Yesterday we talked about the pillars of being a Black woman with a doctorate. Let’s remind ourselves of the pillars then look at each one over the next few days.
Foundation: You’re in the thick of it — ABD, dissertation mode, survival mode. This is your pillar. Connect with sistahs who are right where you are.
Scaffolding: You’ve defended — now you’re building. Book projects, academic writing, and carving out your scholarly identity are the work of this pillar.
Edifice: You’re navigating leadership and figuring out who you are in that role. This is where you build your leadership identity — on your own terms.
Inheritance: You’ve stepped into something new — a department chair role, a directorship, an unexpected transition. This pillar is about leading what you’ve inherited. Or leading what you’re creating with inheritance in mind.
Legacy: You’ve had a full career and life — and now you’re thinking about what endures. The work of this pillar is for senior leaders, administrators, and trailblazers who are building something that outlasts them.
Foundation.
You are in the midst of research and writing. You’re navigating space and autonomy with your committee. You’re losing sleep. Literally no one understands what you are doing or why you are doing it. You want to sleep. you want to rest. You want to quit.
It’s ok to admit that you want to quit. We all have wanted to quit. And there is no shame in quitting. But if you choose to keep pursuing your doctorate, you need someone to support you while you do so.
You need someone who understands this journey. Someone who knows what to do when your committee is being unreasonable. Someone who can help you navigate the ever-moving finish line. Someone Who can hold your hand and adjust your crown. You need someone who you can bounce ideas off of and not worry they are going to steal your original research. You need women who look like you, who know where you are, and who have made it to the other side.
You need Sistahs on the Doctoral Journey (SDJ).
Sistahs on the Doctoral Journey (SDJ) is a community of Black women from ABD through wherever your doctoral journey takes you where you can be yourself and give and get what you need. In our community, you can drop the mask you wear every day, relax, and breathe. Fully. Deeply. Finally.
The doors of the SDJ community open on July 1, 2026. Join by June 30, 2026 for a discounted membership for as long as you stay in our community.
Join today at the link below and share this with a sistah you know who is also on the journey.
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