Black Woman Redefined: Dispelling Myths and Discovering Fulfillment in the Age of Michelle Obama
260
Black Woman Redefined: Dispelling Myths and Discovering Fulfillment in the Age of Michelle Obama
260Paperback(Reprint)
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Overview
In its 2011 hardcover release, Black Woman Redefined was a top-selling book and took home a 2011 Best Non-Fiction Book of the Year Award from the African American Literary Awards. Author Sophia A. Nelson won the 2012 Champions of Diversity Award, given each year by diversity business executives in Fortune 100 companies.
Black Woman Redefined was inspired in part by what Nelson calls “open season on accomplished black women": from Don Imus's name-calling of black female basketball players in 2007 and a 2009 Yale University study titled “Marriage Eludes High-Achieving Black Women," to the more recent revelation that First Lady Michelle Obama is concerned about being painted as an “angry, black woman."
In Black Woman Redefined, Nelson sets out to change this cultural perception, taking readers on a no-holds-barred journey into the hearts and minds of accomplished black women to reveal truths, tribulations, and insights like never before.
This groundbreaking book provides black women of a new generation with essential career and life-coaching advice. Based on never-before-done research on college-educated, career-driven black women, Nelson offers her fellow “sisters"—and those who know, love, and work with them—a feel-good volume for personal and professional success that empowers them without tearing others down.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781936661732 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | BenBella Books, Inc. |
| Publication date: | 11/20/2012 |
| Edition description: | Reprint |
| Pages: | 260 |
| Sales rank: | 1,120,330 |
| Product dimensions: | 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.10(d) |
About the Author
Table of Contents
Prologue: The Age of Michelle Obama: An Open Letter to the First Lady of the United States with Special Words of Wisdom from the First Lady 1
Introduction: What Is Your Season: Are you Defining or Redefining Your Life? 11
Part I Dispelling the Myths and Discovering the Truth About Who we are 17
1 Who We Are and What We've Accomplished 19
2 Our Context from Slavery to the White House: Why It Still Matters 35
Part II How we Work and Love 51
3 Changing the Game: Redefining Ourselves in the Twenty-First-Century Workplace 53
4 Why Can't a Successful Black Woman Find a Man? Actually, She Can 87
5 Real Talk about Twenty-First-Century Relationship Expectations and Trends 111
Part III Moving Beyond the Pain to Purpose 129
6 Jesus Is Your Savior, Not Your Man: Candid Talk about the Church, Sexuality, and the Role They Play in Our Quest to Be Loved and Fulfilled 131
7 Sexual Abuse: The Hidden Wound That We Have to Talk About 161
8 Dwelling in the Valley of Our Past: Learning to Forgive, Release, and Heal from Our Hurts 175
Part IV Redefining Ourselves-What Really Matters
9 Empty Womb, Broken Heart: Redefining Motherhood in Today's World 199
10 It's the Climb: Facing Life's Storms and Remaining Resilient 219
11 Sisters, It's Time to Heal: Learning to Love, Uplift, & Support Each Other 243
Bonus Feature: Celebrity and Distinguished African American Essays and Sage Wisdoms 267
Author's Note 270
A Tribute to the Late Dr. Dorothy Irene Height by the Honorable Alexis M. Herman 273
Feature Essays 277
Short Essays: Wisdoms and Straight Talk You Can Stand On 296
Study Guide 319
Research Appendices: From the Researchers Methodology and Summary of Key Findings 331
About the Author 353
Endnotes 355
What People are Saying About This
More than anything else, Nelson's work is a how-to book, a feel-good tome that offers black women prescriptions for personal and professional success that empower them without tearing down someone else."
—DeWayne Wickham, USA Today columnist
"Ardent, inspirational, insightful, and redemptive."
—Kam Williams
“On the page as she does on television, Sophia A. Nelson uses bold insights and no-nonsense observations to cut through the myths and misperceptions about what it means to be a black woman today. But this isn’t just a book for black women. It speaks to everyone who cares about equality and opportunity, and especially to women, of every color, who are looking for a fresh perspective on everything from careers to dating to faith. Whether you agree or disagree with her, you’ll find it hard to put this book down.”
—Chris Jansing, Emmy-Award winning anchor and host of MSNBC’s Jansing & Co
“The enduring legacy of any great work is that it touches our souls and causes us to reflect inward. It calls us to open our eyes, step out of the shadows of our pain, and to live life forward. Black Woman Redefined does that for us all. This brilliant, powerful book is not just about and for black women—it invites the entire American family to see black women more fully as people. Sophia A. Nelson is one of the most gifted analysts and writers of our time. She effectively rejects the centuries-old myth that black women’s lives aren’t worth discussing. The often painful stories shared in this book are still being told because they’re still being lived. In the end, this book is a much-needed generational battle cry for recognition, release, and healing.”
—Michael Eric Dyson, Professor at Georgetown University, radio host of the Michael Eric Dyson Show, and best-selling author of Why I Love Black Women
“Sophia Nelson, with her keen intellect, detailed research, and never before written insights, encourages all women, especially our strong and diverse black sisters to achieve new and unprecedented heights.”
—Armstrong Williams, Washington Times columnist, author, and nationally syndicated TV and radio host
“In her first book, Sophia A. Nelson gives us all great insight and information on some of the serious issues facing today’s African American women. This book is bound to generate discussion across the social and political spectrum for years to come.”
—Sean Hannity, best-selling author, radio show host, and host of FOX News’ top-rated political program Hannity
“Each generation has a voice that is lifted at just the right time to grab hold of us and shake us from our slumber. Sophia A. Nelson calls on black women to rethink the way things are and change them. She has tapped into the pain and silence of her generation of ‘sisters,’ and approaches this important subject matter in a way that is compassionate and profound. Sophia carefully dissects the continuing, yet often invisible, struggle of modern day black women when it comes to our image, the perceptions that others have of us, and that we have of ourselves.”
—Terrie M. Williams, author, Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting
“Nelson uncovers the issues that are often hidden beneath the surface of black women’s pain, and demonstrates to all how to live well and emerge victorious on the other side.”
—Dr. Melody T. McCloud, OB/GYN- columnist Psychology Today and author of Living Well, Despite Catchin’ Hell: The Black Woman’s Guide to Health, Sex, and Happiness
“Think ‘redefinition.’ Sophia A. Nelson’s new book Black Woman Redefined cuts through a mountain of myths, stereotypes, and negative thinking. The result is a treasure chest of new information, valuable insights, and inspiring advice for African American women—and for us, the men who love them!”
—Clarence Page, Pulitzer Prize-winning syndicated columnist for the Chicago Tribune
“At a moment of profound economic and cultural change for America, Black Woman Redefined comes along at the perfect time. While Sophia A. Nelson knows her target audience, she’s also aware of the broader, diverse world. With solid research and a smooth inclusive voice, Nelson has produced a book that that holds lessons for many.”
—Robert A. George, New York Post
“Black Woman Redefined is a book that has been greatly anticipated because it was penned by a woman who for years has displayed refreshing analytical and political savvy first as an attorney on Capitol Hill, then as a lobbyist, and finally as a national TV commentator and columnist. This book encourages black women to do what Sophia A. Nelson has exhibited to us all for years: how to be a successful sister, wrapped with old-fashioned charm, endless grace, an unflinching determination, and a passion for serving others seldom seen in our modern times.”
—Hamil Harris, Washington Post, Emmy-Award winning videographer
“The research and insight in this book lend to a much-needed discussion of just how far African American women have come and how far they have to go.”
—Mika Brzezinski, co-host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe and author of Knowing Your Value
“Black Woman Redefined offers an urgent message that readers need to hear now: Put yourself first. The stories Sophia A. Nelson offers, coupled with thorough research and data, will make this read a game changer. Many conversations will begin about this book over many, many years and that’s a good thing.”
—Essence magazine
Interviews
Black Woman Redefined
A Funny Thing Happened to Me on My Way to Writing My Book
By
Sophia A. Nelson, Esq.
You ever hear of an author starting to write her first book with a BANG?
Well that is how my author journey began … literally. Oh, you might see me on MSNBC or CNN looking so well put together and knowledgeable about the important political and cultural issues of the day, but let me tell you—that is not the Sophia who spent the last two years writing her first book. I was, for lack of a better term, a "train wreck."
Intrigued, aren't you?
Well, it's true. My journey to writing Black Woman Redefined was a comedy of accidents, errors, and traumas. My story begins in June of 2009. I had just signed a book deal with a major publishing house in New York, and all was well in my world. I was thrilled. Later that week, I went for a bicycle ride (as I often do) in my suburban community in Loudoun County Virginia. It was a gorgeous day, and I was looking fierce, with my hair done, wearing cute pink and black biking gear and sunglasses. Did I forget to mention I had on my iPod and my cell phone, too?
As I was leaving my driveway, a small voice next door admonished me to put on my helmet. Grimacing that I had been "busted" by a five year old for poor bicycle safety and poor example setting for minors in the neighborhood—I turned to him and said "okay sweetie, go get it for me." He did. I put it on and off I went. About 15 minutes into my ride, my mobile phone ran. I picked it up (yes, I know, stupid), and started talking to my friend. Next thing I know, everything moved in slow motion.
I was coming upon a shift in the road, and the old pavement had given way to the new. I, not being properly focused on the road in front of me, missed the shift. I tried to squeeze the brakes, but it was too late—I went head first and sustained serious head and body injuries. Thank God for little Ethan next door who told me to put on the helmet. The doctor said the fall would have been fatal without a helmet. Although it took me well over a year to heal (I still have complications to this day), I kept my heart focused on my goal of writing my book, and on the importance I felt such a book would hold in our modern culture.
The whole experience was an incredible life-changing experience that makes me a deeper, richer human being. In the end, I know that every author has a book journey horror story or two, but I think we would all agree that the day you receive your finished books in the mail from the publisher, and you hold in your hands the culmination of all your labors and sacrifice, you experience a wave of emotion that is hard to explain.
I hope you will give Black Woman Redefined a look even if you are not a black woman, because as the short story above illustrates, at the end of the day we are all human, we all breathe the same air, and we all can learn something from one another if we are brave enough to open ourselves to the lessons.