Butterfly Rising Institute

𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧, 𝐃.𝐂.
So many moments to carry home. 💜

I came to Washington ready to listen, learn, connect, and advocate alongside people from across the country who share a commitment to improving the lives of those impacted by cancer.

Over these three days with ACS CAN, I experienced what advocacy looks like beyond the word itself.

It looks like learning before speaking.
It looks like listening to experiences beyond your own.
It looks like standing alongside a community with a shared purpose.
And it looks like bringing the stories of the people we serve into spaces where decisions are made.

Representing Colorado’s 5th Congressional District was an opportunity I did not take lightly.

I showed up carrying many parts of who I am—a mother, daughter, researcher, leader, constituent, and cancer advocate. Each of those identities shaped how I listened, the questions I asked, and what I will carry forward from this experience.

And perhaps one of my biggest reminders from Washington is this:

You don’t have to know everything before you show up. You can enter the room ready to learn—and still bring something valuable with you.

I’m returning home grateful for the conversations, connections, lessons, and people who made these three days meaningful.

Washington may have been three days.

But what I learned there will travel much further. 💜

Swipe through a few moments from the journey. →

𝟏 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐈 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧, 𝐃.𝐂. 💜

And yes—I’m excited.

I’m also a little nervous.

But perhaps that is part of stepping into spaces where your voice has the opportunity to create impact.

One thing I want other women to remember is this:

You do not have to be a policy expert to care about policy.

You do not need to know every statistic before your story becomes valuable.

And you do not need a title before you can advocate for something that has touched your life, your family, or your community.

In just a few days, I’ll be learning alongside advocates from across the country and participating in conversations centered on cancer advocacy.

I’m going ready to listen.

Ready to learn.

And ready to carry the experiences that have shaped me into rooms where those stories deserve to be heard.

Washington, D.C.—here we come.

Follow along September 13–16. I’ll be sharing moments, lessons, and reflections throughout the journey.

𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐆𝐲𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡. 💜

And awareness begins with something simple but powerful: knowing your body.

There are five main types of gynecologic cancer—cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and v***ar cancer. Each is different, with its own signs, symptoms, risk factors, and prevention considerations.

But one thing remains important across all of them:

Pay attention to what is normal for YOU.

Notice changes.
Ask questions.
Don't dismiss something simply because it feels uncomfortable to talk about.

Unusual bleeding or discharge, persistent bloating, pelvic pain or pressure, changes in bathroom habits, or changes to the skin of the v***a are some of the symptoms women should be aware of.

These symptoms do not automatically mean cancer, but knowing your body can help you recognize when something has changed and when it may be time to speak with a healthcare provider.

Throughout September, Butterfly Rising Institute will continue sharing information and resources that help women become informed advocates for their health—because important conversations about women's health belong in our homes, communities, and trusted spaces.

💜 Save this carousel as a reminder, and share it with a woman you love.

Educational information sourced from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In a few days, I’ll be traveling from Colorado to Washington, D.C. for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s National Leadership Summit and Lobby Day.

I’ll be there representing Colorado’s 5th Congressional District—but I’ll also be going as a mother, researcher, cancer advocate, and someone whose life has been deeply shaped by the realities surrounding women’s health and cancer.

Advocacy can sometimes feel like something reserved for policy experts or people who already understand how Washington works.

But I continue to be reminded that lived experience matters too.

Our stories matter.

The experiences of patients, survivors, caregivers, families, and communities can help decision-makers understand what statistics alone cannot always communicate.

This trip is an opportunity to listen, learn, connect with other advocates, and continue using my voice in spaces where decisions affecting cancer patients and families are discussed.

I’m looking forward to sharing parts of this journey with you—from preparation to Washington, Lobby Day, and the reflections that come afterward.

And sometimes that voice becomes part of something much bigger.

Follow along September 13–16 as I share this advocacy journey from Colorado to Washington, D.C.

Sometimes, moving forward begins with giving yourself permission to pause. 🦋

Butterfly Rising Institute formally announces that the Butterfly of Hope Gala will not take place in 2026. This decision was made with intention and care, as this season required space for grief, motherhood, doctoral work, and discernment about the future of this meaningful gathering.

The vision has never gone away. In fact, this pause has created room to reflect, heal, listen, and prepare for what comes next.

And now, we are looking ahead. 💜

✨ **The Butterfly of Hope Gala will return September 2027.** ✨

We look forward to bringing our community together again and sharing more about what this next chapter of the Butterfly of Hope Gala will hold.

For now, save the date and stay connected as Butterfly Rising Institute enters its next season. 💜🦋

𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞, 𝐰𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲, 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡: 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞. 💜

The participant phase of this dissertation research study is now complete.

Thank you to each participant for giving your time, engaging in the guided experience, and contributing your perspectives and insights to this research. Your participation has been an important part of this academic journey.

We are also grateful for the positive reflections shared about the workshop experience.

While participant confidentiality remains a priority, we look forward to sharing more about the research as it progresses toward completion.

The research is now closed, but the work continues.

Stay connected for updates and the forthcoming final dissertation.

With gratitude,
Tanya Davis-Ezidinma
Her Story, Her Strength

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬. 💜

𝑯𝒆𝒓 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚, 𝑯𝒆𝒓 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉: 𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒓 𝑴𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑵𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 is happening August 21–22 in Aurora, Colorado, and we are extending one final invitation to Black career mothers who may be interested in participating.

This dissertation research study includes a guided workshop experience where participants will engage with tools and activities centered on identity, leadership, motherhood, authenticity, and change through reflection, journaling, dialogue, and meaningful conversation.

Your participation can contribute valuable perspectives and insights to research seeking to better understand the experiences of Black career mothers.

📍 Aurora, Colorado

📅 Friday, August 21
6:30 PM–9:00 PM

📅 Saturday, August 22
9:00 AM–4:00 PM

If you're a Black and/or African American mother, have at least one child, have 5+ years of professional work experience, and live in Colorado, you may be eligible to participate.

Interested? This is the final opportunity to inquire.

Visit the link in our bio to review the study information and complete the Participant Interest Form.

Participation is voluntary. Space is limited.

Some days, the mental load feels heavier than the laundry basket… and that’s saying something. 🧺

If you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or just tired of being the strong one all the time—you’re not alone. 💛

Motherhood doesn’t come with sick days, but it should come with support.
So here’s your reminder: it’s okay to pause. It’s okay to rest. And it’s more than okay to ask for help. 🌿

Tag a mom friend who needs this reminder today!

Being a working mom means living in the tension of deadlines, daycare, and doing your best—every single day. And while the world tells us to “balance it all,” the truth is balance isn’t always possible. What we need instead are mindset shifts that give us permission to live differently.

✨ From guilt → grace: You’re not failing; you’re simply human.
✨ From hustle → harmony: Your life doesn’t need to be perfectly balanced, it just needs rhythm.
✨ From superwoman → sustainable woman: Stop chasing “do it all.” Build what lasts.
✨ From breaking → becoming: The hard parts aren’t proof of weakness; they’re proof of growth.

Motherhood and career will always be messy, but it doesn’t have to feel impossible. Sometimes, the biggest change starts with how you choose to see yourself.

👉 Which mindset shift do you need most this season? Share in the comments—you’re not alone in this.