Hello, hello! This is Susan Hyatt and… here we are! It’s Monday!
In this episode, I’m sharing a hot, fiery, badass history lesson with you. Buckle up!
[smart_track_player url=”https://soundcloud.com/susanhyattgo/84-nevertheless-she-persisted” social_gplus=”false” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” ]
Wanna read the full transcript? Here ya go:
Welcome to the 32nd day of the RESISTANCE!
Yes, Trump was inaugurated as our President 32 days ago. Can you believe it’s only been 32 days? It feels like an eternity.
I’m releasing this GO! podcast on February 20th, which is President’s Day—and buckle your seatbelt because I’ve got a hot, fiery, badass history lesson for you today. I’m talking about VERY recent history.
I want to discuss something that happened less than two weeks ago—an iconic moment that really defines what it means to “be a woman” at this moment in history.
It’s a story about Senator Elizabeth Warren, and how she was rudely silenced by a man who didn’t want people to hear Elizabeth’s message. What happened next is pretty amazing.
Maybe you’ve heard this story in the news. Maybe you haven’t. Allow me to fill you in.
Here’s how it went down:
On Tuesday, February 7th, during a late-night Senate meeting, Senator Elizabeth Warren stood up to speak.
She wanted to share an important letter with her colleagues.
The letter was written by Coretta Scott King, a civil rights activist, and the widow of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
It’s a letter that Coretta wrote about Jeff Sessions—the man that President Trump nominated to serve as Attorney General.
Coretta wrote this letter many years ago—back when Jeff was nominated to be a Federal Judge.
In this letter, Coretta sternly criticizes Jeff, particularly for his hostility towards black voters. Here’s an excerpt of what she wrote:
“Mr. Sessions has used the awesome powers of his office in a shabby attempt to intimidate and frighten elderly black voters. For this reprehensible conduct, he should not be rewarded…”
So, on that Tuesday night, on the Senate floor, Elizabeth began to read Coretta’s letter aloud.
By reading this letter, Elizabeth wanted to remind her fellow Senators about Jeff’s past conduct, and his blatant racism, and show why Jeff should NOT be appointed as Attorney General.
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell did not like this one bit.
He interrupted Elizabeth and invoked an obscure, rarely-used Senate rule that forced her to shut up and sit down. It was a move that stunned the entire world.
Later, when asked why he had done this, Mitch remarked:
“She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.”
Oh… but it gets better.
Later that same night, Senator Jeff Merkley stood and read portions of Coretta’s letter uninterrupted. He was not silenced.
Yes. That is correct.
Elizabeth Warren (a female Senator) was told to shut up.
Jeff Merkley (a male Senator) was not.
If your blood is boiling right now, girrrrrrrrl, I’m right there with you.
But here’s the silver lining:
When Mitch tried to silence Elizabeth, it just made her message even louder.
Immediately, Facebook and Twitter exploded with outrage about how Elizabeth had been treated, and tons of news outlets covered the story. Even Hillary Clinton chimed in to voice her support.
Mitch’s efforts failed miserably. He wanted to silence a powerful woman with something important to say. He thought he could bully her into obedience. Instead, his actions ignited the entire Internet and amplified Elizabeth’s message ten million times over.
“Nevertheless, she persisted.”
Let that be your new mantra and daily affirmation.
Even when the Mitch McConnell’s of the world try to stop you… persist.
Even when nobody believes you can do it… persist.
Even when people laugh in your face… persist.
Even when it’s hard… even when it’s not happening quickly… even when you’re tired… even when your ego is bruised… even when your bank account is lower than you’d like it to be… even when it’s risky… even when it’s not always fun, or easy, or glamorous… persist.
Be a persister.
And, support other women who boldly persist.
(You can’t spell “persister” without “sister.” Coincidence? I think not.)
I am so inspired by women like Elizabeth Warren, and Michelle Obama, and Hillary Clinton, and Lady Gaga, and Ashley Graham, and other strong, outspoken women who’ve got something to say, and who don’t hold back.
Even when they’re told—or in some cases, FORCED—to shut up, that doesn’t stop these women for long. They always find a way to bring their message into the world. They always find a way to keep working towards their goal.
That’s my challenge for you this week:
Whatever goal you’re working on—whether you’re trying to get more clients for your business, or trying to establish a consistent workout routine, or trying to create massive change in your community, or just trying to convince your teenager to clean up his bedroom—PERSIST!
Don’t allow yourself to become defeated. Rise up again and again.
If there’s some aspect of your life, or the world, that you want to change, you’ve got to remember that positive change is not created by “one moment of effort.” It’s created by thousands of moments of effort. It’s created by consistency, tenacity, and persistence. Even when the going gets tough…. Nevertheless, we must persist.
Keep going, ladies.
Keep writing. Keep calling. Keep emailing.
Keep launching. Keep asking. Keep negotiating.
Keep sharing. Keep trying. Resist and persist. Do not quit.
It’s GO time.
