She Stories Feature Friday - Jennifer Guardado

APR 2023 | ISSUE NO.15

SHE STORIES

EXCLUSIVE!

About She Stories She Stories is a community of women that promotes self wellness, empowerment and the value of supporting each other. You have overcome tremendous obstacles.

Telling your story brings healing for you and others.

There is empowerment in every story. We are Real Women with Real Stories. What started out as a storytelling night has transformed into a sisterhood.

From gatherings to giving back, we inspire and affirm the every day woman that she is brave and beautiful..

Our Founder In 2017, I decided to carry on the tradition of testimony service and share this amazing gift of storytelling from my elders to my tribe. I provided a sacred space for women to share their challenges and victories so they can not only be empowered but through each story women would find a circle of support and empowerment. Her story matters and the world needs to hear it. Ehmandah Ramsey

She Stories has always been about women sharing their stories through storytelling.

(Yeah, that’s me with a box of tissue) We believe there’s healing that happens when we share our stories. We all have one!

By sharing our stories, we prove that it’s possible to shift change through another woman’s journey, struggles, and triumphs.

FEATURE FRIDAY We made it! It’s FRIDAY!!! And you already know we’re bringing you a new Feature today. She’s a boss and a beauty and has made it her mission to help women discover who they were purposed to be.

MEET JENNIFER GUARDADO!!!

Elevating women of all ages is powerful.

Compassion and love speaks volumes.

And when they’re combined among a community of bosses, we ALL thrive!

XO,

Leilani

She shares with us the painful past she had to survive to birth the desire behind her passion, helping women find their voice and calling. Jennifer has survived a teen mother, an abusive relationship, repeated loss, and one closed door after the next, but she remembers the strength her Grandmother passed along to her to be proud of her culture and to own who she is.

This laid the foundation for Jennifer to change lives everywhere and to pass that strength on to the next woman.

FEATURE FRIDAY

JENNIFER GUARDADO

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I enjoy reading the Feature Friday submissions I get because I’m able to peek inside someone else’s life and learn some of the trials they’ve survived, but I love to hear how courage and strength prevail and how something much greater came out of the mess. This week’s feature doesn’t disappoint at all.

She’s a Southern California native and the eldest of 5 siblings. Her mother was a teen mom and her father was absent so her Grandmother instilled hard work and core values, teaching her that the details are important, no matter how small they are. She was also raised to be proud of her culture as a Mexican American. Despite her mother having her at a young age and not having a college degree, she watched her mother climb the corporate ladder with her strong leadership and management skills. She remembers watching her mother and thinking “Whatever I do in the future, I want to do it like her.” Needless to say, Jennifer was equipped with those same leadership skills and a strong desire to create a space for women.

Even though she had everything she needed financially, her childhood lacked a solid family structure with both a mother and father in the home. As Jennifer got older, she and her mother didn’t get along so she

“And I remember sitting in a cell asking myself "What is wrong with you? Why can’t you leave this?"” left home at 18 years old. This left Jennifer feeling confused and angry and all she wanted was to be loved and affirmed. A year later, she discovered that her biological father was shot by her mother in a tragic accident. And that same year, she found herself pregnant and in an abusive and toxic relationship. “With no support, no desire to be a mother, and fear gripping me, I chose abortion.” She vowed to never speak about it and to not let the abortion affect her.

Things continued to spiral out of control in her relationship and she was jailed numerous times for domestic abuse. “And I remember sitting in a cell asking myself “What is wrong with you? Why can’t you leave this?” But in 2011, she lost everything, her relationship ended, and she lost friends, her job, and her car. She was at the end of her rope. “I could no longer hide behind a false image and I was so afraid to face myself in singleness. She admitted that being in a relationship, as toxic as it was, allowed her to be distracted from the self-care she desperately needed.

At 24, Jennifer knew she needed to discover exactly who she was and to heal so she gave her life over to God. She couldn’t manage the guilt she had suppressed for so long and the healing that her breakthrough would require demanded her full participation. And since 2013, she’s allowed God to use her to heal other women. She speaks locally at schools and retreats as well as internationally through social media sharing her experiences through love and hope.

Jennifer acknowledges her trials prepared her for the journey of affirming women. “My past pain has created a platform for me to help other women and it has made everything that I have been through worth it.” Once she was able to put her ego, pride, and fear to the side, she was truly able to carry out her heart’s work and reach the women she needed to reach. The love and affirmation she was once looking for were found within herself, and once she discovered that, the possibilities were endless.

Today, Jennifer heads up Woman Affirmed, which is a community of women that come together to grow, heal, and affirm their worth in the people around them. She has also served her church through mission work in Uganda, Mexico, and Thailand and will be going to Cambodia in June!

She’s discovered that the person she’s become is the exact person she needed when she was younger.

Her hard work and dedication have been rewarded through the success and growth of the women around her. Jennifer has been able to empower young girls and women everywhere to discover their purpose and find their voice. She’s out here doing God’s work and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.

We want to give Jennifer her flowers today and let her know that we stand with her and the work she’s doing for others.

We love you, girl!

“SHOW ME WHAT YOU’VE MADE IT OUT OF AND I’LL SHOW YOU WHERE YOUR ANOINTING LIES.”

— JENNIFER GUARDADO

You can check out Woman Affirmed on IG: @woman.affirmed Jennifer is doing a Summer Singles fellowship and book study based off the book "Singled Out in a Couple’s World" by Christa Smith. She’ll have details soon, but the book can be found on Amazon: HERE!

If you or someone you know would like to be a feature, let us know!

Her Shine MY FAVORITE SONG:

“NothingElse” by Cody Carnes HOW I CULTIVATE SISTERHOOD:

“By being there for a sister in need.”

MY LEGACY:

“The younger generation that I get to impact including my little sister.

Hoping that they would glean from the wisdom I pour out.“ MY INSPO:

“The women of the Bible who radically broke gender norms of that time and changed the world.”

I AM…

The importance of positive self talk Positive affirmations are a powerful tool to help individuals break out of negative thinking patterns and improve their overall well-being. These simple, yet effective statements can help individuals shift their mindset and focus on positive thoughts and feelings.

By repeating positive affirmations regularly, individuals can retrain their brains to focus on the good in their lives and develop a more positive outlook. This can have a profound impact on their mental and emotional health, as well as their relationships and overall quality of life.

Some examples of positive affirmations include "I am worthy and deserving of love and happiness," "I am capable of achieving my goals and dreams," and "I am strong and resilient."

When using positive affirmations, it's important to choose statements that resonate with you personally and to repeat

them consistently. This can be done through daily affirmations, writing them down, or even creating visual reminders such as posters or sticky notes.

It's also important to note that positive affirmations are not meant to replace professional help for mental health issues. However, they can be a helpful tool in conjunction with therapy or other forms of treatment.

In short, incorporating positive affirmations into your daily routine can help break negativity and improve your overall well-being. By focusing on the good in your life and embracing a positive mindset, you can create a happier, more fulfilling life for yourself.

As women, we hold power in our words and beliefs. Women are strong and resilient, capable of achieving anything they set their minds to. We have faced countless challenges throughout history and have always risen above them. We are intelligent and capable leaders, making significant contributions to all areas of society, including science, politics, and the arts. We are worthy of respect and equality, deserving of the same rights and opportunities as men. We have the right to make decisions about their own bodies and lives. We are beautiful in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and our uniqueness should be celebrated and embraced. And finally, we have the power to inspire and uplift those around us, creating positive change in the world. We are deserving of love, support, and recognition for their contributions to society.

So next time you’re in front of the mirror, tell yourself “I AM…. “

— Leilani

Ehmandah Ramsey, founder of She Stories, Chante Jones - Coordinator of The Period Party, Anika Grover and Elisabeth Gilmore PHOP Western University

She Stories and the students of Western University of Health Sciences, is making a difference in the lives of homeless individuals by collecting menstrual products and creating period packs. Individuals experiencing homeless or low-income disparity often lack access to basic necessities such as menstrual products, which can have a significant impact on their daily lives. The period packs contain essential items such as tampons, pads, and wipes, ensuring that those in need have access to these products. This initiative by She Stories Inc. is an inspiring example of how the power of partnering with organizations using their resources and knowledge can make a positive impact on their community. By providing menstrual products, we are helping to alleviate the burden faced by individuals and enhancing the dignity of women in need.

Join our fight against period poverty.

Host a Period Party with us to help serve homeless individuals and make a positive impact in your community.

Contact Chante: hello@shestories.co

No one should have to choose between tampons or food

OUR SISTER ORG Transitional Living for Women and Children

Home Together We Are One home provides a safe, tranquil, structured sober living sisterhood atmosphere for the women and children to thrive.

We serve women that have become displaced or who are facing homelessness due to unfortunate circumstances such as divorce, health problems, loss of employment, addiction recovery, abandonment and other unexpected life circumstances.

Together we are providing a safe space for women to go from surfing to thriving.

If you and your child are in transition and in need, contact TWAO.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE. YOUR MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS MORE THAN EVER. IF YOU NEED CARE, PLEASE GET SUPPORT.

NAMI | National Alliance of Mental Illness Call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-6264 M-F, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., ET Or in a crisis, text "NAMI" to 741741 for 24/7, confidential, free crisis counseling. https://www.nami.org/Home If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States.

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline The Lifeline is available for everyone, is free, and confidential.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Text 988 CHAT WITH LIFELINE Línea de Prevención del Suicidio y Crisis 1-888-628-9454 National Domestic Violence Hotline 24/7 Call 800-799-7233 Text “START” to 88788 www.thehotline.org 211 | Essential Community Services Call 211 211 connects you to expert, caring help. Every call is completely confidential.

BE A FEATURE

Hey Sis! We have some news!!!!

She Stories is proud to announce the launch of new chapters: Inglewood, CA and Phoenix, AZ! We are dedicated to empowering women from all walks of life to share their stories and inspire a generation.

Join us in celebrating the diverse experiences and unique perspectives of women everywhere. Let's uplift and amplify women's voices together. Stay tuned for more updates on our exciting new chapters!

Find Your Community She Stories Claremont led by Ehmandah Ramsey She Stories Inglewood led by Rashunda Rene She Stories Phoenix led by Lei Bowers

BE A FEATURE

We absolutely love sharing the stories of everyday women just like you! Every woman has a story to tell!

In our community, we share our stories to uplift, inspire and empower women. Stories can be shared one on one, through social media and even through creativity.

Girl, we want you to know there’s healing power in sharing your story. Sometimes you may feel that there’s things only you could’ve experienced, until you hear someone else with a similar experience. You are not alone. Together we overcome.

Would you like to be a feature? Or do you know a woman who’d like to share her story at a live event?

Let us know! Let's change the world together one story at a time. It’s pretty empowering!

Email: hello@shestories.co www.shestories.co