YOU’RE NOT SUPERWOMAN… OR ARE YOU? - Dr. Erin Gray

BGL HEALTH MOMENT VOL. 2

Do you remember the song by Karen White titled Superwoman? I may be dating myself, but it spoke to something real. Giving your all, carrying expectations, and still not feeling heard, appreciated, or cared for the way you deserve.

In our last BGL Health Moment, we talked about how real life and basic needs can make it harder to prioritize our health. This is one way it shows up.

In both my research and professional experience, I have seen how this affects Black women every day.

We are expected to be strong, push through stress, and take care of everyone else. Over time, that stress adds up. It impacts our bodies, our mental health, and even how we are treated in healthcare settings 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Concepts like the Superwoman Schema¹ and weathering² help explain how chronic stress wears on the body over time. Research also shows that racial and ethnic minorities often receive lower quality care³.

Too often, our pain is minimized and our concerns are dismissed 4 . But let me be clear: We are not Superwomen meant to carry more pain, more stress, and still be overlooked. Enough is enough.

When we advocate for ourselves and for each other, that is when we put the “S” back on our chest. Not for suffering, but for strength, support, and self-advocacy. So, what do we do next? The next time you are preparing for a doctor’s visit, here are a few simple ways to start:

1. Track your symptoms- Keep a journal of how you feel, your habits, and any changes. Providers

respond to patterns and data.

2. Bring a trusted person with you- A second set of ears can help you feel supported and ensure your concerns are heard.

3. Ask questions and pause if needed- If something does not feel clear, say: “I do not feel like my questions are being answered. Can we pause?”

4. Share your past experiences- You can say: “In the past, I felt like my concerns were dismissed. Can you help me understand how we are addressing that today?”

Our voices matter. Especially in your healthcare. That is the kind of Superwoman we choose to be.

I enjoyed our time together. Until next time, drink your water.

—Dr. BG

Sources for more information

1 Woods-Giscombé, C. L. (2010). Superwoman Schema: African-American women’s views on stress, strength, and health.

2 Geronimus, A.T. (1992). The weathering hypothesis and the health of African-American women and infants.

3 Institute of Medicine, (2003).Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care.

4 Prather, C. et al. (2018). Post-Partum health care experiences of African-American women.