🌟 Thriving in Triumph: Honoring Women’s History While Walking in Our Own Power 🌟

 

Growing up in a home marked by trauma, I learned early on that survival was not just about making it through the day—it was about fighting to reclaim my life.

Trauma could have stolen my future, but I refused to let it write my story. As a single mother of two beautiful daughters, I had to change the narrative for them. They needed to see that no matter what pain or struggles life throws our way, we can rise, we can heal, and we can thrive. Our circumstances do not define us—our resilience does.

Women like Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, proved that no barriers—racial, gender-based, or societal—could define our worth or limit our potential. She once said:

“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”

That same courage fuels me today as I stand in spaces like Capitol Hill, advocating for policies that protect the Community Health Workers Workforce, and survivors, empower women, and uplift our communities.

When I walk into rooms where decisions are being made—rooms that once excluded voices like mine—I don’t just show up for myself. I carry the voices of every woman who has ever been silenced. I carry the weight of women who were told they were not enough, who were dismissed, overlooked, or told their pain wasn’t valid. I stand for survivors who are still trying to find their way, reminding them that they are seen, valued, and capable of breaking the chains of their past.

Breaking Generational Cycles & Thriving After Trauma

The work I do through TATU Your Wellbeing is not just about healing—it’s about thriving after trauma, unashamed.

So many of us have carried pain, shame, and silence for far too long. But we were not created to stay broken. Every woman deserves to feel seen, supported, and empowered in her healing journey. No one should have to suffer in silence.

I made a choice—not just for me, but for my daughters—to break generational cycles of trauma. I wanted them to know that they have the power to change whatever doesn’t fit right in their world. The cycle of abuse, silence, and suffering ends here.

💜 To every woman fighting to reclaim her power, I want you to remember:

“God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” – Psalm 46:5

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." – Genesis 50:20

Your pain does not disqualify you.
Your past does not define you.
Your story is still being written—and it is one of VICTORY.

Honoring the Women Who Paved the Way

Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate the women who came before us—women who refused to be silenced, who paved the way for us to stand tall, speak boldly, and walk confidently in our purpose.

🔥 Harriet Tubman didn’t let fear stop her from freeing others.
🔥 Maya Angelou turned pain into poetry that healed a generation.
🔥 Shirley Chisholm broke political barriers so Black women could have a voice in government.
🔥 Sojourner Truth stood for both racial and gender equality when no one else would.

These women changed history—and now, it’s our turn.

We are not just women surviving our circumstances; we are women rewriting history. We are leaders, healers, advocates, and warriors for the next generation.

How You Can Honor Women’s History Month:

✔ Support women-owned businesses and initiatives – When one woman succeeds, we all rise.
✔ Uplift and encourage a sister who needs strength – A kind word can change someone’s life.
✔ Use your voice to advocate for justice and equity – Speak up, show up, and make a difference.
✔ Invest in your own healing journey – Because when you heal, you empower others to heal too.

💜 Affirmation:
I am worthy. I am powerful. I am breaking generational cycles of pain and stepping into my divine calling.

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A Message to My Sisters

Sister, if you are reading this and you feel tired, lost, or unsure of your strength, I want to remind you—YOU ARE ENOUGH.

You are not your past.
You are not what happened to you.
You are God’s masterpiece—healing, growing, and thriving.

The world needs your light. Your story, your journey, and your healing matter.

I see you. I honor you. I stand with you.

💜 Together, we rise. Together, we thrive. 💜

The CHW Workforce Movement: A Call to Action for Collective Healing

The time has come for us all—Community Health Workers (CHWs), clinical healthcare professionals, and allies alike—to stand united. As we approach a looming crisis in healthcare, this is not a moment to panic but a moment to prepare. This is a war cry for us to come together, break down silos, and work as one. Our communities need us, and as those who hold the lived experiences of navigating these challenges from the inside out, we are uniquely equipped to respond.

The Power of Partnership

The healthcare system, whether clinical or nonclinical, cannot function in isolation. The challenges our communities face—systemic inequities, mental health crises, substance abuse, and more—demand a collaborative response. We need to move beyond the "do-it-yourself" mentality.

No single entity has all the answers, but together, we can innovate and create lasting solutions. Let’s build bridges, not barriers. Let’s honor the visionaries among us and credit those who tirelessly work to make lives better. After all, people do not belong to us; they belong to God. We are all His children, and no one is better than anyone else.

CHWs: Warriors of Trust and Advocacy

CHWs are more than just professionals—they are warriors in "beast mode" for their communities every day. The secret sauce of our work is the trusted relationships we build. These relationships are born from shared experiences and a commitment to healing. We understand the trauma our community members face because many of us have walked the same paths.

But we also know that healing takes more than temporary healthcare solutions. Band-aid fixes will not solve the systemic issues our communities face. It’s time to address the root causes of inequity and remove the barriers that perpetuate suffering.

Valuing CHWs: The Need for Support and Sustainability

It’s disheartening that CHWs often feel disrespected, under-credited, and undervalued. We are seen as "bottom feeders" instead of as the transformative professionals we are. CHWs deserve a living wage—not just to survive but to thrive.

Burnout is real, especially when we are expected to work multiple jobs to make ends meet while carrying the emotional weight of our work. Yet, we persevere, heads held high, even when the trauma we face daily takes its toll.

Healing Ourselves and Our Communities

It’s not just our communities that need healing; we as CHWs need emotional and trauma recovery as well. Let’s implement plans for long-term care—both for ourselves and for those we serve. Together, we can move from surviving to thriving, from being in survival mode to leading with strength and resilience.

A Vision for the Future

I have a vision—one that brings community voices to the table and respects the expertise of those with lived experience. It’s a vision that removes systemic barriers, fosters mutual support, and builds a sustainable framework for CHWs and other healthcare professionals to thrive.

But this vision requires all of us to be bold and courageous, to listen and learn from one another, and to take collective action. We cannot continue to work in isolation; we must collaborate and build trusted partnerships to support the communities we all serve.

Thriving After Trauma

Say it with me:
I can thrive after trauma unashamed.
You can thrive after trauma unashamed.
We can thrive after trauma unashamed.

Together, let’s walk in our greatness and show our communities how to rise above the challenges they face. CHWs, healthcare workers, allies—we need one another more than ever. Let’s answer this call.

To be continued...

Resources and training:

https://www.samhsa.gov/

 https://www.nami.org/

https://nachw.org/generalresources/networks-and-training-programs/