Calling all Queens!!

This past summer, I had the honor of speaking at the third annual Brave Girl Symposium in Boise, Idaho. It was an exhilarating experience that I will never forget!! I met so many wonderful new people and reconnected with old friends. My message? You are a Queen!! Check out the video HERE>>>
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A few people requested a transcript of the speech which you can find below.

Calling All Queens
By Susan Sanelli Hammack

We have moved mountains yes?

In fact, I know from speaking with some of you over the past few days
That some of the mountains represented in this room include:
Divorce, trauma, illness and injuries
And those are just some of the mountains in this room

I have moved mountains
I know what it’s like to look back at the end of a year
And realize that I spent more days sick in bed than healthy and functional
I also know what it’s like to sell my car to make rent and stand in line for hours at a food pantry

On a global scale women and girls face sexual harassment and assault #metoo
Are denied educational opportunities and still earn 85 cents to a man’s dollar

Against these seemingly insurmountable odds we find ourselves here
In sisterhood and in celebration of the Mt. Everest of courage, devotion, and love
That it takes to move the mountains on the maps of our lives

Yes, sisters, we have moved mountains
Now what?

I propose that now, we take stock
And not just of the mountains we’ve moved
Because as it turns out
Mountains are just really big piles of dirt and rock
And as we’ve moved the mountains in our lives
We may have discovered that some of those rocks are actually precious stones
Gifts of the mountain like wisdom, empathy, and grit
I’m going to tell you a little about each of them now

Wisdom is the jewel of inner knowing
She’s the one that says to you...that mountain?
You want us to move that mountain?
No. That is not the kind of mountain we move
That is the kind we go around

Or she might say...this mountain can be moved
But it’s going to take you some time
And you’re going to need help
In fact, you’ll need a steady stream of friendship, green juice, and chocolate
To move this mountain, but it can be done

She might even say...this mountain
This is the kind of mountain that can only be moved on your knees
And the dry rocky soil must first be softened by your tears
That’s the kind of mountain this is

Wisdom is the jewel of inner knowing

Empathy on the other hand is the jewel of oneness
My Mayan ancestor have a greeting that I think perfectly illustrates this
When they meet, they clasp hands and one of them will say “In Lak’ech”
Which means “I am another you”
To which the other will respond “Ala K’in” which means “you are another me”
That’s empathy

Empathy sees the “other” as a mirror
So when we see another’s smile it’s our own joy that we feel
And when we sit with another in grief, we connect with our own pain

And because we know what it is to move a mountain
We can offer the weary a cup of understanding
That they can drink in and be strengthened to strive on
Or better yet, thrive on

Empathy is the jewel of oneness

Grit? She’s the jewel of perseverance
She’s going to move that mountain, or she’s going to die trying
She gets door after door slammed in her face
And she STILL doesn’t know the meaning of the word “no”
She scours the sides of life’s mountains in search of
The tiniest rivulets of strength and hope to help you carry on
When you thought you were at your end
She’s the one that reminds you “I can do hard things”
Grit is the jewel of perseverance

Yes beloveds, we have moved mountains
And discovered within them the precious jewels of wisdom, empathy, and grit
And proven ourselves to be matriarchs, warriors, and queens

When I say “you are a matriarch”
I mean you are the alpha mare
The herd looks to you for guidance
Because of you they will decide whether they should rest and relax
Or whether they should flee for safer pastures
For you lead hearts with your countenance

When I say “you are a warrior”
I mean, when life hands you trouble, you are not daunted - not for long
You shield yourself from negativity on the battlefield of life
You are ready and willing to do whatever it takes to protect and provide for those you love
And that includes yourself

When I say “you are a queen”
I mean, you are sacred. Do you believe that?
You are worthy of respect
And capable of choosing your response in every situation
And that is true power

Yes, matriarchs, warriors, and queens we have moved mountains
And discovered within ourselves the precious stones of wisdom, empathy, and grit
Now what?

Now we rise
Because the children need us to nurture and protect them
Whether it be the one in your living room glued to her device
The homeless child on the corner
Or the brown baby detained at the border
For every child is your child

Now we rise
Because the men need us to support them
As they learn to navigate their emotions, share power, and become whole

Now we rise
Because our elders need us to return them to a seat of honor in our society
Collect their precious stories and retell them until aging and dying are no longer sins

Now we rise
Because our sisters of every creed, color, and orientation
Need us to hold hands with them in collaboration and love
Granting them a seat at the table of opportunity
Where they were once rejected, marginalized, and ignored

Now we rise
Because in each of our realms
Be it family, community, or the universe
There is a great crying out
One that we can all see and feel
It is a crying out for wise matriarchs, gritty warriors, and empathetic queens

I’m in Susan
How do I rise?
It’s not for me to say
We all have unique talents, experiences, and desires
And those will guide us to where we can best serve

But when I say “Rise Up!”
I mean show up
Show up in your authenticity
Show up in your weakness
Show up in your imperfection
Show up in your fabulous crown and butterfly wings
Show up

And when I say “Rise Up!”
I mean listen
Listen to the children
Listen to the men
Listen to the elders
Listen to our sisters
And let them show you how you can best support them

And when I say “Rise Up!”
I mean give generously of your time, talents, love
And maybe even money
But only you know what your capacity is
And what you can give cheerfully, and out of love

But my dear, dear sisters...let’s RISE UP!!

This troubled world needs you in your power
And the mountains you’ve moved
And the lessons you’ve learned
Are a royal remedy for this planet

You are a QUEEN sister!
It’s time to bless your realm
In Lak’ech