Taking Action On Behalf Of Ourselves Is Holy Work

All she’d ever wanted was to know how things worked. So when Valerie Thomas walked around the college fair, the dismissive responses from white recruiters were disheartening. Only NASA hired her, but it wasn’t until a Black woman supervisor forced Thomas’ boss to do so. 

Unfortunately, her boss refused to support her.  Eventually, her calculations were questioned by higher-ups and her boss threw her under the bus.

But Ecclesiastes 3: 17b reminds us of a simple truth, “there is a right time for every pursuit and for every action.” 

And it was time for action.

Thomas publicly confronted her boss, and the agency realized she was experiencing discrimination. They transferred her to a new department. 

After that, Thomas thrived.

She went on to manage the development of satellite software systems and develop the illusion transmitter, which paved the way for 3D technology. 

Thomas called out the racial injustice around her and encouraged others to follow her lead.

Standing up for ourselves at the right moment is one of the most powerful weapons against injustice. Pray: Dear God, please grant me discernment to know when to take action. Bless me with courage tempered with patience. Amen.”