SAY THEIR NAMES

Say their names, say their names, say their names

They stood for black power, black pride, black freedom

They fought hard for our civil rights.

Our claim to freedom

Stood up to Jim Crow, stood up for our right to vote

Who were they

What made them great

They were elegant, intelligent

Brilliant and bold

These are the great women

Who were courageous

With great strength

Charity Edna Adams

Nikki Giovanni

Toni Morrison

Frances Ellen Watkins

Charity Adams, WW2 veteran

Fought twice in two wars

Scoring victories in both

Fascism abroad, racism at home

Received numerous awards and accolades

One of which LT Colonel

Led several organizations in my hometown of Dayton, Ohio

YWCA, United Negro College Fund, Black Leadership Development Program

What more can I say about this powerful woman

A brave hero she was

Next up Nikki Giovanni

A revolutionary

A true voice of the people

Refused to keep quiet

The Black Princess of poetry

Used her pen

And powerful voice

To lead the Black Power Movement

A true leader

A true artist

Grammy nominated

Author of Black Feeling, Black Talk

She didn't walk but ran to the fight for civil rights

A true inspiration indeed

Toni Morrison

A motivator

The curator

Of African folklore and symbolism

Her bold portrayals of black life

Garnered numerous awards

Pulitzer prize winner

Noble peace prize winner

In literature

Activist for Muhammad Ali and Angela Davis

What more can I say about this brave powerful black woman

Her accolades speak for themselves

She built a sanctuary

That celebrated black men

Strengthened black women

Opened doors to black writers

Paved the way

To give them a voice

Worked to upend systemic racism

That tried to silence them

I certainly appreciate her courage and strength

Frances Ellen Watkins

Born free

But instead chose to fight against the evils of slavery

Author of Lola Leroy

First in print by a black woman

Her words were so thunderous

They evoked fear and terror in proponents of slavery

She was loud

She was black

She was proud

A master of language

She refused to watch our people

Suffer in anguish

She used her pen

Her voice

To speak out against

The travesties against black people

She was a true champion

In the fight against slavery

Say their names, say their names say their names

Let's never forget these powerful black women

Charity Edna Adams

Nikki Giovanni

Toni Morrison

Frances Ellen Watkins

History tries to hide them

But they can't and won't keep them in the shadows

They stood for black power

Fought to devour

The system that holds us down

Let's fight to keep their legacy alive

The same way they fought for our civil rights

We do that

By saying their names

Let them ring

Loud in our ears

Let's learn to be

As fearless as them

They started the fight for our freedoms

Now it’s up to us to finish it

Let's keep their names alive

Never let them diminish

All we have to do

Is say their names

Copyright ©️ 2025 by Laron Henderson

Photos by Nicole Washington

Exhibit • Queens of the Heartland

National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center, Wilberforce