“The chaos of the parent becomes the chaos of the home” (Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD). I’ll never forget smoking my first cigarette in 6th grade, experiencing a “relief of distress”. Healing means my home generates pleasure of interests instead of retreat from chaos. Healing is an act of matriarchy.

My intelligent, independent, and empathetic daughter turned 17. I am both terrified and thrilled for her future. She will speak and face repercussion. She will take a stand and be criticized. She will protect and be punished for it. And yet, I have peace, for I am her mom. This is matriarchy.

“What radicalized you?” Studying leadership theories and discovering layers upon layers of maternal, matriarchal, and female labors at the root of male authored theories. Men are literally observing our adaptive and generative ways and claiming them as founders.

The reason why white evangelical men are so giddy that Trump is in a position of power is because they desire to live as he does. To f*ck a prostitute. To cheat. To steal. To let racist thoughts loose. To shame, belittle, and humiliate people. And to (finally) see themselves as powerful, too.

We all know the “childless cat lady” is not really about a woman being childless, it’s about a woman not tethered to ANY MAN in ANY WAY. And that is infuriating to misogynists.

When a patriarch speaks of “tough love” he is referring to violence. When a matriarch speaks of “tough love” she is referring to clear, direct, and difficult communications.

Lowkey waiting for developed countries to start offer American women refuge for a better quality of life.

A strong-willed woman can change the trajectory of an entire lineage, wherein that lineage then becomes HERS. Everyday choices become matriarchal when a woman returns to herself.