SHE IS; Woman of The Year Awards

10/16/2026

SHE IS.…Aisha Griffin



She is 42 years old.



She is a mother of three daughters.



She is a woman who has lived through things she never asked for, survived things she never imagined, and somehow found the strength to turn the pieces of her life into purpose.



She is me.



My name is Aisha Griffin, and domestic violence is not a chapter I read about. It is a chapter I lived.



I know what it feels like to love someone and still be afraid. I know what it feels like to question yourself, to make excuses, to stay quiet, and to wonder when the person you love became the person you needed to protect yourself from.



But more than anything, I know what it feels like to survive.



On March 24, 2012, my life changed forever.



I was shot as a result of domestic violence.



I spent nearly two months in the hospital, fighting to heal physically from something that could have taken my life. I was released on Mother's Day—a day that already carried so much meaning for me as a mother.



I went home to my three daughters.



And while everyone may have seen a woman who survived being shot, I knew there was another battle beginning.



Because surviving the physical trauma didn't mean I had healed from everything that happened to me.



I still had to be a mother.



I still had to provide.



I still had to show up.



I still had to smile.



And sometimes, I had to do all of that while quietly trying to figure out how to put myself back together.



For years, I carried my story differently.



I carried the fear.



The hurt.



The unanswered questions.



The things I didn't say.



And sometimes, I carried blame that was never mine to carry.



Then came 2016.



That was the year I began finding my voice.



And once I started speaking, I realized something: the voice I thought had been taken from me was still there.



It had just been waiting for me to believe I deserved to use it.



Today, October means something different to me.



October is personal.



It is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but for me, it is more than a month on a calendar. It is a reminder of the woman I was, the woman I survived becoming, and the woman I am still becoming.



And then there is purple.



People see purple ribbons, purple shirts, purple lights and purple hearts.



I see my story.



I see the women who didn't get another chance.



I see the women who are still afraid.



I see the women who are trying to leave.



I see the women who left but are still healing.



And I see myself.



Purple reminds me that my survival has meaning beyond me.



That is why I speak.



That is why I advocate.



That is why I founded Survivor In Me Foundation Inc.



Because I don't want another woman to believe that what happened to her is the end of her story.



I want her to know that she can heal.



She can rebuild.



She can forgive without forgetting.



She can find herself again.



She can become more than what happened to her.



And she can wear her survival without shame.



My daughters are a huge part of why I continue.



They have watched me become a woman who refuses to let her past dictate her future. They are part of the reason I fight so hard for peace, healing, and a life where violence does not become their story.



I want them to know that strength isn't pretending you were never hurt.



Strength is acknowledging that you were hurt and deciding that the hurt won't have the final say.



At 42, I don't pretend I have it all figured out.



I am still healing.



Still growing.



Still learning.



Still becoming.



But there is something I know now that I didn't know then:



I am not the woman who was shot.



I am the woman who survived.



I am the woman who found her voice.



I am the woman who turned pain into purpose.



I am the mother of three daughters who chose to keep going.



I am the woman who wears purple not because it's simply the color of awareness, but because it represents a part of my story that I refuse to hide.



And if you ask me who She Is…



She is Aisha Griffin.



She is a survivor.



She is a mother.



She is an advocate.



She is resilient.



She is still healing.



She is still here.



And after everything that tried to take her voice…



She speaks.

10/16/2026

Happy 9 year anniversary our Woman of the Year 2025 Muriel Bailey and Her Wife!
What a beautiful couple with beautiful spirits!

Celebrating our 9 year anniversary today❤️

10/15/2026

With tears in my eyes EVERY SINGLE PERSON HONORED SPIRIT MOVED US! Trenika Tdb Jones and I thank everyone who made this possible! Shot outs to BIG GOD! Erika Moultry for being a golden sponsor! Need a location for your events book with her.
Mary Louise excellent job!
Shae Bzee great job on capturing these moments .

Honorees
Lovella E. Jones
DeWana Faye Snodgress
Stephanie Byrd
Kay Rashad
Calteesha Juanita
DrIeshia Brown Lumpkin
Loving you all is a breeze

Book Breezy Vizuals LLC videos
Mary Louise host or red carpet etc
Erika Moultry building venue owner and she does a lot more

10/15/2026

Amber E Price

My Story: From Surviving to Thriving

My name is Amber E. Price, and I am a 32-year-old proud native of Birmingham, Alabama.

My mental health journey began at a young age. At just eight years old, I experienced my first su***de attempt. Throughout my childhood and adolescence, I faced neglect, sexual abuse, abandonment, friendship losses, and insecurities that deeply affected my self-worth.

Although I was often outgoing, outspoken, and confident in certain areas, I silently struggled with my mental health.

At 14, I developed a personal relationship with God beyond my involvement in church. However, my struggles did not disappear overnight. I continued experiencing suicidal thoughts and additional attempts during different periods of my life.

Since 2020, I have actively participated in therapy, which, alongside my faith and strong support system, has helped me process trauma, establish healthier boundaries, and embrace my self-worth.

Today, at 32, I am proud to say that I no longer experience suicidal thoughts or have any desire to attempt su***de.

My healing journey has also fueled my passion for education, business, entrepreneurship, and creativity.

I hold a bachelor's degree in Computer Science and an MBA in IT Security Management. Professionally, I serve as a Development & Operations Manager in the nonprofit sector.

I am also an entrepreneur, speaker, and content creator. Through LinkedIn, I advocate for career development, professional branding, and helping others recognize their potential. I also create anime content through Amby the Anime Guru and co-create foodie content through AmbyKreway Cravings.

These passions and accomplishments remind me that my life is so much bigger than the trauma I experienced.

I share my story to advocate for mental health awareness, especially among children and women who may be struggling silently. I want others to understand that being outgoing, educated, or successful does not mean someone has never experienced mental health challenges.

I also believe faith and therapy can coexist, as both have been instrumental in my healing.

At eight years old, I struggled to envision a future. At 32, I am grateful to be building a life filled with purpose, love, creativity, and opportunities I once could not imagine.

My message is simple: Your past does not define your future. Healing is possible, seeking help is a strength, and your story is not over. 💜

Thank you again for considering my story. I will attach my preferred photograph for the feature.

Warm regards,

Amber E. Price

10/14/2026

Tomeka Bailey

☕️My story is a testament to the triumphant power of the human spirit. As a U.S. Army combat veteran, former paratrooper, and postpartum doula, I have walked through fire—surviving severe domestic violence, enduring the profound grief of infant loss with my beloved son Andre, overcoming five su***de attempts, and living authentically with neurodivergence and mental health conditions (C-PTSD, Bipolar Depression, AuDHD, and Anxiety). Inspired by Harriet Tubman’s principle to "leave no one behind," my life’s work is dedicated to healing my family, uplifting my community, and honoring the fundamental truth that I matter as I strive to be my most healed and whole self.

🌻My Written Story
The Warrior’s Path: Resilience, Remembrance, and Reclaiming My Voice
My name is Tomeka Bailey. To the world, I am a U.S. Army combat veteran, a former paratrooper, a postpartum doula, and an advocate for community healing and empowerment. But behind every title I wear and every community initiative I build lies a story forged in fire—a narrative built on deep trial, unconditional love, and unyielding survival.
My journey as a survivor is multifaceted. I have walked through the darkness of domestic abuse, carried the devastating grief of losing my infant son, Andre, survived five su***de attempts during my lowest points, and learned to navigate life with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD), bipolar depression, AuDHD (Autism and ADHD), and chronic anxiety.

Overcoming the Shadows: Domestic Abuse & Reclaiming Strength
Surviving domestic violence required a level of endurance deeper than any tactical combat training could ever teach. Breaking free from abuse is not a single decision; it is a courageous, continuous act of reclaiming my soul, my autonomy, and my voice. Emerging from those shadows taught me that survival isn't just about escaping danger—it is about rebuilding a life grounded in unshakable peace, safety, and self-worth.

Carrying Andre’s Light: Infant Loss & A Mother’s Love
Among the most sacred chapters of my life is my son Andre’s story. Experiencing infant loss alters your heart forever. The grief of holding a love that no longer has a physical home in this world is a heavy, sacred weight. Yet, Andre’s memory lives on through everything I touch. Holding space for mothers and families as a postpartum doula, building supportive community networks, and honoring the deep bond between parent and child are how I carry his light forward. Andre’s story is not defined by loss, but by the everlasting love and purpose his legacy inspires in me every single day.
Navigating the Mind: Winning the Battles Within
For years, my fiercest battles were fought inside my own mind. Surviving five su***de attempts as a combat veteran is a raw, honest testament to reaching the deepest depths of pain—and choosing, time and time again, to stay. Living through those moments gave me a profound reverence for breath, life, and an unwavering empathy for anyone standing in the dark.
Living with C-PTSD, bipolar depression, AuDHD, and anxiety is not a mark of weakness—it is undeniable proof of my daily power and endurance. I share my neurodivergence and mental health journey openly because silence breeds isolation, but transparency breeds connection, hope, and true freedom.
Guided by Harriet Tubman: "No One Left Behind"
At the core of my soul sits the spirit of Harriet Tubman. Her legendary promise—that no one gets left behind—is the standard that feeds my spirit and fuels my purpose. My family matters. My community matters. I am fiercely dedicated to standing in the gap for others, creating support systems, retreats, and safe harbors so we all cross the finish line together.
Yet, the greatest revelation of my healing journey has been learning that to leave no one behind, I cannot leave myself behind. At the foundation of all my advocacy, I matter. My peace, my joy, and my growth are not secondary. Every single day, I strive to be my best, most healed, and fully whole self.

A Legacy of Triumph
Every valley I have walked through has fueled my mission to uplift, empower, and transform lives. My story is living proof that you can carry heavy burdens and still build a life rich with purpose, joy, and extraordinary impact.
For Andre, for my family, for my community, and for myself: your story matters, your strength is undeniable, and your healing belongs to you.

10/14/2026

Shanta Bolden

My Story: My Breast Cancer Journey

In May of 2024, I felt a big lump in my right breast. I asked my mom about it and also let her feel it. We both figured it might be scar tissue from a breast reduction I had a couple of years ago, but I made an appointment with my OB/GYN to be sure.

My doctor thought it might have been scar tissue, but since my mother had breast cancer twice (1995 and 2008), it was best to have it checked. When I got the results, I let my mom read them since she used to work at a lab. She stated that, from what she was reading, I was going to be in for a fight for my life.

I was referred to a breast care specialist who performed a biopsy on me on June 17, 2024. That Wednesday, June 19th, the breast care doctor called and stated that the results showed I had cancer, but no other information was given. She referred me to the oncologist, who confirmed the worst news possible: I had Triple-Negative Stage 3 Breast Cancer.

After hearing those words, everything else was a blur to me. I felt my world had been turned upside down, and all kinds of thoughts were coming to my mind: my children, my husband, family, and friends. How would this affect those whom I loved and who loved me?

Then it hit me: I am a woman of faith, I am God’s child, and I know God is not done with me yet. I prayed for God to bless the medical staff who would be assisting me through the treatments and to give my family and friends strength.

We hit the ground running for the next six months, from having surgery to get the port in place to going to chemotherapy every Friday, with a follow-up on Mondays in case I needed fluids or a blood transfusion, in which I had five blood transfusions.

I was hospitalized due to the strong chemo drugs that I was given and missed work from September to October 2024 because I was unable to get out of bed because I was so weak. I lost my taste buds, my hair, my nails, and my toenails. My tongue and lips turned black.

While at work one day, I passed out and was unresponsive, so one of the detectives did the sternum rub on my chest to bring me back.

I had many people sending prayers for me and my family. My husband’s job was very helpful and understanding. They had to make him stay home some days with me, but he was trying to keep his mind occupied with work.

For three weeks, I could not be left alone and had what I called “adult” sitters who stayed with me while my husband went to work.

During my treatments, I met two young ladies who were going through the same thing I was going through, and we went to therapy on the same day at the same time. Having someone there who was going through the same thing I was going through made our treatment days better. We encouraged each other and brought each other little gifts to lift our spirits.

I have finished chemotherapy, undergone surgery to remove the damaged cells and lymph nodes, as well as had a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction on March 3, 2025, radiation for five weeks and three days, immunotherapy, and one more surgery.

10/13/2026

She is Is doing a feature HER all month long. For all the cause’s October brings.

You do not have to record anything. Simply type up your story and send a picture. We will feature you before the month is out .

We will continue this until it’s time for nominations for the 2027 SHE IS; WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS SEASON!

Thank each of you. Make sure you show these Queens love because it takes a lot to share a personal story but someone needs to see they aren’t alone .

Thank you .

10/13/2026

My name is Joycelyn Ray however most people know me as Joy. I am a wife, entrepreneur, a student, and woman of faith whose mental health journey began in childhood.

I’ve survived a su***de attempt at just 12 years old, losing my mother at 14, losing my grandmother two months later and years of silently battling depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. For much of my life, I didn’t know how to process what I was feeling. I simply kept going, learning to be strong for everyone else while struggling to understand what was happening within me.

My family’s history with mental illness also brought fears and questions that eventually led me to seek answers for myself. Through my journey, I’ve learned that understanding your mental health is not a sign of weakness, and asking for help does not make you any less strong.

Today, my story is one of faith, self-discovery, and learning to care for myself with the same compassion I’ve always extended to others. I want to use my experiences to remind others that they are not alone, that their struggles do not define them, and that there is hope even in the darkest seasons of life.

Your life is worth living. Your story is not over. And even from the darkest places, something beautiful can still bloom.

Joy Ray

Because SHE IS resilient. SHE IS courageous. SHE IS a reminder that our stories are not over.

10/13/2026

Meet Regimia Speaks-Love
My Story: Refined by Fire, Strengthened by Faith

A Testimony of Survival, Strength, Motherhood, and God's Unfailing Grace

If there is one thing life has taught me, it is that being strong does not mean you never break down. Sometimes strength is found in the moments when you are crying, questioning everything, and still finding the courage to get up the next morning.

My story did not begin with cancer. My story began with a little girl who had no idea how many battles she would have to fight just to become the woman she is today.

I was raised by a single mother who taught me the meaning of strength, sacrifice, and unconditional love. Although my stepfather later became part of my life, I watched my mother carry responsibilities and overcome challenges that helped shape the woman I would eventually become.

At just 14 years old, I experienced a nervous breakdown. At an age when most children are simply trying to figure out who they are, I was already fighting emotional battles that I didn't fully understand. Looking back, I realize that was only the beginning of a journey that would test my faith, challenge my strength, and ultimately reveal my purpose.

As I grew older, life continued to present challenges. I was once told that I would never be able to have children. Imagine hearing something like that and wondering whether you would ever experience the joy of motherhood.

But God had a different plan!

Today, I am the proud mother of two amazing boys. They are my heart, my motivation, and two of the greatest blessings God has ever given me. Being a single mother has not always been easy. There have been days when I questioned whether I was doing enough, whether I was making the right decisions, and whether I was being the mother my children deserved. But even on the hardest days, I have continued showing up for them.

In 2018, I lost my stepfather. Then, in 2019, I experienced one of the most devastating losses of my life when my mother passed away. Just two weeks before losing her, I had been involved in a car accident.

Those experiences changed me in ways that words cannot fully explain. Losing my mother meant losing the woman who had been my foundation, my example of strength, and one of my greatest sources of love.

There were moments when grief felt unbearable. Moments when I wanted to pick up the phone just to hear her voice. Moments when I wondered how I was supposed to continue navigating life without her.

But somehow, through the heartbreak, disappointment, and uncertainty, I kept going.

I have experienced seasons when I felt like giving up. Seasons when I questioned my purpose and wondered why life seemed to bring one battle after another. But even when I couldn't see what God was doing, I held on to the belief that my story wasn't finished.

Then came 2026.

A year that I thought would simply be another chapter of growth and new beginnings became one of the most challenging and life-changing years I have ever experienced.

I was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Hearing the word cancer attached to my name was something I could never have prepared myself for.

Suddenly, life looked different. My thoughts were no longer focused solely on my career, my education, or my dreams. I began thinking about my health, my future, and most importantly, my children.

As a single mother, my greatest fear wasn't just what could happen to me. It was the thought of not being here for my boys.

Would I get to watch them grow up? Would I be there to celebrate their accomplishments? Would I get to see them become the men God created them to be?

Those are questions no mother ever wants to face.

I would be doing myself and every woman reading this a disservice if I pretended I wasn't afraid.

I was afraid.

There were tears. There were moments of uncertainty. There were prayers that came from places so deep within my spirit that I could barely find the words.

But one thing about me is that even when my faith is being tested, I refuse to stop believing in God.

I reminded myself that the same God who carried me through childhood struggles, emotional battles, motherhood, grief, and countless disappointments was still with me.

On October 7, 2026, I underwent surgery as part of my battle with cervical cancer.

And today, with a heart full of gratitude and tears of joy, I can proudly say:

MY DOCTORS HAVE CONFIRMED THAT I AM CANCER-FREE!

GOD DID IT! 🙌🏽

I cannot fully describe the emotions that come with hearing those words after facing such a frightening diagnosis.

I am still recovering physically, and every day is not easy. There is pain, discomfort, and a healing process that requires patience. But I am grateful to be here. Grateful for another opportunity to live, love, raise my children, pursue my dreams, and continue discovering the purpose God has placed inside me.

I went from hearing the words "You have cancer" to hearing the words "You are cancer-free."

And that is a testimony I will never stop thanking God for.

What makes this season of my life even more meaningful is that while I was fighting for my health, I was also watching dreams I had prayed about begin to unfold.

In November 2026, I am preparing to graduate with my master's degree in Higher Education. This accomplishment represents more than a degree to me. It represents every late night, every sacrifice, every moment of exhaustion, and every time I had to remind myself why I started.

I am also on the journey to becoming a published author through my workbook, Giant Conquerors.

This project is deeply personal because I know what it feels like to face giants that seem impossible to defeat. I know what it feels like to battle fear, grief, disappointment, insecurity, and circumstances that threaten to steal your joy.

My desire is to help others recognize that their struggles do not have to become their identity. Through my experiences, I want to encourage people to confront their giants, rediscover their strength, and understand that their lives still have meaning and purpose.

I have come to realize that sometimes the very experiences we wish we could erase become the testimonies that help someone else survive.

One scripture that has taken on a deeper meaning in my life is Malachi 3:3, which speaks about the refining process.

When I reflect on my journey, I see myself in that scripture.

I have been through the fire.

The fire of emotional struggles.

The fire of losing loved ones.

The fire of raising children while carrying responsibilities on my own.

The fire of wondering whether my dreams would ever become reality.

And most recently, the fire of battling cervical cancer.

But here's what I've learned:
Being refined by fire does not mean the process won't hurt. It means the pain does not have to be the end of your story.

There were times when I thought the weight of everything I had experienced would break me. But instead, I am discovering a strength within myself that I didn't even know existed.

I am not sharing my story because I have everything figured out. I don't.

I still have difficult days. I still cry. I still miss my mother. I still experience moments of fear, exhaustion, and uncertainty.

But I have learned that faith does not mean the absence of fear. Sometimes faith means being afraid and choosing to trust God anyway.

Today, as I approach my 40th birthday, I look back over my life with a different perspective.

I no longer see only the things I lost. I see the lessons I gained.

I no longer see only the doors that closed. I see the opportunities that opened.

I no longer see only the pain I endured. I see the purpose that is emerging from it.

I am a daughter who still misses her mother.

I am a single mother raising two incredible boys.

I am a woman who has battled emotional struggles, grief, disappointment, and cancer.

I am an aspiring educator, a future master's graduate, and an emerging author.

And I am a CERVICAL CANCER SURVIVOR!

But beyond every title, achievement, and challenge, I am a woman who continues to trust God with her life.

To every woman who may be reading or hearing my story, I want to leave you with this:

Please do not allow your current circumstances to convince you that your life is over.

You may be battling an illness. You may be grieving someone you love. You may be struggling to raise your children, trying to rebuild your confidence, or silently fighting battles that nobody else knows about.

Whatever your situation may be, I want you to know that your story still matters.

You are allowed to cry.

You are allowed to be tired.

You are allowed to have moments when you don't feel strong.

But please don't give up on yourself.

And please don't allow what you've been through to make you forget who you are.

I often remind myself of a saying that has become part of my personal testimony:

"God doesn't put a period behind your story. He puts a comma."

Because a period represents an ending, but a comma reminds me that there is still more to come.

My diagnosis was not the end.

My losses were not the end.

My disappointments were not the end.

And the battles I have faced do not get to determine the final chapter of my life.

I am still here.

I am still standing.

I am still growing.

I am still becoming.

And most importantly, I AM CANCER-FREE!

If sharing my journey encourages even one woman to keep fighting, keep believing, or recognize her own strength, then every vulnerable word I have shared has served a greater purpose.

I don't want people to look at me and simply see a woman who survived cancer.

I want them to see a woman who has endured life's storms, experienced unimaginable heartbreak, continued pursuing her dreams, and refused to surrender her faith.

I am not simply a survivor. I am a woman who has been refined by fire, strengthened by faith, and called to turn her pain into purpose.

I am a mother.

I am a fighter.

I am a believer.

I am a survivor.

I AM A GIANT CONQUEROR!

And by the grace of God, my story is far from over. ❤️

To God be the glory for the things He has done, the battles He has carried me through, and the beautiful chapters that are still to come.

10/13/2026

Photo credit Shae Bzee Breezy Vizuals LLC

My name is Dee Pippen, and I am a domestic violence survivor, warrior, and advocate.

Domestic violence is something I have experienced in different forms throughout much of my life, from family relationships to intimate partnerships. My experiences have included verbal, emotional, and physical abuse, and those experiences have shaped the way I view love, trust, and relationships.

When the people you love, look up to, and trust are the same people putting their hands on you or tearing you down with their words, it can be difficult to understand what a healthy relationship looks like. How do you learn what love is supposed to feel like when the very people who are supposed to protect you are the ones causing you pain?

For a long time, I had to navigate those experiences and their impact on me. I have personally experienced the pain and injuries associated with domestic violence, and I have also witnessed the devastating consequences it can have, including people losing their lives.

These experiences have influenced the person I am today. One example is my approach to disciplining children. I have never wanted to repeat the cycle of physical punishment that I experienced. Although I am not perfect, I am intentional about doing things differently with my nieces and nephews because I understand how deeply those experiences can affect a child.

My work in mental and behavioral health has also given me an opportunity to see how physical, verbal, and emotional abuse can affect people in different ways. It has strengthened my understanding that abuse is not always visible, and the wounds people carry are not always the ones we can see.

But I made a decision: I would not allow what I experienced to turn me into a person who intentionally hurts others.

That does not mean healing has been easy or that I have never had my own flaws. I have had to look at myself, acknowledge the things I needed to work through, and choose healing. I have had to learn my worth, remove myself from unhealthy environments, and understand that I deserve love that does not come with fear, violence, or humiliation.

Today, I want to encourage anyone who has experienced domestic violence or is currently living through it to know that you are not alone. Please seek help. Consider therapy, counseling, a trusted pastor, a mentor, or a domestic violence advocate who can help you navigate your circumstances safely.

If you are in an abusive situation, please do not ignore the warning signs or convince yourself that you have to endure it because you love that person. Love should not cost you your safety or your life. If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services when it is safe to do so.

I do not want anyone to love me to death, and I do not want anyone else to lose their life believing that abuse is simply a part of loving someone.

I am Dee Pippen. I am a warrior. I am a survivor. I am an advocate for domestic violence awareness.

My past is part of my story, but it does not define the person I have chosen to become. I am committed to healing, breaking cycles, and encouraging others to recognize their worth, seek help, and believe that a life beyond abuse is possible.