Moving Forward

Welcome TO "MOVING FORWARD" the newest page on the Re-Inventing Your WomanSpace website.

And meet our first featured guest ... Zola Aminata

Mother/grandmother/great-grandmother and a staunch advocate for survivors of physical and emotional abuse, Zola has created Angels in the Spirit, an exquisite collection of one-of-a-kind angels. I was excited to learn that Zola was also part of the core group of women responsible for organizing the Million Woman March and this year, October 25th, marked the 13^th anniversary of the march. We’ll be asking Zola how being a part of that wonderful gathering affected her life.

I first met Zola when she sent me an email telling me how much she could identify with the material in Raising Up Queens. Her letter was a tremendous blessing to me. When you're writing you can only hope that your work will bear a message that means something to someone... and so it's always special when someone takes the time to tell you that they "got it"... that the ideas and emotion and all that makes up your offering was well-received and understood and appreciated. My first visit to Zola's house was magical -- not just because she's such a calm, positive Queen of a lady... But because I got to meet the Angels... And I just stood and stared at their exquisite attire. The meticulous colorful details of each one. Too, I marveled at how someone could create such beautiful, unique art and still be such a humble, down to earth soul.

So... We're Moving Forward with Zola Aminata, the creator of the Angels in the Spirit Collection, (oh… and the manufacturer of our Re-Inventing Your WomanSpace product-line).

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RYW: Well first...I'd like to thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. And before we begin to talk about your business...I'm sure everyone would love to know more about your involvement with the Million Woman March. Could you tell us a little about your role in bringing forth that monumental gathering of Black Women?

Zola Aminata: I always have had a love and respect for Sisters (the Sisterhood). I was raised by sisters/mama’s (women outside of the family) who believe in me. They took me under their wings and guided me at different points, threw my life. (I truly thank God for them)

As I begin to give and teach as I had been given and taught, I receive such titles as Sister, Mama Zola, Queen, and Empress. It is quite an honor when girls/woman shows such love and respect.   I consider myself a Sister Sister (you know one that tells you your slip is hanging and not the girl next to you) or see your sadness and send love not add to your pain.

So when I heard the call to be part of the MWM it was only natural that I would respond. I served as one of the National Coordinator, a Spoke Person, Vending Chairperson, liaison. In the beginning we had only the desire to do it. It was by the grace of God and the many, many, many, sisters (family members) who volunteer and gave of their resources and time, that may it happen. The Million Man March had taken place and it was only natural for the woman to follow.   Along our side also was the “Brothers In Support Of the Million Woman March”. These men volunteered to provide 24 security and assisted us in so many other ways.

RYW: Having known the honor of being at the center of such a spiritual, emotional, overwhelming multitude of women who came to be together... who showed up, because they were asked to --- what would your offering to those women be today?

Zola Aminata: My message is the same now as it was then: Do the work wherever you are. Take time to connect with your spiritual space for guidance.

RYW: What was it like to be part of the “founding-team” ---so to speak---did the event meet expectations or soar past all that you imagined to take on a significance and life of it's own?

Zola Aminata: "We are and were Women like most Women that know the value of having “Sistahs” when you need help to Stand. Women from around the Country and World who, after our Brothers Stood Up Collectively in 1995, knew we had to join them and did on October 25, 1997. I'd like to take this opportunity to say Happy Anniversary FOUNDERS (if there is such a thing for a movement)!!!   Congratulations on Another Year - of Standing and making positive change as we keep our Pledge and Commitment to Our Selves, Families, Communities and To Each Other! PEACE AND BLESSINGS!!!!!"

RYW: What was your most memorable moment, emotion, fear about the MWM?

Zola Aminata: The most memorable time for me was the night before and the day of the gathering October 25, 1997. I had spent the night checking and helping to re-route the vendors that had come from all over the country to the parkway.

It was pouring down raining, and I never made it home. On the morning of Oct 25, as I stood on the parkway I saw women and then more women and then so many I couldn’t count them... and I yelled with a very horse voice, "Welcome, welcome, welcome"... with tears running down my face.

I had never seen so many beautiful women in my life. To the tune of 2.5 million women showed up that day.

RYW: This column is called moving forward and it was started with the idea that many many women encounter a time or time in their lives when their dreams and goals seem so far out of reach ... Here we celebrate the Faith, Strength, Courage, Creativity and Ingenuity required to bring even tiny little pieces of our dreams to fruition. : Could you tell us a little about the business you've created... And especially about how you came to create your Angels in the Spirit Collection. For instance, what was the most difficult part of starting your business?

Zola Aminata: It was getting over the anger, betrayal and sharing the pain with others. First the tears would over shadow my thoughts and my voice. I’ve always been an advocate for women rights.   I recall as a child in elementary school there was an older girl who was unable to speak, she was often taken advantage of sexually and physically. It truly affected me... little did I had know how that situation would be the beginning of a long road I would travel.

RYW: What are you most passionate about and how does your business tie into that?

Zola Aminata: My ultimate goal is to to provide hope, faith, and direction, when possible. My hope is to bring attention to and hopefully help to stop a woman from having to endure a life of abuse.

Through interaction with victims as well as reflecting on my own experience I have come to know how important having the right support system is. Without support the abuse will only grow. Whether it’s a person being abused verbally, physically, or sexually, it can have a life -long effect. Often the initial trauma gets buried, but all those blotched up feelings bring about actions that eat away at our very essence everyday.

As you know the light is always shining. God is always there. Years earlier, a dear friend (Claudia Cream, an educator and a fellow-entrepreneur) gave me some angel frames to design. I designed one and went on to other sewing projects. Dealing with the effects of sexual abuse had become overwhelming, I cried out spiritually for help and I was told to finish the Angels and everything would be alright.

Being a true believer in Spirit, I began to work on each Angel and as they became completed, the stress/pain became less. Women would come to the house and admire them and tell their story. I begin to realize that the Angels came through me, but weren't just for me.   Many people want to purchase them but I know the collection has more meaning as a group. They tell my journey and parts of other women's journeys through abuse.

RYW: Tell us about the path you're on now.

Zola Aminata: Through this whole process came a line of products based on the Angels in the Spirit Collection, which would allow a person to purchase various items; T-shirts, mugs, key chains, and mouse pads, with images of their favorite angel. The line is also offered as fundraiser items.

One morning after the current collection was created I was woken and give the poem "Celebration Time" and that's who I am today, an advocate of Celebration -- giving thanks and acknowledging the Creator in all that I do.

To anyone who is seeking information about the prevention of personal abuse of children I would strongly suggest you contact:

www.stopitnow.org

No one should have to endure abuse of any kind.

RYW: It's an honor to have you as our first featured guest for our Moving Forward column. Thank you so much you for sharing your experiences, your passion, your compassion and your insight with us. We wish you much Peace and many, many New Blessings!

Zola Aminata: Peace and Blessings!