Earlier this week, my mom and I learned that sunflowers were once the symbol of womens’ fight to be heard in public. ⁣
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These particular sunflowers are located in upstate New York, near the home of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the writer and idea-generator behind the women’s movement and organizer of the first Women’s Rights convention in 1848.⁣
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They are also near the home of Susan B. Anthony, who we all know was the one free to travel around and spread the women’s rights ideas because she chose to not marry and raise children. ⁣
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Voting rights were a big deal to them because they saw the injustices endured by women who had no voice. ⁣
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They were about improving the lives of ALL women, which is why they were also involved in the abolitionist movement to end slavery, because all women are not white.⁣
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It’s also why they were involved in the temperance movement to restrict alcohol, because all women were not married to men who treated them fairly, and they realized that they were being beaten most severely when their husbands were drunk.⁣
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And to symbolize those big fights for equality, they chose the sunflower, stretching up to find the light and be seen.⁣ ⁣
In what ways do you need to stretch up to be seen or heard, just like a sunflower? ⁣
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Whether you need to change small things at home or work or church or to make a major difference for your entire community the way the early suffragettes did, I want to help. I am currently accepting 6-month individual and group coaching clients through the end of the month. I have one group for pastors/deacons/ministry professionals/church enthusiasts and one group for church-adjacent people who are starting small businesses.⁣
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Message me your questions and to set up a quick, no-pressure conversation.⁣
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And think of your right to be heard every time you see a sunflower.⁣