The Mother of Courage: Fear as a Sacred Ally

Excerpt from article by Leni Austine for SageWoman #63

Joan of Arc directing troops into battle led only by her faith in God. Harriet Tubman leading slaves North through dangerous byways and deep Southern woods. Molly Pitcher manning the cannon at the Battle of Monmouth. Rosa Parks, refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus and kicking off the Civil rights movement. What do all these women have in common?

When I was a child all these women were my heroes, or maybe I should say sheroes. The stories of these brave women were inspring to me. Each in her own way stood up against injustice and tyranny, took enormous risks and put her own safety on the line for something she believed in. At the very least, they stood up for themselves. I admired these women so much and looked up to them, hoping one day I too would be able to do great things.