Paulita Stewart, a Summa Cum Laud graduate with a Bachelors Degree from Concordia University. As a single mother, Paulita’s life has been surrounded by hardship, poverty, illness and sorrow; however, she never allowed any of these things to define the woman she has become.  When you hear the words courageous and survivor, Paulita comes to mind. She inspires, motivates, and brings joy and empowerment to other women and everyone else she comes into contact with.

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Paulita is member of The New Life Covenant Church under the pastorship of Pastor John F. Hannah. Her faith in God and prayers are what sustain her.​

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​From her Chapter:

​ "I woke later paralyzed for several weeks. My boyfriend’s aggressive behavior usually followed a predict-able pattern. After several hours of drinking and doing drugs, he would become verbally, physically, and sexually violent towards me.  To keep me quiet, he often threatened my life by convincing me that if I ever told anyone what was going on, he would kill me as well as my loved ones. I was so afraid of him, and I believed his threats to be true."

Christina Chlopecki  freelance graphic designer who resides in Elmhurst, IL. On March 16th, 2008, after four months of waiting, Christina was blessed with the marvelous gift of a heart transplant and a second chance at life.

 

Christina is a devoted Christian who enjoys being involved in music, drama and other arts ministries at her church in Chicago. Her passion is sharing her testimony on the streets and evangelizing at various churches and events. Spreading the Gospel and the salvation of souls is Christina’s life goal. 

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​​​From her Chapter:

"The doctor soon discovered that I had an enlarged heart and after reviewing my father’s medical history and health records, my doctor observed that my EKG was remarkably similar to my father’s records.  Because of the strong similarities, the doctor explained that I too might eventually need a heart transplant but for the time being, I could resume regular daily activities."

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Kim Miller is the Director of the Women of Valor, Inc., of Life Christian Center International in Bellwood, Illinois. She is also the CEO and President of Purposed by Design Consulting and an Independent Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay Corporation.  Born, raised, and educated in Chicago, Illinois Kim has three sisters, Karen, Gabrielle, and Angela. Kim graduated from Jones Commercial High School in 1976 before attending college part time.

 

 Kim has always had the aspiration and mindset to be a leader.  She has exhibited those skills time and time again in various administrative roles. She has worked for The Quaker Oats Company, a subsidiary of PepsiCo a Fortune 500 Corporation as well as for the Village of Bellwood. 

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From Her Chapter:

Growing up, peer pressure often led me down wrong path-ways.  Encouraged to bow to the false identities at that stage of life, I heard deceptive voices trying to convince me “that’s who you are” and “that’s who you should be.” Sometimes, it was the challenge to “assume that look;” “take on that attitude,” or “accept that way of life.”  “Do it quickly and do it now because you know you can’t go through life not knowing who you are even if it may cost you your life!”

Nicole Friday-Ross is a resident of the far south suburbs of Chicago, where she was born and raised. A God fearing virtuous woman, with an equally-yoked husband, Sherron Ross. They have a beautiful baby girl, Marsei’. Nicole’s first passion is music with a highly attuned ear for harmony and a mega voice to-boot. Nicole and her husband were inspired to create God’s Appointed Ministries in 2001.  

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These gifts have positioned them to hold significant roles with the Stellar Award-winning gospel group Shekinah Glory Ministry where they contributed a powerful duet, “Lord, You Are” to their 2007 CD and also have written a song on the 2010 CD, simply titled “Living Life”.​

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Nicole along with a team of writers, were inspired to write a play entitled “ Hello Is It Me You’re Looking For”(2004) while also performing as one of the actresses.  Since the inspiration of the first play she has co-written various skits and have assisted another writer with a short film project.

 

​​From her Chapter:

"One Saturday night, I was at home preparing to go out when suddenly there was a knock on the door; it was him!   Oh no, I thought, it cannot be him or at least I did not want it to be because I am going out!   I answered the door and there he was with his sad self and he wanted to know “what was going on.”  Nonchalantly, I simply replied, “Nothing!”  Now remember, I had not heard from or seen him in weeks why would I automatically feel as though I had to answer to someone with whom I had become"....

Dr. Apostle Angela Morgan is a woman of great compassion who has dedicated nearly half of her life to bringing healing to hurting women of all ages.  She is the founder of Radical End Time Handmaidens, a ministry designed to help women overcome the history of their pasts and to equip them in fulfilling their destinies.

 

 Pastor Morgan provides prayer, intervention and accountability as tools to rebuild lives.  She serves alongside her husband as Co-Pastor of Radical End Time Ministries International, Inc.  She has written several plays, skits and poetry. Angela and her husband, Renaldo, have three children and two grandchildren.

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From Her Chapter:

I was around ten and a half years of age, when the molestation occurred.  I always thought my mother was too protective of me, not wanting me to go to sleepovers as my other friends were allowed to do.  She was always so cautious and did not leave us with just anyone. 

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Juliet Allen, freelance writer is Founder and President of Keepsake Creations. Believing that every life has a purpose and a story, Keepsake Creations allows Juliet to utilize her writing and design gifts to chronicle and celebrate life stories.

 

 Active in her community, Juliet is a Christian Education team leader/ teacher at Jubilee Baptist Church (Bolingbrook, IL).  A seasoned public speaker, Juliet speaks at churches, retreats, and regularly at a weekly women’s Bible study. She serves on the Executive Board of the African American Leadership Roundtable where her writing has been an asset.

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​​From her Chapter:

” Immediately, I want my response to be “Yes!” Yes! Yes!” My heart’s desire is to have a positive attitude and to make my daily journey a faith-filled adventure. I want to keep going and growing because I know God has so much more in store for me.  Yet sometimes, I get frustrated when the going gets tough—problems overwhelm, money gets tight, and tensions erupt in my marriage.  In those moments when disappointments and setbacks come uninvited, facing life with a positive attitude can be challenging."