I am the founder and organizer of the movement: I AM S.O.D.A ( Survivors of Domestic Abuse) founded October 2015. A Milwaukee, WI native; now residing in Atlanta, GA. I'm a mother of 2 daughters Ashley 28 & Ariana 20 and grandmother of 1; I endured and survived a physical and verbal abusive relationship at the hands of my husband of 8 years. Giving all glory to God, I emerged from my situation and launched S.O.D.A. in an attempt to speak out against domestic violence, raise awareness, and encourage other victims to do the same. There are so many who suffer from domestic abuse and live in silence. I'm using my voice to encourage those to speak out and no longer be ashamed. I've done several radio interviews, articles written about my story and have shared my story in various states. January 2016 I was the keynote speaker at Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, partnered with Upsilon Epsilon Chapter Of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated, Next Door Foundation Non Profit (Milwaukee, WI) professional development day, 2 survivor awards"Living behind the Mask 2015 Award & Removing the Bandages Winning Women Award 2017, Atlanta, GA. , Washington High School, Milwaukee, WI & Motivational Speaker of the Year 2017 TAP Awards Recipient, Arkansas Stae University. S.O.D.A has gained much attention from both women and men through social media, the S.O.D.A. brand of t-shirts, bracelets and the powerful video, “I Am S.O.D.A.”.
Bookings:soda.info2015@gmail.com
THE PROJECT
I AM S.O.D.A (Survivors of Domestic Abuse) was launched October 2015. I didn't realize how many women were been affected by domestic abuse until I shared my story. I lived "behind a mask" for 8yrs. My youngest daughter was 8yrs old when the abuse started and 16 when left him. I met him in 2007 and was married 2008. He was charming and a giver. He had my family fooled into thinking he was this wonderful guy. There were times, I thought I was the crazy one. You see its called "gaslightening". In October 2014 he came back to our home (even though there was a restraining order in place) and kicked the back door down to end my life with a screwdriver in hand. That's when the thought came one of us is going to die and the other in prison. I was mentally drained from this volatile and toxic marriage. I SURVIVED that night and finally went forward with prosecuting him. He was facing 15yrs due to him being a habitual offender but only received 2yrs in prison of which 6 months served in the county jail, a little over a year prison time and the remainder at a half way house (8yrs probabtion).After I divorced him, I was homeless & jobless for a year. I cried all the time, was angry with God and wanting to just give up. The thought came to me one day, God chose me for this purpose, he called me out to be a testimony and to give him the glory! He knew I would speak out and encourage other women to do the same. If you are a survivor or still involved with your abuser, know that you're not alone and there is help. Tell a friend, family member, your doctor or contact a shelter for women. Stop suffering in silence, I'm a living testimony that it won't get better!! The violence will increase and you may not make it out!!
I AM S.O.D.A!!!!!!
THE HARD TRUTH
85% of domestic abuse victims are women
1 in 4 women aged 18 and older in the U.S. have been the victim of domestic abuse
1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year
I AM S.O.D.A brings awareness & support to those women that are/were affected by domestic abuse. Domestic abuse is everyone's business!!! Will you make it yours?
