Celebrating Sisterhood and Empowerment at the Women’s History Month Open House & Survivor Exhibit!
- Flo
- Mar 23
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 24
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Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending the Women’s History Month Open House & Survivor Exhibit at My Girlfriends Closet in Havensight, but this time, I wasn’t there as media – I was there to truly enjoy the event with my sisterhood. Although I was invited as part of a media agency, I couldn’t resist immersing myself in the event’s warmth, love, and inspiration.
We were warmly greeted by Dr. Khnuma “Dr. K,” who made sure we felt right at home. The event was an incredible showcase of local talent, with many of the items on display crafted by Virgin Islanders. We found ourselves falling in love with almost everything – from the stunning jewelry to the fabulous bags, outfits, and fragrances. It’s clear that My Girlfriends Closet is a true gem in the community.
Then, it was time to dance! We joined the SoKh Caribbean Dance Fitness class and, boy, did we break a sweat! The music was a beautiful blend of Soca, Krumpa, African (Angola) drums, and Bachata from Santo Domingo. We connected with the rhythm and moves, shutting out the world for a while and embracing the joyous freedom of dance. It was pure bliss. SHORT VIDEO CLIP COMING SOON (be sure to check back)
Next, we explored the Survivor Exhibit, which left me in awe. The artwork and words of the survivors were powerful reminders of courage and strength. It was moving to see their stories and artistry, and I left the exhibit feeling so thankful for their resilience.
According to the press release "The exhibit launch also serves as a ceremony of gratitude and reveal of the research 'Caribbean Women, Music & Dance: Self-Expression and Intimate Partner Violence' - a dissertation study by Dr. Khnuma Simmonds that investigated the perceived impact of Caribbean music and dance on the self-expression of Caribbean women in the U.S. Virgin Islands who have recovered from intimate partner violence. This exhibit is unveiled in the spirit of Sankofa (remembering the past to make progress in the future) as survivors share visual stories of healing from the past in hopes of reclaiming faces of empowerment for the future."
The real magic of the day, however, came from the inspirational talk given by Maria of Unique By Maria Banwaree, LLC, a life coach, survivor and so much more. From the moment Maria walked into the room, we were captivated by her presence. She exuded confidence, fashion, and love. She greeted us all as though we were old friends, and her authenticity made the room feel like a safe space for all of us. Maria’s talk, full of humor and honesty, left a lasting impact – she made us feel like we could accomplish anything.
After Maria’s session, we had the chance to break into smaller groups for one-on-one coaching, and I was fortunate enough to have a session with Lia Magras, an Executive & Entrepreneurship Coach.
As the owner of Flo Dynasty, I wear a lot of hats: graphic designer, website designer, blogger, YouTuber, photo/video editor, administrative assistant, social media manager… the list goes on, all while having my regular 8 to 5 job. One of the challenges I constantly face is wanting to do so much, while there only having one of me and not having enough time in a day to do all that I'd like. I often feel like I have to do everything myself because no one else will do it “the way I want,” and let’s face it – hiring someone is a cost I’m hesitant to take on. But Lia was quick to pinpoint what I need to address: Time Management and recommended Time Blocking as the solution. She encouraged me to treat personal time – reading, meditation, self-care – as an important appointment I cannot miss. Her advice was eye-opening, and I’m already working on implementing it. Time to stop putting things off for myself! She recommended hiring help, delegating the tedious task and saving my energy and time for the main task.
Additionally, we spoke about protecting my self from liability by separating the business from my personal by becoming an LLC. After my brother's passing I converted his business into an LLC for these same reasons. I however figured in this current business I can skip all extra that comes with being an LLC. Lia was the confirmation I needed as I had already ordered a book about this last month, received it earlier this month and hadn't started to read it until now.
Lia took the time to listen and she really got where I was coming from. By the time we were finished I felt lighter, and like I was on a mission.
After that, I had a one-on-one financial coaching session with Shawn Williams, a Certified Financial Peace University Coach. He kicked things off by asking, “What keeps you up at night?” For me, the answer is credit cards. The burden of credit card debt has been weighing heavily on my mind lately. Shawn talked me through the seven steps he follows, based on the teachings of Dave Ramsey. He helped me realize that it’s time for me to take a closer look at my finances, put on my accounting hat, and get organized. It’s a game-changer, especially since I have an accounting background. Shawn also recommended becoming and S-Corp (confirmation number 2 🤭). Well I sure purchased the right book eh, that's for sure!
The best part? All of these incredible services are free to survivors! I was blown away by the resources available, and I’m excited to share this with anyone who might benefit. H.O.P.E. programs and services are offered at no cost to survivors thanks to a 24-month grant from Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault and the National Department of Health and Human Services.
To learn more about H.O.P.E. Incorporated programs and services, please visit their website at www.hopeusvi.org. For more information on how you can get involved or to support the efforts of H.O.P.E. and/or Girlfriendism International, please email hopeusvi@girlfriendism.com.
About Girlfriendism™️ H.O.P.E.:
H.O.P.E. Incorporated - the philanthropic branch of Girlfriendism and a project of the St. Croix Foundation - is a non profit initiative governed by members of the Simmonds Family. Inspired by the creativity and community advocacy of the family unit, H.O.P.E. stands for Helping Ordinary People Everyday to be extraordinary through the arts and creative expression. It aims to foster social impact and create social change by utilizing the arts to promote social justice, healing and empowerment for individuals, families and the community. Our vision is to create a culture of healing in the community by cultivating hope through the arts. Girlfriendism™️ - the umbrella company of H.O.P.E. - is an internationally trademarked movement creating experiences for women in diverse industries including fashion, fitness, wellness business, travel and philanthropy through My Girlfriend’s Closet St. Croix, My Girlfriend’s Closet St. Thomas, SoKh Caribbean Dance Fitness, The Girlfriendism Retreat, Girlfriendism Travel and H.O.P.E. Incorporated. To learn more, please visit their site at www.girlfriendism.com and follow their social media pages and handles: Facebook and Instagram: @mgcusvi, @girlfriendismwellness
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The experience far exceeded my expectations. I left feeling empowered, inspired, and motivated to take better control of my time and finances. It’s my hope that many more survivors will get to access these free resources and benefit from the wisdom shared.
To Dr. K, My Girlfriends Closet, the speakers, coaches, and everyone involved – thank you for creating such a powerful space for growth, healing, and sisterhood.
What about you? What steps are you taking to prioritize yourself or your goals this year? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
... And Remember, Just Go With The Flo!
#WomensHistoryMonth #SurvivorExhibit #SupportSurvivors #HOPEPrograms #Empowerment #Sisterhood #VirginIslandsEvents #MyGirlfriendsCloset #CommunitySupport #DomesticViolenceAwareness #HealingJourney #CaribbeanWomen #VICommunity #WomenEmpoweringWomen #StrengthInSisterhood #DanceForHealing #GratitudeInAction
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