Summer 2016 Issue

VOLUME 2- ISSUE 3

CEO YWCA Dayton

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Eliminating Racism Empowering Women

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ASPIRE CHURCH 51 Best St. Dayton, Ohio 45405

Saturday July 23, 2016 1pm

Admission: $10 Donate to Artemis Center & YWCA Dayton AND shop with local vendors!!! *Also, accepting New & Gently Used clothes* *Portion of proceeds will go to Artemis Center & YWCA Dayton* Interested in sponsoring, donating, &/or vending?

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Editor’s Note (10) Non-Profit Spotlight (11)

Domestic Violence Hotline (18) Woman To Watch

(19)

Summer Saving Tips (25) Letter to HER

(26)

Victory Over Frustration (32) Get to know

Judy Strnad (34) Get to know

Shannon Isom (35) Summer Gardening Tips (38)

Speak Woman was created with a simple mission; to uplift & spotlight the positivity in EVERY woman! We strive to be a vessel of information for our readers.

Although SWM strives to publish correct and accurate information, we do not accept liability for any inaccuracies. The views expressed in published articles are that of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of SWM. Actions based on information in SWM are at your own risk.

Reproduction of any part of this publication without prior written consent is prohibited.

Trademark Property of Speak Woman Magazine, LLC Founder/Editor-At-Large La’Shanda Campbell Publisher Speak Woman Magazine, LLC Speak Woman welcomes submissions.

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EDITOR'S NOTE

SWM is committed to being a vessel of information while promoting positivity! We strive to provide readers with resources needed to overcome any obstacle.

With this in mind we have launched our Overcoming Domestic Violence Campaign which includes events that benefit organizations that assist those touched by Domestic Violence as well as featuring the stories of those who have OVERCOME Domestic Violence in our digital issue as wel as on our website.

We understand that those touched need ongoing support, so we encourage you to support organizations that offer assistance.

Enjoy this issue and continue to spread the word about this #PositiveMovement!!!

If you have a story that you would like to share we welcome you to do so by emailing us @ speakwomanmagazine@yahoo.com.

Thank you for your continued support & well wishes Be Blessed, La’Shanda Campbell, Founder/Editor-At-Large SWM

Founder, Angels With Wings

Non-Profit

Spotlight

Angela Harris of Dayton, Ohio is a proud daughter (Rufus/Cynthia Harris) and mother of three; twin boys Jalen, Jaden, and daughter Jalah. Angela attends Abundant Life Missionary Baptist Church (Pastor Gregory Pooler) in Dayton, Ohio. Angela is a graduate of Patterson Cooperative High School.

She went on to obtain her bachelors in Psychology from Ashford University.

In 2015 Angela started the Non-Profit Organization called Angels with Wings; a mentoring program dedicated to building the self- esteem of young ladies and single mothers.

When asked why she started Angels With Wings Angela responded “It has been my vision and truly my purpose in life is to help the future of our young girls and mothers. My mission is to help others realize their purpose in life�.

Angela has also partnered with local organizations including New Beginnings For You (Mrs. Sheri Alridge) and YWCA Dayton.

Angels With Wings Soaring To Fly High

What are three things most people don’t know about you?

I sing in the choir, have my own local talk show Live with Angela, and I am in a play ‘Mama knows a lot but Grandma knows Everything’.

What gets you through rough times?

My favorite scriptures : 1. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phillipians 4:13).

2. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33).

What is your favorite quote?

Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option.

(Maya Angelou) Any last thoughts?

I am truly thankful for this opportunity.

In addition to Angels with Wings, Angela teaches at Richard Allen Academy in Dayton, Ohio.

When asked about her classroom Angela responded “I teach them to love themselves and expect nothing less than the best�!

Domestic Violence (also called family violence or interpersonal violence) is a

pattern of behavior used by one person in a relationship to control the other. The violence can happen all the time or only once in a while. Partners may be married or not, heterosexual, gay or lesbian; living together, separated or dating.

It crosses the boundaries of age, socio-economic status, religion, race, ethnicity and nationality.

Need Help?

24 hour Domestic Violence Hotline (937) 222-SAFE (7233) National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799- SAFE (7233) Subscribe to view

*Letter To HER* (stories of Domestic Violence OVERCOMERS)

Woman To Watch

CEO, Sweet Rain Desserts

What made you become an entrepreneur?

I lost a job due to an ill child. I was frustrated because I worked hard for this company for 5 years and in an instant I was jobless. I started educating myself on how to become self-sufficient so I would never be in that position again. I was able to sustain my family of four on only $70 a month. Then God told me how to create my own eutopia.

Sweet Rain Desserts

To order call (937) 867-6042

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IN

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Bobette Baber Everyone is looking for a way to save money…

Here are a few tips to do just that!!!

Fuel Rewards Kroger has begun 2X’s fuel rewards when you shop over the weekend.

You can earn up to %0.10 or more OFF a gallon!

Metro Parks Thinking about going to the park this Summer? Who doesn’t like free?

Pack a lunch, some chairs &/or blankets, and the family and spend the day at a park near you…

Public Library Free. Free. Free. Sign up today at your local branch and take advantage of reading all Summer long! *Instead of going to the movies or renting from Redbox- check one out for free!*

If you have any other great ideas, share them with a friend!

Letter To HER Intimate letter to self, family, or friend while you were going through tough times.

Letter speaks on importance of staying strong & lessons will be learned!

Interested in sharing your Letter?

Email speakwomanmagazine@yahoo.com

Letter to HER

Hey girl,

I’ve been waiting for the right moment to share this with you because I was afraid of how you would react… You know last month when I asked you about that bruise on your face and you said you “bumped into the door” and I said oh okay and we went on with our dinner as if we both didn’t know that there was something more to the story? Well, I should have called you on it then and not waited until now when I am standing in your hospital room staring into a face that I hardly recognize, struggling to keep the tears from falling while hoping against hope that I have time to try to make things right. Maybe if I had spoken to you earlier, you would have heard me, then again, maybe not but at least I would know that I tried. You see, I remember telling those same lies myself. I remember hiding the bruises with makeup and hoping everyone would believe the lies I told. And so now, when I see you repeating the same pattern, I realized I had the chance to help you and all I could do was think about me. That I didn’t want to relive my pain, my scars, not realizing that perhaps my story might be what you needed to set you free from your bondage. But no, like so many others who see, but choose to say nothing for whatever reason. I continued to pretend I didn’t know what was going on. Maybe I was scared, maybe I didn’t want to get involved, or maybe I couldn’t bear the probing questions that would surely result about my own past. Because knowing you the way I do, you would not allow me to continue questioning you without asking how I could talk to you about things I didn’t know about and I would have to tell you about my own broken past. Oh I know, I was right there with you in the beginning, congratulating you on your new love. I was so happy for you when you described him to me. You were so in love with him, although it seemed to be way too soon. Having gone through this before myself, I should have been aware and recognized the warning signs. Your infrequent phone calls, visits, and texts 27

should have been my clue that something was wrong. Again, maybe I really didn’t want to know. Maybe I thought if I didn’t say anything, the problem would go away. The silence of what was really going on was deafening, yet I refused to speak up for you. But now, watching you lying there, bandages everywhere, and bruises covering so much of your face and body I write these words with the hope that you will read them before it is too late. That you will receive them with all the love that is intended. That you will see the worth that you saw in yourself before you allowed him to take it away. I pray you will seek the help you deserve to get past this mental pain. But what I cannot accept is to read this letter at your funeral; because if we are both honest, we know that may be the next step. So I beg you, girl, please let us help you. We will not judge, for most of us have been there before. We will not ask you why it took so long for you to leave, or why you continued to stay. Those questions are not important and will not help you reach the goal of empowerment.

What I do hope is that you remember that God loves you with an “everlasting love” (Jer 31:3b). That He too, will not judge, but wants you to “live as people who are free” (I Peter 2:16a). That once you see yourself as He sees you that you will understand “and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32). Free to live the life that brings you happiness and not bondage. That you will continue going to school without the constant accusations of cheating. That you can move about freely without fear that you will see his car he is around every corner waiting to ask endless questions about your whereabouts. I hope you will understand that this is not part of the plan God has for you. That you will understand His declaration “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer. 29:11). And so I close this letter with prayers that the words find their way to your heart and that you will find the courage needed to make that move away from bondage and towards the road to freedom.

Love you!!!

Charlotte Chinn

Letter to HER

Dear Mom,

I remember getting off the school bus in the 3rd grade and hearing loud voices arguing. I knew instantly the disruption was coming from my house. As I slowly treaded to my house I felt a nauseating feeling in the pit of my stomach. A sense of danger that I knew all too well. I wondered what new bruise my mother would have today. I entered the front door to hear your obviously drunk boyfriend yelling rudely in your face that he was tired of not having money. You tried to go around him to the kitchen, he was annoyed that you were ignoring him. “Did you hear me stupid ass?” he growled. You sensed what was coming next, and shrunk back against the cabinet as he cornered you. “I don’t want to argue anymore,“ you said softly. I reluctantly went upstairs, but hesitated at the top so I could hear what would happen next. I heard him slam you into the cabinet. I didn’t want to hear any more, so I went in my room and turned on my stereo and looked out my window and watched as other children happily played with each other. I thought to myself, I must be the only one living with a drunk, abusive man. I saw my brother walking towards the house, so I instinctively knew to hurry down the stairs to usher him to my room so he wouldn’t be caught in the mayhem. We heard the front door slam. We ran down the steps to make sure you were ok. You had dried tears on your face. Lamont hugged you and said sorry. Your right eye was red and swollen. I knew then your boyfriend had once again inflicted his rage on you. “Please make him leave,” I said. “He won’t go willingly,” you cried. You made us peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with milk. I noticed dinner on the stove, but knew it was for your boyfriend. As I lay in the bed that night I said a prayer and asked God to help you to be stronger so you could get rid of this bad man. I feared him doing harm to myself or my brother. We basically stayed out the way in our rooms when we were not in school. I kept my little brother out his way so he didn’t get hit or yelled at. You always stepped in the middle when he came at me to discipline me or yell at me.

27

Through the years I adapted to the violence we endured on a daily basis at home. Mom, I witnessed you being kicked in your stomach, face, head, spit on, hair yanked out of your head, and objects thrown at you.

He put holes in our walls with his fist. He consumed alcohol all day. It was never ending. He verbally abused you and I knew you had no selfesteem. My brother at the age of 11 started to drink alcohol. He would sneak into your boyfriend’s supply. I knew he was becoming his environment.

I went away to Central State University for their Upward Bound Program. I hated leaving my brother, but I needed out that house. I was finally able to breathe and live. I enjoyed being around other kids without having to witness you being abused. I did always worry about your safety though. I returned home after two months. I was no longer the skinny little girl who couldn’t stand up for her mother. I ran track at that program and was now 6 feet tall and my body was all muscle. My first day home I already expected the same scenario from your boyfriend.

That night he came home ready to start this wild behavior. “Not today,” I said to him, staring at him eye to eye. “So you think you are a big girl now,” he said with a condescending expression. I just looked at him with hate. He walked upstairs and slammed the bedroom door. Later in the middle of the night I woke to the walls shaking. He was beating her again! I came in the room, he was straddled over her and punching her in the face. I threw him off you. I ran to my room and got this steel bat I had purchased the day before. I swung that bat with all the strength I had and I went to work. That was eight years of my life of anger and fear being released. He was on the floor in a fetal position unable to defend himself because of my assault. “Get your stuff out of here,” I screamed!

“If you ever come back here, or ever call here, I will find you and finish what I started, “ He slowly got up and looked at me with confusion. I smiled boldly because I knew our life of hell was finally over. There was a knock at the door, it was the police. The new neighbor had called them.

28

After all these years someone responded to my mother’s cries. It was eight years too late. They escorted him out to the police car in hand cuffs.

He was charged with domestic violence and battery. He only received ninety days. The judge told me no sixteen -year old should have to be a body guard for a parent, but commended me for protecting you.

As I began my adult years of life I would had nightmares of that time I experienced living with that monster. I didn’t stop having them until I started seeing a therapist who told me I needed to let go of my pain. He said with my mom being deceased I should let all that hurt, fear, and pain be a life learning lesson. I started attending church and praying every night. God heard my cry! The nights became better and the pain ceased. Mom I forgive you. I now understand that you didn’t have the strength to walk away. I know you were scared and felt you had nowhere to turn. He diminished your self- esteem and selfworth. You were stripped Growing up in a violent of your dignity and pride.

He distanced you from atmosphere your family and friends.

Watching you has given has taught me the strength to never endure any type of me self-love. physical or emotional abuse from any man or woman. I have five boys and I have taught them to respect all women, themselves, and people in general. Growing up in a violent atmosphere has taught me self-love. I know how to self-protect at all cost. I encourage my friends to say no to domestic violence. I only wish mom, the strength I have you would’ve been able to find. I am now married and I am happy that my home is peaceful. I thank God that he respects me in all aspects of being a woman. I thank God for bringing me this far in my life. Life is about experiences. You are a product of them. I did not allow my past circumstances to define me. I love me and I embrace my past to allow me to sustain a happy and healthy life.

Love,

Yalonda Green

31

Spiritually Speaking Gaining Victory Over Frustration Joanlisa Shinault

Believers feel frustration in life like everyone else.

Contrary to what some Believers portray, we are not immune from frustration or any other emotion for that matter. Sometimes we are frustrated not because of external forces, but own disobedience.

However, when frustration arises it affords us the opportunity to evaluate ourselves, address any issues of disobedience, and discover the remedy that leads us into victory over our frustration.

Remedy?

It can be found in the fulfillment of purpose.

Our purpose is the remedy for and defeater of FRUSTRATION and the Bible gives us the Rx for what ails us.

When Purpose is Dormant; Frustration Will Flourish While frustration does not feel comfortable, it is definitely an emotion of warning!

Our purpose is the mechanism by which something is intended or created. Regarding humanity, it is the reason for which man exists. Our existence on earth is not void of purpose. However, if we are not actively fulfilling the purpose for which we were created our lives become imbalanced and our frustrations can mount; sometimes exponentially!

(Ask me how I know?)

We must not become stagnant concerning our purposeful existence, because when our purpose is dormant; frustration will flourish.

32

God Sometimes Uses Frustration as a Catalyst God is resourceful. He wastes nothing, even our mistakes. Our failures and the moments we miss Him are all used as a part of His plan for our lives. Nothing escapes Him. Even when our lack of obedience to fulfill our purpose arises our Heavenly Father springs into action. How? Agitation through frustration! God intends to get us to our destination and purpose is the method He uses to get us there. If we are not obediently yielding and fulfilling the purpose for which God created us, agitation by the means of frustration enters into the picture.

Scientifically speaking a catalyst (frustration) is a stimulus to change (movement into purpose). A catalyst is an agent designed to stimulate a reaction and the reality is sometimes God uses frustration as a catalyst in our lives for a greater purpose.

The Gateway to Victory: Obedience to Pursue Purpose The Bible declares, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12, KJV) Our ways can lead somewhere. It can be the way of life or death. We can be assured that God’s way leads us into victory and it comes through our obedience. Obedience relieves us of frustration that manifests as a result of disobedience.

The Lord gives us a blessed assurance that only comes from Him when our path is paved through obedience. Be both encouraged and determined to walk in obedience toward the fulfillment of purpose. Through obedience to your God ordained purpose you are assured of victory over frustration. In so doing, you will come to realize that God is ready to bless you as His chosen.

Remember, obedience is the gateway to God’s blessings!

Executive Director, Artemis Center

Judy Strnad

Ms. Judy Strnad, MSW of Union, Ohio has been the Executive Director of Artemis Center since April 28, 2014. Ms. Strnad is a graduate of DePaul University and received her Master in Social Work degree from the University of Illinois in Chicago. She has over 24 years of experience in administrative positions with non-profit organizations, most recently with the National Youth Advocate Program, Inc.

Shanon Isom CEO, YWCA Dayton

Isom is responsible for the executive and administrative leadership of the YWCA Dayton, which strives to eliminate racism and empower women!

Shannon Isom, CEO of YWCA Dayton is responsible for the executive and administrative leadership of the YWCA. Isom is responsible for ensuring high quality outcomes, financial sustainability, organizational viability, and exceptional client service delivery. Before joining the staff, Isom served as a YWCA Dayton board member for four years, with the last year and half as Chair of the Board.

Isom began her professional career working for the YWCA in Columbus as a program manager. With over 15 years in the health industry, she has worked for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Women's Health Division, Miami Valley Hospital, Premier Health Partners and CareSource in areas of Sales, Business Development, Systems Integration and Business and Clinical Integration, respectively.

Mrs. Isom has had extensive post-Baccalaureate education through Ohio State University and Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine. She has a BS of Biology from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia and a MBA in Healthcare Administration from Northeastern D'Amore-McKim School of Business in Boston, MA. Awards bestowed include: DBJ Forty under 40, Leadership Dayton, DBJ 50 Most Powerful Women, WiBN Top 25 Women to Watch, and DBJ Forty Under 40 Hall of Fame.

On Purpose Women’s Network (OPWN) is a mentoring and networking organization for Women 18 + who feel the leading and calling for Christian ministry. Pastor, Teacher, Evangelist are common ministry areas but there is ministry in writing, performing arts and the marketplace such as corporate or entrepreneurial endeavors. We realize for many of us, our business is our ministry!!!

At OPWN, we define ministry as any act of service that is motivated by the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ multiplied on the earth and the goodness of God on display through our ministry.

OPWN was founded out of a sincere desire to see women move forward in fulfilling their God-given destiny. We come from diverse cultures, denominations and experiences but we commonly share a desire to please Jesus!

Through membership, you can get involved in 3 ways: 1. Become an On Purpose Mentor to a less experienced female in ministry 2. Become an On Purpose Mentee and work with your Mentor to achieve your ministry goals 3. Become an On Purpose Group Leader in your community and help women discover and fulfill their God-given purpose

For more information and membership fees visit

www.opwn.org or contact

Kimberly Jarvis at 937-673-6988

“For the Ministry You’ve Envisioned”

Gardening Tips

Gardening is simple, but can become overwhelming if you allow.

Here are a few basic tips to simplify your garden.

Pick Your Spot The ideal garden location is flat, free from rocks/debris, and in direct sunlight.

Most vegetables need about 6-8 hours of direct sunlight.

If not they may not bear as much and are susceptible to insect attack or disease.

Prep You Spot Loosen soil before planting by digging by hand (Shovel) or using a tiller. *After tilling let soil rest for a few days before planting*

Care & Feed After planting seeds or seedlings it is important to care for you garden regularly.

Care incudes: Watering-Water garden when top soil is dry. *Usually once or twice a week*

Weeding- Weeds compete with your vegetables for water and nutrients, so it is important to keep them to a minimum.

Harvest This is what you’ve been waiting for!!!

Many vegetables can be harvested in stages‌ *General Rule: If it looks good enough to eat; it probably is.*

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SPECIAL THANKS Advertisers Contributors Features & all who have supported SWM in any way!!!

DEDICATED TO

LILLIAN REGINA CAMPBELL

SWM Spotlighting the strength, diversity, & uniqueness of this journey called womanhood