Interviews with Women: Woman 2 Woman : Advice from Women for Women

Woman 2 Woman:

“I would tell other women to take a second to really analyze what is happening versus resorting to anger first.” -W. Diaz

"I'd like to tell other women to be comfortable with their race, gender, and stand up for what they believe in. Stay confident and never let other people belittle you or treat you as [an] inferior. I believe a person has the power over how they let another person affect their life." T. Gordon 

“I would tell [women] to not let others opinions and beliefs get in the way of becoming the [woman] you are and were meant to be. Look within yourself and find what's important to you. Thoughts and opinions that others may have about you is there right just as you have your right to an opinion.. That person did not have the same parents, situation, values, religion, influences, beliefs, relationships, etc. as you did so therefore they'll have a different outlook, opinion, and belief.” 

                                                 Charity-Ann Goode 

“I would tell other women not to take the abuse. People are entitled to their opinions but not to the point where it negatively affects others. If you are being bullied or teased to death go to the appropriate individuals and have the problem resolved to the best possible resolution.” - Zoe Reed

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Vivica A. Fox and Demetria McKinney Inspire Young Women at B.W.R. Empowerment Tour

Atlanta, GA -


 After honoring women's rights leader, Rita Jackson Samuels, and Riverdale Mayor, Dr. Evelyn Wynn Dixon, actress/singer, Demetria McKinney, and actress/producer/businesswoman, Vivica A. Fox shared inspirational stories about overcoming obstacles like single parenthood and joblessness with women and girls attending the recent Black Women's Roundtable (BWR) Healthy, Wealthy and Wise National Empowerment Tour.

Accepting an award for her civil and woman's rights work, Samuels told the young people "Don't ever give up on your dream." Samuels grew up poor in Forsyth Georgia but went on to work alongside Dr. Martin L. King, Jr., served at the White House under President Jimmy Carter, and founded Georgia Coalition for Black Women.

Mayor Dixon shared a riveting story of growing up in segregated Atlanta, a bitter divorce, eviction and surviving homeless as a single parent of five kids. "When my husband left me I became homeless and even suicidal. But at the lowest point in my life I found the courage to pick myself up and refused to let adversity hold me back," said Dixon who started community college at 35-years-old and earned a PhD at 50.

Energizing the audience with her knack for keeping it real, Fox, the co-star of "Kill Bill" and "Kingdom Come", urged the women to take charge of their own life and addressed ageism against women in Hollywood. "My agents told me there aren't roles for Black women over 40 in Hollywood. I asked, have you forgotten I had Independence Day with Will Smith? Have you forgot I set it off with Queen Latifa and Jada Pinkett? Or that I played the game with Morris Chestnut? Fox continued, "I regrouped and took hold of the 'business' side of 'show business' and began producing films, stage plays and TV shows. I even have my own hair line Vivica A. Fox Wigs. Don't let nobody tell you what you can't do."

McKinney, who plays Janine Payne on Tyler Perry's House of Payne and recently released her debut CD, "Get Yo Ish", kept the down-to-earth tone as she outlined her rocky road to success. The single mother told the audience she had to drop out of college to raise her son. "I got a job waiting tables and moved to the projects but I never gave up. African American women are called and have to be the backbone for a lot. That doesn't mean there won't be obstacles. But remember, the situation doesn't make you," said McKinney, who was accompanied by the former EVP of Tyler Perry Studio's and CEO of Bobbcat Films, Roger Bobb.

A 19-year-old single mother attending with her two-year-old daughter in tow, Jazamin McCurdy, was excited to interact one-on-one with the speakers. "I feel so motivated to make positive changes in my life. The panel discussions helped me understand what I need to do and the stories from the speakers helped realize that I can do it."

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Interviews with Women: "What's Your Motivation?"

What Motivates You? 

“Women all around the world motivate me. There is always someone experiencing it worse than me and I want them to know that they are not alone in this. They are worth more than that. I would say my mom help shape my life because I seen here struggle as a single unwed young mother to give me everything she possibly could.”

My faith, family, friends, and co-workers motivate me to continue being the best person I can be. My mother and my sister and my husband are three strong individuals that help shape my life.- Trudian Gordon

“I am motivated on my journey by the young women that I teach. They are using me as inspiration, so I make sure I tell them about my experiences. I make sure that they do not shy away from opportunities to enhance their learning. I also remind them that that they have to take care of themselves on their journey. As females we tend to take on the "superwoman" role and cannot say "NO". I have learned through trial and error that I have to take care of me before I can tend to those around me. My parents play a major role in who I am today. Growing up they did not coddle me, but let me explore the world around me and learn from my mistakes.” Samantha Brown

“My children are my biggest motivation to continue my journey in becoming a better person and setting a positive example hopefully influencing them to embrace, respect and love equality as I do. They motivate me continue journey in being a productive citizen without being affected by negative behaviors such as discrimination of any kind. The one person that I can honestly say has helped shape and mold me is my dearest mother whom has the heart of a saint with only room for love for any living creature on this earth.” -Jacqueline Toro

“My son is my motivation. As a woman a black woman having a child before the average age of 23, 24 I am determine to give him a "good' life. I want to make sure I continue my education and do so without government assistance. Basically not to become another black statistic!”  Shanna-Kaye Kerr

Are YOU a Woman? Do YOU agree with the opinions of these women? 

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Interviews with Women: Thoughts on RACE

RACE

“If you love someone color is not an issue they are. Together you will overcome it.”
-Trisha Morgan

“ I was eating out on South beach (Miami, FLorida) and because maybe I was black, young looking or whatever the case was I sat at a restaurant and ordered and the waiter came to me saying am I sure I wanted to eat there because prices can go from $80-$100 a plate....

Yes, there are always ignorant people and the only way to stop that is not act the way you think they perceive you. I could of took it offensive but instead I said,  “Thank you.”  And [then] asked him what he would suggest from the menu that is good. I just learn not to always be on the defense.”  

Shanna-Kaye Kerr

There are no recent recollections of me experiencing racism, gender discrimination, or inequality personally. However, I have witnessed and I am fully aware that it still exists. Trudian Gordon

“I am a Latina, but I don’t speak one word of Spanish. I was shopping at Target one day with my cousin when an older black women came to me and asked where the bathroom was. I realized I was wearing a red shirt like the Target employees do but I told the lady I didn’t work there and had no idea where the bathroom was. She then looked at me and said well you should your kind are always cleaning bathrooms. My cousin and I were so shocked we didn’t/couldn’t say a word. The women then said “What?!?! No speaky english? The woman then walked away and my cousin and I busted out laughing. At first we thought it was funny but after taking in what actually happened I became angry. So angry that I felt like going back to Target and giving that lady a piece of my mind.”  W. Diaz 

   “I had a female boss who was black and my husband is black, I am white. My boss was totally awesome until one day my husband brought me lunch and she asked who he was. She from that point on would give me sh-t. She would give me work that was extremely messed up made me work overtime and do all of the ridiculous office tasks. I couldn’t figure out what the problem was until one day we both happened to be on lunch watching the OJ Simpson trial. It became very clear that she did not like interracial marriages. 

.... I just kept my opinion to myself until one day I overheard her talking to another supervisor and how she had nicknamed me and my husband d Nicole and OJ. I took the matter to corporate and she was fired after a full investigation.”

            -Rachel B. 

“One distinct memory is when I was interviewed over the phone for a position and when I met the interviewer in person she had a strange look on her face. I few weeks after I took the job a coworker informed me that the interviewer thought I was white because of my voice and said I did not have a "black name". Samantha Brown

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Interviews with Women: Thoughts on GENDER

GENDER:

“I feel that society has come a long way in regards to gender, race and equality. However, there are still areas especially in the workplace where gender and race can create barriers. I work in an environment where high-level positions are male dominated, A female is constantly asked to prove themselves and perform menial duties. However, most males are promoted on the buddy system and are given the opportunity to prove themselves on the job.  

-Samantha Brown

“Race is defiantly based on how much you try to use it as an excuse, being African American I don’t try to use the excuse "Im black so....." so on so on.....As far as gender goes women are a little more to a disadvantage because no matter how successful she is there is still that glass ceiling woman still face- in America. We all have equal opportunity but there is such thing as some people being born with certain disadvantages.” -Shanna-Kaye Kerr

I think everyone should be treated equal no matter the race or gender of a person. Trudian Gordon

“The word equality sums it all up for me. I don't see race although in our society it is sadly an issue, but I have chosen to appreciate it and all its diversity. As for gender, through my personal experiences, I have grown to feel equal to any man existing with exception of having male hormones and certain body parts. I come from an old culture where men and women are viewed differently and I choose to live my life as a woman with male characteristics embracing the theory "survival of the fittest". I am an equal human...that is how I feel about these topics.” Jacqueline Toro

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Are you a woman?

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Comment below and let us know about YOUR experience as a woman. 

From Poverty to Power: The true story of one Woman's personal growth.

“As a Cuban American my whole life has been centered on race. Where I was born seems to affect my life more than where it is that I grew up. As a child it is hard growing up with parents that do not speak English and you sometimes have to be the adult and make sure they are not taken advantage of. I struggled with this more as I child than I do now. My mom was never able to help me with my homework after I learned some English and I was always seen as weaker in school than other children because of the language barrier. I think that I was so tired of people looking down to me as a child that I turned the negativity into power. I learned English in about a year and soon became an honor student. Now, thirteen years later I am 20 years old and look back at my childhood as my own personal growth. I thank my parents every day for giving me everything I have. They have been the only ones that have truly showed me love throughout my life. Now that I look back on it, I lean on my parents for everything and they have leaned on me for many things also.

I have seen women who have gone through similar experiences take out things on their parents. I would like to ask those women to look in the past and remember why their parents immigrated in the first place. I took the negative people as a motivator to continue my journey in life. I owe my life to my parents because they were the one that changes their whole life to make my life worth living. As an immigrant life is never easy but you have to make sure that the people you love are close to you and those who bring you down are far away.”

-         M. Salvador

Driving right through hardships...

"One hardship that I faced due to discrimination dealt with trying to buy a car. Every time I entered the car showroom I was met with sales-people that tried to take advantage of me. They did not see a well educated woman with the financial ability to purchase a vehicle. They thought that they could take advantage of me because I was a woman. I was either ignored or given a high price. It took a long time before I got a fair price. 

I was able to overcome this obstacle by educating myself on the price of cars. I also needed self confidence and the ability to speak up and ask for what I wanted. I would tell other women that education is very important. It helps fight discrimination in the work place and in other situations as well. You can never be too educated. You also need to have inner strength and confidence. 

My friends helped motivate me. My best friend Jill taught me that I nobody would give me anything unless I asked for it. I am motivated to continue in my journey because you can always grow and learn. " 


- Sarah P.

What Empowers You?

The Truth Project is a Social Media Experiment seeking to EMPOWER Women through the sharing of the true life experiences of various women. 

We will be seeking answers from women of all backgrounds, creeds, colors, religions and sexual orientation. Trying to find the TRUTH behind: 

Finding the strength to overcome obstacles

Rebuilding, Reshaping and Revolutionizing your   life
and above all...

What Empowers You as a Woman?