1955

they rose, so others
could crawl,

with strength they gave
their all.

they crawled, so she
could walk,

imparting lessons,
so others could talk.

unmoving, unshaken,
unbound,

they walked, so I could
run,

through every struggle,
every ill,

i sprint, so she can fly
still

from every corner, every
dream she’ll bear,

a force of nature,
beyond compare,

fully intertwined, this
world, their souls

she’ll fly so more can
soar

2019

Madison Givens M.A. Bio:
Madison Givens is a current PhD student whose research explores the intersections of 20th-century African American history, classical studies, and gender, with a focus on how social movements and revolutions shape collective memory across generations. With a deep commitment to examining the enduring impact of generational trauma, Givens’s work bridges historical scholarship and cultural analysis to better understand the roles of women, resistance, and legacy in shaping Black life and liberation struggles.