I discovered my love for film production in my sophomore year of high school. Two years later, as I was beginning to think about college, I discovered a scholarship opportunity through a film festival called “Girls Impact the World”. The requirements were simple. Make a short video that addresses critical issues that impact women and girls. From a young age, I felt strongly about my power as a woman and my personal responsibility to challenge misogyny. On the outside, I appear timid and soft spoken. I often feel underestimated because of my gender and my quiet nature, but I’m tougher than I look. It didn’t take me long to decide what my film would be about.
Creating the documentary was just the beginning of my involvement with STEM (Strong Through Every Mile). It is a nonprofit organization in my hometown and it is run through various women’s shelters in the community. Their goal is to empower women and help them grow from the trauma they experienced from domestic abuse through running. They help the women train through a couch-to-5K program, providing both mental and physical support in their sessions each week. Shortly after I made the documentary about the organization, I became a trainer myself. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more passionate than I do when I am helping survivors grow from their adversity and find their strength.
I miss STEM every day, and I miss the amazing women I met through the program. When I saw Survivors to Superheroes was looking for a new social media manager and I read their mission statement, I knew it was the perfect place for me to get involved. Sexual violence affects a wide range of people. It breaks my heart to think of the survivors who feel like they have to carry their trauma alone, feeling like there are no resources to truly support them. When I discovered Survivors to Superheroes and I met the members of the team, I saw a lot of promise, honesty, and compassion. On a personal level, it gives me peace of mind to know that such an incredible and passionate group of people are working tirelessly to ensure that we can provide survivors with educational resources, an outlet to share their stories, and most importantly, a place where they feel supported and understood. I stand with survivors because I want them to know that they’re not alone and we will help them find their strength again.
