Honoring Matri-ICONs Pt. I
March is marked as Women’s History Month, and in honor of that The Chapter House will be featuring women and femmes who are pillars of their communities this month. (Please remember that although these 31 days are officially set aside to celebrate women, let’s remember that we honor and celebrate them, 24/7/365!) Today I am highlighting six pretty fierce individuals from both sides of my family, the Robbins and the Graffs. All of these women have taught me a lot and I am so lucky to have them in my life.
Nora Robbins, shinálí asdzą́ą́, or my paternal grandmother. She was a weaver, a jewelry maker, a sheepherder and the matriarch of my family. She was born near Shadow Mountain, AZ and lived in Cameron on the Navajo Nation her whole life. She raised my dad and his 8 siblings, and took care of my sisters, cousins and me. She not only cared for us, but she taught us the traditional ways. My happiest memories of her are sitting at her kitchen table and listening to her talk and eating her cooking, grating potatoes and picking piñons with her, receiving gifts from her, and the smell of her house—a mix of food, wet sand and yucca. She passed when I was 14, but in our time together I learned a lot about what is was to be Diné and to take care of my community.
Ann Graff, my maternal grandmother, or my Nana. She was born and grew up in Queens, NY, and moved to Chicago, IL to attend the University of Chicago at age 17. (There she met my grandfather, her partner in crime.) Back then there weren’t many women in her program. She raised my mom and her two brothers and was always there for her grandkids. She has forever been very politically involved, has fought for women’s rights, and has done a lot of community organizing which has pushed me to do the same. She is also one of the most influential people in my life because she introduced me to art, brought me to museums and galleries growing up, and has given me unconditional love and nonstop support in all my endeavors, including with The Chapter House.
Wylie Sherman, my niece, and one of the coolest 9—almost 10!—year olds you’ll ever meet. She is my younger sister’s daughter, is in the 4th grade, and is one of the babies of our family. Despite being so young, she does a lot of amazing things, including painting family pet portraits and landscapes, riding horses, helping my dad with traditional things, and caring for all of our family’s animals. She is very vocal and already speaks up when she doesn’t think something is right, or fair for others. She is always there to give a helping hand when needed, too.
Miranda Morales, my older cousin and role model. Miranda is the definition of caregiver. She is one of the matriarchs of our family, and makes sure all of us are safe, have what we need, and are loved. When my grandfather got sick and was in his final year, she stepped up and took care of him everyday, which was not an easy job, and something no one else was able to do. She’s truly there for all of us and we’re so lucky to have her. Aside from that, she helps the community through her work with the Coconino county, helps folks on the Navajo Nation by doing their taxes and offering financial advice, and is constantly growing through education and classes. During Covid she pushed all of my family on the Navajo Nation to get their vaccines and always made sure that everyone was healthy and safe.
Cynthia Robbins, my mother. My mom is an educator through and through. She’s taught all types of students, with many different backgrounds in many different communities, over the past few decades. While teaching others, she also taught my two sisters and me about helping others and speaking up for those who can’t always speak for themselves. Now that she’s retired she’s doing things like delivering Meals on Wheels and pet food for those who can’t leave their homes, and still works with young children through her foster care work in AZ.
Natalya Robbins Sherman, my younger sister, and a mega badass. Natalya is 5 years younger than I am, but she oftentimes seems older. She offers the best advice, always has a funny joke/pun, and is a great storyteller and writer. She became a mom at a very young age, which I know wasn’t the easiest, and still went to school to finish her Bachelor’s and Master’s. She now works for the Navajo Nation Land Department and helps people across the Western Agency get their homesite leases, which means they’ll be able to get homes and things like running water and electricity. She’s a very cool mom (insert Mean Girls gif), rescues lots of Rez dogs and cats, and is a horse whisperer. Now that I am expecting a daughter, she’s been there every step of the way with me and has given me so much invaluable advice.