Now more than ever, it is imperative that communities facing systemic injustice have a voice – one that is brave enough to say “we deserve better”. Alicia Garza, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter Movement, has been dedicated to advocating for the rights of Black people and women of color. With her tireless work, both at the grassroots and policymaking level, significant strides have been made toward ensuring opportunities and representation for the Black community.
Even as a young girl, Garza recognized the vitality of racial justice. She exercised advocacy as early as age 12, promoting comprehensive sex education and access to contraceptives in her school. It is therefore no surprise that, later in her life, she became one of the most influential female social justice activists. Spurred by the 2012 murder of Trayvon Martin, Garza – alongside Ayo Tometi and Patrisse Cullors – decided to take action. The Black Lives Matter Movement was born, and the national agitation for reform grew.
Garza profound legacy extends beyond BLM, as she has spearheaded several other initiatives aimed at empowering people of color to fight for justice. Founder of the Black Futures Lab and co-founder of Supermajority, Garza is committed to establishing Black representation in politics. In her book The Purpose of Power: How We Come Together When We Fall Apart, she discusses her journey as well as essential concepts of power and leadership.
Additionally, Garza was named a Time’s 100 TIME’s 100’s Most Influential Women of the Century and TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2020, a testament to the noteworthy impact of her activism. Alicia Garza’s tenacity and commitment serves as an inspiration as well as a call to action. Instead of accepting the unjust status quo and surrendering to systems of oppression, she created a platform for herself and those in her community to champion justice. And thanks to Garza’s herspective, countless others can now be heard.
“I am not, and we are not, defined by what we lack—we are defined by how we come together when we fall apart.”
~ Alicia Garza
Information from: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/alicia-garza
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