Woman To Woman With Joanne The Magazine May 2016 Issuu

Page 11 Identity Theft Page 22

Overcoming Giants Page 8

Women's Health Page 24

The Woman Who Was My Mom Page 26

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BY JOANNE BELL, FOUNDER

W

oman to Woman with Joanne: The Magazine was created to highlight women on the move in Mississippi, to give us a chance to tell our own stories the way we want them to be told, and to tell how we traded our ashes for beauty, our sorrow for joy, and how we have triumphed over every bad situation or circumstance that has tried to hold us down. We are women who have endured trials and tribulations, and some way, we are still fighting the good fight. We are women who are willing to be very open and honest. We understand that there is a power and healing in vulnerability. We are women who understand that with each day our pain had a purpose. We want to share our personal stories with the world so that you will know you are not alone in your sufferings and setbacks, and that we can celebrate our victories together. We will overcome by helping and encouraging each other.

When Woman to Woman with Joanne was birthed back in 2014 with the motto “Empowering Women Beyond Their Circumstance,” I was going through so much in my life at that time. As an entrepreneur, my finances were up and down, and at that point I was really down.

I was struggling with my confidence, I was insecure and my self-esteem was nearly nonexistent. This is when God charged me to start the Woman to Woman with Joanne Facebook page. At that point in my life, I didn’t even want to put the “with Joanne” at the end because I wanted to be invisible; I didn’t want to stand out for any reason. I felt my worst fears were coming true and I just couldn’t face any more disappointment. Through it all, I stepped out and started the page where I was to share my thoughts, my fears and my frustrations. As I moved forward, women started to respond to my posts saying how it was exactly what they needed to hear and they were feeling the same way. This was all to show that they were not alone in how they felt and neither was I. Now as the cover of this magazine states, which I am elated about, it’s our Second An-

nual Empowerment Conference and I am so excited about it. So many amazing things have come from me trying my best to be obedient to God, including this magazine, and I feel overwhelmed by His love. He has loved me all of my life of course, and He has kept His hands on me since I came to know Him at 10 years old. This is some of my story: I am Joanne Bell, born and raised in Georgetown, Mississippi in the small community of Brushy Creek. I have two brothers and four sisters, and both of my parents are still alive and well. I went to Crystal Springs Elementary and High School where I graduated “Thank You Laude” in 1994. I tried college.

I won a partial choir scholarship from Hinds Community College, Utica Campus, where I only went for one semester. That is when I realized I hated school and I was also pregnant with my first daughter. At the age of 19, I got married and started working for the state of Mississippi, where I worked for 10 years starting at the Department of Health, EMS Division, the Department of Education, Child Nutrition Division and I ended at the Department of Corrections, starting at the Records Office and ending at the Re-Entry Program for serious and violent offenders. In 2004, I started working for a life insurance company, and decided to leave my job with the state of Mississippi and become self-employed.

I have had some exciting things happen in my lifetime, but one of the most exciting and important things that could have ever happened to me was to become a mother of four of the most beautiful children in the world.

Antonetta (21), Antonio (19), Joshua (16) and JaMya (13). I am so proud of my babies, and the young men and women they are becoming. I love to brag on them and talk about them, and I am so proud to be their mother.

Growing up wasn’t easy. We didn’t have the name-brand clothes and shoes that others had. We didn’t have the best car or the best house. However, what we did have was a mom and dad in the same house who tried their

best to be what we needed. As parents, we can only do what we know to do and what we see growing up ourselves, and sometimes we make bad decisions. A lot of times, I run into grown people still blaming their parents for things that happened when they were 5, but they don’t take into consideration that their parents were probably still kids themselves.

Even between the ages of 21-25 we are still in our foolish stages.

My mom and dad were 15 and 17 when they got married. I ask myself what did I think I knew at 15 or 17 that I had no clue about? As I got older and became a mom, I can look back and see all the mistakes I made with my children. I think about how I was in my twenties having babies, and how most of us don’t really mature and learn how to make good decisions as parents until we are grandparents. (I’m not there yet, but I do understand it.) My point is that my parents and your parents didn’t always make the right decisions, but I believe that they did the best they could. It doesn’t mean that some of their decisions didn’t scar us or devastate us in the process. As adults, it’s our job to search for healing and to learn how to forgive, even through the pain.

Many women have many struggles and they go through horrific things like rape, molestation, domestic abuse and so on. My struggle is very different as I never had to deal with any of those situations, but I have struggled with and continue to fight with fear most of my life.

Fear also brings shame - and condemnation.

As I have admitted countless times, fear has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. At one point, I saw fear as my protector and my friend. I allowed it to keep me away from things that I feared I could not do, and it drove me to make irrational decisions that hurt in the long run. What I have learned over the course of several years is that your fear does not just affect you. Your fear has the potential to hurt everyone around you: your children, your spouse, your friends, your co-workers and any one you come in contact

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with. Your fear affects them, too.

In June of 2015, I allowed my fears to affect not only me but my children, the ministry I am a part of, my relationships and more. We lost our house and had to stay in a hotel for two and a half months. No one knew except the ones who were closest to us. It was very embarrassing, which brought a lot of shame and condemnation. I felt shame because I was embarrassed that I couldn’t provide a home for my children, and I felt condemned because I should have been strong enough to not allow our lives to get to this point.

In 2007, my ex-husband and I separated, and we divorced in 2008. For all these years, I have felt like it was my fault. I felt I took my children away from everything they knew: their home, all their possessions, their father... and I felt they blamed me, even though they never said it. Over the years, I have lost cars and things like that, but for us to have to go and live in a hotel really took a toll on me at that time. Since then, God has restored us

sevenfold with everything we lost and then some, and I am learning every day to trust that He will provide for us daily.

Through it all, God has brought us to the place where we are now. I never thought I would be here - holding conferences with my name on them, starting a magazine and even currently writing a book. In the end, I know that God loves me and He cares for me, and He will never let me fall.

We all have a story to tell, and Woman to Woman with Joanne aims to give as many women the opportunity to tell their story as we can reach. Let’s inspire more women to freedom by releasing all the junk we have been trying to hold in. Remember, ladies and gentlemen - if you’re reading this, learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all!

Love ya much!

Joanne Publisher & Editor Joanne Bell CEO Joanne Bell Account Executives Salmeilia Stewart, Mieyatta Malone, Chirvona Frank Contributing Writers Terica McKennis, Roikensha Craig, Traci McClendon, Salmeilia Stewart

Joanne's Desk .......................................................................... 4

Photographs by RMcGee Photography and others

Overcoming Giants ................................................................ 8

Layout Design Latasha Willis

An Interview with... ......................................................... 11-21

Graphic Design Latasha Willis, Stephen Brandon

Chirvona Frank .................................................................. 12 Yolanda Singleton .............................................................. 14 Edelia "Dr. Jay" Carthan .................................................... 18 Salmeilia Je' Stewart ........................................................... 20 Identity Theft ......................................................................... 22 Women’s Health ............................................................... 24-25 MLife ....................................................................................... 26

Front Cover Design James E. Roach II

Facebook: Woman to Woman with Joanne the Magazine Website: www.JoanneSBell.com Contact us at woman2woman.joanne@yahoo.com 601-398-6733 P.O. Box 2031 Ridgeland, MS 39158 All rights reserved. No portion of Woman To Woman With Joanne may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The management of Woman To Woman With Joanne is not responsible for opinions expressed by its writers. Woman To Woman With Joanne maintains the unrestricted right to edit or refuse all submitted material. All advertisements are subject to approval by the publisher. The production of Woman To Woman is funded by advertising and sponsorship.

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Overcoming Giants

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H

istory has proven that as a human race, we are fascinated with the story of an "underdog." From the action packed days of Rocky to one of my favorite childhood movies, "Little Giants" or even as far back as biblical days, history has repeatedly proven that we as people thrive off triumphing over things that appear impossible. There is something to be said about a person that is able to defy the odds, do the impossible, the unthinkable. One would suggest that based on their current circumstances, their destiny gears more towards failure versus success. So how does a person overcome life's circumstances that appear as giants?

We all must face our own version of a giant. A giant is simply a person or thing that is large or powerful. Typically, because of the size of the giant, it appears impossible to emerge victoriously. With that being said, a giant can be an addiction, terminal illness, losing a job, divorce, death of a loved one, starting a business, or leading a healthy lifestyle. We are initially left paralyzed when we are faced with these challenges. It leaves one to wonder if, when and how will I be able to overcome?

I HAVE A GIANT The first step in tackling your own personal giant is admitting you have one. Too many times we tend to not acknowledge the challenges that are very present. Regrettably, I too, am guilty of not acknowledging my own giants and allowing myself to become too distracted from my harsh reality by indulging in unproductive activities. This defensive mechanism that I have created only intensifies the issue at hand. When you can first admit that

BY SALMEILIA JE' STEWART

you have a giant to face, you can then start to strategize on how to defeat it..... or it will defeat you.

is where I make plans and set goals.

Remember His word says to write the vision and make it plain.

THE WORD OF GOD The next step in tackling this opponent is studying the Word of God. I know that the giants I may be facing appear to be larger than life but what has God said? When the giant of loneliness comes, I know God said He will never leave me nor forsaken me. When my financial giants come, God has already said He will supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory.

I am so thankful that by His stripes I am healed when the giants of sickness come. When fear comes knocking, God’s word says He did not give me the spirit of fear but of love, power, and a sound mind. So, despite what my current circumstance may appear to be at that moment, I must stand firm on the word of God. We only become doers of the Word after we become hearers of the Word. When I confess the word of God, I no longer have to face the giant through my eyes but through the eyes of God.

HELP IS ON THE WAY With a strategy/game plan at hand, I now need to create a support group.

Many times we are defeated by our giants simply because we refuse to ask for help...not knowing we don't have to face our giants alone. We can have someone to not only assist us but to also hold us accountable. It may be wise to include peers who have shared a similar experience that can offer insight. With these key components in place it is inevitable, that in time, you will be able to overcome.

PLAN TO WIN Now that I know I have a giant to defeat, and what God has said in regards to that giant, it's time to take the next step by making a decision: Do I believe what God has said and move forward or do I just remain defeated? A decision must be made that no matter how long it takes to overcome, I must stand firm on my decision to win. If I don't, it doesn't matter if I wear the T-shirt, sing a song, attend every empowerment session ever created, I will always feel helpless and defeated. Next comes strategizing or the game plan, which

Don't be dismayed if and when you realize that defeating your giant won't be swift or easy. There are going to be moments where you will want to give up and never look back. There will be times when fear will make you so weak that even the mention of a giant will bring you to your knees. There will be moments of doubt even after defeating giants of your past that will still make you wonder if you can defeat this giant THIS time around. That is why you cannot lose hope. Hope is most necessary during our weakest hour. It is what navigates us to a road of victory when fear tries to steer us off course. My experiences have proven more times than not that giants are not always as bad as they appear. Often times it takes challenges to help draw out the greatness that lies within.

The giants in our lives strengthen our character and position us to empower others beyond their circumstances.

So let's make 2016 the year that we all overcome our giants.

About the Author: Salmeilia is the mother of an eight-year-old son named Jaden and currently resides in Jackson, MS. She is an actress, writer and comedienne. She works for Phoenix Rising Entertainment. When she is not working, she enjoys taking pictures and having a great cup of coffee. You may follow Salmeilia on Instagram @ Salmeilia and Facebook @Salmeilia Je'.

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Chirvona Frank .................................................................. 12 Yolanda Singleton .............................................................. 14 Edelia "Dr. Jay" Carthan .................................................... 18 Salmeilia Je' Stewart ........................................................... 20 IMAGES BY R. McGEE PHOTOGRAPHY, VM2002/ADOBE STOCK

AN INTERVIEW WITH

Chirvona Frank

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Are you looking for someone to help you with your "do"? Are you sporting the latest fashions, or is your closet sorely in need of an "intervention"? And what about your makeup: Do you find yourself drawn to cosmetic infomercial claims that advertise simple ways to enhance your appearance? If you have answered "Yes" to one or all of the above, you are in luck. We recently spoke to one of the hottest creatives in the area: Chirvona L. Frank, the owner of Style2Go Mobile Service Company. In this very honest and revealing exclusive interview, Chirvona has shared her personal and professional journey.

Like all of us, her tale includes ups and downs -- a combination of good, bad, and downright ugly.

Throughout some of the rough times, her spirit was never permanently broken. Quite the opposite, she has soared, and the person she is today---woman of God with extreme faith, mother, wife, daughter, singer, entrepreneur, creative stylist, friend, and more, are chronicled below.

Through Style2Go Mobile Service Company, Chirvona provides a potpourri of image consulting services that include hair, makeup, and wardrobe. She has a passion for beauty, and she loves the idea of taking a “blank canvas and creating a masterpiece.” She has earned numerous recognitions for her outstanding creativity and fashion flair. Of the many things I learned about Chirvona, a most prominent truth is that she weaves her passion for creating outer beauty with the true beauty that lives inside the human spirit. She uses her platform to motivate women to empower themselves. Drawing from her own life lessons, she encourages women to release the power locked within, knowing personally that a harvest of better health, greater confidence, and increased success avails.

So suit up and take this ride on the Chirvona Frank Express. You will find that she is bold, beautiful, deep, and transparent.

It's a beautiful day in Jackson, Mississippi and the fierce and fabulous Chirvona walks through the doors as radiant as ever. She’s wearing a pair of beautifully crafted shades along with her favorite accessory, her smile.

Where were you born and raised?

I was born in Jackson, Mississippi, but I lived with my grandmother in Crystal Springs, Mississippi, until I was in elementary school.

What was it like growing up in Crystal Springs, Mississippi?

My grandmother had 16 children, so I obviously come from a large family. A few of my cousins along with other family members also lived with her off and on as well. Needless to say it was a bit crowded, so much so, that me and several cousins would all sleep in the same bed. Despite the crowd, I liked the fact that I had family around me all the time.

Who would you say was the most influential person in your life during those formative years?

I would have to say it was one of my aunts. I wanted to be like her in every way. She was always very

outspoken, outgoing, and of course a hair stylist. She is the reason I became a stylist. She was the only one who invested quality time in me, and she provided guidance for me.

When was the first time you excelled at something you felt you did better than anyone else?

When I was in the first grade, I was in the choir room with my music teacher, Mrs. Byrd. I was singing the Christmas song, "Up on the Roof Top." Immediately, Mrs. Byrd called my name and asked me to sing the part again. She said my voice was angelic, and she gave me the lead role in the Christmas program. That was the first time in my life that I felt like I did something right. When my parents attended the Christmas program, they got a chance to see their daughter in a different light.

Was there a time in your life when you felt like a victim? If so, how did you overcome or break free?

I was physically abused in my first marriage. During that time I wanted to give up more than once. On three occasions I even attempted suicide. We were married for five years, four of which I was in a constant state of misery and unrest. I didn't know how to leave him, and at that time I had no one there to help guide me. My children actually, gave me the strength to fight back and get us out of that terrible situation.

They were my reason to stay alive, because if I died, who would take care of them? Eventually I found the strength to leave.

Isaiah 61:1-9 speaks of how God will give us “beauty for ashes.”I imagine you are familiar with this expression. How has God transformed your life?

One of the most definitive moments in my life was when I was singing the song, "Say Yes" by Floetry at a nightclub. While I was on stage, a man walked through the door covered in blood and fell at my feet. Seconds later, I heard somebody say, “Get down, somebody is shooting!” I said a prayer and told God if you get me safely home you will never have to worry about me singing at this club again. I grabbed my belongings and walked out the door. Some people tried to stop me because I guess the shooter was still out there, but I didn't care. I said my prayer, walked to my car, and never looked back. I praised God all night long for saving me. Prior to that incident, I was singing in the choir AND at the club. As I was singing "Say Yes" by Floetry, I was really saying "Yes" to God. I was immediately transformed by that experience.

What is your definition of beauty as a stylist and was there ever a time you didn't feel beautiful?

Growing up I didn't feel beautiful. I would be out with my sisters, and they would get compliments. Then someone would turn to my mom and ask, "Who is he?" Needless to say, I felt very insecure about myself.

I didn’t begin to feel beautiful until right after I graduated college. That’s when I got to know who I was and started to explore and take risks with my fashion.

I also became mindful of how I treated people. I really believe that if you treat people the way you want to be treated, you will receive the same treatment. As I began to study the word of God, I began to see myself through His eyes. His word says, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

Was it always your dream to become a stylist?

When I was in the fifth grade, my teacher asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up? I said I wanted to be an attorney and to own several hair salons. One of the students said, "That doesn't even go together."

I always wanted to be an entrepreneur even before I knew what it meant. I majored in Political Science/ Pre-Law, and I did hair while I was in school. I eventually graduated from Tougaloo College in pre-law, and years later I became a licensed cosmetologist after graduating from Virginia College.

Who encouraged you to pursue your dreams?

My mother and my aunt were big inspirations, but for the most part, I was self-motivated. I now have a mentor in my adult life, but growing up I didn't really have anyone speaking words of encouragement to me.

How did you make the transition from employee to entrepreneur?

I was working at Bell South, and I’d just given birth to a set of twins. One of my sons is blind and has a mild case of cerebral palsy; he attended the Mississippi School For The Blind and they required that I become 100% accessible, so I had to leave my job. I went back to school to become a professional hair stylist. I told God I didn't want to be just an average hair stylist, so the Lord gave me a business called “Style2Go,” where I cater services to elderly cancer patients. I continued my education, and from there, expanded the business from hair to makeup, and wardrobe.

Was there ever a time you felt like you needed to leave Mississippi to be successful?

Honestly, I did believe that I would need to leave Mississippi, because I felt like we were behind in hair and fashion. I thought the larger cities were ahead economically as well as culturally. However, I have learned that people in Mississippi will pay for quality.

I put more time in developing a quality service that people wouldn't mind paying for. Also, since my family was here I wanted to stay and support the community in which I lived. I want to be on the side of change for Mississippi.

What song do you listen to when you are looking and feeling your best?

"Masterpiece” by Jazmine Sullivan and “Golden” by Jill Scott.

What is your remedy for a bad day, and if you had a super power, what would it be?

My remedy for a bad day is a salted caramel brownie, French vanilla Breyers Ice-Cream, while watching the movie Baps. If I had a super power I would want to be able to teleport.

In closing, when its all said and done and you have come to the end of your life, what words do you want to hear God say?

I want to hear God say, "You know what C-love, you weren’t perfect, but you were honest, true, and you gave the best you had. For that I’m giving you a high five and sending you “to the left, to the left....”

(Beyonce` Version).

AN INTERVIEW WITH

Yolanda Singleton

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Yolanda Singleton was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi and is a product of the Jackson Public Schools System where she graduated from Callaway High School a year early in 1986. She also attended Tougaloo College for Pre-Med, graduated from Hinds Community College with an Associate Degree in Nursing, attended Jackson State University for Real Estate and business classes, graduated from University of Mississippi Medical Center with a B.S. in Nursing and started the graduate program there as well. She has been a Professional Registered Nurse for 26 years and holds a license in 23 states. She is a licensed real estate agent, travel agent, legal nurse consultant, notary public, advocate for victims of domestic abuse, a licensed bail bonding agent, and a licensed bail bonding enforcement agent aka a bounty hunter.

Although Yolanda has received numerous awards, certificates, and has been recognized many, many times, she feels her greatest accomplishment has been raising her three incredible children, Chantel, LeWil, and Daryl as well as being instrumental in the lives of so many other children.

Yolanda makes her presence known in the community by giving back. Not only with money, but also by labor. There’s no telling where you might find her. She donates her time and money to Gateway Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, Morrison Adult Education Center, Blair E. Batson Children’s hospital and feeding the homeless in Poindexter Park.

Yolanda is the sole owner of Xperience Jxn Entertainment founded in 2012. Prior to starting her own company she was a partner with Family Affair Entertainment for over 20 years. Yolanda manages the day to day operations but employs a team of about 50 people when she puts on a production. Her main goal and focus is to bring quality live entertainment to the City of Jackson at a fair price without cutting corners. She wants people to experience entertainment on the same level or better as they would experience if they traveled to Atlanta, New Orleans or even New York City. She is uniquely qualified to manage this task because of her great interpersonal skills, ability to engineer and execute a plan, remain calm under pressure and her genuine love for people and great entertainment. She wants people who attend Xperience Jxn Entertainment events to know without a doubt that they will have a great experience and get their money’s worth. Her main responsibility is to ensure the people who spent their hard earned money in exchange for a good time get what they paid for.

That’s what she refers to as a great Xperience, where it’s all about YOUR Xperience. Her target is plain and simple, she targets the fun side in all people.

Yolanda enjoys attending church, being a DJ, listening to live music, attending comedy shows and plays, Chicago style stepping, line- dancing, fishing, horseback riding and has a true passion for riding motorcycles.

She is a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Friends of Fallen Riders and Anderson United Methodist Church.

What was life like growing up in Mississippi?

Actually, life was pretty good in Mississippi. I grew up in a house with a lot of siblings. Sharing was mandatory. Besides, Mississippi was all I knew until my young adult life.

Described the first time you excelled at something. Something you felt as though you did better than anyone else.

I could cook really well at the age of 5. I would cook complete meals with dessert.

When was the first time you experienced failure and rejection?

My first memory of failure was at Tougaloo College. I failed my first test ever. I had always been a straight A student without studying.

Well the game changed at Tougaloo.

Can you name a time in your life when you did something to try to fit in or please others?

After getting pregnant, I married the father of my baby to please my parents.

Did you have a dream to become what you are now?

Yes, not working in corporate America after age 40 has been a dream come true.

Who encouraged you to pursue your dreams?

My encouragement was my kids. The best way I could show them anything was by example.

Describe a time in your life where you wanted to give up. How did you overcome?

I'm not really sure about a time I wanted to give up. I mean I've been hurt, disappointed and even crushed but giving up has never been an option.

Describe a time in your life when you were afraid to do something for the first time.

It was on a night shift in Oakland, California.

A young teenage girl arrived to the ER with

abdominal pain but she was 9 months pregnant and fully dilated. She was in complete denial and no one in her family knew. My close friend and I had to deliver the baby because the hospital was not equipped to deliver babies. I mean they had no Labor & Delivery and the Doctor was inexperienced as well. I was excited yet afraid of the unknown.

How did you make the transition from working as a nurse to becoming an entrepreneur?

Actually I've always had an entrepreneurial spirit all my life. I used to sell candy in school at 12 and Avon walking door to door at 13. (laughs) You stated that you want to bring good quality, live entertainment to the city of Jackson.

Which concert influenced your decision of recreating a similar experience in Mississippi?

I attended an overpriced, poor-quality concert that was much different than what I had seen in New Orleans.

Was there ever a time you wanted to leave Mississippi? If so, what made you stay?

I've left Mississippi for job opportunities a few times and actually moved to Atlanta. I returned to Mississippi when I had chemotherapy. I wanted to have chemo here so my son who was in high school wouldn't be affected by my condition.

Did you ever believe that in order to be successful you would have to leave?

Yes and no. I felt that moving provided me with opportunities, exposure and needed growth to return to Jackson better than I was when I left.

What is your favorite inspirational quote or scripture?

I have a few but I'll say John 15:5 is one of my favorite scriptures.

How do you use your gifts and talents as to empower women beyond their circumstances?

I try to help others see their vision because if they don't have a vision, they're lost.

If you had a superpower what would it be?

I believe I do have superpowers. You see, since God has ALL power and God is in me, I must have some superpower even if I don't know how to use it.

When I get to heaven I want God to say…

Job well done.

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BY ANY MEANS ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

By Any Means Entertainment Inc. is a Mississippi based organization founded in 2013, by Jeremy R. Thompson AKA (Condo Bo). By Any Means Entertainment’s mission is to provide independent artist training in areas of character building, vocal delivery, stage presentation, and music industry operations. We also intend to offer internships for college students who are majoring in music technology, business management, marketing, public broadcast, and entertainment law. By Any Means Entertainment has recently taken management of Lakayla Poindexter AKA (DJ Fresco). Born in Memphis, TN, DJ Fresco has been in love with music her whole life and started her DJ career in the 11th grade. She has shown her skills several times in various venues located in Memphis, TN and Jackson, MS and has shown interest in helping independent artist grow their (popularity/fan-base), by promoting and spinning their music. You can find more about DJ Fresco by searching IG @minni_zeduction and Facebook @Kayla Poindexter.

If you would like to book Kayla for your next event, you can reach her at (901)304-1324 or by email lplpoindexter1@gmail.com.

AN INTERVIEW WITH

Edelia “Dr. Jay” Carthan

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Edelia “Dr. Jay” Carthan is currently President and CEO of Carthan Enterprises, Inc., Founder of the Fabulous Life Ministries and serves as Assistant Professor in the Division of Education, Supervision and Instruction at the historic Tougaloo College. Previously, she served as Executive Director and Chief of Staff at Capital City Security, Inc. Her career started in 2000 as the AmeriCorps Program Director in West Bolivar School District. In 2002, she served as Educational Specialist at the University of Mississippi Medical Center on a large medication error grant. She served as Director of Distance Learning at Jackson State University where she also taught for ten years. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Educational Technology in 2000 and a Master of Science in Technology Education in 2002 and in May 2007, she became the youngest person to receive the Doctor of Education degree in Early Childhood Education from Jackson State University.

Dr. Jay is very involved in her community. Currently, she is a Diamond Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Clinton (Mississippi) Alumnae Chapter. She is a 2008 graduate of Leadership Greater Jackson Class and is a 2010 graduate of the Fannie Lou Hamer Institute on Citizenship and Democracy, and is President of the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation Childhood Obesity Project. In 2011, Dr. Jay founded a seven-day, all-girl Christian camp called Camp Fabulous, which empowers and inspires young girls ages 7 -17. She self-published her first book, “From Fear to Freedom: The 7 Key Elements for a Fabulous Life.” She was appointed by Governor Phil Bryant to his Blue Ribbon Task Force, "Healthy Teens for a Better Mississippi" to curb the teen pregnancy rate in Mississippi in 2012. She is a native of Tchula, Mississippi where her father Dr. Eddie James Carthan was elected the first Black Mayor. She’s an ambassador for the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation. She has one son, "EJ" who is a Junior at the University of Arkansas at Monticello where he earned a full athletic scholarship.

Dr. Jay's goal is to teach and inspire young minds throughout Mississippi, the United States and abroad; her purpose is to help individuals heal from their past, overcome their fears and live out who God created them to be.

Where were you born and raised?

I was born and raised in Tchula, Mississippi.

What was it like growing up in Tchula, Mississippi?

I have always been involved in civil rights. My father was elected in 1977 as the first black Mayor of Tchula, Mississippi, but he spent the majority of his administration behind bars because of the color of his skin.

So I grew up seeing people marching and fighting for freedom on his behalf. As a result, my family was well known.

The Mississippi Delta is known to be a poverty stricken area with very limited opportunities for advancement. Who would you say was your greatest influence?

My father was my first and best teacher. He taught me as a child that I had to fight for freedom and fight to keep it. I saw that most people where I am from

didn't have a desire to want more but that never had a direct affect on me. My dad planted a seed that Jesus loved me, and He put me here to do something great.

Describe a time in your life where you experienced failure or rejection.

I can remember this time in my life so vividly. There was an organization called R.O.C.C. and they had a poster contest for Holmes County so I entered. My poster was entitled Racism. I drew poor houses on one side of the railroad track and big pretty houses on the other side. While I was working on my poster, my sisters were laughing and talking about the houses I drew. My dad told me not to worry about them, just do what you are supposed to do. I did exactly what he told me and won an all expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. I experienced rejection and success at the same time. That experience taught me at a young age that people will rise against you but you have to make the decision whether to listen to what people say about you or what God says about you.

Was that the first time you excelled at something?

No, I have always excelled academically. I graduated number three in my high school class. I would have to give all the credit to my parents, Dr. Eddie and Shirley Carthan, who were both college graduates and co-pastors at Good Samaritan Ecumenical Church.

As a child were you held to a higher standard because your father was a pillar in the community?

Of course. My teachers definitely held me to a higher standard. Everybody knew us because my father was the Mayor as well as a business owner. I lived up to their standards academically but not necessarily socially.

Was there ever a time you felt like a victim?

I was raped when I was in high school. A guy called me down to the gym, and he took me to the basement. It was at that point he began to rape me. Prior to that experience, I was molested at 8 years old by a family member. The only person I told at that time was my friend and sadly she said the same thing happened to her.

Describe a time in your life when you wanted to give up. How did you overcome?

I got pregnant at age 15 and one of my teachers told me that I would never graduate high school. She said the best thing that could happen to me would be for my child to be stillborn. I was already ashamed because I was the youngest of my siblings, and I felt I had let my family down. The hardest thing I had to do was tell my mom I was pregnant. I finally found the strength to have that hard conversation with her, but she was very supportive of me afterwards. She gave me the courage to continue on and I was able to finish school. Today, I stand before you as Dr. Carthan because of the support of my mother. I could not have done it without her.

What was your motivation to pursue your dreams despite your circumstances?

I never believed I had to give up on my dreams just because I got pregnant at an early age. Even after my teacher said those horrible things, I prayed to God

that He would give my son and I the best life ever.

When I say He has done exceedingly, abundantly above all that I can ever ask, think, or imagine, He has done just that. There is a purpose behind the pain.

Most of the time we tend to run from pain but that is what builds character.

What would you say to a teenage mom on the verge of quitting based on her current circumstance?

I would tell her about a lady name Dr. Jay, who was born in a poverty stricken area, who was a teenage mom, and was encouraged to drop out of high school. Today, that same lady has not only finished high school but has acquired a doctoral degree. That same lady is a professor at Tougaloo college, an entrepreneur, author, and her son is currently enrolled in college. I would advise her to find a mentor and to focus more on what God has said about her and not her circumstances.

Has it always been your dream to be where you are today?

No. I have always wanted to be a teacher but I never thought about doing anything outside of that. Once my mindset changed, I knew I was here for a greater purpose. God began to not only show me who He is, but He showed me who I am and why He put me here and my life hasn’t been the same since then.

What was the turning point in your life that changed everything for you?

After I received my doctorate degree, I still felt unfulfilled. I used school and work as a distraction so I wouldn't have to deal with my past hurt and pain.

I began to have bad thoughts about myself. I got to a point where I couldn't hide it anymore. I told God either He was going to have to show me who He was or I don't want to be here anymore. So, God began to truly reveal Himself to me through His word. I developed a personal relationship with Him for myself and the thoughts that I once had, slowly began to change.

I saw myself through the eyes of God. How did you make the transition from working for someone to becoming an entrepreneur?

While working one day I realized that working for someone else was limiting my time to do what I was put on this Earth to do. Initially, it was a bit scary but I eventually transitioned. Also, I came from a family of entrepreneurs. My mother and father were able to take care of us through the businesses they both owned.

What is your favorite inspirational quote or scripture?

"Our biggest fear is not that we are inadequate, our biggest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure…" - by Marianna Williamson and “Seek ye the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” -Matthew 6:33 When you are feeling and looking your best what is your favorite song to listen to?

“Smile” by Kirk Franklin.

When I get to heaven I want God to say...

“Well done, My good, faithful and fabulous servant.

Well done!”

AN INTERVIEW WITH

Salmeilia Je' Stewart

WOMAN TO WOMAN WITH JOANNE MAGAZINE • 21

Salmeilia Je` Comaneci Stewart was born and raised in the big City of Leland, Mississippi. She is a graduate of Jackson State University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration.

She has always had big dreams of leaving the small town of Leland, Mississippi to go to Hollywood and become a big time actress. It wasn't until she became a member of Phoenix Fellowship that she realized she had diamonds in her own backyard in the great state of Mississippi. She decided to join the movement with others who realized they didn't have to go to Hollywood to become an actress, that opportunities were being created right in her home state.

Salmeilia Je` is currently co-starring in the upcoming movie “Soul Damage” that is written and directed

by Maximus Wright, and she is working on the Mississippi-based television show Bring It. She has also starred in several short sketch comedy films with Phoenix Fellowship. She currently serves as a writer for the Woman to Woman with Joanne Magazine.

During her spare time she enjoys spending time with her eight-year-old son Jaden, taking pictures and making a great cup of coffee.

What was it like growing up in Leland, Mississippi?

I grew up in a single parent home with my brother and sister. Like most families down south, my mom made us go to church a lot. In fact, my mom had a key to the church. There weren’t many places to go or things to do so you had to learn early how to use your creative imagination to have fun.

How would you describe yourself as a child?

I was very outgoing and always getting into something. On the back of my report card, there would be a section for the teacher to leave a note. My note would always say, “Salmeilia is an outstanding student and she has a beautiful smile, but she talks too much in class.” I was very curious and wanted to know why things or people worked the way they did. I always wanted to go first and was never afraid to try something. I enjoyed performing whether it was in front of people or my stuffed animals.

Describe a time in your life when you really excelled at something you felt you did better than anyone else.

When I was in the fifth grade, our homework assignment was to write a paragraph using our spelling words. The teacher would then ask us to read our paragraph out loud before turning it in.

One day, I stood before the class and read my story.

My teacher was laughing so hard, as well as my classmates. Every Wednesday after that, I looked forward to reading my story to make people laugh.

It was a great moment because I felt like I finally did something right and for once my classmates laughed with me, and not at me.

Describe a time in your life when you felt rejected or you didn't fit in.

Growing up, I always felt like I was different. From my hair to my skin color, down to my body type, but it wasn’t until middle school that I felt rejected

the most. I was teased a lot because of my weight, my clothes and shoes. I would always raise my hand to go first but my classmates made me feel stupid because of my ideas, and for choosing to do the right thing. Basically all of the things I loved about myself prior to my middle school experience made me feel rejected the most once I got to middle school.

How did you respond to being rejected as a child and now even as an adult?

Growing up, love was not always expressed in my home but just understood. When you verbally and physically express negative behavior and then it is reciprocated at school, you try to do things to please people as a way to survive. So, I begin to become withdrawn when I was once open, I became quiet when I should have said something. I stopped thinking and allowed others to think for me. I denied myself in hopes that someone would love me back. Honestly, it's something I still struggle with today. I have to remember not to take it personal all the time and know that criticism can be used as a tool for improvement.

Did you dream of becoming what you are now?

Yes and no. I always dreamed and fantasized daily about being on TV. I dreamed of becoming an actress. Growing up Halle Berry, Angela Bassett and Lucille Ball were my all-star female power group. However, it was a dream I didn’t think was attainable.

Was there ever a time you wanted to give up? How did you overcome?

Gee how many times! I believe at one point in my life I was a professional quitter. It was engrained in me to go to college so I could in return get a good job, husband, car, house, ect. I just wanted a Toyota Solara, an apartment, a cup of coffee, and to be able to work my way up the Corporate ladder.

Instead, after graduation I was a new mom in debt, unemployed, living with my mom and on welfare. I couldn't find a job so I went back to school creating more debt, and I finally asked the question, “why am I here?” I'm not doing anything with the first degree. A year later, I was hired as a temp in my field of work and hated every minute of it. I found myself in a deep state of depression. I couldn't take care of myself nor could I take care of my child. How did I end up here? This is not how I envisioned my life.

My friend in college invited me to church but at that point I was so over church and God. Finally things got so bad at home I left and she brought me to church. The pastor was talking about dreams and purpose. I never heard anybody preach on that subject before. Now my life didn't change overnight, but a seed was planted. Who knew the same people that I met at church, would be in partnership with God to create an opportunity in Mississippi for me to co-star in a movie? My journey of not giving up to overcoming has been a seven-year journey.

Did you ever believe that in order to be successful you would have to leave Mississippi? If so, what made you stay?

Yes, I strongly believed that I would have to leave Mississippi in order to become successful. I always believed the opportunities here were limited and I would need to leave. Last year in 2015, I moved to Arizona and I realized two things. There are good and bad places no matter where you go, and if you are unhappy, you may want to re-evaluate your life beginning with yourself. I have moved several times, I have had multiple jobs and was unhappy with them all. The common denominator was me.

The more I started to work on myself the better things got around me. I also want to be on the side of change for Mississippi. Obviously, running away from Mississippi is not the answer and neither is sitting around waiting for a "One day" to come.

Someone must make a sacrifice to stay and do the work to make this a better place.

Who encouraged you to pursue your dreams?

Shannon Wilkins, Maximus Wright, Joanne Bell, and a long list of other supporters. Now that I think about it, I have had more people to support me than those who rejected me. God loves me so much that He has used random people to give me words of encouragement.

God has been known to heal people with the very thing they were broken by. Has this ever happened for you?

When I was younger, I was molested by two family members. After that experience, it seemed as if men were always touching me inappropriately, or I would run into men who I knew were only interested in sleeping with me. The first time a guy ever told me he loved me was during sex, so I began to equate love with sex. When you add the fact that my father was not present in my life growing up, all these experiences made it hard for me to trust men. God has now sent some very influential men in my life, men whose intentions are to help me and they really want to see me succeed. They are truly interested in me and not trying to sleep with me.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned?

The biggest lesson I have learned and I am still learning is that I am loved. Most of my life I believed the biggest lie. I believed nobody loved me and everybody was out to get me. I was looking for love, acceptance, and validation in a man, career, money, fame, etc. I don't have to keep looking outside of myself. Most people keep searching for love peace, and happiness outside of themselves. I'm learning that God loves me just the way I am. I am good enough.

What is your favorite movie to watch when you are having a bad day?

"Coming to America."

If you had a superpower what would it be?

I would love to fly.

When I get to heaven I want God to say...

"My child, I love you so much! Make yourself comfortable. We are going to party for a lifetime."

22 • WOMAN TO WOMAN WITH JOANNE MAGAZINE • May 2016

JUST FOR INSPIRATION

IDENTITY THEFT

(TRUE Identity) BY TERICA MCKENNIS

W

hat is identity theft? According to www.justice.gov, “the short answer is that identity theft is a crime. Identity theft and identity fraud are terms used to refer to all types of crimes in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person’s personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain.” I have come to learn that identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States, and experts tell us it could happen to anyone. If it does happen to you, it can be a frightening and overwhelming experience.

But there is a more damaging, far more dangerous form of identity theft I want to alert you to today, Spiritual Identity Theft. Spiritual Identity Theft occurs when someone tries to rob you of who you are in Christ. It is not always the devil who does this dirty deed, al-

though he loves to see it happen. Sometimes well-meaning people try to keep you from doing what you know God has called you to do because of their own fears. A parent may fear you getting hurt or a spouse may fear you failing.

Although they have good intentions, you have to choose to stay focused on what God has called you to do. Never accept the limitations others want to impose on your life.

THE OPINION OF MAN What’s keeping you from being who God has called you to be? Is it the opinions of others? Are you a people pleaser? Man will ALWAYS have an opinion about who THEY think you should be or what they think you should do. Be STRONG, Be COURAGEOUS. TAKE a BOLD stand and show others who you are in CHRIST! Choose to be EVERYTHING that God has called you

to be without guilt, shame or condemnation. Your true identity IS IN Christ and He longs to have a relationship with you.

GET UP, WAKE UP! God has called you to be strong, mighty, courageous, committed, and dedicated.

He has called you to WIN every battle that you’ve ever faced or will ever face in life. Seek ways to build your endurance. Quitting is not an option. God has called you to be HIS hands and feet, so I encourage you to GET UP! WAKE UP! GET IN POSITION QUICKLY! There are so many people waiting for you to be who God created you to be! God made you beautiful, you are His masterpiece.

You are UNIQUE. You are so SPECIAL. You are ONE OF A KIND. You are the APPLE of God’s eye and He loves you so very much. Live for HIM. Live with PURPOSE IN MIND. Love others and love hard.

About the Author: Tee Fitz AKA Fitnezzgirl lives in Yuba City, California with her husband King Willie McKennis and her training camp (Talitha, 11 and Willie, Jr., 9). She is a personal trainer both online and in person at FitnezzGirl. She is a Youth Pastor with her husband, and Executive Assistant at Church Alive. She can be reached at Tee Fitz via Facebook, @iamfitnezzgirl via Instagram and at www.fitnezzgirl.wordpress.com.

IMAGE BY BITS AND SPLITS/ADOBE STOCK

WOMAN TO WOMAN WITH JOANNE MAGAZINE • 23

24 • WOMAN TO WOMAN WITH JOANNE MAGAZINE • May 2016

BY TRACI MCLENDON

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eight loss is a common topic of conversation among friends and co-workers, and the top of most New Year’s resolution lists. However, Americans are the most obese and unhealthy in history and Mississippi is unfortunately at the top of the list. The leading causes of death in America are Heart disease, affecting 1 in 4 and cancer, affecting 1 in 3. It is common for us or someone we know to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, cancer, depression, auto-immune disease and or a neurological disease.

Has anyone noticed that over the last 20-30 years that more and more foods have become marketed based on convenience? Grocery store aisles are lined with choices of meals we literally can prepare in minutes. You can pop a tray of food in the microwave that is low-fat, low carb, low calorie and have a hot delicious meal in minutes? Or you can drive through any time of the day and have a quick meal on the go – after all, who has time to cook?

Both spouses in most households work to provide income to support the family, unless it is a single parent family. Sugar, fructose, and high fructose corn syrup and preservatives named words we cannot pronounce are being consumed at an all-time high. Meats and vegetables are produced in industrial settings that lend to high usage of antibiotics in the animals and pesticides for the vegetables. With all the choices available in the store, we may notice there is an organic alternative but who has the money for that? So we find ourselves just getting sicker, fatter, more sedentary and dissatisfied with life. And the sad prediction is that this current generation of children are predicted not to have a lifespan as long as their parents.

We seek answers in our medical community, which is over-burdened with an aging baby boomer population doubled up with a population of Americans facing the chronic illnesses that are rampant in our country. They have just a few minutes to spend with each patient, as there are waiting rooms and hospital beds full of sick patients waiting to be seen. Their

advice is to eat less, exercise more, eat sensible meals, drink water and get adequate rest. In fact, losing weight these days “should” be easy, as there are so many resources available. There are pharmacies and gyms on every corner and many are open 24 hours a day for your convenience. There are tons of alternatives to weight loss, literally every way to lose weight has a book, app, or social media page just to name a few. There are weight loss clinics, plans offered in many doctor’s offices, places you can have pre-prepared food to limit you to exactly what you should eat to lose weight, and even surgery that you can have that helps with weight loss.

So why as a society do we continue to find ourselves continuing to seek the answer? We seem to think that “if only” we could lose weight… THEN we would be healthy. But, what if we looked at this in a different way…

What if we have been looking at this all wrong, all along? What if we focused on getting healthy and then trusting our healthy body will reach its ideal weight? What if there was an EASY, overlooked answer?

What if the answer was as simple as what is on the end of our FORKS? What if losing weight truly did not have to be so difficult and you could solve these issues once and for all?

What finally turned the page on my quest for a healthy, easy enough to maintain weight was a simple 30 day plan that I agreed to try about 5 years ago. The plan was based on these simple principles, which up until that time I had personally never heard related to weight loss. I will list them here and then talk a little about why they are important for increasing health and well-being.

• Consume whole foods, with as few preservatives and processed as little as possible.

• Eliminate common allergenic foods such as soy, sugar, caffeine, dairy & gluten • Increase nutrient intake – when the body takes in good nutrition it can perform better and even heal itself!

• Balance blood sugar • Consume alkaline foods and avoid acidic foods to assist the body in having more of an

alkaline pH. • Support elimination organs – yep we are gonna talk about poop.

Whole foods, also referred to as “clean eating” are foods that as my friend Dr. Tanda Cook refers to as foods that can be picked from the ground, plucked from a tree, or shot.

And she says that we can shoot a pop-tart, and we probably should. Think of foods like our grandparents ate. These foods are best found from local producers or farmers market, but can be found at most grocery stores in the outside edges of the store, in the produce and meat sections. Yes, choosing organic does matter because you can avoid toxins from pesticides in organic vegetables. Key words to look for on labels when choosing meat is Grass Fed beef and Free Range chicken. We want to consume “happy” cows and chickens, not animals that are in stressed out environments because we will end up eating that stress hormone and it DOES make a difference. Happy animals taste better too. I don’t want to have all the animal rights activists after me, but hey humans have teeth like we do for chewing vegetables and for tearing meat. But make decisions that fit your beliefs and don’t judge.

And while we are on the subject of REAL food, when it comes to artificial sweeteners – just DON’T. There is not a single benefit to any color packet and drinking diet soda vs regular soda – neither one is a great choice.

Eliminating common allergenic foods means we don’t eat foods that are found to be bothersome for many people so that we can basically clear those out of our bodies just for a little while and see how we feel. Truth is, when we have eaten all these different foods for years we simply don’t know if we are bothered by them because we are consuming such a mixture of foods. Think of a bathtub that is overflowing. We find water spilling all over the floor – and what do we do? Grab a mop?

No! We turn the water off so we can stop the water from spilling out all over the floor, and continuing to cause damage.

Increasing nutrient intake is just what it says it is. Many times, when we eat processed foods

WOMAN TO WOMAN WITH JOANNE MAGAZINE • 25

we would be just as well to eat the package the food is sold in. Processed foods are made to sit on shelves for months and not spoil, so do we really think our bodies get a whole lot of value from that? The beauty of how our creator made our body is to maintain health, when we treat it like the miracle that it is and give it the good stuff it will be good to us! After all, we wouldn’t ever think of buying a million dollar race horse and giving it food from the dollar menu, would we? No! We would only give it the best! Our bodies need balanced diets consisting of protein, carbs and fat. For years we have been fooled into low carb and low fat diets are the way to the promised land, but I’m sorry to say it is not. So I am hereby giving you permission to EAT and eat until you are full. This is not a diet. You will learn how to tell when you are full, and when you need to eat and when you don’t. Consuming something every 3-4 hours is a great way to both get in the nutrition your body craves as well as accomplish the next topic which is balancing blood sugar.

Unfortunately, most people’s blood sugar is not properly balanced. If you’re getting too much glucose, it leads to high blood-sugar levels, which your body can’t break down and stores as fat. Ironically, not getting enough sugar can also lead to putting on extra pounds!

Eating too little glucose can lead to a low blood sugar level, causing your body to go into “starvation mode” where it burns your lean muscle instead of the fat – a double whammy to your system and your diet. Your blood sugar level is the amount of glucose from what you eat that’s circulating in your bloodstream to provide energy to cells immediately or be stored for future use. A well-balanced blood

sugar level is crucial to your overall fitness and well-being, regulating your hormones, triggering your body to burn stored fat, and increasing your metabolism to help you lose weight.

Consuming alkaline foods rather than acidic ones is easy to do when you follow the rule listed above for consuming nutrient rich foods. Foods that are alkaline forming are foods like leafy green vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, beans, seeds. When we consume foods that ADD health… well, we ADD health. Our bodies LOVE us for it and you will feel such a difference.

Supporting elimination organs is exactly what that means. We need to eliminate the toxins in our bodies so our bodies can work more efficiently. Think of the bathtub analogy mentioned a few paragraphs earlier. Once we turn off the water that is overflowing the tub, we need to CLEAR THE DRAIN. The drain in our bodies include our liver, kidneys, colon, lungs, skin – these are all pathways for our bodies to eliminate toxins and things our body doesn’t need anymore. Many people have anywhere from 10-20 pounds of waste in their colon. We should all have at least one bowel movement daily, preferably 2 or 3! If you find yourself ‘ahem’ irregular, then you will really love when you find yourself regular. Consuming foods rich in fiber are a great way to escort toxins from the body and help balance blood sugar – yes this all goes hand in hand! When waste sits in our colons instead of being eliminated from the body, cholesterol and other things we don’t need are re-absorbed back into the body. Now, let’s talk about our liver, which is the main detoxifying organ in our body. We carefully maintain the filters in our home and auto air conditioners as it would

be terribly expensive to have to replace an air conditioner. Much the same is true with our liver which is our main detoxifying organ. If our liver is overburdened, it cannot metabolize efficiently, causing our bodies to store toxins in fat stores and we will gain weight. Once we start to detoxify our bodies by helping it to work more efficiently we can start to eliminate these toxins stored in our fat cells and joints – say hello to decreased joint pain! – and start to truly live lives that are more robust and full of more energy.

While we are on the subject of what we put IN our body, let’s chat for a second about what we put ON our body. Our skin is our largest organ, and it is not just to hold us together.

We have all seen patches for medications, hormones, and nicotine cessation. Did you know what we put ON our skin can be in our internal organs in less than 30 seconds? So as we decrease the toxic burden from the foods we are eating we truly should consider what we are putting on our body and read the labels of those products, too. There is no need to use a product that has been formulated with petrolatum and preservatives as well as animal by product.

Hopefully this article gave you some great information you can use to increase your health and the health of your family. The good news is as more people find success with these tips it is much easier to find these items in most grocery stores.

I was compelled to share my story with others and chose to become a health coach about two years ago. I truly enjoy helping others transition to a healthier lifestyle and would be honored to help you get on the path to a healthier you!

About the Author: Traci McLendon is a former medical imaging professional who has become a health coach and entrepreneur. She can be reached by email at traci.mclendon@gmail.com

P. O. Box 1335, Ridgeland, MS 39158 woodmen.org

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To advertise with us in a future issue of our magazine, email woman2woman.joanne@yahoo.com or call 601-398-6733.

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26 • WOMAN TO WOMAN WITH JOANNE MAGAZINE • May 2016

THE

LIFE

I Like the Woman Who Was My Mother...

R

ecently I thanked my mom for being the woman that she is and has been in my life. She has been so patient, and understanding. She has been fair but very firm.

She has been there for me no matter what the circumstance and she’s made sacrifices for me, some I may not even know about. I’m sure there were many things she wanted to do or did not do because she was a mother, and I’m sure being a mother wasn’t always "convenient". I am so thankful that she had the discipline to manage all that comes with motherhood. Of course, growing up I thought her ultimate goal was to control me in every way! But now that

I am a mother, I understand all the things she said and did for me.

It made me think about the way I parent my daughters. Now more than ever, I realize the importance of being the same type of woman and mother for my girls. I want them to "like" the woman I am in their lives, as a mother, in society, in church, in our home and in the workplace. Thinking like this really places things in perspective. It’s not so difficult to sacrifice, at times, for the sake of my daughters developing into responsible, emotionally sound women. It’s not so difficult to sacrifice, at times, in order to ensure self-worth and positive self-esteem in my daugh-

BY ROIKENSHA CRAIG

ters. Sacrifice is easy for the sake of my daughters having an expected end.

One thing I know for sure. Being a mom does not mean you will always make the right decisions or that you will always know the right answer. As a matter of fact, most times you won’t!

But what it does mean is that you are constantly willing to grow, to be open to wisdom and advice and to sacrifice, when needed, in order to protect and cherish the lives that God has entrusted to you. So yes, I take this "mommy" business serious, and I am so glad that I like the woman who was also my Mother. Love you Mom! Until next time, Love yourself!

About the Author: Roikensha lives in Washington, DC with her husband, Keith, and her two daughters, McKenzie Brook (2 years) and Madison Grace (10 months). She is discovering her roles as a career mom and wife, as she is the Exeutive Director of YMCA Head Start in Central Maryland in Baltimore City. You can follow Roikensha on Twitter @TheMLife1, Instagram – themlife2015, and through her website – www.themlife.org.

WOMAN TO WOMAN WITH JOANNE MAGAZINE • 27