Once a month, I will feature a woman, historical or modern day, who exemplifies what it means to be an empowered woman in her own unique way. Her story will inspire and guide you as you learn to unearth your own inner Goddess.

Want to share another empowered woman's story? Please submit your Goddess Spotlight nomination by clicking on the link on this page.

2008-09-01

I smiled the entire time I read Yvonne's submission. What a dynamo she is!!! I guess the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. Unstoppable seems to be a word her family lives by. Read on for more about Yvonne and the amazing female lineage she comes from.

Congratulation, Yvonne, on being selected as the "Featured Goddess" for September 2008! Tomiko





1. Name one word that describes you.

Gregarious

2. What advice would you give to women on how to become empowered?

Live your life according to the beats in your heart. What does that mean? Many women are living their lives based on how someone else (society, family, friends, their mate etc.) thinks they should live meanwhile the world is missing out on the essence and authenticity of who they really are. It takes courage to march to the beat of your own drum, but it's so worth it.

3. What is the most challenging obstacle you've overcome and how?

The most challenging obstacle I've overcome is being 100% authentic and living my life according to me. There is so much pressure from society to walk this way, talk this way, wear this, do that, drive this car, live in this neighborhood, be this etc. But daily, I make a decision to be the amazing, fearfully and wonderfully made woman God created me to be and because of that decision, I have peace and joy - unspeakable joy.

Name one woman that inspires you and why.

My mother inspires me because of her resilience, boldness and courage. You simply cannot tell her no; she will not accept it. She's been married to my dad for 45 years and she raised her 8 children to believe that we can do whatever we want to do. My mother was a stay-at-home mom her entire life while we lived in the beautiful island of Nassau, Bahamas. She was there to help us with homework, prepare breakfast for us, make dinner for us, etc. We ate dinner together as a family every night and attended church together on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. When we moved to America (Brooklyn, NY) in 1978, my mother knew that she had to find a house, not an apartment for her family. She knew there wouldn't be an apartment big enough to house her children, so she left my uncle's home where we were staying temporarily every day not knowing where she was going, but very clear of her mission; I must find a house for my family. She rang everyone's doorbell and asked verbatim, "Are you selling your house or do you know anyone that is selling a house? I need a house for my family." As crazy as it sounds, that is how we found our house. Someone's bell that she rang was actually selling their home and was looking to sell to someone like my parents. She called my uncle up and said, "I'm here on E. 10th Street and I found a house. I need you to come and take a look." My parents bought the house and that is where we still live today. Bold, courageous and resilient. She didn't stop there. Once we got settled into the house and into our lives in America, my mom decided that she wanted to go to college and she enrolled. Well into her fifties, my mom became a student at Brooklyn College. She got her Bachelor's degree in Education and continued on without taking a break to get not one, but two Masters degrees in the field of Education all while taking care of her 8 children and her husband. She had a career as a teacher for many years, and today she and my dad are retired and enjoying travels to see their 16 grandchildren.

What is your motto?

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

What advice would you give "3-year old you"?

Listen to your heart and pursue your passions.

What does "Empowered" mean to you?

Empowered means strength; a feeling that all things are possible and using that feeling as the current and electricity to propel me into my greatness.

How has being in The Goddess Gathering affected your life (if applicable)?

N/A

Share one thing you are hoping to accomplish in your lifetime.

I am hoping to host my own national talk show that changes the lives of women every day around the world.

What are you most proud of yourself about?

I am proud of my ability to take risks and live my life according to me. That wasn't always easy to do while growing up in a Caribbean family with strong Christian values. Many of the things I wanted to pursue did not sit well with my parents, but I pushed ahead and did them anyway. Not out of rebellion, but out of not wanting to hear the I "coulda, woulda, shoulda" song in my head. In my culture, you don't move out on your own until you are married. I moved out because I wanted and needed my independence. There was no way I could find out who I really am while living in my parents' house as an adult and still having to abide by their rules. Yes, I took a lot of heat for it but in the end, I'm glad I did it. Moving to Los Angeles was another hurdle. My parents were 300% against the move, but I pushed ahead and did it anyway. That move showed me how strong I am mentally and physically while deepening my relationship with God. You need God living in Los Angeles. When I started college and wanted to pursue a career in Television Production, my parents were really against that because of its instability and reputation, but I did it anyway and produced daytime talk shows for 10 years. I absolutely loved everything about my job, especially pre-interviewing guests. I built my entire library with books from the many authors I had as guests. When I started college, my parents wanted me to be a teacher or a doctor or a lawyer. At first I wanted to be a gynecologist, but I quickly changed my mind and fell into TV/Radio Production. I loved every class I took and as a result, tapped into my passion. I love, love, love, love talking to people and God has given me a voice that people listen to and a presence that cannot be denied. Pursuing my passions and living my life according to me has opened me up to a world of writing, public speaking, TV/Radio engagements; all used to empower single women in a way that I never even thought of. I never had an idea in my head that I would be a dating coach and that work would land me on Good Day NY talking about the importance of having great girlfriends or land me on 98.7 KISS-FM offering dating tips or WBLS and the many other radio and TV outlets that have given me the opportunity to share my gifts, talents and abilities with the world. Who knew that I would get such joy out of writing a weekly "Ask Coach Yvonne" E-zine that empowers single women all over the world or that I would be the Single Woman's Cheerleader or that I would even have a website. etc.? But I do all because I took risks and continue to listen to my heart.