Rayla D. Mattson

A photograph of Rayla Mattson smiling broadly.

Rayla D. Mattson (name, not pronouns) is a single parent who lives in Bloomfield, CT with their three children. Rayla is a religious professional and an avid writer. In Rayla's free time, Rayla enjoys cooking, baking, board and card games and anything that makes them laugh.

From Rayla D. Mattson

Displaying 1 - 10 of 12

Braver/Wiser

Cropped shot of a woman relaxing in a chair with a book and a cup of tea
Preparing to Let Go
From Braver/Wiser
I feel sad to lose a spiritual practice that I can now recognize, honor, and appreciate.
A small crowd of people singing or chanting, some with smiles and others with arms raised.
Everyone for Everyone
From Braver/Wiser
Marginalized people can’t just want things to be different. It has to be everyone wanting things to be different for everyone.
From the arms down, a toddler leaves footprints on the beach, her back to the camera.
Big Shoes to Fill
From Braver/Wiser
I appreciate the path that my grandfather paved but also recognize that I can add to his path in my own way and still honor the road he paved the way for.
A Black woman, sitting on a couch, smiles as she opens a box.
The Kindness of Others
From Braver/Wiser
A white woman pulled over and ran over to me with a shopping bag. She smiled and drove away. As I looked down at the bag, I had very mixed emotions.
A black-and-white close up of long, black curls
The Strength That Defines Us
From Braver/Wiser
My heart broke the day my son stood in the bathroom crying. He handed me a pair of scissors and told me to just cut it. I told him how beautiful his hair was and how sad I would be to see him cut it.
In the foreground, a mother sitting on a stoop, watching her young daughter.
No Longer Claiming "Divorced"
From Braver/Wiser
I spent time feeling embarrassed—that somehow I had failed—because I had filed for divorce. It’s been over nine years now, and I wake up every single...
Two people, seen from behind, push a car on the side of a road.
Stopping to Help
From Braver/Wiser
My oldest child was confused: why would no one stop and help us? Even though people weren’t stopping to help us, my son said, he wanted to be more like...
A young girl, bundled into a warm coat, smiles excitedly at someone off-camera.
I Ride Bus
From Braver/Wiser
“It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a child with autism to raise the consciousness of the village.” —Elaine Hall, educator and parenting...

Call and Response

three houses in silhouette on a hill at night, windows lit and stars above
Parenting with Heartbreak
From Call and Response
In a pandemic, amid outcry over police murders of Black people, how can a mother address the gravity of these traumas without sending children into despair

LeaderLab

three houses in silhouette on a hill at night, windows lit and stars above
Parenting with Heartbreak
From LeaderLab
In a pandemic, amid outcry over police murders of black people, how can a mother address the gravity of these traumas without sending children into despair

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