we really just aren’t having it anymore.

This past weekend more than 4,000 women came together for the first-ever Women’s Convention in Detroit to inspire, organize and politically mobilize around issues of importance to women. The conference was an official follow-up to the historic Women’s March in Washington, D.C. following the inauguration of Donald Trump.

The theme-“Reclaiming Our Time“- not only had the blessing of Congresswoman Waters herself, but also perfectly captured the energy of women who want to step up and lead in their communities in new and more impactful ways.

TheGrio hit the convention to talk to women from all over the country about how they’re “reclaiming their time” at the conference and beyond. Their words are inspiration to get to work and see how much power we have to change our communities.

Natasha S. Alford is a digital host and Deputy Editor of theGrio. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @NatashaSAlford for the latest in news, entertainment, politics and pop culture.