According to research, more than 70% of adults in the U.S. have experienced some form of traumatic event at least once in their lives. In behavioral health, over 90% of clients have experienced trauma.
Many who have been through traumatic experiences do not always seek help on ways to heal and simply just find ways to cope with it internally which can lead to a build-up of stress in the body.
Emelda Uzoagbado is the CEO and brains behind a nonprofit called Women Living with Purpose which is committed to showing up for communities of women experiencing and navigating stress, trauma-related challenges, and other negative experiences.
We had the pleasure to learn more about her business and her career journey. Take a look at what she shared with us below.
Mental Health is very important. Tell me what moment in your journey to healing did you realize I need to create a space for women to break free and heal?
After experiencing the transformational impact of mental health after my deployment, I realized the need to establish a space for women to break free and recover. If you primarily look around, women are more vulnerable to depression, and anxiety, you name it. I actually experienced all these during my service in the military, it was tough. I would say this actually inspired me to provide a safe and compassionate space for women to find support, understanding, and assistance on their healing journeys.
One of your company’s goals is to “inspire and motivate women to transcend the limits of traditional boundaries imposed on them”, explain this and how you have been blessed to help women in this area.
Let me share with you the core values that define us. Our mission is to empower women to become dreamers and doers, and we believe that our values of integrity, inclusion, teamwork, and excellence are essential to achieving that goal. At Women Living with Purpose, we believe that empowered women are the key to transforming society. That is why we strive to promote a culture of empowerment through our programs and services. We want every woman to realize her potential, dream big, and know that she has the power to make a difference in her own life and the lives of others. We also believe in the power of teamwork. Our organization recognizes that the outcomes are far more significant when people work together to pursue common goals and interests. That is why we encourage healthy collaborative circles and believe that it is through teamwork that we can make a real impact on the world. At Women Living with Purpose, we value self-esteem and recognize the undeniable effect it has on propelling women and underserved individuals forward in life. We want every woman to feel confident in herself and her abilities and to know that she is worthy of respect and equal opportunities. Finally, we believe in spiritual guidance and conduct ourselves in ways that are conducive to God’s calling over the direction and life of our organization. We understand that faith plays a significant role in the lives of many women, and we are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment where they can find guidance and support. I can tell you vividly, that we have been able to assist a lot of women through these various acts :
Holistic coaching
Dispute and Mediation Program
Employment Readiness
Divorce Coach
Believe it or not, we do all these services within Women Living with Purpose solely as an organization without any outside source. We are based and certified in the programs we offer out there.
So many are afraid to reach out when they are facing any form of psychological issue, how do you create a safe space?
(Smiling), You are right, I have interviewed so many women that were actually naïve and afraid to speak out, regarding their psychological well-being, but let me get back to your question. You know establishing a secure environment for females to seek help when dealing with psychological issues is crucial to our objective. Our primary focus is to promote a setting of reliance, empathy, and impartiality. We respect women’s privacy, attentively listen, and offer culturally sensitive support. We encourage women to share their stories and seek help without shame by creating an atmosphere of freeness, empathy, and compassion.
Do you have any upcoming events that women can take part in?
Yes, an upcoming event is scheduled in July 2024 in California. We just had one recently, which was awesome. This event allows women from different walks of life to gather to embrace their true potential and nurture their inner strength. This all-inclusive event will feature a range of enthusiastic activities, engaging discussions, and motivational speakers that are all centered on fostering overall well-being and personal development and conquering obstacles and challenges.
Women often tend to take care of everyone but themselves. How do you help remind them to put themselves first?
Women tend to put others first. You Know we have this motherly heart but never the less, self-care and self-compassion address this. We educate women about setting boundaries, self-care, and physical, emotional, and mental health through workshops, coaching, and educational tools. We inspire women to prioritize themselves without dishonor because their well-being is essential to supporting others.
What does your self-care routine look like and what keeps you motivated and strong enough mentally and spiritually to help other women who have a story to tell?
My self-care routine includes engaging in physical exercise, getting adequate rest, maintaining healthy relationships, nourishing the body with nutritious food, (Smiling) spending time in nature, reading books, and practicing meditation. In terms of strength and motivation to help others, it’s important to find meaning and personal fulfillment in uplifting and supporting those in need. Seeing the positive impact that our actions can have on others can be a powerful motivator to continue making a difference. By helping others, we not only improve their lives but also enrich our own through the sense of purpose and satisfaction that comes from making a positive impact.
I maintain spiritual and emotional well-being while helping others with their stories and it requires developing a solid support network, resilience, pursuing ongoing personal growth and learning, and engaging in self-compassion practices. In order to stay strong spiritually and mentally I usually take good breaks to prevent burnout, seek the help of mentors and peers, and regularly do self-reflection.
What’s the biggest goal you wish to accomplish through your nonprofit?
The biggest goal that I wish to accomplish in Women Living with Purpose is to strive hard to achieve and empower women to take all sorts of decisions in their lives and help them to live a fulfilling life by fostering personal growth and breaking societal barriers. Helping women in overcoming obstacles, standing out for gender equality, encouraging holistic well-being, offering beneficial tools and support, and developing communities where women can flourish are all important goals. The nonprofit’s ultimate objective would be to motivate women to live intentionally, realize their full potential, and effect positive change in both their own lives and the world.
How can people invest in your organization and support the mission?
There are several ways through which People can contribute and get involved with the organization and support the mission of Women Living with Purpose:
We learned so much about Emelda Uzoagbado and are so excited to know that her nonprofit Women Living with Purpose is doing amazing things to help women. We hope that you learned a lot about the organization and if you would like to support or seek help, then be sure to check out the information provided below.
Women Living with Purpose
EMAIL: admin@proudlywomen.org
Images Courtesy of Emelda Uzoagbado
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