by Sara Diaz, LCSW
I have always been a fan of Wicked. I saw the musical on Broadway many years ago and still consider it to be the best Broadway show I have ever seen. However, something changed within me (IYKYK) while I watched the latest movie. Something that I realized I was defying for a long time. Here is what happened.
A few weeks ago, I finally sat down on my couch to watch the movie. The music is what I remembered it to be, the cinematography was beautiful, and the casting was great (in my opinion). However, the end of the movie was a game changer for me. I found myself bawling while listening to Elphaba sing “Defying Gravity,” and I could not figure out why. Let me take you on a journey as I figured it out.
When I originally saw the musical on Broadway, I was hooked on the character of Glinda. She was pretty, Popular (lar), and funny. I wanted to be Glinda so badly and even changed my appearance to make myself look like her. I dyed my hair, lost weight, and tried to fit in with the popular crowd. Although I kept Glinda in the back of my mind, I never could fully make the connection. As the years passed, I tried to be more like myself. But who was that? Spoiler alert: I am still trying to figure it out!
So now I am bringing you back to present-day Sara, sitting on the couch bawling my eyes out after watching “Defying Gravity.” Once I stopped crying, I paused to reflect on why I reacted this way. Of course, the song is amazing, and Cynthia Erivo did a phenomenal job, but that was not it. As I began to dig deep within, I realized what it was. For so many years, I tried to be Glinda—someone who I never was but thought I should be.
I realized that I had missed out on aligning with who I truly was all my life. I was and will always be Elphaba! I am a trailblazer. I am an advocate. I am a cycle breaker. I am a social worker. I chose a career that is highly stigmatized, because I wanted to help others. Truth is, we are all Elphabas.
Elphaba is a symbol of hope for us, as social workers, because she reminds us that we do not have to conform to societal standards and expectations. We weren’t meant to fit the mold; we were meant to break it! We are a voice for the voiceless. We are advocates for change, and we are stronger together.
This Social Work Month, give yourself compassion, and let’s turn to action. Take the time to hold space for others, but do not forget that we cannot pour from an empty glass. We can and should only pour from an overflow. Take care of yourself as we navigate this journey together.
Just you and I, defying gravity.
Sara Diaz, LCSW
Sara Diaz, LCSW, serves as the founder and visionary behind The First Gen Madrina, LLC, a coaching, consulting, and podcast company. As of March 2025, Sara has officially launched The Madrina Network: A Community for Social Workers, which is an online hub for social work students and professionals. To learn more about her work or inquire about services, please visit thefirstgenmadrina.com.