Power of Sisterhood

POWER OF SISTERHOOD DR.VANESSA WILLIAMS-COOK FOUNDER OF REBIRTH OF THE TOTAL WOMAN MAGAZINE

Sisterhood is an important aspect of community. It is a bond that is shared between women of like minds, like spirits, and like experiences. The bond shared between these women is not one based on blood relations. This bond is based on common interest bringing women from different walks of life, backgrounds, creeds, races, nationalities and cultures to form a unique oneness that can only be achieved through a knitting of spirits, and souls. This bond of sisterhood these commonalities. Becoming one with another woman is rooted in our relationship with our creator,

God himself, and rooted in Scripture 1 Samuel 18, which takes us into the friendship of Johnathan and David. Yes we are talking about the power of sisterhood, but here is an example of friendship from the Bible that explains this power. David and Johnathan were heroic figures of the Kingdom of Israel, who formed a covenant of friendship recorded in the book of Samuel.

tribe of Benjamin, and David was the son of Jesse of Bethlehem, of the tribe of Judah. David was Johnathan’s presumed rival for the crown. But the Scripture says: 1 Samuel 18:1-5 As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Johnathan was knit to the soul of David, and Johnathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his fathers house. Then Johnathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Johnathan it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. We see here that two people from two different places, ways, class, stature to name a few not only bewhere a time came when Saul, Johnathan’s father became jealous of David and tried to kill him. But Johnathan regardless of his position as the Prince was willfor the sake of his brother David. Another place in the Bible where a covenant of friendand Ruth has produced a paradigm for all relationdifferent generations and two different social and religious backgrounds. The account of friendship and commitment also embodies an important old tradi-

tion. Although the women in this story are from a

Jewish/Moabite background, it is also indicative of the traditions that have been forgotten and unraveled in the black community of women. With the emergence of Sam-sex relationships, the gender lines have been erased and simple ordinary sisters-girl-friends are even deconstructed and looked upon with less enthusiasm and with great fear of being labeled by a society Stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave causing a tear in the fabric of our very basic of relationships-FRIENDSHIP/SISTERHOOD.

that is tolerant of the homosexual lifestyle. Thereby, The story of Ruth, Naomi and her husband along with

came best friends, but were covenant brothers one to The men in the family die, leaving Naomi alone with the other. This is not to be entered into lightly not her two daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah. Naomi taken advantage of. Later in the Scripture we see decides to return to her native land of Judah when their two sons, leave the famine-stricken city of Bethlehem in Judah and journey to the country of Moab. she hears that the Lord has visited the people and

ing to sacrifice his time, money, prestige, his throne mothers’ homes. Both of the young widows at first

her mother-in-law goodbye; Ruth continues on with

ship was made. This time between two women. The Naomi to Bethlehem. story of Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi teaches The Continues to chronicle the experiences along the us the importance of being loyal. The story of Naomi way, and conversations as Naomi attempted to turn provided them with food. As the three women set out, Naomi tells Ruth and Orpah to return to their refuse to leave Naomi, but eventually Orpah kisses her daughters-in-law back only to met with their re-

ships. The entire context of the story embodies the fusal to leave her side. This serves as a powerful