One of the biggest roadblocks to dignity is often our internal battles. It is when we have difficulty overcoming those times in our lives when we did not honor our own dignity or the dignity of others. When we are on our lifelong dignity journey, these thoughts will come to us, and we will think how can I tell someone to honor dignity when for much of my life I did not. I think that all the time. The person I am today is so far from the person I was in my twenties that when I look back, I think, “Who was that person?” If you asked the twenty-year-old Charles where he thought he would be at fifty-eight never in a million years would I have said a good father, a husband, a nurse, a leader or a leader in my church because when I was in my twenties, I strived for none of those things.
I often struggle with accepting when good things happen to me. It is guilt from past mistakes but in talking with people I hear those same thoughts and feelings about their lives as well. What often gets me through is I will read a chapter in Dr. Donna Hicks’ book Leading with Dignity, and I will read a statement I got from my younger brother Tracy “Every day I wake up is a new day for redemption.” I have come to understand that by living my life honoring dignity it is my opportunity to use my past mistakes to help others realize every day is a new day to elevate the dignity within themselves and others. Is this easy “No” Do I fall back into bad behaviors sometimes “Yes”, but by dedicating my life to honoring my own dignity, the dignity of others and the dignity to my faith I am able to stand again and face the challenges of the world.
Every day I get to help people on their journey through life and every day I have my life changed by those who were put there to help me. Life can be hard and unfair and often we cannot change that but what we can change is how we face those challenges every day. No matter the outcome we always win when we honor, celebrate, and lead with dignity. It is how we move forward, and it is how we create change.
No one can speak to the power of dignity better than Nelson Mandela. Dignity is what got him through twenty-seven years of unjust imprisonment.
“Any man or institution that tries to rob me of my dignity will lose.” Nelson Mandela
Dignity made him the first Black African President of South Africa and he was able to begin to unite the country after decades of war and oppression.
“No power on this earth can destroy the thirst for human dignity.” Nelson Mandela
It is because of Former South African President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela that I know dignity is the only way to face our challenges. It is why I write, and it is why I share my challenges and life journey with all of you.
As we celebrate the amazing women who have shaped our history. I want to recognize the women who taught me the importance of dignity.
My mother Phyllis King who was the first dignity leader in my life
My friend and colleague Yemisi Oloruntola-Coates who introduced me to Dr. Hicks’ books and has been a mentor to me.
My friend, author and professor Dr. Donna Hicks PhD.
My wife Erin Redd for being an amazing mother and for supporting me in my journey to be a better person.
Thank you for showing me the way even when I was too stubborn to listen. I hope you can take this day and honor all those women who made a difference in your lives.
Charles Redd RN
Dignity Freedom Fighter
Dignity Freedom Fighter 