Black History & Self-Care: How These Women Made Wellness a Revolution

When we think of civil rights leaders and activists, we often focus on their courage, their fight for justice, and their unwavering dedication to the cause. But what we don’t always hear about is how they prioritized self-care for themselves and the Black community—not just as a luxury, but as a necessity for survival.

Madam C.J. Walker, Harriet Tubman, Angela Davis, Ericka Huggins, and Rosa Parks understood that mental, physical, and emotional well-being were just as important as the fight for freedom and equality.

For Black people facing relentless discrimination, self-care was more than just rest—it was resistance. It was about healing, nurturing, and protecting the body, mind, and spirit from a society that sought to dehumanize and oppress. These four women not only paved the way for civil rights but also redefined what self-care meant for Black people.

Madam C.J. Walker: Economic Empowerment & Beauty as Self-Care

Madam C.J. Walker is often celebrated as the first self-made Black female millionaire who revolutionized the Black haircare industry. But her impact went far beyond wealth—she understood that self-care and self-worth were deeply connected.

During a time when Black women were made to feel inferior, Madam Walker provided more than just hair products—she provided confidence, dignity, and a sense of self-worth. She emphasized that beauty wasn’t just about vanity—it was about self-preservation. Her products gave Black women the power to take care of themselves in ways that weren’t accessible before.

She also used her platform to educate and uplift—teaching Black women how to start their own businesses, achieve financial independence, and create generational wealth. In an era where economic mobility for Black people was nearly impossible, Walker made sure self-care wasn’t just skin deep—it was about empowerment, self-sufficiency, and reclaiming personal agency.

Harriet Tubman: Rest as Resistance & Holistic Healing

Harriet Tubman is best known for her bravery in leading hundreds of enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad. But what many don’t realize is that she was also a strong advocate for self-care, mental well-being, and natural healing.

Tubman suffered from severe head injuries after being struck by an overseer as a child, which caused lifelong pain and seizures. Yet, she prioritized her health by using holistic remedies, herbal medicine, and deep spiritual practices to keep herself strong.

Beyond her own survival, Tubman cared deeply for the well-being of others. She worked as a nurse during the Civil War, treating wounded soldiers and newly freed Black people with natural herbs and alternative medicine. She understood that rest, care, and healing were necessary tools of survival—especially for a people who were constantly fighting for their lives.

Her dedication to self-care didn’t stop with her activism. Later in life, she established The Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged, a facility dedicated to caring for elderly and sick African Americans who had been abandoned by society. She recognized that self-care wasn’t just an individual need, but a community responsibility—a concept that still resonates in Black self-care movements today.

Angela Davis: Radical Self-Care & Mental Liberation

Angela Davis, a revolutionary political activist and intellectual, has spent decades advocating for Black liberation, prison abolition, and social justice. But she has also been a powerful voice for self-care as an act of radical resistance.

During the Black Power Movement, Davis recognized that the psychological toll of activism and systemic oppression was just as harmful as physical violence. She often spoke about the importance of mental resilience, emotional well-being, and self-preservation, especially for Black women who were constantly fighting on multiple fronts.

Davis’ philosophy aligned with the idea that self-care is not selfish—it’s necessary. She urged activists to prioritize rest, joy, and personal well-being so they could continue the fight. She also challenged the notion that Black women had to be strong all the time, emphasizing that vulnerability and self-care were just as revolutionary as protest and activism.

Her advocacy for mindfulness, community healing, and self-preservation influenced generations of activists to see self-care as part of the movement—not separate from it. Today, her work continues to inspire those who fight for justice while also prioritizing their mental and emotional health.

Ericka Huggins: Meditation, Mindfulness, & Healing in Activism

Ericka Huggins, a former leader in the Black Panther Party, was a pioneer in integrating self-care, mindfulness, and healing into activism. While the Black Panther Party is often associated with militant resistance, Huggins was instrumental in promoting emotional wellness, meditation, and holistic healing as part of the movement.

During the 1960s and 70s, Huggins faced extreme trauma—including the imprisonment and assassination of her husband—yet, she found strength in meditation and spiritual healing. She used these tools not only to heal herself but also to teach others how to cope with the stress of systemic oppression and activism.

Huggins introduced yoga, meditation, and mindfulness practices to the Black Panther Party, recognizing that inner peace was just as essential as political resistance. She believed that true revolution required a balance of both physical and mental liberation.

Her work laid the foundation for modern-day Black wellness movements, proving that self-care isn’t just about escaping oppression but about rebuilding from it, healing from it, and thriving despite it.

Rosa Parks: Yoga & Meditation as a Form of Resistance

Most people know Rosa Parks as the woman who refused to give up her seat, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott. But what many don’t know is that Parks also practiced yoga and meditation as part of her self-care routine.

Throughout her life, Parks endured constant harassment, threats, and emotional stress due to her activism. To manage the toll of this, she turned to breathwork, stretching, and mindfulness practices—a rarity for Black women at the time.

Her commitment to inner peace and spiritual wellness helped her maintain the resilience needed to continue the fight. She understood that self-care wasn’t a retreat from activism—it was a necessary part of it. Parks’ embrace of yoga and meditation serves as a reminder that self-care practices that soothe the mind and body are just as revolutionary as protests and marches.

Why Their Legacy of Self-Care Still Matters Today

The legacy of Madam C.J. Walker, Harriet Tubman, Angela Davis, Ericka Huggins, and Rosa Parks proves that self-care for Black people has always been a necessity—not a luxury. Their advocacy for beauty, rest, mental health, and mindfulness wasn’t separate from their activism—it was a core part of it.

In today’s world, where racism, trauma, and social injustice still exist, their lessons on self-care, rest, healing, and empowerment are more relevant than ever. We continue to see their influence in Black-owned wellness brands, mental health advocacy, and community care initiatives that remind us:

• Self-care is an act of resistance.
• Rest is revolutionary.
• Healing is part of liberation.

As we honor their legacies this Black History Month, we should also take a moment to prioritize ourselves. Whether it’s through lighting a candle, meditating, embracing mindfulness, or simply resting without guilt, we must remember that taking care of our well-being is just as important as fighting for our rights.

What self-care practice makes you feel empowered? Let’s talk about it in the comments.

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