Celebrating Women and Their Stories with Dr. Reverend Irene Taylor
Whenever women get together, we have an opportunity to share our stories. While the cadence of each narrative may differ wildly from our own, we recognize something familiar in the storyteller’s experience. That’s the rhythm of sisterhood. It calls us to bear witness to each other’s herstory and preserve these sacred accounts. When I learned of this year's theme for National Women's Month, “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories,” I knew who to invite to the microphone: Dr. Reverend Irene Taylor. She’s a retired pastor who has served her professional calling for almost 40 years, including as a United States Army Reserve chaplain. To say that she has impacted the lives of many women is an understatement. Although our time in conversation falls short of capturing Reverend Irene’s full brilliance, it honors and celebrates her contribution to our ever-expanding treasury of women’s truths.
Black women have long thrived on the stories of extended community––aunties, neighbor ladies, and church doyennes. <“They [taught] me something about womanhood and sisterhood,” says Reverend Irene of the women who cared for her when her mother could not. “I saw these strong Black women who were living in some very difficult times come together through their faith and their various experiences and build community.” These women provided a continuum along which life lessons constantly flowed, sometimes verbally in passing, sometimes over a lesson in proper tea etiquette. “When we would gather at their homes, there was always something deeper that transpired, that taught us the value of sisterhood, of coming together, getting away from the men to deal with issues that related to us, and learning to value ourselves as important people.”
The women of Reverend Irene’s childhood formed a shield around those under their formidable protection. “But there were times when we saw their fear,” she admits. “It was usually around the concern that one of their children could end up being killed if they didn't understand the parameters that they had to stay in.” Some of those dangers fell perilously close to home for Reverend Irene and her family.
Throughout life’s challenges, Reverend Irene has repeatedly drawn strength from the twin shelters of community and faith. She has shared her reserves with anyone in need through professional ministry and personal friendship, often simultaneously. I clearly remember the night, many years back, when I walked into a church kitchen and encountered a group of women laughing and having fun with one another. I don’t know what I expected to find, but this spirited bunch certainly did not fit my preconceived notion of a Christian gathering. There, at the center of the group, was Reverend Irene. Of course. I enjoyed the evening and her insight so much that I went back again and again until here I am today, still eager and grateful for her sage advice.
Women’s stories are epic in their everyday courageousness. In telling our tales, women break silences and create spaces where secrets are shared rather than hushed. When we commit to this simple ritual, we ensure that generations have words for experiences that aren’t always so wonderful, and pass this great collection of wisdom on like a cherished book of verse.
QUOTES
Irene Taylor
“Sisterhood gives us strength. It gives us another set of lenses to see the world through.”
“You had a community nurturing you, a community of women in particular who thought it was their responsibility to look out for every female child. And God knows, I didn't know why that was such an important issue until I got older!”
“It's nothing like having an older woman sit you down, or another sister for that matter, and name something for you that you refuse to see or that you negate exists.”
“I am who I am today largely because I've always been surrounded by strong African American women.”
“I think it's important for us to never stop telling our stories and sometimes telling them, it's not vocalizing, but making yourself visible for people to see.”
Lisa Lackey
“Even in churches and even in sororities and even in other kinds of clubs, people––women––aren't connecting at the same level, so we don't even know that we share the same story.”
“A lot of [the] baggage is baggage that was never ours, and we've taken it on not just in our lifetime but for generations. And when we start to unpack that, it feels really uncomfortable.”
“I always tell people whether you're a Christian or any other religion, there's so much, just practical understanding in the Bible.”
