Phenomenal Women
Updated: Dec 31, 2022
by Baderha Bujiriri & Shelby Barthelemy

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cure or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.


What does a phenomenal woman look like to you?
~ A woman who is learning to unapologetically
embrace the parts of herself that society
often tells her to be ashamed of.
She defines herself.
~ A woman who is patient with herself
and has faith in her greatness.


I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellow stands or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say, It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.

Who would you say inspires you to be a phenomenal woman?
~ My mother truly does inspire me to be a phenomenal woman.
She always created a space for me
to express myself in whatever way I felt
and for that I am grateful.
She is a phenomenal woman in her gentle,
caring nature and in the love she gives to everyone.
~ My mother, and I know that’s what
everyone says but it’s hard not to.
I don’t know who I’d be without her,
and I’m forever thankful for who I am becoming
because of her.
Having someone who holds so much
hope, love, and sacrifice for you is a privilege.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
