Perseverance

Perseverance is not simply a personal trait but a survival tool for Black women navigating medical systems. Within health care, barriers rooted in history, bias, and inequity shape interactions in ways that demand persistence far beyond the ordinary. The act of showing up, asking questions, and refusing to be dismissed requires strength that must be sustained across years of appointments, testing, treatments, and alternative approaches. Perseverance becomes a daily necessity, and it is this determination that allows Black women to advocate for themselves when health care structures are not designed to do so.

Medical history in the United States is filled with examples of mistrust and mistreatment of Black bodies, and these legacies continue to influence how providers perceive and respond to Black patients. Many studies confirm that symptoms reported by Black women are often minimized, dismissed, or undertreated. This pattern reinforces a cycle where voices must be louder, more insistent, and unrelenting to receive adequate care. For many Black women, perseverance means not only advocating for treatment but also challenging stereotypes that suggest their pain tolerance is higher or their concerns are exaggerated. The persistence to counter these false assumptions is both exhausting and vital. Perseverance also takes the form of endurance across years of seeking solutions. Managing chronic illness or long-term health concerns often requires experimenting with treatment options, undergoing repeated rounds of testing, or consulting with multiple doctors. While many patients face similar processes, Black women carry the additional burden of systemic bias layered over the uncertainty of medical trial and error. A diagnosis that takes one or two physician visits for some may require months or years of persistence for Black women who must continually insist that their symptoms are real, significant, and worthy of attention. Remaining committed to the pursuit of answers, even after setbacks or dismissals, becomes an act of resistance against inequity.

The demand for perseverance is not only external but also internal. Coping with the emotional toll of repeated frustrations requires a mental resilience that is just as important as physical endurance. For some, perseverance means learning to balance faith in medical science with self-trust. It means acknowledging when a provider is not listening and deciding to seek another opinion rather than accepting inadequate care. It also means maintaining hope when test results are inconclusive or when treatments fail to bring relief. The commitment to believe in the possibility of healing, despite discouragement, is a profound expression of perseverance.

Equally important is the role of perseverance in exploring alternative or complementary methods of care. Black women often turn to holistic, community-based, or culturally grounded practices when traditional medicine does not provide answers. This search for relief reflects not passivity, but determination to find what works best for one’s body. Navigating both conventional medicine and alternative treatments requires adaptability, patience, and an openness to continued learning. Perseverance ensures that these paths are not abandoned too soon, and that every potential source of healing is fully considered.

Perseverance in health advocacy for Black women is about survival, dignity, and self-determination. The act of returning to medical offices after years of inadequate responses shows a strength that is not easily captured in statistics or charts. It demonstrates a belief that one’s health is worth fighting for, even when the system seems to say otherwise. Perseverance transforms each appointment, each test, and each demand for answers into a declaration of worthiness and humanity. For Black women, health advocacy is not optional. It is a necessity that requires unwavering perseverance through systemic barriers, repeated disappointments, and the long process of identifying effective care. The resilience to continue pressing forward, even when the journey feels unending, ensures that health care is not simply endured but actively shaped by those who refuse to be silenced. Perseverance becomes both shield and weapon, enabling Black women to protect their bodies, assert their voices, and claim the quality of care they deserve.