“A woman’s work is to define herself,” writes award-winning slam poet Dominique Christina. While this task is important for everybody, Dominique says: “There is an urgency for women. When you have inherited a construct that names, describes, and practices an ideology that women are somehow less important, less necessary, then the work of defining yourself carries with it a kind of fury.”
Every woman is composed of many selves—inner players of the psyche who contribute their voices to the greater “I.” In This Is Woman’s Work, Dominique takes you on an inward journey to meet, listen to, learn from, dance with, and embrace the gifts of each persona, including:
• The indomitable Rebel Woman—and her counterpart, the faithful and generous Willing Woman
• The Conjure Woman and the Third Eye Woman—inner keepers of magic, vision, and divine connection
• The Wild Woman, who revels in her sexual power—and the Violated Woman, who endures the injustice of the patriarchy
• The Everywoman, who moves with fluid grace through every aspect of the self
“In order to re-create yourself, your first have to know yourself,” writes Dominique. “Not the ‘you’ that was handed to you by your parents, community, schools, lovers, and spouses. I am talking about the complete you that can only be accessed by an inward journey.” Through firebrand poetry, compelling inquiry, and heart-opening writing exercises, she invites you to forge an intimate connection with each inner woman—known and unknown, loved and feared—so you may integrate their voices, realize their wisdom, and open to your full expression and power.