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As a Black woman, the personal is political. My hair story is no exception.

Before I was an elected official, I did everything with my hair. I wore wigs, I wore extensions, and then about four or five years ago, I decided to get Senegalese twists all the way down to my waist.

And after I got these Senegelese twists and I felt like I met myself for the first time, I looked in the mirror and I said “Oh, there I am.” And it felt good.

I was also aware that this hairstyle could be filtered and interpreted by some as a political statement. I was prepared to hear feedback that my hair was “militant” or that I was “angry.” What I was not prepared for was the glorious gift and blessing of the community and acceptance of who I am.

I would walk into rooms and little girls would come up to me with t-shirts that read “My Congresswoman wears braids” and we receive letters from women across the globe who talk about their own emancipation and feel that I gave them permission to express who they truly are.

Yesterday, I shared this very personal story about my hair and recent diagnosis of alopecia.

When I found out about the diagnosis - and as it progressed very quickly - I feared going to sleep because I would wake up to sinkfulls of hair. I tried to do everything I could to stop it.

On Impeachment Eve, the last little bit of my hair came out. I was completely bald and in a few hours would have to walk out to the chamber and cast a vote to impeach. I didn’t have the luxury to mourn what felt like the loss of a limb.

I knew that the moment demanded that I lean in. After the vote, I retreated to a bathroom - I felt ashamed and embarrassed. I felt betrayed and felt like I was participating in a cultural betrayal because of all the little girls who come up to me to take selfies for #TwistNation.

I immediately knew that I owed all of those little girls an explanation and that I would need to come forward about my diagnosis. I am still coming to terms with alopecia, it’s an ongoing process, but I do believe that it will help and I hope that it might make space for others, as well.

I want to thank every single member of the A-Team for your words of support. Since my story came out yesterday, I have received an overwhelming outpouring of love from people who have or have a loved one experience hair loss - whether it’s because of cancer, heredity, or alopecia.

Thank you for being a part of our movement and thank you for your support.

In Solidarity,
Ayanna Pressley

Learn More About My Hair Story