Phenomenal Women

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.