In this episode of The Unwanted Sorority, Leatra honors Rosa Parks’s lesser-known role as an NAACP sexual assault investigator and her advocacy for Recy Taylor, tying their courage to today’s movement and this episode's Roll Call guest. She also speaks with Dom, who shares how therapy, storytelling, and community have been central to reclaiming power after trauma. In Unpacking the Ritual, Leatra names patterns many Black women and femme survivors will recognize: the adultification of Black girls, stonewalling, and dissociation. Inspired by Dom's interview, Leatra works to reframe self-care as accountability, love, and liberation.
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Resources and Mentions
Ryan Mattimore's article for History.com "Before the Bus, Rosa Parks Was a Sexual Assault Investigator: Why has History Left Out This Piece of Rosa Parks' Story?"
Laura L. Rogers (Deputy Director for Office of Violence Against Women): National African American History Month: Remembering Rosa Parks’ Work to Address Sexual Assault
Tell Me More (Podcast on NPR): Hidden Pattern Of Rape Helped Stir Civil Rights Movement
"The Black Girlhood Studies Collection" by Aria S. Halliday
Ellie Lisitsa's article for Gottman.com "The Four Horsemen: Stonewalling"
Tonjie Reese's blog post for California Partnership to End Domestic Violence "The War Against Black Girls: Addressing the adultification bias"
DoD Safe Helpline (877-995-5247)
Ujima: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community
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