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Women’s History Month 2022

By March 12, 2022April 13th, 2022Uncategorized

March is one of our favorite months – not only is it Kenna Kunijo’s birthday, but more importantly, we get to celebrate Women’s History Month and all the incredible accomplishments of women past and present. This year, we asked some of our staff and clients what Women’s History Month means to them – read their answers below and get inspired. xo

Mackenzie Spence [Salon Manager]

What does Women’s History Month mean to you as an Asian American?
This is a big one. Throughout much of America’s history, the trails, tribulations and hard struggles women of color have had to go through have often been overlooked or disregarded as important parts of our history. Growing up in the American public school system, you aren’t often taught that the women’s suffrage movement alienated women of color, or that the Seneca Falls Convention, often regarded as the birthplace of the start of the first wave of feminism, was comprised of only White middle-class women and their issues. You are just taught that these are the main parts of women’s history that need to be celebrated.
As an Asian American woman, I have had a difficult time with women’s history month because on one side, I am grateful that we as the more oppressed gender, are being celebrated, and are given a platform to speak on important issues but on the other side, as an Asian American, I am disappointed that important parts of our Country’s history: the oppression we faced and the obstacles we have overcome, are not being talked about or celebrated. As I mentioned above, (as an example), in school, you learn about the 19th amendment that granted women the right to vote. But this was not all women. All women of color had to fight for that right for many years and for Asian women, we were finally granted the right to vote in the 50’s. Not the 1850’s, but the 1950’s.
This may ruffle some feathers or this may be uncomfortable to read, but it is important to know that as America has begun to embrace a new wave of feminism, it is still predominately promoting White, (middle class and above), Feminism. And it is our job to help make that shift to be more inclusive and to make sure we are talking about all parts of Women’s history month: the good, the bad and the ugly; the Black, the White, the Asian, the Latinx, the Hispanic, the immigrant… It is important we talk about it all.
I am so incredibly grateful that women’s issues are still being talked about and change is still being made. I am super grateful that I am privileged enough to have a platform to discuss this with other women and hopefully advocate for change.
And as an Asian American woman, women’s history month means another opportunity to gain a better understanding of what those before me had to face and spreading that information so that women’s history month is actually ALL races of women’s history month.

Torre Mower [Client]

What does Women’s History Month mean to you? Women’s History Month is an opportunity to celebrate women everywhere. Our accomplishments, our desires, our dreams for a better future. It’s an opportunity to speak boldly about change. There is so much courage in a woman speaking up, I just find myself awed the entire month that I get to be in the company of women.

To celebrate the “history” part of Women’s History Month—is there a woman from history that you find especially inspiring? It’s difficult to pick a singular woman I’m inspired by. I’ll never forget learning about the bravery exhibited by Rosa Parks. The will to create a better path, a life of freedom, exhibited by Harriet Tubman. The self expression and beauty portrayed in the work of Frida Kahlo. There are too many incredible women to name them all, to give honor to each of them. It is my hope that women advocating for other women to not only have a seat at the table, but run the meeting, is a step in the right direction.

What do you love the most about being a woman? I love the ability to contribute to rewriting the narrative that women are just “insert phrase here”. We can be both strong and gentle, resilient and flexible, compassionate and fair. There isn’t a one size fits all setting for what it means to be a woman and I find that both incredibly freeing and challenging. I find myself incredibly blessed to be a mother, to have an opportunity to shape a future generation to understand the greatness of women and the strength in which they carry.

Tonia Lyon [Client]

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?

Women’s History Month to me is an opportunity to celebrate what makes us beautiful and unique and made in God’s image. Growing up, I had a tenuous relationship with my gender – thinking sometimes I might rather be a boy because they got to run and jump and curse and race cars without anyone saying things like, “girls don’t act like that.”

In December 2020 thanks to genetic testing, I came to understand more deeply a bit of who I am. Learning that I’m half Cambodian was a beautiful and strange experience. Since that time, I’ve been slowly learning more about the history and culture of my people. I’m lately captivated by the story of a woman named Tep Vanny who is a prominent Cambodian human rights activist. She raised awareness and helped her people peacefully protest when the land under their homes was sold without concern about the people who would be displaced.
In the bible, there’s a little known old testament story of a woman named Rizpah who peacefully protested the unjust and murderous actions of King David.
I admire these women and so many others like Rosa Parks, and Maya Angelou whose voices and actions changed the world.
I’ve made peace with my womanhood, now. Writing poetry has helped me to process my relationship with who God made me to be. I love myself as I am and feel most myself in the company of other encouraging women (like Kenna and Lauren and all the lovely Kenna Kunijo ladies!) And I still change the “he’s” to “she’s” quite a lot in my bible.

Emily Everman [Junior 1 Stylist]

Tell us what you love about working at a female-owned and operated business with a staff of incredible women?

Working as a young woman in a primarily female based industry has been one of the most inspiring and rewarding endeavors of my life. I’ve been so fortunate to be surrounded by a diverse team of strong women who’ve empowered me to use my voice, trust my instincts, and do it with compassion in my soul.
I love getting to come to a work environment that places value on women supporting women and in turn, I strive to give my clients the same love and respect I receive from those around me!
For me, it’s so important create both an experience as well as an outcome that can change and enhance women’s lives. As cheesy as it may sound, hair is an emotional thing! And it holds so much power! Loving your hair provides a foundation for women to feel confident & powerful in their own skin.

“A woman is mighty as one – but as a team we are invincible.” – Rhonita LaShae’

Sharon Dunson [Client]

What does Women’s History Month mean to you? Celebrating Women’s history month means that we’ve reached a period in time where Women’s accomplishments are celebrated and acknowledged publicly. So many women have contributed to the advancement of society only to have their work stolen and/or diminished. I think it’s important that we loudly show appreciation for the many ways women have left their mark on the world.

To celebrate the “history” part of Women’s History Month—is there a woman from history that you find especially inspiring? Pearl Primus (amazing choreographer and anthropologist)

What do you love the most about being a woman? I love that femininity and strength co-exist so beautifully

Sending extra love to all the ladies who make up our staff and clients. Who run the world? 😉

Our Values:

Punctuality • Generosity • Flexibility • Professionalism • Positivity • Honesty • Empathy • Awareness • Thoroughness • Commitment • Mindfulness •
Punctuality • Generosity • Flexibility • Professionalism • Positivity • Honesty • Empathy • Awareness • Thoroughness • Commitment • Mindfulness •
Punctuality • Generosity • Flexibility • Professionalism • Positivity • Honesty • Empathy • Awareness • Thoroughness • Commitment • Mindfulness •
Punctuality • Generosity • Flexibility • Professionalism • Positivity • Honesty • Empathy • Awareness • Thoroughness • Commitment • Mindfulness •
Punctuality • Generosity • Flexibility • Professionalism • Positivity • Honesty • Empathy • Awareness • Thoroughness • Commitment • Mindfulness •

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1800 Camden Rd #103
Charlotte, NC 28203

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(704) 626-0827
info@kennakunijo.com

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