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Mar 28 • 3 tweets • 1 min read
My life's work has always been about trauma & healing.

I’m a survivor - I don’t endorse violence in any form.
Let’s talk about what it’s like to live with #alopecia. The deeply vulnerable & difficult moments that our families see. Appreciation post for those who hold us down & support us when we’re at our lowest points. They see us, fully. #IYKYK a bald Black woman (Ayanna)...
Our bodies are not public domain. They are not a line in a joke—especially when the transformation is not of our choosing.

I’m a survivor of violence. I'm a proud Alopecian. The psychological toll we carry daily is real. Team Jada always. That’s that on that.

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More from @AyannaPressley

Ayanna Pressley Profile picture
Mar 31
In the words of my dear friend & scholar @sandylocks,

If we aren’t intersectional, some of us, the most vulnerable, are going to fall through the cracks.

This #WomensHistoryMonth, I’m thinking of those in the midst of our continued struggle for disability justice.
.@VilissaThompson is a scholar, researcher, and social worker.

She is the founder and CEO of Ramp Your Voice and has played a critical role in advancing nationwide conversations about the lived experiences of Black disabled women in America. This graphic reads: Viliss...
.@SeeMiaRoll is an activist, an elite athlete, and the Director of the Disability Justice Initiative at CAP.

She is incredibly skilled at calling the question that changes the conversation and pushing for data that drives action. This graphic reads: Mia ...
Read 5 tweets
Ayanna Pressley Profile picture
Jan 20
Willie O’Ree is a hockey legend, trailblazer, ice breaker, hero & activist whose powerful story is unknown to far too many.

We changed that today when the House passed our Willie O’Ree Congressional Gold Medal Act—the highest honor Congress can give a civilian. 🧵 This is a black and white image of a young Willie O'Ree on t
Willie O’Ree is a descendent of enslaved people who made history with the @NHLBruins 64 years ago when he became the first Black player to play in the @NHL.

He played 45 games in the NHL & spent over 20 years in pro hockey—all while hiding the fact that he was blind in one eye.
Willie was a speedy left winger—but even he couldn't out-skate racism as the sole Black player in the NHL.

He faced fierce discrimination & even violence from fans & players alike.

Despite it all, Willie embodied resilience, grace, dignity & never gave up on his dream.
Read 7 tweets
Ayanna Pressley Profile picture
Jan 17
Each #MLKDay, some will cherry-pick quotes from Dr. King & reduce his legacy to that of a peaceful protestor with a dream.

He was indeed a prophetic leader & early architect of the Civil Rights movement—but there's much more to his story.🧵 This is a black and white image of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
We often see excerpts from "I Have A Dream" weaponized & perverted to justify legislated white supremacy.

But the truth is Dr. King was a radical dreamer with a bold vision for revolutionary change.

A disruptive movement builder seeking to upend an unjust status quo.
In word & deed, he sought to reverse generations of policy violence & affirm that Black Lives Matter—Work we continue to carry on today.

& the progress we've made thanks to Dr. King & others is under attack daily—a reminder that gains are not guarantees.
Read 6 tweets
Ayanna Pressley Profile picture
Sep 15, 2021
History isn't made on one Election Day, or even one election cycle.

History is made by the candidates, the organizers, the advocates, the volunteers who have worked for years - for generations - to build our communities. To build movements. To build power. 🧵
In 2009, when I won my first race for Boston City Council, I was the first woman of color elected in the Council's 100+ year history, and one of only two women on the Council that term - alongside eleven men. (2/x)
Today, the Council is more diverse than at any point in our City's history - majority women, majority people of color - and we have a historically diverse field of candidates for both City Council and Mayor, including many of my partners in good from City Hall. (3/x)
Read 6 tweets
Ayanna Pressley Profile picture
Sep 13, 2021
Out of love for Black community, culture/arts & wellness, visionary community builder @Sifublack in partnership w @juliaforboston est. Black Joy Day, which was officially celebrated in Boston today. In this thread are tools, images, gifts that inform my joy. Share some of yours. Image
New Edition always makes my playlist. Today's list also included Jonathan McReynolds, Chloe, H.E.R., Jazmine Sullivan, Nina Simone, Brandy, The Temptations, Remy Ma, Mary J. Blige & John Coltrane. Image
Rockin' my baldie, a black turtleneck, hoop earrings & my nose ring always brings me joy. Those last 3 words remind me, Anita Baker was on my playlist too y'all! Image
Read 6 tweets
Ayanna Pressley Profile picture
Jun 21, 2021
Today, when I phoned him, I called him Dad. For years, I called him by his first name & celebrated my Mom on Mother's and Father's Day. Grace, his sobriety & time have allowed us to heal. When he was absent & unhealthy, I both missed & resented him.
But he never stopped trying to reach me, writing me, sending me books, informing my love of literature, poetry & my Black consciousnes. He made sure I knew that I was loved & missed.
7 yrs ago, he walked me down the aisle at my wedding. Today, he & his son in law, (also a Cancerian) laugh often & deeply with one another, so do we. To those in estranged relationships, know that, healing & forgiveness are possible... and glorious, too!
Read 4 tweets

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