March is Women’s History Month and our series on modern day women’s history makers is coming to a close this week. All month long I’ve been honored to share the significant contributions that women of color are making to improve health outcomes. In addition to highlighting the modern day HER-story maker, I’ve been sharing the grounding work done by the women who paved the way and have been dropping health tips too. I pray you’ve been encouraged by seeing these amazing women knowing that YOU TOO are writing HER-story! So without further ado, I wrap up this series with a woman who is near and dear to my heart.
HER-Story
Dr. Celeste Owens was a beloved Psychologist, missionary, wife, mother and friend. More than anything she loved Jesus and lived a life of radical surrender. Born July 18, 1970, Dr. Celeste was the eldest of 8 siblings. Early in life she knew she wanted to become a psychologist and that’s just what she did. With extensive training in trauma, Celeste co-authored multiple articles and led conferences on the impact of family violence on youth and society. For several years she operated a private practice which I had the honor of visiting and speaking at one of the workshops she held there.
In obedience to Christ she was led to close her private practice and launched headlong into her next phase as an author and motivation speaker. With a heart for holistic wellness, Dr. Celeste was also a Certified Natural Health Professional and engaged her following in implementing God’s strategies for health and healing. A true servant, Dr. Celeste and her husband Andel founded Surrender 365, a non-profit organization whose mission is to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the marginalized around the globe.
Dr. Celeste was my beloved friend. We did a lot of work together in the health and wellness space. Her publishing imprint, Good Success Publishing, published my 1st book Purpose Parenting. When I’d call her I’d often say, “I’m calling to talk to the good Dr.” or “I’m calling my friend” to denote what kind of conversation would follow. And I can still hear her say, “Hey Tyra” which is how she always greeted me. On November 19, 2022, Celeste entered her eternal rest. While we will miss her, her legacy lives on. She’s left a treasure trove of resources through her books and weekly YouTube broadcasts where you can find her teaching on topic from combating depression to choosing the best essential oils for weight management. I encourage you if you don’t already have it, to get her book The 40 Day Surrender Fast. I am forever grateful for the impact she’s had on my life.
Women’s History Hero
Martha Minerva Franklin (October 29, 1870 – September 26, 1968) was a bold and vocal advocate for racial equality in nursing. Throughout her life she broke many color barriers. She was one of a few African Americans to graduate from her high school and in 1897 she was the only African American member of her graduating class from Philadelphia’s Women’s Hospital Training School for Nurses. She observed that Black nurses weren’t receiving fair treatment so she launch a full scale investigation. After her investigation it was determine that Blacks could join the American Nurses Association yet they were still discriminated against. This caused her to reach out to over 1500 nurses to establish their own collective. From this meeting emerged the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses (NACGN) with Martha unanimously elected president.
By the end of World War I NACGN had a membership 2,000, which by 1940 had reached 12,000. As membership increased, a national registry was established to help black nurses find work. In the 1920s she relocated to New York where she enrolled in a postgraduate course at Lincoln Hospital, a prerequisite for status as a registered nurse in New York State. At age 58, she spent two years at Columbia’s Teachers’ College, studying to qualify as a public-health nurse. She stayed on working in New York for many years before retiring in her home state of Connecticut.
Women’s Health Tip
Eat in season! Eating what’s in season ensures you’re getting the freshest, most nutrient dense produce available. Eating in season and eating local also sensitizes you to local pollen and can help ward off such adverse reactions to pollen. One veggie that’s in season right now is asparagus. I want you to head on over to my IG page HERE and see my recent post on the health benefits of asparagus.
As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!
