About the Author

Michelle Ami Reyes, PhD, is an author and activist. Her first book, Becoming All Things, is the recipient of the 2022 ECPA award. Michelle writes at the intersection of multiculturalism, faith, and justice. She lives with her family in Austin, Texas.

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things we love
& you will too!
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Comments

  1. This was so refreshing to read. I am becoming more intentional about celebrating other women, and I appreciate the scriptural value you’ve shared. Blessings to you Michelle!

  2. Your words are so true. Not only do we as women tend to stand back when it comes to talking about ourselves, we also tend to tear other women down by being judgemental about how they act, what they say, are they doing all the “right ” things, etc. What we could all accomplish for His kingdom if we looked at ourselves and each other through the eyes of our Savior. So after reading this today I’m going to send all the amazing women in my life a thank you card letting them what I appreciate about them.

  3. This was wonderful. Thank you for acknowledging what we do. I do not watch much of the news but I turned it on this morning and there was a story about women in art. And how they have been overlooked, dismissed and how the truth about their contributions has been hidden. The statistics on how they are left out was shocking. There is now an effort to bring the truth to the surface and all across the country exhibits are being shown in major museums to identify and name the women and their contributions. While reading this post I thought about Mary Magdalene and the women who were there every step of the way with Christ. And how they have been described unfairly. Thank you.

  4. Thank you Michelle it was such a refreshing read!! Amen to all you’ve said. Whether in culture or church unconsciously we equate humility by thinking less of ourselves despite God affirming us! He delights in us His daughters & rejoices over us !
    Michelle, He has surely used you to remind us what it means to value another. Thank you. Even Paul in many letters to the churches does mention some women by name commending them for something specific. This is one article I will share. God’s continued guidance as you use the written word .
    Sarla Williams, Sri Lanka

  5. I think there’s another layer in this, in that often for women, instead of “the squeaky wheel gets the grease” it’s “the nail that sticks out gets pounded down” – I’ve experienced the jealous sniper-fire that comes when Person 1 publicly recognizes my accomplishments but Person 2 feels that any recognition of someone else detracts from Person 2’s status/value/etc (I do not know how much of this is tokenism vs. something else). So also: we need to be Christian when other people are getting attention or praise, rather than looking for ways in which we can reassure ourselves that we are superior to them. (and we maybe need to be wise about contexts when praising people, so we don’t set them up as a target instead of helping them! Except maybe we just need to normalize praise so other people don’t feel as much like it’s a zero-sum hard-competition thing? I don’t have the answers to this.)

    Anyway. Wise as serpents, innocent as doves, and I don’t really know how to deal with public praise because I’m afraid of being “taken down a peg or two.”

  6. I’m laughing because I’ve gotten several articles today each touting a specific demographic that is under-recognized…women, children, blacks… Oh if the church could just see as Christ does. Image bearers of the Living True God. No minorities just reflections of a vast & creative Creator. May we build everyone up regardless of sex, age or color!

  7. Michelle,

    Women have been taught to be humble. Adding to that society doesn’t value women as it does men. It has taken many many years for people to realize that women can play a vital role in society. We now have women on the Supreme Court, as astronauts, flipping houses, & as judges. I applaud all these women out there going against conventional wisdom & forging a path for others.

    I, like you though, don’t like to shine the spot light on myself. Feel as though God wants to reveal us to the world & does it through others. He is also applauding & valuing us as individuals. Letting us know that we have great talents & how pleased He is with us. For instance I volunteer with Loaves & Fishes food bank doing whatever needs to be done. Another volunteer mentioned to me that he heard I was a good cook. “Me a good cook? huh?” was my thought. I came home & made some food for him-he’s battling cancer & another man who’s birthday it was. Now I cook for others all the time & get pleasure out of it.

    I am going to see & name others’ good works. Making them known to the world as not just another woman, but a woman with talents.

    Blessings 🙂

  8. Thank you for sharing your story. I agree with you that for too long society and some companies and some leaders and some families fail to acknowledge the brilliant work and contributions made to the labor force, government positions, church officials and others by many talented and skilled females.

    This does not take any credit from anyone in leadership positions. Just think about how many bosses would not be as efficient without their administrative assistant. How many doctors would forget their clinic days and rotations without their nurses. When you wake up and smell your breakfast, most of the time the Mother is at the Helm in the kitchen.

    I am so grateful for my mother and grandmother. I would not know the love of Christ without their guidance. Some publishers would miss deadlines without help from their proofreaders and editors.

    We are not speaking against any job or employee. All people who are gainfully employed are valuable and truly appreciated. We can say that since the Pandemic, many titles and positions have changed in duties and responsibilities.

    I know we can honor, respect and value the gifts and talents we all bring to the table.

    Keep up the great work everyone.

    Brenda

  9. This so important for all people, no matter their age. Often we do not recognize the value others see in us. Use those words to let people know as often as you can. Thanks for sharing. You are awesome.