Groundbreaking actress, Cicely Tyson, passed away at the age of 96 on Thursday, January 28th. Cicely’s long standing career landed her in various Broadway plays, television episodes, and even movie roles during the 1960s when dignified roles for Black actresses were scarce.

While combating racial prejudice in the mid 20th century, Tyson scored her first leading role in the 1972 film “Sounder”, winning her an Oscar nomination for her role as Rebecca Morgan. Following Tyson’s success in Sounder, she would go on to star as Jane Pittman in the 1974 television movie The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman—for which she won two Emmys (Actress of the Year and Best Lead Actress in a Drama).

These leading roles would prove to be only the beginning of Tyson’s decades-long legacy; a legacy in which I implore all readers to research in detail to further acquaint themselves. As we reflect on the life and legacy of Cicely Tyson and her prolific body of work, may it move us to honor her courage in our own lives.

While Tyson’s bravery, resilience and determination were characteristics exuded by many Black women of her generation, Cicely made it look easy, never allowing us to see the sleepless nights, the disappointments, and the rejections she faced throughout her career. Throughout it all, Cicely will be remembered as an iconic figure, admired for her endless tenacity, style, and grace through adversity.

As we lift our heads with a renewed strength in remembrance of the legacy of Black excellence left behind by Cicely Tyson, may it remind us to look towards the leading women in our lives and learn from them so that we can pass on a legacy to the women that come after us.

As I remember Tyson on the eve of her passing, I am reminded of the following segment in the forward (written by Carlos Harlem) to my book Celebrating a Legacy of Courage and Resolve: “All too often, in the small digital world in which we live, the sort of discussions held at the feet of our elders and at the dinner table are replaced by character limits on social media and short video clips… For far too many, gone are the days of truly stopping to talk to those that paved the way for us. Whether it be by choice or design, we’re too busy to take the time to have those much-needed conversations even when we recognize the opportunities won’t always be there. Celebrating a Legacy won’t change that, but if it can get one, two, three, or more to be open to the idea, then perhaps more legacies will be passed on. Those that reflect on them won’t soon make the same mistakes as those before them.”

In honoring the life of Cicely Tyson, I implore all to take the time to engage with those who have paved the way for us, and to have those much-needed conversations, because someday, those opportunities will be no more.

As a Woman… is a weekly column discussing the unique challenges and solutions in health, wealth, finance, and relationships. Have a topic you would like discussed? Email: lharlem@pwperspective.com