#SisterPoweron10! Protect Our Girls

By: Carla Morrison
@SisterPoweron10!

Last week, I woke up to a number of facebook posts in reaction to the docu-series “Surviving R. Kelly,” and I was puzzled. I hadn’t seen the film, but I knew most of the responses on my timeline, were coming from people who had been aware of the R&B crooner R. Kelly’s “alleged” sexual misconduct with minors for years, but didn’t appear in an uproar, so why give your thoughts now.

It appears, the stories shared in the documentary “Surviving R. Kelly”, were presented in a way that viewers could no longer ignore R. Kelly’s “alleged” sexual assault, abuse and misconduct with under aged black girls; leaving many feeling a deep sense of guilt for dismissing the harm R. Kelly has caused many young black women and girls across the country, for over 15 years.

A number of individuals have shared their feelings against and for the Pied Piper online, while others have revealed their own heart wrenching experiences with perpetrators and abusers, like Robert Kelly.  After reading a series of personal testimonies and reactions against the girls who were featured in “Surviving R. Kelly”, I thought to myself, what could I do? And then my advisor called.

Although I like to talk, I’ve always been a woman of action. When my advisor challenged me about how I would use my platform to help black women and girls in the arena of sexual abuse, I had to sit and really let the spirit speak to me. You see, my passion to advocate, empower and mentor women and girls runs deep. So deep, 10 years ago, I created an organization, Sisters of Today and Tomorrow, that helps to develop and nurture a healthy self-esteem and leadership ability in women and girls.

My drive to transform the lives of women and girls is so strong, I often jump out the plane without a parachute. However, before I act, as I’ve done for the past 10-years, I'm looking at the whole picture and asking all of YOU, sisters and stand up brothers for your help.

What are you going to actually do, to help change the lives of these abused women and the thousands more to come? Who is not just talking the talk, but walking in it. Putting your time, talent and treasure into working with women and/or girls to build them up, so when perpetrators like the man next door, or an R. Kelly, and the like, propositions or manipulates them, the girls or young ladies will know what to do, where to go and how to handle themselves and the situation?

The advocacy and protection for women and girls is not a fad. The abuse and harassment that women have endured has been going on for years, better yet centuries and it is time to put an end to it. Marches, talks, social media posts and press conferences are nice to draw attention to the matter, but the real work takes place in Sisters Circle….I know this because God created it and when done right, the outcome is transformative and healing.

Sisters Circle is a safe space for women and girls to connect, share, support, empower and mentor one another. Sisters Circle is so personal and reflective, always leaving the group with so much raw emotion. The sentiment shown in the women and girls who participate, is the foundation of what my organization Sisters of Today and Tomorrow (SOT) was built on – “the village” that engages, empowers, and mentors.

All week, the thought of planning a series of Sisters Circle has been on my mind and in my spirit. With your support, this critical program can become the movement to really make a difference, transforming women and girls to heal, as well as fight against predators like R. Kelly, the sicken family member and/or the unassuming man down the street, for decades to come.

To get involved or contribute your time, talent and treasure, visit our website www.SOT2Girls.org . Sisters Circle is one of seven programs under Sisters of Today and Tomorrow, where we help to develop an open and healthy inter-generational dialogue.