I almost missed my own diagnosis.
Let that be context for everything that follows.
👉🏾 I am a double board-certified gynecologic oncologist.
👉🏾 I have spent my career studying the diseases that affect the womb.
👉🏾 And I still almost missed it in myself.
If the system could fail me, it can fail anyone.
That is exactly why I wrote A Terrible Strength.
💜 I wrote it for my grandmother, who never had the words.
I wrote it for my mother, who never had the support.
I wrote it for my younger self, who walked into doctors' offices and walked out with nothing.
And I wrote it for you.
Inside this book, you'll find the history of how gynecology was built, and why Black women's wellbeing was never part of the blueprint.
You'll find real information on heavy bleeding, fibroids, endometriosis, and uterine cancer. The symptoms, the labs, the questions to ask.
The vocabulary to walk into any provider's office and be taken seriously.
You'll read real stories from real women who fought to be heard. And you'll be introduced to the concept of Womb Sisterhood, because healing does not happen in isolation.
You do not have to suffer to be strong. 💜
A Terrible Strength is now available, and pre-orders have already been shipped out to folks who got their copy early!
Order yours today. Link in bio.
Much love, Kemi ✌🏾
It is a strength to endure.
I will not take that away from us.
But it is terrible because it is so effective at keeping us silent.
Keeping us suffering. Keeping us convinced that this is just how life is, especially when it comes to our womb health.
For a long time, endurance was the only tool we had.
This book, “A Terrible Strength,” is about adding more tools. 💜
Pre-order “A Terrible Strength” now. Link in bio.
The “A Terrible Strength” book tour is officially here!
10 cities. Real conversations about womb health, equity, and what it means to finally build a life on your own terms.
Swipe to see if your city is on the list.
💜 Bring your womb sister.
Registration links are live for select cities now.
👉🏾 Check the link in bio to find your city and save your spot.
Can't make it in person?
Pre-order the book and join the movement from wherever you are.
I can’t wait to be in the room with you.
A HEALTHY Read. @kemidoll you did your big one with A Terrible Stength. Now more than ever we need accurate, safe, digestible wisdom. A MUST READ.
Check our Dr @kemidoll and get your copy.
Love,
#dreverywoman
#4thehealthyculture
#everybodibooks
I believe wholeheartedly in @kemidoll ’s book A Terrible Strength and her vision for more just gynecological care and outcomes for Black women.
That is why I sponsored a free community event at @achieveability in West Philly through the center I lead at work - The Penn Medicine Center for Health Justice.
100 Black women and those who love us got free copies of the book, yummy dinner, and were poured into by Dr. Doll. You would never know that she did not know a single person in the room aside from me when she walked in. The energy, love, and connection is apparent in these photos.
📸 Photos: @makewondersworldwide
@bennystake humor is just one side of her intellect. This was a GREAT conversation! “Every soft girl I know is anemic. Candle in the background. Little flower. 75-step skincare routine. But beloved… YOU ARE BLEEDING.” 😭 Benny said what needed to be said. And don’t even get her started on Becky with the link in her bio. 📖 Dr. Kemi Doll’s A Terrible Strength will make sure you never get got — by Becky or anybody else. Link in bio.
#ATerribleStrength #SoftLifeButMakeItHealthy #BlackWomenHealth #WombHealth
“Black women are so strong. But it’s a terrible strength.” 🖤 Dr. Kemi Doll — gynecologic oncologist, surgeon, and researcher — explains to @bennystake exactly why she named her book what she named it. We can be bleeding to the point of severe anemia and still tell our doctor “my periods are heavy, but we make it through.” And just like that… we don’t get evaluated. That ends now. 📖 A Terrible Strength is available wherever you buy books. Link in bio.
#ATerribleStrength #BlackWombHealth #BlackWomenHealing #WombHealth #GynecologicHealth BlackWomenDeserveMore
I keep emphasizing this is my *first* book event because it is the start of a new dream. And like I learned from @kemidoll , I take my dreams seriously.
I took the first steps, despite some fear (would people come?). I paid thousands of dollars in a deposit before I sold a single ticket (would people come??????).
The people came. The evening was magical, the conversation divine, the love in the room spirit filled.
I am deeply grateful to @kemidoll for sharing so much of herself during the evening. Her book - A Terrible Strength - is truly a gift to Black women and those who love us. 💜
@honeysuckle_restaurant was the literal perfect space to hold my event - so grateful to the incredible owners and staff. 💙
People left asking when the next event will be. The desire for community is real. The answer - I don’t know, I’m soaking in the joy from this one first. But I’m open to ideas so if you are an author with a book coming out in the fall or winter and interested in an evening of conversation and culture in Philly, DMs are open 😊
📸 Video: @jaywellsflix
Today, my cup overflows 🙏🏾
I am honored to launch my new endeavor @nejm ! NEJM Voices - a regular column speaking to all things career navigation, health equity, and women’s health. 💜💙🩵
When you chose to have a ‘non-traditional’ career, where you make decisions that confuse others, when you say No when everyone tells you that you “must” say yes….the fear is real. Will I lose my credibility? Will I not be tenured? Will the ‘gold stars’ pass me by?
Answer: No. 🔥
What topics would you like me to tackle? Let me know in the comments! Full column at voices.nejm.org 🔗 in bio.
My grandmother's name, Omotayo, means a child who brings joy to the world. 💜
She died giving birth.
She never got to see that joy.
My mother almost died, too.
I am determined to change what this story means for the women who come after us.
A Terrible Strength is for Omotayo.
Order your copy now. Link in bio.
Philadelphia hosted something special and I am still feeling it.
@eugeniacsouth curated an incredible room full of women who found a seat at the table. 💜
This is what happens when the right people end up in the same room. Honest conversation. Real connection. And a dinner that turned into something none of us were fully prepared for.
This is the work. Thank you for a lovely evening, Philly!
Much love, Kemi ✌🏾
joy is laughing with your kids, resetting is a walk, latte, & cookie, and breakfast is egg whites & smoked salmon. we’re taking notes, Dr. Kemi! 📝
A Terrible Strength is out now 💜
