Thursday, May 17, 2012 • THE LEADER • A11
www.covingtonleader.com
Perpetual, Empowering, Beautiful 204 Hwy. 51, South Suite B Covington Office (901) 476-2121 www.Century21propertyplace.com
By SHERRI ONORATI sonorati@covingtonleader. com Monica Baker is more than just a businesswoman; she has become a beacon of hope for many women. When she opened her upscale women’s consignment clothing store, Emmy Couture, two years ago, she had no idea she would end up opening a women’s ministry as well. Almost on a daily basis, Baker says that women who are hurting and seemingly lost, find their way into her store where they find a kind heart and a wonderful listener. “I’ve had women who have come in who have been abused by their husbands or boyfriends and they have never been in the store, but they stay and tell me their story,” said the Burlison resident. “I had one lady who came in about six months ago. She’d never been in before and her husband had beaten her the night before. She told me she had been walking by and just felt like she needed to come in here. She sat and she cried and I prayed with her. You could tell listening to her that she felt worthless and her self-esteem was zero but she felt safe enough to come inside and talk.” Baker said she believes at that moment, God was telling her it was time to do something to help these women. “I have felt led in the past couple of years to do something because of the women and young girls who have needed a friend when they come in,” she said. “They need a boost in life and I felt at that moment, God was telling me, ‘Okay Monica, you need to quit thinking about it and start doing it.’” She recently established a network ministry for women, known as the P.E.B. Girls; which stands for Perpetual, Empowering, Beautiful Girls. The group is opened to young girls and women, ages 9 to 99. “I have felt a desperate need to let women know they are beautiful. It does not matter what size you are or what race you are,” Baker said. “I have heard countless women talk loneliness, abuse, weight issues, low self-esteem and worthlessness. It’s heartbreaking and I’m not a counselor, but I can be a friend!” Baker is hosting the P.E.B. Girls’ first event on Saturday, May 19 at CIAA, 760 Bert Johnson Ave., from 5 to 9 p.m. The free event will be a night of pampering just for the ladies. Baker has lined up manicurists, pedicurists, hair stylists and masseuses as a treat for guests. There will also be a fashion show and motivational speakers. Re-
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"One of the best investments that I have ever made was
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two They
have seen laughter, tears and lots of prayers.” community members who feel like I do and who want to help other women,” said Baker. “We’ll have a guest speaker who will talk from a man’s perspective on what true beauty is.” Baker said she has been blessed to have the support of her fellow business owners on the square but there is still more that can be done. “We can use more manicurists and pedicurists,” she said. “And I would love to have masseuses who are willing to work on the neck and upper shoulders, because that’s where most people hold their stress. We also need
volunteers and we could also use additional older women who are willing to be a part of the fashion show. I feel there are so many girls who go around scantily dressed and with words on their bottoms, like “bootylicious,” who don’t realize when they dress that way, their true beauty is lost because of the outward appearance that people see first. I know they are beautiful inside and out and I just want to show them that they can still be beautiful dressed a different way.” Baker said she is expecting a fun and exciting night and has had commitments from youth groups from Shelby County as well. “A lot of people have stepped up to help and I couldn’t do this without their assistance. I have been blessed to have the help of so many. One of the greatest compliments I’ve ever received is this is more than just a store; it is a ministry for women. It’s become more than what I thought it could ever be. People come in as strangers and they leave as friends. One of the best investments that I have ever made was these two chairs I bought at a yard sale for $1 each. I’ve had women who have come in and sit who just need to talk. They have seen laughter, tears and lots of prayers.”
Community members interested in helping to make the first annual P.E.B. event a success, can contact Monica Baker at (901) 356-6878 or stop by Emmy Couture, Tuesday thru Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Monica Baker, owner of Emmy Coulture, has started a ministry to empower women.
freshments will be served during the four-hour event and hourly giveaways will be awarded. “I have been blessed to have commitments from
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