By Kelcie McKenney

I grew up with stubborn women
Who carried the harshness of the world on their backs
Who stomped their feet at disparities
Who lifted their shoulders and did as they pleased
Who threw their head back and laughed at the world

From garden beds, sewing in seeds of tomorrows
To kitchen sinks, washing away yesterdays
Across endless stretches of road, weaving the way
On a worn couch, the light left on past curfew
They stood their ground.
Unmoved.
Understanding.

For stubbornness is a strength
A battle cry behind school projects and kissed knees
A tenderness under dark beds and broken hearts
A rolling force I learned to stand behind
To lean against
To become

Those stubborn women created a stubborn me

---

Kelcie McKenney is a writer, editor, and artist who is passionate about feminism. She currently works as Digital Editor at The Pitch , where she writes and edits for Kansas City’s alternative magazine. You can find Kelcie watching internet cat videos, eating brunch, taking photos, and reading mystery novels.