Erica Stouffer
Erica Stouffer has been fighting for her life almost since the day she was born. She, her twin sister and adoptive brother were fortunate as their adoptive mother treated them as her own, along with the foster children she cared for and showed a better life. Much of how Erica survived her later years, from becoming a teenage mother with little income and an absent parental partner, to now as a 34-year-old single mother working full time, came from her mother’s support and perseverance. From the time she discovered she was pregnant, she relied on her mother to have a roof over their heads while she applied for government assistance and worked towards a better life. Erica had several health issues while working, going to school and taking care of her daughter, along with issues with her daughter’s father.
Even to this day, she watches her daughter struggle to be okay and has made sure that she has mental health care. However, until the court truly hears their story and puts a stop to the obstacles that her ex puts in their way, they will never be really okay. After everything she has experienced, Erica now sits on the opposite side of the desk at the welfare office helping others. She helps to break the silence, takes a stand for what is right and works to break the cycle of oppression. She knows that women deserve an equal chance. Erica also knows that no matter what life throws at you, you have the choice how you react. In her own words, “Wisdom subconsciously feeds our inner spirit to fight for what we believe in. Motivation strengthens our passion by igniting our inner spirit to activate our energies and compassion to our very soul, which drives each of us, to accomplish anything we want or need.” ~Erica R. Stouffer~
Jennifer Shepherd
Over the years, Jennifer Shepherd has overcome many adversities and roadblocks along her journey. She became a teenage mother, when at 19 she gave birth to her daughter and became a victim of domestic violence. She faced a period of homelessness and received government assistance when her daughter was only 2. With the support of the Maternal Infant Health Program, Jennifer was provided with support and guidance. Due to her experiences, she understands the struggles many women and families face daily. While she is humble, grateful and conscious of the person she has become, Jennifer is driven and determined to help others along their way.
She earned her B.S. in Psychology from Wayne State University and is in the process of earning her Master’s Degree in Social Work at Walden University. Jennifer serves as the Executive Director and Program Coordinator for the Great Start Maternal Infant Health Program and founded the Great Start Foundation in 2017.
Melinda Currul
Melinda Currul was living a traditional life when things unexpectedly changed. She was married and mother to 4 beautiful children, now ages 26, 19, 14 and 12. While her husband was busy building his business, Melinda stayed home raising her children and working part time. On May 4, 2018, her life changed when her oldest son was severely injured and paralyzed due to a bad fall. While Melinda focused on her son’s recovery, not knowing if he would survive, her husband, unable to run his business and take care of the house, hired a nanny to help with the children. Soon after, Melinda’s husband started an affair with her and took her on extravagant vacations. Upon finding out, Melinda moved out and moved in with her childhood best friend, Julie, who was also undergoing a separation after 25 years of marriage. Between the two of them, they had 5 children, were both driving school busses and working part time as estheticians.
They soon realized that this would not pay the bills. As they were now both single mothers, Melinda and Julie decided to start their own painting business, since both knew about house painting as Julie’s father was a painter. Utilizing their knowledge and eye for color and décor, they opened Two Moms Painting and have not had a day off since they started! They now have 5 women working for them and they have added home staging to their repertoire. Melinda works more on the administrative tasks while Julie concentrates on the painting, supplies and detail work that makes their customers happy. Melinda’s and Julie’s story proves that you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to and overcome the adversities life might throw at you.
Jacqueline Gates
Jacqueline Gates is the epitome of power and resilience. When she was 21, she gave birth to her daughter, Joelle Rosebush, but within six months suffered a nervous breakdown and was hospitalized. Unfortunately she suffered many more breakdowns over the years, but kept going with the support of her family. In 1987, Jacqueline’s world was thrown into chaos when her daughter was struck by a car and left in a persistent-vegetative-state for 18 months. The fight to remove her from life support has set precedence for future similar cases. Jacqueline journaled for 20 years and wrote poetry to release her emotions and recently published her book,
“Joelle’s Cry for Justice” to help others find the positive side of grief. In 2012, she attended a conference at the Day at the Capital event in Oklahoma where she spoke in front of 500 people, including representative from NAMI and local mental health groups, telling her story. In 2015, Jacqueline was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, and has since moved into remission. Her incredible story of survival proves that no matter what you are facing, if you take care of yourself, mind, body and spirit and develop a close support system, you can overcome anything and know that you are not alone in anything you are experiencing.
Joan Enering
Joan Enering is a perfect example of the never give up spirit. She was born a month premature, and was diagnosed at a young age with ADD, ADHD and learning disabilities. Because she struggled in school, both school officials and medical professionals told her parents that she would never finish high school, much less go on to graduate college. Even her parents tried to convince her to drop out! However, that just pushed Joan more and she has truly proven everyone wrong.
Joan has earned five college degrees starting with an A.A. in Media Arts, a B.A. in Sociology, an A.S.N, a B.S.N. and a M.S.N! She has been a Certified Reflexologist and a Certified Healing Touch Therapist for over 24 years. Joan has written two books, A Christmas Surprise which is a children’s book and The Innovative Road To Greater Success In Job Hunting And Changing Careers. This from a person who even medical professionals had written off as never being able to finish!
Tisha Dolby
Tisha Dolby is a survivor and overcomer of various life challenges. From birth Tisha was exposed to alcoholism and drug addiction. By the age of five she was enduring child abuse and domestic violence, a cycle of abuse which continued through her mid-20’s. Tisha endured the revolving cycle of being removed and placed back in the abusive situation spending time in various shelters, group homes, and with family members. After aging out of the system she moved in with a family member and fell victim to sexual abuse. Tisha suffered in silence thinking no one would believe her about the situation because she was 18. The sexual abuse only ended once she became pregnant with her first child (not her abuser’s). Tisha went from one abusive relationship to another over the next seven years with each relationship progressively getting more abusive. While carrying her fourth child, she knew things weren’t getting better but worse.
Tisha vowed to do what was necessary for her children. She made the decision to raise her children in a single parent home and focus on God, healing, growing and maturing. Tisha began to take the steps to break the cycles that plagued her and her family for years. In 2015, Tisha decided to relocate to California to give her children an opportunity to thrive in their chosen career paths and to give herself a fresh start. She quickly found out that God had a different plan. The transition to California was met with numerous life-altering situations including a 16-month homeless situation, a second cancer scare and being diagnosed with Chronic PTSD. The move allowed her to purge, finish healing and walk with purpose. Tisha believes that God completely removed all things of the old to give her what was always intended for her in the way He intended for her to have it. Prior to moving, Tisha would make excuses for why she couldn’t and shouldn’t do what she was called to do. At the encouragement of her children she stepped out on faith. In 2016, she created her faith-based nonprofit organization Power ~ Passion ~ Purpose Inc. bringing to life the vision that God had preordained for her many years prior. Tisha has dedicated herself to helping others by utilizing her 25 plus years of experience working with various organizations in roles such as mentor, guest speaker, facilitator and support services. She provides a source of relatability for the clientele she serves since she’s been there, which allows the clients to open-up and feel comfortable. Tisha works closely with families, schools, doctors, community partners and local government to provide outcomes, plans and services that will benefit all parties involved. She assists clientele with basic computer skills, job search, training classes, parenting skills, coping with abuse (verbal, emotional, mental, physical and drug), loss of a child and support services. Power ~ Passion ~ Purpose Inc. focuses on love, support and understanding without judgement or condemnation. The company nurtures them through whatever the situation is for as long as it may take.
Shahla Shahmiri
Shahla Shahmiri has experienced much in her life. She grew up in a small town in Iran, married and immigrated to America. After going through some painful and tough times in her life, Shahla realized there are only two options, stay down and just let life crush you to the ground or dust off the past and keep on moving forward. She realized that her American dream was about the latter and refused to let the negatives affect her dreams. Shahla decided that she was here for a bigger purpose, which was to create a legacy for women just like her who came to America for a better life. She knew that one day she would be speaking in front of thousands of women, and this is what spurred her towards her goal. In writing her book, “Tears of Onion,” Shahla felt that it would reach millions and help others live their dreams by telling the stories of people she has met in her life.
Today, she is a cookbook author, mother, health food activist, philanthropist and chef owner of Saffron Girl where she cooks and works with cancer patients while sharing her passion for creating healthy, delicious meals to speed their recovery. Using this platform, Shahla is having a positive impact on the lives of others.
Freedom Alex Burns
Freedom Burns is a survivor and “overcomer,” escaping from domestic abuse, spousal addiction, poverty, homelessness and health issues. The domestic violence and spousal abuse forced her into hiding, the spousal addiction and debt took her savings and forced her into homelessness, her health and medications took her enjoyment of life, but she has overcome. With her faith, and the support of family and friends, Freedom has not allowed these experiences to control her life. Instead she uses them to continue to move forward using her writing skills. Today, Freedom is a creative artist, motivational educator, storyteller and much more.
She writes, performs and creates for a wide range of audiences using her expertise as a speaker to coach women into creating their own lives, gain financial freedom and overcome the negatives in their own lives. Freedom has constructed her business and life to meet the needs of people. She strongly believes that life and society is dictated by personal responsibility and strives to provide a public voice to address societal issues. She is a firm believer in paying it forward and living her best life using her faith in God as an anchor.
Carmel Foster
Carmel Foster is the epitome of creating the American Dream. She came to America when married to her ex-husband and was building her dream life when they divorced. Unfortunately, the judge handling her divorce did not provide her with necessary funds to support herself and her daughter. Being resourceful, Carmel became a domestic worker, but soon realized that most immigrants and minorities in these positions were being exploited, working in a modern form of slavery and that their rights were being violated. Instead of employees, these workers were considered independent workers,
which meant that they didn’t receive benefits and were not able to use their references to gain better paying positions. As Carmel wasn’t satisfied with just watching this happen to those around her, she created My Character Reference, LLD. Her organization allows workers access to their previous references and as she states is working towards ending the exploitation of workers. Carmel works with her clients and provide them continuing training to move into better paying positions. She also advocates for better support in overlooked industries especially care-giving. Her hope is that through her example, others can have better lives and possibly become entrepreneurs. While My Character Reference is not a nonprofit organization, Carmel aligns with nonprofits to improve the lives of domestic workers and those in other service industries. She truly is an inspiration to those around her.
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