I make it a point to celebrate my heritage everyday, but that doesn't lessen the joy I feel come February 1. Lately, I've been thinking about how my relationship with Black History Month has changed from the time I was a kid.

As one of only a couple Black students in my privileged, predominantly white elementary school, Black History Month became yet another occasion where my blackness took center stage.

Without fail, well-meaning but utterly clueless teachers sought me out in the classroom for eye contact when discussing the contributions of Rosa Parks or Harriet Tubman. Consequently, I developed a deep resentment for Black History Month and the faux reverence that accompanied it.

My story isn't a novel one. I've heard similar accounts from upper middle class men and women of all ages. And depressing as those memories may be, today I value them. I learned at an early age how to survive in mixed company that wasn't truly vested in my spiritual uplift.

I don't blame those misguided instructors. They had no idea what it was like to feel the curious stares of 20+ pairs of prepubescent eyes for 28 days straight (or at least not in this way).

Though I regret the time I wasted on fruitless attempts to fade into the sea of whiteness, the entire ordeal has made me appreciate my current sense of contentment.

I'm confident in the woman I am, and the woman I'm becoming.

Now instead of obsessing over how I will blend in, I'm steadfastly focused on how I will distinguish myself. How will I carry on the work of my foremothers? If they managed to stand tall in the face of abuse and oppression, I can do the same.

And that's this month's theme on For Harriet: Making Your Mark on History. Have you thought about the legacy you're leaving? How the decisions you make every day could have an impact?

It seems that every time I forget how interconnected we all are in struggle and in triumph, God sees fit to remind me that no man is an island.

Throughout these next 20-plus days, I'm committed to meditating not only on my personal power but how I can channel my energy into effecting change for all, and I hope you'll do the same.

With love and gratitude,
Kimberly N. Foster
Publisher & Editor in Chief

Email Kim at Kimberly@ForHarriet.com with feedback or concerns. Feel free to connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Dear For Harriet Family,

If you follow me on Twitter, you've seen that I am exceedingly candid about my continued journey to mental and emotional health. It is uncomfortable and at times embarrassing, but I'm honest because I have no other choice. Years of suffering in silence left me in a darkness so consuming that deep, candid self-reflection provides my only hope for liberation.

I have, of course, been meaning to write about my experiences as a depressed child for this website, but personal and professional distractions have kept me from it. Nevertheless, I admire and appreciate women like Daree and Michelle for sharing their stories.

A recent Twitter exchange left me feeling inspired to use this forum to do more to disseminate information about mental and emotional health in this space and beyond. This is an opportunity for the For Harriet community to truly make a difference.

Seeking treatment can be a daunting and frustrating process. A single bad experience with an unqualified or unprofessional treater can set you back months or even years, and solid referrals often mean the difference between failure and success.

I am asking that you share with us your mental healthcare resources. Have you ever received treatment for mental illness or emotional trauma? Please help a woman looking to take steps to change her life by providing a referral to your psychiatrist or psychologist.  Referrals can be anonymous and you can submit them via comment on this blog post or email at mentalhealth@forharriet.com. Please be sure to include the city where your treater is located. 

However, I do recognize that the economic barriers to mental healthcare can be just as prohibitive as the psychological, so I hope you will share the websites, blogs, books, movies, podcasts etc. that have helped you scale your emotional depths. These things are not meant to be substitutes for professional treatment but supplements.