Always Strong, Rarely Heard: The Unseen Struggles of Black Women in America

By Dr. Patricia Jackson

April 21, 2025

In a society that often demands strength from Black women while offering little in return, the fight for equality remains an uphill battle. From enduring centuries-old stereotypes to navigating modern-day microaggressions and structural barriers, Black women continue to face unique challenges that are too often overlooked in national conversations about race and gender.

From an early age, Black women are taught to be resilient. The image of the “strong Black woman” is praised in popular culture and community spaces alike. But behind the stoic facade, this expectation can be emotionally exhausting and mentally damaging.

There’s an unspoken rule that we must carry everything—our families, our jobs, our communities—without showing weakness. It’s a narrative rooted in survival, but one that ignores our need for rest, care, and emotional support.

This constant pressure to be “strong” often discourages Black women from seeking help for mental health issues. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, only one in three Black adults who need mental health care receive it—Black women are especially underserved.

Despite being among the most educated demographics in the United States, Black women remain underrepresented in positions of leadership and are frequently paid less than their counterparts. A 2023 study by the National Women’s Law Center found that Black women earn just 69 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men.

Even as they climb the professional ladder, Black women encounter a pervasive glass ceiling—a barrier that is both racial and gendered.

I’ve been told I’m ‘too assertive’ when I speak up, but if I stay quiet, I’m seen as disengaged. There’s no room for us to be fully human. We’re constantly code-switching, self-editing, and still being overlooked for promotions.

The challenges Black women face are often absent from mainstream feminist movements, which have historically centered the experiences of white women. At the same time, racial justice movements can sideline gender-specific issues, leaving Black women in a unique limbo.

“Black women are at the intersection of racism and sexism, and that intersection is often ignored,” says Kimberlé Crenshaw, the legal scholar who coined the term “intersectionality.” “We can’t talk about women’s rights without talking about race. And we can’t talk about racial justice without centering the voices of Black women.”

Despite the adversity, Black women continue to lead change across all sectors—from politics to education, business to grassroots organizing. But recognition and support must go beyond applause and hashtags.

Being celebrated once a year on social media isn’t enough. Black women need equity. We need to be heard, respected, compensated fairly, and given the space to thrive without carrying the world on our shoulders.

As the fight for equality continues, amplifying the voices of Black women isn’t just a matter of fairness—it’s essential to creating a society where justice is not selective, but shared by all.