I recently saw this farewell sign in Antigua while traveling to the Caribbean. On this island, banner signs are hung to communicate the funeral notice of beloved members of a church and denote the sunrise (birth) and sunset (death) of the person. It reminded me that after my sexual assault, I felt like I had …
Surviving a traumatic experience can leave residual pain, suffering and loss for years. It did for me after I was sexually assaulted in 1990. I knew I had an overwhelming sense of loss of faith in the world as I had known it, but it would be years before I connected it to having grief. …
When tragedy strikes, the world seems to stop. It’s hard to imagine moving — much less moving forward — ever again. If you were anywhere on social media or the news this month, you saw the massive container ship ‘Ever Given’ get stuck in the Suez Canal. For almost a week, this one ship paralyzed …
I recently completed a bible study and we used \”Choosing Forgiveness\” by Nancy DeMoss as the guide. Throughout the three-month study, I was reminded how pockets of bitterness can take hold and thrust me into a backslide to an unforgiving heart. Here are a few takeaways from her book that helped me grow as a …
Forgiveness is hard. Forgiving someone who has hurt you is absolutely one of the most challenging things to do in life….it was for me. You might say you have forgiven, but what happens when you don\’t FORGET. If you are like most of us, you can get to a point of forgiveness and actually feel …
Is the road to forgiveness easy? No. Is it possible? Yes. Read More »
It\’s been 9,862 days since my sexual assault occured 27 years ago today. Over the decades, I have been tormented by fear, anxiety, and loss of trust in the world. I have wept, grieved, and experienced one of the most horrific things a woman can endure. But today, I stand here a stronger …
Restoration from Sexual Assault is Attainable…Look at my Life Read More »
After I was robbed and sexually assaulted in 1990, my body, mind and spirit went into overdrive. It’s the fight/flight syndrome that’s common when people experience something horrific whether it be a natural disaster, crime, or any life-threatening event. My nervous system stayed in this perpetual state for 20 plus years which unfortunately led to …
Is Peace Attainable after a Life-Threatening Event? Read More »
I recently was asked to speak to a group of high school girls about violence against women. As I got dressed for this speaking engagement, I decided on a whim to do something I had never done before. I would layer my clothing so that I would reveal a strapless dress underneath my maxi dress …
In December, I got an intriguing email from Angela Klocke who asked if she could “walk” in my honor. Interested and a bit surprised, I asked what this meant. She explained she leads a project called Scars and Tiaras where she focuses on speaking out and creating awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault. Angela …
It’s difficult to sit down with a reporter and entrust that person with your story. You fear the column won’t come out right, will somehow misrepresent your life–will be just …wrong. But not so with Gracie Bonds Staples, a veteran newspaper writer who wrote about my sexual assault in the Atlanta Journal Constitution last week. …
AJC Lifestyle Writer looks at hard news through different lens Read More »
I read an editorial by James Alan Fox, a Professor of Criminology, Law and Public Policy at Northwestern University in which Mr. Fox concluded that guns won\’t deter college sexual assault. He reasoned carrying guns on campus will only create more problems. I agree. Guns will never be the remedy to combat sexual assault …
Can Guns Deter College Sexual Assault? I don\’t think so. Read More »
I have always been a “broadcaster” of sorts. In grade school, I loved giving oral reports in class. I went on to be in One Act Plays in high school and enrolled in tv broadcasting in college until a professor told me my southern accent was too “thick” and I would never succeed as an …
5 Critical Steps to My Healing from Sexual Assault Read More »
The holidays are a stressful time, aren’t they? No matter how organized you are and how hard you work to stay ahead, it’s a bit much for all of us women to do what is required from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. To be honest, Christmastime in the past has been challenging for me. For …
The court of public opinion is a mighty one and it has ruled: the curtain is closing on Bill Cosby. The 77-year old comedian is facing allegations of sexual assaulting more than a dozen women since the 1960s. Already, 15 women have accused Cosby of fondling, drugging, sexually assaulting or raping them. As a result, …
Two months ago, The White House rolled out \”It\’s on Us,\” a sexual assault prevention and awareness program aimed at changing campus culture regarding rape and sexual assault. “It’s On Us” aims to fundamentally shift the way we think about sexual assault, by inspiring everyone to see it as their responsibility to do something, big or …
“It’s On Us” is a Good Start to Combatting Sexual Assault on College Campuses Read More »
