SHIFTING LIVES THROUGH SERVICE: HerStory Award
On October 28, 2023, WFWP USA hosted a virtual National HerStory Award event, with Ms. Matogba Nelson, WFWPI UN Representative, serving as the emcee.
Ms. Matogba warmly welcomed all attendees and introduced WFWP USA President, Mrs. Kaeleigh Moffitt, who highlighted the significance of recognizing women who contribute to their communities, emphasizing that their work is driven by purpose rather than mere recognition. She reiterated WFWP's commitment to uplifting the unique value that women bring to society.
Following this, each of the awardee was introduced by the WFWP member who nominated her.
The first awardee, Ms. Debra Poneman, Founder and President of Yes to Success Inc., Co-founder of Ageless Seminar, and Faculty at the Art of Living Foundation, expressed her commitment to the well-being of others. She emphasized the importance of both prayer and action, citing the New Testament's wisdom that "faith without action is worthless." Ms. Poneman explained; “You have to take action. The benefit of taking action is you not only help the people whose house is burning but when you do that, you feel so good about yourself. It increases your own self love.”
On overcoming challenges she concluded, “while injustice is the worst of sins, despair is the most dangerous. The way to shift your life is through service. When service is your primary focus, the outer success will be drawn to you like a magnet.”
Click here to watch Ms. Debra Poneman’s entire message
The second awardee, Dr. Margo Lomax D., Survive2THRIVE Coach and former State Legislator from Pennsylvania, spoke about the experience that impacted her the most: experiencing abuse as a child. This was the reason, she realized, she had an insatiable drive to deal with injustice. This drive allowed her to work with those affected by the crack cocaine pandemic in her city, particularly mothers. In her work she realized she needed to address poverty. “I was looking at every system and creating change models in every system I had identified as a problem. Never one to run from a fight or a fire, I changed the landscape in my area.”
She explained that in her bid to change and save everyone else, she forgot to save herself. This led her on a path for the last two years to recognize what drove her with such passion. She concluded, “I was trying to save that little girl that no one had saved, to make her whole, to make her healthy, to make her happy. I saw in other people what I was trying to save but was ignoring in myself. By recognizing the things in us that are hurting and we address them, we are more effective in reaching those folks that God has assigned to us to reach. Save yourself first and then save everyone else then we can land the plane together in a place of safety.”
Click here to watch Dr. Margo Lomax D. entire message.
The third awardee, Dr. Amy Anderson, Professor of Communications, Spokane Community College shared three valuable lessons. On no longer being broken and having a second life, she identifies with the Japanese tradition of kintsugi of celebrating history and looking back with perspective at one’s experiences and using her story to give others hope to continue after difficult life experiences.
The second lesson was sistering, community is key. She quoted Glennon Doyle, “Women are special, strong people who hold up the world but sometimes life’s load gets too hard and heavy for them to carry. If everything feels too heavy right now, it might mean that you need a sister to your left and your right to help strengthen you and hold you together.”
Her third lesson was using our privilege to empower others by listening and learning, offering our support intentionally, amplifying the voices of those who are voiceless, highlighting the strengths of those around us and using education to teach others and support their dreams.
Click here to watch Dr. Amy Anderson entire message
As we carry these stories and lessons forward, we are inspired to continue uplifting the unique value that women bring to our communities.
Congratulations to all the awardees, and thank you for being part of this meaningful event.