The Resilience of Women: Overcoming Adversity and Protecting Our Mental Health
During this Women’s History Month, I hope you honored the resilience of the women who came before us while also prioritizing our own well-being. This month I spent time with my mother, grandmother, aunts and cousins and I reflected on their contributions to my life and how I view myself as a woman and it was a reminder that although the greats like Harriet Tubman, Lucretia Mott, Eleanor Roosevelt, Angela Davis, Alice Walker and bell hooks (my favorite author) to name a few had a direct impact on my liberation, the women of my family did too! I felt compelled to write this blog and push it as my contribution to the women who will come behind me.
Throughout history, women have faced and overcome enormous challenges—fighting for the right to vote, for bodily autonomy, for equal pay, and for a world where their voices are valued. From the womanists movement to modern-day activists, women’s resilience has been the foundation of progress.
Yet, in times when our freedoms are threatened, when policies restrict our choices, and when societal expectations become overwhelming, it’s natural to experience feelings of anxiety, depression, and even grief. The loss of autonomy—whether personal, political, or professional—can have a profound impact on mental health.
The phrase is a direct response to the controversial remarks made by Donald Trump in 2005, which surfaced during the 2016 U.S. presidential election. His remarks, which were widely criticized as misogynistic and an example of rape culture, ignited outrage among women and activists who saw them as emblematic of the broader systemic oppression, harassment, and violence that women face.
Recognizing the Mental Health Impact of Losing Autonomy
When our freedoms feel threatened or our rights are stripped away, it’s common to experience emotional distress. Here are some signs that anxiety or depression may be taking a toll:
Symptoms of Anxiety Related to Losing Autonomy
• Persistent worry or fear about the future of your rights and freedoms
• Difficulty concentrating due to overwhelming stress
• Irritability or feeling on edge
• Trouble sleeping, racing thoughts, or feeling physically tense
• Avoiding conversations or news about political or societal issues
Symptoms of Depression Related to Losing Autonomy
• Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness about the future
• Exhaustion or fatigue, even after resting
• Loss of interest in activities that once brought joy
• Withdrawing from social connections and support systems
• Self-doubt or guilt, feeling powerless in the face of change
If you recognize these symptoms in yourself, know that your feelings are valid. The emotional toll of systemic oppression, discrimination, or loss of control over personal decisions is not just psychological—it’s real and deeply impactful.
How to Protect Your Mental Health and Reclaim Your Power
While we cannot always change external circumstances immediately, we can take steps to protect our well-being and maintain our resilience.
1. Validate Your Feelings Without Judgment
Your emotions are real. If you feel overwhelmed, exhausted, afraid or angry, don’t dismiss it. Give yourself permission to grieve the losses or injustices you see happening. Write about your emotions in a journal, talk to trusted friends, connect with a therapist and allow yourself moments of release through art, movement, or even tears.
2. Set Boundaries Around News & Social Media
Constant exposure to distressing news can amplify anxiety and feelings of helplessness. Consider:
• Setting specific times to check the news (rather than scrolling endlessly)
• Unfollowing or muting accounts that trigger distress
• Following activists and mental health advocates who inspire action and hope
3. Take Meaningful Action (Even in Small Ways)
Small actions can help overcome powerlessness. Consider:
• Donating to organizations that support women’s rights and mental health
• Volunteering for causes aligned with your values
• Writing to legislators or attending community meetings
• Having empowering conversations with younger women and girls
4. Connect with a Supportive Community
Isolation can intensify depression and anxiety. Surround yourself with women (and allies) who uplift and inspire you.
• Join women’s circles, activist groups, or mental health support groups
• Schedule regular check-ins with friends to talk openly about your emotions
• Seek therapy or counseling for professional support in processing emotions
5. Reconnect with Your Body Through Self-Care
Trauma and stress often manifest physically in our bodies. Prioritize movement and self-care practices such as:
• Walking or stretching to release built-up tension
• Practicing breathwork or meditation to regulate the nervous system
• Engaging in pleasurable activities (reading, dancing, creative hobbies)
6. Reclaim Your Joy & Imagination
Oppression thrives on burnout and despair, but joy is an act of resistance.
• Prioritize laughter, pleasure, and creative expression
• Read stories of historical and modern women who inspire you
• Create a vision for the future—dream boldly about what’s possible
Mental Health Resources for Women
If you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, or the emotional toll of losing autonomy, support is available.
Mental Health Resources for Women
• Therapy for Women Center – Therapy services tailored to women’s issues: therapyforwomencenter.com
• Postpartum Support International – Resources for perinatal mental health: postpartum.net
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Mental health education and support: nami.org
• Crisis Text Line – Free 24/7 support for emotional distress (Text “HELLO” to 741741)
Mental Health Resources for Black Women
• Therapy for Black Girls – A directory of Black women therapists and mental health resources: therapyforblackgirls.com
• The Loveland Foundation – Therapy fund providing financial assistance to Black women and girls: thelovelandfoundation.org
• Black Female Therapists – Mental health support and therapist directory: blackfemaletherapists.com
• Sista Afya – Culturally responsive mental wellness services for Black women: sistaafya.com
Books to Nurture Mental Health and Resilience
📖 Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab – A guide to setting healthy emotional boundaries.
📖 Rest Is Resistance by Tricia Hersey – Encouraging Black women to reclaim rest as a form of liberation.
📖 Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski & Amelia Nagoski – Understanding and healing from chronic stress.
📖 The Body Is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor – A radical self-love approach to healing and empowerment.
Honoring the Women Who Came Before Us—And Ourselves
Women’s History Month is not just about celebrating how far we’ve come—it’s about recognizing the work that remains and ensuring that we have the emotional resilience to keep going.
Every woman before us who fought for change did so while facing fear, exhaustion, and grief. Yet, they persisted. And so can we.
Your mental health matters. Your voice matters. Your resilience is powerful.
If you’re struggling, reach out for support. You do not have to navigate this alone.
Take care of yourself and keep fighting for the future you deserve. 💜✨
