She Stories Feature Friday - Salina Moreno

FEB 2023 | ISSUE NO. 08

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.

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

In this issue

FEATURE FRIDAY This week’s feature is another special delivery from She Stories’ own tribe. Today, it’s my pleasure to bring to you Salina Moreno!

She’s a Southern Cali native who has all the spice and all the flavor you can package in a human body.

She’s absolutely beautiful and if you ever get the chance to meet her or see her speak, she’s HILARIOUS!!!

Salina lets us in to what it was like growing up with one eye and how that lead to a huge following on TikTok where others look to her for inspiration and a good laugh.

She knew her light wasn’t meant to be dimmed.

And we’re thankful to share her story! #tribestrong

FEATURE FRIDAY

SALINA MORENO

Feature Fridays aren’t just about highlighting a beautiful woman who’s crushing her . career goals. They’re also about women who have used their struggles to change the momentum in their lives and the lives around them. They’re committed to empowering the next generation. They’ve seen dark days and have hoped for brighter tomorrows, but continue to show up every single day. This week, we bring you, Salina Moreno!

I had the pleasure of meeting Salina through a church event years ago and we would later work together with She Stories, but it’s her humor that had me from the beginning.

If you’ve happened to catch her on TikTok or IG, her reels are funny and relatable. She’s a boy mom, a photographer, a preacher’s kid, and did I mention her sense of humor?

However, when Salina was a baby, she lost her eye to cancer. Like many young girls struggling to identify their beauty, she felt unworthy of acceptance and insecure in

“I always told myself there was no room for someone like me in the entertainment world.” her skin. She always wanted to be an actress, but struggled with the idea that there was any space for “a girl with one eye.” For years, she wore her hair over her eye to hide the imperfection that would later catapult her to a platform where she no longer had to hide.

It was right before her 30th birthday when Salina had a “wake up” moment. She had been laid off from her job, given a 30-day notice to move out, and ended a 10-year toxic relationship. “I felt like I lost it all.” She knew she was ready for a change, but also knew this was going to require work on her part. The baggage had become too heavy.

Salina pulled her hair up out of her face and was finally ready for the world to see her authentic self. She was ready to love herself fully and embrace what she once tried to hide. Soon, she started sharing her story on her social media and TikTok loves her! She’s gone viral with her skits which are a perfect combination of humor and healthy inspiration.

Her following has continued to grow and with over 326k followers, she gets flooded with messages from people letting her know that their life has changed because she told her story. Before long, Salina realized that so many other people are struggling with the same things she was.

Women were sharing their struggles and insecurities with her in hopes that she could inspire confidence to seek out their beauty. She put a funny spin on things that we often find hard to smile at. She’s out here changing lives, and raising one at the same time!

People were drawn to her confidence and her willingness to be transparent helped her break into public speaking. “I still get nervous, I still stutter, my voice still rattles but I always say yes!” This is how Salina gives back to her community. She knows there’s a woman out there struggling with her confidence who needs to know “they are beautiful, they are not alone and that there is beauty in their imperfections.”

Ironically, a woman with one eye has such an amazing eye for photography. She’s able to capture the beauty in everything around her.

She speaks to women who have felt unloved, unheard, and unwanted. Salina shows them that there’s beauty in the things we find unpretty. She empowers the younger women in her life to know that they are enough and that even on your darkest days, you still have a light that can’t be dimmed.

We love you, Salina!

”I LEARNED THAT WHEN YOU LEARN TO EMBRACE YOURSELF, SO WILL THE REST OF THE WORLD.”

@EYE_AM_SAL_OFFICIAL

You can check Salina's out on IG: @eye_am_sal_official Learn more about Cancer Awareness, you can check out the American Cancer Society: HERE! If you or someone you know would like to be a feature, let us know!

Her Shine MY FAVORITE SONG:

”Beautiful” by Micah Tyler HOW I CULTIVATE SISTERHOOD:

“Treating women as an ally and not a rival.”

MY LEGACY:

“Being an example of what it is to live as your authentic self.”

MY INSPO:

“Women that are doing the damn thing!”

Learning to Embrace You

"You're free to be different."

-Avery Davis Women have come a long way in terms of equality, but there is still a lot of pressure on us to conform to societal expectations. It can be difficult to fully embrace who we are in a world that constantly tells us we need to be thinner, smarter, and more successful. However, learning to embrace who you are is one of the most important steps you can take towards happiness and fulfillment.

Here are some tips on how to embrace who you are as a woman: Recognize your strengths: We all have our own unique strengths and talents. Take the time to reflect on what you're good at and what you enjoy doing. Whether it's playing an instrument, cooking, or writing, these strengths make you who you are.

Accept your weaknesses: Just as we have strengths, we also have weaknesses.

Recognize that it's okay to have flaws and that they do not define you as a person.

Instead, see them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

Practice self-love: Learn to love and accept yourself just the way you are. Treat yourself with kindness and compassion, and remind yourself that you are worthy of love and respect.

Surround yourself with positive people: The people you surround yourself with can greatly influence your self-perception. Surround yourself with positive people who uplift and support you.

Practice self-care: Taking care of your body and mind is important for your overall wellbeing. Make time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation, such as yoga, meditation, or spending time with loved ones.

Embrace your unique qualities: Instead of trying to fit into a certain mold, embrace your unique qualities and what makes you different. Your individuality is what makes you special.

Don't compare yourself to others: Comparing yourself to others is a recipe for unhappiness. Instead, focus on your own journey and celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem.

Learning to embrace who you are as a woman is a journey that takes time and effort.

It's not always easy, but it's worth it. Remember to love and accept yourself, surround yourself with positive people, and celebrate your unique qualities. You are worthy of love and respect just the way you are.

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

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: team@shestories.co www.shestories.co