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APRIL 2021 • VOL . 1 • ISSUE 4

FreedomSisters •AMPLIFY WOMEN VETERANS•

•MAGAZINE•

MEET

Brigette McCoy Renew, Recharge and Restore: Using the Three R’s as a Positive Response to Trauma.

Shut the Mouths of lions. Mission First MotHERhood Always!

SERVICE WOMEN ACTION NETWORK LEADS FROM THE FRONT!

FreedomSisters Magazine

April 2021 | Vol. 1 | Issue 4 Publisher Freedom Sisters Media, LLC

EditHER-in-Chief Managing EditHER Contributing WritHERs HER Life MentHERship HERstory FoundHER LeadHER HER Next Mission Woman Warrior HighlightHER SHEro Activation Cover Artist

Click to Subscribe Letters to the Editor Marketing Opportunities

Kerri Jeter E.V. Moore

inside Magazine or App editHERs@freedomsisters.com info@freedomsisters.com

Copyright | 2020-2021 | Freedom Sisters Media LLC Freedom Sisters Media respects the rights of all writeHERs, Photographers, Artists, and copyright holders. Consequently, all works that appear on this platform do so with the consent of the writeHER/s or the copyright holder. No image or information display on this site may be reproduced, transmitted, or copied without the express written permission of Freedom Sisters Media. Contravention is an infringement of the Copyright Act and its amendments and may be subject to legal action. FreedomSisters, MentHERship, EditHER, SuperSHEro, highlightHER, WriteHER, FoundHER, LeadHER are trademarks of Kerri jeter.

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q fp q This image was a studio shot of my work table. Nothing fancy. But... it speaks volumes about healing, I think. The cardboard is rough jagged, a pretty layer of paint hides its simple beginnings & purpose. “Brave” has been a theme in my world since January when a few folks jumped into a video challenge with me. We talked about ‘being brave’ in being authentically honest on camera. It was beautiful to watch unfold. I was also told I was being brave to continue the daily video challenge despite my mom’s unexpected death one week into the 21-day challenge. Traumatic. Continued to record every day. Painful but necessary. I refused to let others down. Or to hide my pain. Hi, I’m Robin! Soooo.... for those reasons—I’d choose this image to

..... a Navy Veteran, career educator turned small biz

represent trauma and beyond... saying so much in

owner helping fellow educators, aspiring small biz own-

its simplicity.

ers, women ready for change (and even a few kiddos!) – find clarity, develop skills, and make plans – big or

There is beauty, despite the jagged edges.

small – toward the life you’re meant to live.... even

Thank you, again.

if the plan is simply to make time to enjoy life creatively! After 27 years in classrooms, I’ve pivoted my love of learning and teaching to an online space designed to inspire, inform, and empower ~ by teaching “how to” creatively. robinlkstudios.com

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Join us for this Free Compelling event

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LeadHER

SWAN LEADS FROM THE FRONT by E.V. Moore

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The Great Beyond 72 FreedomSisters

by Andrea Rathbun

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Brave and beautiful

SurviveHER by Dana Richmond

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Hi, my name is Dana, and I am a recovering hypocrite.

For me, some things were so traumatic that it took me over 10 years to even tell a single person about what happened, while other things I was able to share honestly and openly. Some of the challenges I face are nightmares, trust issues and anxiety. While

Harsh words for a harsh reality I realized several

I could feel the residual pain from certain experienc-

years ago. Before anyone reaches for their pitch-

es, I was largely unaware of how others were impact-

forks, nothing I did was illegal, immoral, or unethical.

ing my life, career and marriage.

I continued to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies both foreign

As a result of my experiences, I have assisted many

and domestic. I embodied the words of the Soldier

subordinates navigate hardships like death of fam-

and NCO creeds. I definitely placed the mission first.

ily members/children, sexual assault, sexual harassment,, equal opportunity, marriage, parenting,

So where did I go wrong? Read on to find out.

domestic violence, health problems, citizenship, financial troubles—all the things that a good leader

Today my world is pretty wonderful, but life has

should do to help.. I protected their privacy and en-

not always been kind. Like many women who serve

sured that they were able to seek professional help

I have experienced the normal hills and valleys of

from qualified providers. I desired nothing more

military service but in my personal life I have expe-

than for them to be fully restored and to move on

rienced assault, been in an abusive relationship,

with their lives or careers.

weatherd the storms of divorce, had people close to me commit suicide, in addition, I survived a murder

The successes, triumphs, and happiness of others

attempt as well—all left deep scars and festering

warm my soul to no end but in the shadows of that

wounds.

joy lies the problem. The hypocrisy.

The lingering impacts from trauma can manifest in many ways and will be different for each person.

I was demanding and fighting for a better quality of life for others that I never pursued myself. FreedomSisters 85

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Shut the Mouths Of Lions: A modern Day Miracle. by Kerri Jeter

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Back in July 2020, I was asked to host a prayer ses-

Pan and I could not make it to Quantico for the hear-

sion for the family of Cpl. The Ohu—the young Ma-

ing, so we decided to gather togetHER on Instagram

rine who has been locked up in the brig after years

Live and pray, we started our prayer session the

of retaliation, but has not lost her most precious

same time the court hearing had just begun.

gift—her faith. Saying yes to that prayer session has given me a front line fighting position on the battle-

When I woke up that morning, I felt the Holy Spirit's

field against the abuse of power many face in the

impression on my heart, that

military. Pan Pyhu, Ohu’s sister and I have become close and have continued to pray together and host many sessions where other prayer warriors show up for spiritual warfare. We have seen miracles in the midst of military court martials and divine protection while she is locked away in her prison cell.

God had shut the mouths of lions before, He would do it again. I went into my studio, turned on my camera and

To date, the Marine Corps has failed to proper-

lights—I knew God had already answered our

ly investigate Ohu’s rape, harrassed her for being

prayers before we even began.

raped, ridiculed her for seeking mental health help, gossiped about her diagnosis, punished her with re-

You may not be familiar with the story of Daniel from

duction of rank, denied her transfer to the Wounded

the Bible, so you may not know the lion reference.

Warrior Battalion, rejected the medical board recom-

Here is a quick synopsis of the story of Daniel.

mendation to medically discharge her, imprisoned her with exaggerated charges, threw her in solitary

Daniel was an Isrealite in captivity, he prayed three

confinement, decline to take her to medical appoint-

times a day to the living God. His enemies wanted

ments and attempted to silence her with a gag order

him…dead. So they contrived a way to discredit him

back in January.

and at the same time get rid of him. A decree was given to worship only the king of Babylon for 30 days.

In spite of all this toxicity, miracles have revealed

Of course Daniel did not do that.

themselves along the way—Ohu is still standing, fighting and still has her faith. On January 25, 2020

He was “caught” praying to the Lord God and taken

the day of the Gag Order Court Hearing we wit-

before the king. King Darius was greatly saddened

nessed a miracle.

because he thought highly of this valuable man.

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There was no way out; Daniel was thrown into the

Just like the lion's mouths didn’t open to eat Daniel,

pit with the lions. The king fasted and stayed awake

the mouths of the prosecution were shut as well with

all night with the belief that Daniel’s God would keep

the denial of the gag order.

him safe. Take it to heart.

“Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.” (Daniel 6:16) At dawn the king went hurriedly to the lions’ den. When he called out to Daniel, Daniel answered! Daniel tells the king that God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed him,

By faith–this same living God will protect you in His way, His timing and for His purposes.

Psalm 31:23-24 “Love the Lord, all His saints! The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full.

because he was found innocent before Him; Daniel

Be strong and take heart,

had committed no crimes.

all you who hope in the Lord.”

Daniel was brought out of the lions’ den and those responsible for Daniel’s sentence were thrown into the den. The parallels between Daniel and Ohu are striking and yet

God will protect His loved ones from the harm of the enemy. We continue to stand in that belief.

 ARTIST JULIE TU

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Freedom Sisters Magazine | Beyond Trauma | April 2021