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Fierce Friday!

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by Karen D. Swim

“Let us develop a kind of dangerous unselfishness.” –Dr. Martin Luther King

Forty years ago on this day Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated at age 39. The day before his death he delivered the now famous “I Have Been to the Mountaintop” speech. His speeches are as powerful and relevant today as they were 40 years ago. We have made tremendous progress but there is still work to be done in order to achieve his dream of equality for all.

On this fierce Friday it is that work that moves me with a greater urgency. We cannot grow complacent in our successes. We cannot ignore the need for us to continue to stand together in unity and fight for positive change.

The day before his death, Dr. King delivered words to solicit solidarity for the striking sanitation workers.

“Now, let me say as I move to my conclusion that we’ve got to give ourselves to this struggle until the end. Nothing would be more tragic than to stop at this point, in Memphis. We’ve got to see it through. And when we have our march, you need to be there. Be concerned about your brother. You may not be on strike. But either we go up together, or we go down together.”

With a chorus of raised voices we can be a fierce voice of change. With that in mind, today’s Fierce Friday woman is Author, speaker and writer Dayna Steele. Dayna is the founder of. Smart Girls Rock , an online community for girls who want to make their mark in science, technology, engineering, math and business.

In her own words: “For years, parents and relatives of young girls would come into The Space Store, the e-commerce operation Dayna founded, and comment “This stuff is all so cool, now where can I go to get something for a girl?” Dayna was always quick to point out that the astronaut flight suits, space toys and science experiments were just as much for girls as they were for boys.”

I discovered Dayna via LinkedIn a few months ago. I emailed her and promptly received a passionate response. Dayna is truly a “smart girl who rocks!”

As we go through this week let us stand together, celebrating successes and working together for change. Please share your successes and struggles so that we can stand with you.

In closing I offer you Dr. King’s final words of his mountaintop speech:

“Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation. And I want to thank God, once more, for allowing me to be here with you.”

Photo Credit: Pan-African News Wire File Photos, Flickr

Comments

  1. @Daz, very wise words and I agree! We have so much to learn from the great leaders of our past,if as you said we listen and then act upon them. Thank you for contributing to the discussion with your thoughtful insights.

    Karen

  2. Nonviolence is absolute commitment to the way of love. Love is not emotional bash; it is not empty sentimentalism. It is the active outpouring of one’s whole being into the being of another.

    –Martin Luther King, Jr., 1957

    New discoveries in quantum physics and spirituality are proving that non-violence and compassion are literally mankind’s salvation.

    Martin Luther King, Jr., still has plenty to teach us, through his words, let’s listen!

  3. @ Ellen, you are such a wise woman! love that “enlightened self interest.” It is a good thing to practice.

    @Amy and @ Ellen I am so glad you are enjoying it. If I can bring a little of inspiration, it completely makes my day!

    Hugs and Fierceness!

    Karen xx

  4. I love Fierce Fridays, Karen! Not only inspirational but aspirational too. Keep them coming!
    Amy
    xx

  5. This is very inspirational Karen. Fierce Fridays is a great thing! You know I like going to inspirational places, like your blog.

    I like what Martin Luther King said. I think we can all carry on this message in our daily lives. The personal is the political.

    If we act in “enlightened self-interest” we also act for others, because if we take care of the good in ourselves, we take care of the good in others.