Embracing Legacy and Resilience: How to Honor Legacy and Foster Resilience Through Symbolic Actions

I’m not sure how I came to the realization of the importance of embracing legacy and resilience, but I have learned to love the power in journies of those who have come before me. Especially, because I am a black woman, I appreciate and honor the legacy of black women.

Last month I struggled through the deaths and funerals of both of my grandmothers who I loved dearly. However, I chose to engage my S.O. What! mindset and create something positive from the situation. I share those special details in my last blog post. But there was another special moment at 2nd Annual S.O. What! Foundation Annual Awards and Scholarship Soiree.

It was a poignant symbol brought that together the past and present, weaving a narrative of resilience and heritage that touched all in attendance. Last year, my 101 year-old grandmother, Agnes Owens, attended the inaugural S.O. What! Awards and Scholarship Soiree. This was especially meaningful because the event was held on the campus of the University of Memphis, and my grandmother’s support of me as a teen mom was the reason I was able to attend the University of Memphis. 

This year, both of my grandmothers attended the event in spirit though. However, the dress my grandmother wore last was worn by our speaker, Bertha Rogers Looney of the Memphis State Eight at this year’s event, served as a powerful emblem of continuity and strength. Long before my grandmother fell ill, I had offered to give Bertha the dress knowing that my grandmother wouldn’t wear again. I had no idea that I would bury my grandmother the week before the event would be held agin.

I was moved when Bertha texted me saying that she wanted to wear the dress to the event. This act and the moment she stood before the audience in my grandmother’s dress sharing her story reinforced my love for embracing legacy and resilence. The dress was a beautiful symbol for demonstrating this honor, and made our event even more powerful.

How can you include embracing legacy and resilience into your events or just in your life?

Step 1: Choose a Symbol with Historical or Personal Significance

The circumstance of Bertha wearing my grandmother’s dress as a symbol was not intentional, but I’m grateful it happened the way that it did. The dress represented my grandmother’s century-long journey through life’s challenges and her presence at our inaugural event. By Bertha choosing to wear the dress, she connected the legacy of educational and racial breakthroughs with personal familial memories, demonstrating the impact of our shared history on contemporary efforts toward social justice and empowerment.

Step 2: Integrate the Symbol into Your Event’s Narrative

During the soiree, I shared the story of the dress and the women connected by it. This narrative integration helped attendees understand and feel the depth of the connection between past and present struggles and triumphs, these incredible woment, and to me and the University of Memphis. It wasn’t just a garment; it was a testament to enduring strength and resilience. This storytelling approach deepened the emotional impact of the event, making the experience more memorable and meaningful for everyone involved.

Step 3: Highlight the Symbol’s Role in Overcoming Adversity

Bertha Rogers Looney’s presence in the dress symbolized the triumph over significant adversities. As a pioneer who faced immense challenges in desegregating the University of Memphis, her wearing the dress linked her story to that of my grandmother’s, highlighting a continuum of resilience and perseverance. Discussing these connections during the event provided a live example of how overcoming obstacles has long been part of our community’s fabric.

Step 4: Use the Symbol to Inspire Future Generations

The story of the dress and its significance was not only about reflecting on the past but also about inspiring those moving forward, everyone in the audience. By showcasing how past resilience can inform and inspire current and future actions, we emphasize the value of learning from history to empower future generations which is the purpose of the S.O. What! Foundation.

Step 5: Ensure the Symbol Resonates with a Broad Audience

The broader themes of overcoming and succeeding against the odds resonate universally. This relatability encouraged attendees to reflect on their own symbols of resilience and how these could serve as motivational tools in their lives.

Through this guide and our soiree, we illustrate that honoring legacy through symbolic actions isn’t just about remembrance. It’s about active engagement with our history to fuel our current missions and future aspirations. By adopting this approach, you too can enhance the impact of your events, making them not only a celebration but a profound learning experience that encourages resilience and the pursuit of success, no matter the obstacles.

And, seeing Bertha Looney in my grandmother’s dress reminded me of when my grandmother wore my dress.

One day I had on a sundress. Grandma told me three times how pretty it was. Then she jokingly said, “You need to give that to me.” So I did. She definitely wore it best!