The Feminist Queries: Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke

For my third Feminist Query interview, I spoke with Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke who is what I see as a modern day Renaissance woman. She is a life entrepreneur, creativity coach, author, artist, yoga teacher, Reiki practitioner and radio host. Phew, just writing that down makes me exhausted! But today, Ananda is going to share her views of the women's rights movement, sacred feminism, the belief of self care and how loving yourself is the most important thing you can do.

When did you first identify with the women's movement and why?

I was seven years old the first time that I instinctively identified with the women's movement.  The year was 1972.  My mother was actively involved in Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm's campaign for President of the United States.  Some of my favorite magazines to look at were Essence and Ms.  I wanted to wear my hair in an Afro just like my mother and activist Angela Davis. That year I decided to ask Father Ward for permission to become the first altar girl at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Although Father Ward was someone that I loved, respected, and adored, I could not accept his response that the Catholic Church did not allow girls to be altar servers. I told him that the Catholic Church was wrong. I knew in my heart of hearts that I had a right to be whatever I wanted to be. Right then and there I became a feminist.

How does a sense of spirituality relate to the feminist movement?

The greatest gift that the feminist movement gave me was choice... the choice to the discover, honor, accept, express, and reinvent myself in ways that I deem to be valuable. Spirituality is one way that I have used to discover and honor myself as a woman who is free and equal to all people. In my late twenties, I realized that the feminist movement created space for people to explore the sacred feminine within themselves as feminine energy and in religions and sacred practices.  It encouraged so many writers and researchers to document the sacred feminine in books and other publications.  As a beneficiary of this powerful work, I was able to embrace and understand the power of balancing and honoring both the sacred masculine and feminine energies within myself and in saints, spiritual leaders, cultural gods and goddesses, archetypes, rituals, and other practices.

Please explain the idea of self-care and how it relates to your belief system.

Self-care is the daily intention and practice of honoring your spirit, heart, mind, and body with love, healing, healthy living, positive experiences, nurturing relationships and communities, and fulfilling work.  My belief system is rooted in loving and accepting myself more each day.  Self-love means that I take time to care for myself.

What is one way each of us can show love for ourselves and one another on a daily basis?

When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself four times that you love and accept yourself while looking in the mirror.  It is a powerful experience to look at yourself as you say this affirmation:  I love and accept myself.

If you could ask feminists everywhere just one question, what would it be?

Are you willing to look beyond our generations, ethnicities, religions, orientations, socioeconomic classes, nationalities, and labels that we each use to identify ourselves so that we can work together on shared interests while respecting our differences?