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Her Story
Lived experience, told in the first person.
TBT: Gems From Jasmine's Story - When we Don't Get the Reaction We Hoped
A couple of years ago, I attended a women's conference in Dayton, Ohio called the Tell Your Story Conference created by Chandi Rae. One of her speakers was a woman by the name of Jasmine Frazier. This was the first time she was telling her story publicly and I couldn’t believe what it must have been like to walk in her shoes as a child sexually abused by her stepfather.
TWSC Submission: Severe Trauma Triggered My Fibromyalgia
Growing up, I have experienced a tremendous amount of trauma, from physical, emotional and even sexual trauma. I come from a broken family. My parents divorced when I was young. During their marriage, there was constant fighting between them, and it got physical at times. Their divorce was inevitable, and so my mother, brother and I moved into a flat.
TBT: Gems From Erica's Story - 'Push Through Life, Don't be Pulled'
Three years ago, I interviewed a woman by the name of Erica Elita Edwards. At the time, she had just embarked on a new venture, her talk show What Matters with Erica Elita. I had met Erica at an empowerment workshop and from the little that she had shared about her story, I knew I wanted to interview her for an in-depth story on TWSC. So I reached out to her.
TWSC Submission: My Pain Turned Into Power
My name is Dzidzai Gugulethu Mhazo, a 30-year-old single mother. I got pregnant when I was in high school doing Upper Six. I had to sit for my examinations pregnant, and it was not easy. I had to deal with all the morning sickness and pregnancy symptoms so that no one could suspect me at school. I managed to complete all my examinations, and I passed with nine points.
TBT: Gems From Cynthia Kunze's Story - The Spectators at the Scene
I’ve been thinking lately of how there are often people around us who witness our pain. People who are drawn to the drama of our trauma not because they want to help, but because they are intrigued and our situation is entertaining to them to a degree.
TBT: Gems from Righteous Chawane's Story - There is Always a Silver Lining
I am a firm believer that our deepest heartache is often what leads to I Purpose. Righteous Chawane’s story, which we published in May 2020, is an example of Just that. Her marriage ended after just five months and the shame, rejection and embarrassment she felt took her to a dark place. People were cruel.
TBT: Gems from Cynthia Mapendere's Story - Be Bold Enough to Ask
A few years ago, we wrote a story about a woman whose life changed drastically when her father died. He was the breadwinner and Cynthia's family struggled to make ends meet after his death.
Zimbabwe OCD Trust Founder Shares Her Brave Battle Against Mental Illness
Angelica Chiketa Mkorongo is a biologist, now-turned mental health advocate and peer specialist. She is also a mother and wife. She spoke to The Weight She Carries about her journey living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
TBT: Gems from Sinikiwe's Story - You Always Have What You Need
A couple of years ago, I interviewed a woman with a determination like none other. Sinikiwe Kademaunga was born with no limbs and no knees but she resolved to enjoy life to the fullest no matter what. Sinikiwe is a motivational speaker with copious confidence, and as a life coach, helps people discover the same kind of confidence within themselves that she possesses.
TBT: Gems from Asha Molock's Story - Making Peace with Your Story
Two years ago I wrote a story on HIV/AIDS activist Asha Molock who contracted HIV at the age of 50. It was the last thing she expected to hear. People her age are often not considered at risk, so it was a shocking revelation. For years Asha kept her diagnosis a secret and it took a toll on her.
In-depth Story: Humanitarian & Widow’s Rights Advocate Dianah Kamande on the Night her Husband Tried to Kill Her
At 30, Dianah Kamande was in a hospital fighting for her life with massive head injuries sustained during a domestic altercation. She had just lost her husband to suicide. He had tried to kill her before stabbing himself in the abdomen. There was no time to process the events that had occurred that evening; she had two young daughters to raise and a long road ahead to clear her
TBT: Gems from Zipporah's Story - Trusting your Decisions as a Single Mother
Two years ago I interviewed a woman whose resilience and courage are truly remarkable. Zipporah Mwikali Ngwatu became a single mother the day her son was born. His father wanted nothing to do with him from the time he learned about Zipporah's pregnancy.