Tanya Cromartie-Twaddle

Hoodmomma

Welcome to our virtual publication offering authentic voices from the women in the thick of the struggle. Hoodmommas hold the fort down. We bleed, sweat and sacrifice on the daily for the babies and street soldiers. We are not recognized politicians and executive directors of social service agencies. We are not paid movers & shakers. Yet we shake crooked foundations and move mountains because we naturally must…in order to feed our babies and strengthen our warriors for the fight. Too often we are forgotten. Our greatest resource in this Milwaukee fight for justice, civility and equality is everyday women, mothers, sisters, grandmothers and othermothers. We must sit at the table in great numbers with all the folks making decisions that affect our families. Milwaukee will not see a new day until women take their rightful places. Hoodmommas vow to take good care of themselves so that we can be strong warrior women. No, I am not a feminist. No, I do not believe women are born to be caretakers. I just know that we are great warriors and lovers and Milwaukee needs us to turn this madness around.

Hood…not meaning a bad place where poor black and brown people live. Hood…meaning family place…home.

Momma…not meaning woman who has birthed a baby. Momma…meaning community-builder and protector of life. Warrior.

—Tanya Cromatrie-Twaddle