FWM: You have spent your professional empowering women and young people to reach their full potential. Why is this so important to you?
Empowering young women is important to me because I believe in the concept of being what you needed when you were young. I would still consider myself young though (insert Laugh) I believe empowering young women started when I was a young child. My friends would always come to me with their problems, look to me for help and encouragement.
As a teenager, I was asked to speak at an event at church where I encountered a young woman who happen to disclose her experience of sexual assault. This was years prior to my public disclosure. That very moment I knew deep down inside of me that I had something to offer those who shared common experiences.
FWM: Share your upbringing. Did it influence your decision to help others?
My upbringing had a direct impact on my decisions to help people. Growing up I lived in many different places. Starting with my great grandmother’s house where my great grandfather, my mother, my grandmother, and several uncles resided. Her home was one where all people came to as a place of refuge. She would cook a good meal, lend a helping hand and encourage all that came into her presence. Being primarily the only child who resided among adults I found myself observing more than I was engaging but that’s where I first learned of the importance of helping people. That passion grew as I experienced my own life challenges and where there was a lack of representation in those spaces. I couldn’t find people who looked like more who shared common experiences with trauma.
FWM: What was a pivotal moment in your life?
One pivotal moment in my life was the day I discovered the book “Forgivin Ain’t Forgettin” by Mata Elloitt. I was an avid reader who stumbled upon this book in the bookstore for $1. This book happened to be the exact same book the women’s ministry at my church was reading. As a method to increase bonding with my grandmother who was a new congregant at my church, I started reading the book. As I read the book I began to see myself in many of the characters. Their behaviors, feelings, thoughts, I could strongly identify with. I read the book in a matter of days with tears profusely falling with each page and fear pressing upon me as I continued to look in this mirror of truth. I needed to see how the story would end but the more I saw myself within the pages the more I wanted to put the book down. This book encouraged me to look at the impact of my trauma directly and to seek help. It was at that moment, I sought specific sexual trauma-based counseling services.
“To motivate people you have to stand in your truth and be unashamed of your process. I learned to show up as my whole self no matter the space I walk into.”
Share a few challenges in your life that made you stronger.
I wouldn’t quite characterize the challenges as methods that made me strong rather these challenges helped me to recognize my own strength. Those challenges were experiencing sexual assault, an abortion and navigating depression, suicide ideation, PTSD as a direct result of the impact of my trauma. My pain produced recognition of my power and what didn’t die within me grew taller!
FMW: Tell us about Victory Over Inconceivable Cowardly Experiences (V.O.I.C.E).
V.O.I.C.E is a sexual abuse survivors network that was birthed out of my own personal experience of losing my voice as a result of sexual assault. I remained silent about my experience for twelve long years and I refuse to allow another woman to believe that she has to suffer in silence. We support survivors through their healing process, connect them to resources and assist in everyday life after sexual assault. We have a peer-based community healing model that strengthens and empowers survivors and builds community across intersections.
FWM: What are some of your goals for 2020?
One of my goals is to reach more women of color with my story and to do more public speaking across the country. Also, to strengthen the community healing work in my city.
FWM: You are President of the Board for Battle 4 Children’s Charities. What would you like people to know?
Battle 4 Children’s Charities is a small org with a big impact. Our funding efforts create access to a major tool for healing for children. Art’s vision came as a direct result of seeing the impact of delayed services after sexual trauma and it’s a joy to work alongside him to help children.
You have been a motivational speaker for over 9 years. What have you learned about yourself?
That authenticity is the key. It is the magnet to my purpose and to the hearts of people. Many are searching for someone who they can identify with and are transparent enough to pour from the lessons, mistakes and true experiences. To motivate people you have to stand in your truth and be unashamed of your process. I learned to show up as my whole self no matter the space I walk into.
FWM: Share your upcoming goals and projects.
My main goal is to continue to amplify the voices of those impacted by sexual violence and unlocking the stories of women of color through representation. My latest project is my feature on episode 10 of the Snapchat original series “While Black” by MK Asante. As well as my annual retreat SOLACE for those impacted by sexual violence. You can find more about those projects on my social media or website www.asurvivorsvoice.org
@iam_theVoice on Instagram, LaQuisha Anthony on Facebook and Twitter
@Asurvivorsvoice on Instagram and Facebook
