I then slipped into a nice clean Asian inspired robe that was a gift bought for me and sat on a couch my landlord allowed me to keep, while listening to love songs playing from an old desktop my former employer gave to me. I said to myself everything may not be how I want it to be, but thank you God for choosing me.

Shortly after I walked to the kitchen and poured wine that was a b-day gift into a glass that was a moving away gift to me. I sat down at my 2 seat pub table that was also a housewarming gift to me with $.49 wood place mats that my dear friend thought would be nice for me. I sipped the wine & sat on the stool and admired the small cozy place and said thank you God for people who care about me.There are women in some countries who are not allowed to have girlfriends to talk to and shop with freely. American woman please stand up. No matter if you lost your income, home possessions, man, husband, status, car or family, there is still a queen underneath. I sat back on the couch & smiled despite being laid off and raising my daughter alone. I smiled because she and I are safe, no matter if I lose this place. A woman somewhere sleeps in fear of her village being raided and her children being beaten, abused, raped and possibly sold in to child sex slavery. I smiled because I can freely pray and thank the God of my choice, while unfortunately some women around the world are not free to choose their own religion. I sighed because I have freedom of choice. I can choose my political beliefs without penalty.

I can choose where I want to live, my own profession or who I want to marry. I have free libraries and schools for my daughter and me to gain more knowledge and wisdom. I have access to public assistance such as unemployment, Medicaid, food stamps, social security, disability and transit systems, shelters and food banks if I need it. In the not so distant past our female ancestors had no civil rights.

American woman please stand up. No matter if you are reading this letter from a prison cell, shelter, a friend’s home, a relative’s basement, your own home, car trailer, boat, housing projects or rental apartment, rich or poor, weak or strong, faults or frailties, accepted or rejected, good or bad underneath it all you are still a queen. All things come to pass, but a queen is your true destiny. Even if you need help my American woman, please by all means stand up!

S.L. Well is the founder of  Abundant Health Services, INC. and member of the Working Divas Network. She can be reached at www.abundanthealthservices.com