Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie Allen.
Hi Valerie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always had this curious nature. This curiosity has gotten me into situations that, most times, didn’t work in my favor. At age three, my boyfriend and I would be put in a police car and taken to jail. Seriously… Why? Well, in Overtown MIAMI in the ’60s, you could play outside as a toddler and walk around in underwear too.
My Mom told me, “yes, you can go outside and play, but you must not go beyond the sidewalk.” Being a curious, strong-willed toddler, I wanted to get to those tall buildings over yonder in downtown MIAMI that had been calling me.
As we walked around in circles, lost and hungry for hours, the white car with the red light bulb on top pulled over, and after questioning us, we ended up in the car that I’d only seen on TV and took my boyfriend Pony and me to jail. Two brown toddlers had vanished into the air, which had Overtown in an uproar. Well.
It didn’t matter because I was the center of attention as the staff boasted about how cute I was, which made me feel like a STAR! A product of what was considered the ghetto, my name reign throughout the community that day, and I was famous. The price I paid that day was a scolding for my curiosity, yet my parents and the community embraced me with “LOVE.” They say “curiosity killed the cat,” and it almost did to me later in life.
With my stance and willingness to “STAND” through life challenges, I was trapped in an emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually unhealthy relationship. In this marriage, that ex-husband pushed me into purpose through his unbelievable behaviors, known as a form of mental illness. I learned about the power of prayer and meditation as I fought for my family’s salvaging and livelihood.
My husband’s unhealthy behaviors were too much to bear. I end up in jail again due to a lie on his part. He tried to break me… He wanted to take me out… He tried to destroy everything about me and what I stood for. On that cold jail floor as I thought about when I met him because I was curious about the man in the suit who wore a nerdish look yet had that swag that I liked as we danced the night away.
I thought of my children, career, and life as I faced assault charges based on a setup. In that jail cell in Fort Lauderdale, I was able to share who God was. I shared His goodness and forgiveness despite our ways, crimes, and uncanny things we have done in our lives. I spoke of how God will give you strength, the tenacity to persevere and “STAND,” and how he would love you through it all if you ask and believe. I led many women to God that day.
I didn’t have a bond, but my mission was complete, and I made history as a Magistrate with silver hair released me on a $1000 bond which my daughters only paid $100 on Christmas Eve. Of course, that situation was the final blow that would lead me to divorce. I thought I was on my way after that toxic situation; however, another challenge would visit me shortly.
As the diagnosis was confirmed “Breast Cancer,” I thought about the battle I was in again. As a woman of faith and strength, this situation could take me away from my children, family, and this earth. I had started journaling through my marriage because I was too embarrassed to share what I was going through with anyone.
I was a pillar of the community, a highly esteemed Educator, a Mom, Daughter, Friend, and Motivator, but most of all, a WOMAN! I vowed to God that if He got me out of that and Healed me, I would be a living testimony to the world and share my story.
STAND WOMAN STAND was spoken into my spirit when I was at my lowest one night in tears. I continued to journal, not knowing it would become a book that would change many women’s lives. STAND WOMAN STAND became a phrase that women would be used throughout conversations and in women’s circles from prayer groups, book clubs, seminars, conferences, and retreats.
God was up to something when the formation of twelve women from different backgrounds and walks of life would come together, and the Stand Woman Stand worldwide Movement Platform was birthed. Today, we’re in five countries and counting. I am thankful for every part of my journey.
It has afforded me an opportunity to help bring about change and lead women to deliverance and be set free from situations that have held them bound, imprisoned, and chained. STAND WOMAN STAND!!!!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not. Trying to keep the focus on the purpose of Stand Woman Stand and not deviate has been a challenge. I’m often approached about SWS’s platform. It’s been said that your group is so powerful, filled with business owners and women in authority; why don’t you capitalize on that, Valerie?
That I should place the emphasis or mission of SWS on financial literacy/empowerment. Although it is essential that women know and receive professional development in handling finances, it should not be the most crucial factor about who we are as women. We are often frowned upon because we are believed to be help-mates and our place should be secondary.
Standing for who and whose we are in this 21st century is still very challenging as politics and other entities try to take us back to things we fought to overcome. Of course, finances play a significant role as we strive to help the less fortunate or women when they’re facing challenges,
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Stand Woman Stand!?
Stand Woman Stand is a non-profit organization that aspires to transform women’s quality of life from every culture and background by eliminating barriers through empowerment, unification, and education.
To help them discover their power and reach their fullest potential through the development of social change. We offer services that go beyond the community. SWS reaches women leaders from across the globe.
Our goal is to build a network that empowers, supports, inspires, and connects our members through regular events, workshops, and masterclasses with experts and change-makers.
How do you define success?
To be a successful self-empowered woman requires an awareness of self and the situations that trigger negative chatter and self-talk we experience.
It requires a mindset shift in our belief systems. TAP-IN to the following more self-empowering beliefs and replace the negative self-talk with the following five mind-shifting beliefs and watch what happens:
1. My success is DEFINED Only by ME.
2. Success is My PERCEPTION about where I am, where I want to go, and the progress I am making. My Perception can be changed.
3. Success is a PROCESS. It is my continued efforts to define and redefine who I am, the things I learn, the challenges I overcome, and the personal goals I achieve.
4. Success is determined by the PROGRESS I make; my mastery increases as I maintain momentum.
5: Achieving success is something I can LEARN. I can learn the skills and behaviors it takes to be successful at accomplishing my goals, then… apply what I understand, and build my confidence along the way.
In the process of self-empowerment and realizing our dreams, it is critical to define success for ourselves and not leave it up to others.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.standwomanstand.org
