Mother's Day of Expression: Together, We are Stronger

On Saturday, May 13, 2017 I had the pleasure of being with a group of amazing women who joined together for a Day of Expression and sisterhood. Our day together deeply moved and inspired me, and I feel very blessed to know each of these women and thank them for sharing with us.

As women and especially as mothers, we are the bottom line when it comes to strengthening our families and our communities. The women who joined me for this special day have faced tremendous loss to gun violence, some having lost children just a few short weeks ago.

To set the stage for the day, we sat together in a circle to introduce ourselves to one another and share what brought each of us together. It was important to me that I share my own personal story and experience that brings me to this work, and I appreciate the openness they shared with me and the group as well. This conversation was the opening to us building a sisterhood together.

Following our conversation, I led an expressive art therapy sculpting workshop to help everyone express emotions they have experienced surrounding the loss of their loved one. The pieces created were so incredibly powerful. They told stories of pain, fear, and loss; however, they also showed strength, resiliency, and love that speaks to the power of these ambassadors.

After this experience it was so nice to sit together over a beautiful lunch conversation complete with a little Mother's Day mimosa! We each opened up about our life experiences and the many challenges our communities and families face, as well as what needs to be done to bring peace and unity to our city.

“We have marched, protested and been a part of vigils but it was the first time we have actually done something healing for ourselves. I am so grateful for Cecilia’s desire to work with Moms and for her passion about this human condition that has touched our lives.”

— Arewa Karen Winters

At the end of the day, we joined together in a circle to take the Drop of Consciousness pledge and I presented each woman her own special edition rose gold plated pendant Drop to celebrate her strength, vulnerability, resiliency in the face of unimaginable sorrow, and commitment to the movement for positive change.

“Being able to share and love on mothers who lost children to gun violence was moving and powerful! Thank you to mama Cecilia, Joakim Noah, Cobe (Williams) and Noah’s Arc Foundation for all the tireless work you do to impact lives and change narratives.”

— EJ Williams

I want to thank my sisters for joining the movement as our bottom line ambassadors. This is only the start and we will be joining together many more times to continue healing and working for positive change. I look forward to building with you again soon!

So much love,