Glenda Moton-Rutledge, a 71-year-old longtime educator from Miami, is using her breast cancer survival story to raise awareness about the persistent racial disparities that put Black women at greater risk of dying from the disease.
Moton-Rutledge said her journey through treatment was guided by faith, resilience, and a supportive medical team. Now in remission, she’s speaking out during Breast Cancer Awareness Month to advocate for equity in care and early detection—especially for Black women, who often face significantly worse outcomes.
“Honor your voice and trust your instincts,” she said. “As Black women, we often carry the weight of strength and silence—but this is your time to speak up, ask questions, and advocate for your care.”
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation touts that despite similar or slightly lower diagnosis rates compared to White women, Black women are about 38% more likely to die from breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, they also have the lowest five‑year survival rates of any racial or ethnic group, regardless of the stage at diagnosis or subtype of cancer. For instance, research shows that when breast cancer is diagnosed at the regional stage, only about 78% of Black women live at least five years post‑diagnosis compared with 88% of White women.
Medical experts have long pointed to a mix of factors behind the disparity, including delayed diagnosis, barriers to quality care and long-standing bias in the health care system. Many Black women report feeling dismissed or unheard by providers, with some citing the lingering impact of racist medical myths that inaccurately claimed Black people feel less pain.
Thankfully, that wasn’t Moton-Rutledge’s experience. She credits her care team with listening, treating her compassionately, and walking alongside her during every step of treatment.
“I approached each treatment with a resilient heart, grounded in faith and hope,” she said. “I was blessed with a compassionate team that supported me from diagnosis through recovery.”
Her healing process inspired her to write Radiant Resilience: 16 Doses of Hope and Healing, a guided prayer journal for cancer warriors. She describes the book as both a spiritual tool and a platform for empowerment.
“My book is more than pages; it’s filled with affirmations, reflections, and doses of hope designed to remind readers that their story matters,” she said. “You can rise—and live.”
Moton-Rutledge is a longtime educator and founder of The Pen of a Writer, LLC, and the Hope and Aspirations Foundation, Inc. Through her organizations, she mentors youth, teen mothers and young men—using her cancer experience to help others overcome adversity.
As health care systems and advocacy groups work to close the racial gap in breast cancer outcomes, Moton-Rutledge continues to elevate the voices of women who have historically been overlooked.
“You deserve to be surrounded by joy, embraced by love and lifted by support,” she said. “Let your story unfold with grace—and never forget, you are not alone.”
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