Recalling more than a decade of incest and family trafficking cost me my ambition, my spirituality and nearly my sanity. Within three years, I was divorced, unemployed, disowned by my brothers and battling their attempts to discredit me.

My story doesn’t end there. A scholar, I researched and sought healing. Traditional psychotherapy and prescription medicine interwoven with Rolfing, massage and acupuncture all played a role in my journey. With time, I discovered process painting. The creative experience, not the final product, was the goal.

My early love of nature, renewed by the natural beauty of Colorado, inspired the artist within me; I chose the colors, the brushes and the strokes. Empowered, my independence was restored.

Emerging from the aftershocks a leader, I founded the organization Finding Our Voices to advocate for and support survivors of sexual violence. We provide workshops, conduct outreach, and provide art-based healing. We actively advocate campaigns to raise public awareness and extend the network of resources for survivors.