March 10 marks the National Day of Rest for Black Women. With Black History Month in February and Women’s History Month in March, it’s the perfect time to recognize the intersectionality of Black womanhood and the need for rest as an act of resistance and self-preservation.
Across social media, Black women encourage each other to take the day off and raise awareness about the exhaustion that comes from constantly navigating a world that demands so much. The date honors Harriet Tubman—an icon of resilience who spent her life fighting for liberation. Now, Black women reclaim rest in her honor.
What Is the National Day of Rest for Black Women?
The National Day of Rest for Black Women takes place on March 10, 2025. It is not the same as Black Girl Day Off, an annual holiday established by Tomeka Casanova on October 11, 2020.
Rest is not a luxury—it is a necessity. In a world obsessed with the ‘booked and busy’ mentality, burnout happens too often. Political advisor Jalina Porter reminds us, “Rest is your birthright. You need it to thrive.”
Free Black Femmes feature Yazmin Monet Watkins echoes this sentiment, stating, “Rest is revolutionary.” The Nap Ministry, founded by Tricia Hersey, explores the liberation that comes with prioritizing naps and rejecting grind culture. As she puts it, “Rest is the disruption of capitalism.” Her philosophy pushes for more than a single day of rest—it calls for a lifetime free from the cycles of exhaustion that have been normalized for Black women.
Rest as Resistance
Rest is more than a break from work—it is an act of defiance in a system that prioritizes productivity over well-being. Black women have long been expected to carry the weight of their families, communities, and workplaces, often at the expense of their health. The expectation to always be ‘strong’ and ‘resilient’ fuels a cycle of overwork and exhaustion.
Choosing rest reclaims autonomy over our bodies and minds. It rejects grind culture and prioritizes joy, ease, and healing. This day reminds us that Black women deserve to exist beyond what they produce for others.
Even something as sacred as rest is not immune to commodification. As I wrote this, I Googled National Day of Rest for Black Women, and a $200 day retreat popped up. That completely misses the point. Rest should not require a purchase or be accessible only to those with means.
Not everyone has the privilege to take the day off, but there are still ways to observe and resist.
How You Can Observe National Day of Rest for Black Women
- Take the day off from work if possible.
- Do not make any purchases—but if necessary, support Black women-owned businesses.
- Spend the day in leisure. That might mean binge-watching a favorite show, having dinner with girlfriends, reading a book, avoiding social media, meditating, gardening, or enjoying a spa day.
- If you have to work, do the bare minimum. Get your money, sis, but maybe let someone else carry the extra weight today.
- Plan for a day of rest later if March 10 isn’t feasible for you.
The intent is simple: reflect, recharge, and remember—rest is not a privilege, it’s a right.
