This weekend, I received the 2017 Crime Victim Advocate of the Year award. I am extremely honored and humbled to receive this award. On April 10th, I celebrated 7 years of speaking about my abuse for the 1st time in a public setting. So, to receive such an award at this stage of my life is a personal and professional joy.
My life has definitely had it’s share of peaks and valleys. It has been an honor to serve my community. When I spoke about my abuse for the first time, I didn’t plan on doing it again. At the time, I really just wanted to speak my truth in a setting I felt would help the attendees to talk with their children. The conference for which I chose to share was not a domestic violence conference. In fact, it was for teen girls to learn about topics related to careers, self esteem and etiquette. I chose to talk about domestic violence with the parents because adults who deal with the aftermath of abuse have often seen it or experienced it as a young child or teen. I felt it was important to have the parents think about having a conversation with their children about abuse. Acting out, being an introvert, suicidal thoughts, etc could be the result of an underlying problem with abuse.
From the moment I spoke about my life, I made friends that I still have today. I ran in the 5K Sexual Assault Race this weekend with one of them. I’m the Executive Director of Walking Into A New Life, Inc. I continue to speak and present locally and nationally about personal development, overcoming adversities and becoming self sufficient. I’m committed to help others to not see themselves as victims but as survivors. Victimization is a crime. I want to always be found being a voice for those who can’t or aren’t able to speak until they have the courage and opportunity to speak for themselves.
I’m excited about my latest accomplishment. I signed up to receive requests for writers on various topics through Help A Reporter Out, also known as HARO. I saw a request for blogging insights and decided to submit my information. I was pleasantly surprised to receive an email stating my insights were accepted and included in the article.
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT! I’ve been selected as a finalist for the upcoming #IALAwards to be held in Baltimore, MD on Saturday, June 24, 2017. Learn more about this groundbreaking event at www.IndieAuthorLegacyAwards.com
This honor is HUGE for me. I view my experiences as lessons. It has always been my hope to help others to restore their lives holistically. My life has transitioned in a tremendously positive way. And, I’ve been able to speak, teach and train locally and nationally because of it. I want to always be found being a servant leader, and it’s an honor to have others notice my efforts in a way worthy of acknowledgment. If you’re in the Baltimore, MD area in June (or will be in the area), it would be great to see you at the event.
It was my honor to serve as the keynote speaker for Fresh Touch Publicity’s Annual HERoine Awards. The theme was Walking the Paved Road. Seven women were honored who have successfully overcome obstacles from all walks of life. For some, it was abuse. For others, it was health and wellness issues. For all, it was an opportunity for them to be honored for not only overcoming, but serving in the community and paying it forward to help others to do the same.
The program also served as a way to pay homage to women who’ve paved the way before us. Without their sacrifices, we would not be able to enjoy many of the rights and freedoms that we now experience. There was a magazine reveal, delicious brunch and tons of celebration and reflection.
TeeJay Jefferson, owner of Fresh Touch Publicity is a wonderful young woman whose vision, spirit and desire to uplift women goes far beyond her years. I am happy to have served in this capacity and given the chance to share my insights in such an honorable way.
I was honored to be a guest presenter for the National Network to End Domestic Violence’s Economic Justice Summit. It was held in Detroit, MI. The two day summit featured approximately 540 organizations from around the country who shared a passion for helping victims and survivors of abuse to establish and successfully maintain financial stability. Per the NCADV, approximately 98% of victims of domestic violence have dealt with financial abuse in some form.
I am one of those 98%. I was able to share my experiences and how I used microenterprise development to provide an income for my family. In addition, it provided me with a sense of ownership, stability and self worth. As I began my grassroots efforts with Walking Into A New Life, Inc., I made sure that I explained the importance of either having a job or finding a way to use your own skill sets and create employment for yourself. Survivors of abuse often have skill sets that can be formed into a stable source of income. They just need the opportunity and resources to do so.
My insights were well received. It is my hope that others will appreciate the beauty and importance of self employment and encourage survivors to explore it as a viable source of income. It is not an easy road, but with the right resources and holistic encouragement, it can be profitable and rewarding.
