Black woman full of virtue

and girded with pride

You are queen of a people

birthed from freedom’s fire!

The best of our people

Can be found in you . . .

Sweet mother of destiny

God’s gift to the world.

A fortress of courage

fortified with love

The cleft in the rock

Which held fast our hopes . . .

The martyr of slavery

Sacrificed for us all . . .

The guardian angel

Of destiny’s call!

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Dedicated to Ms. Cicely Tyson 
& Dr. Maya Angelou