During the Corona Pandemic, domestic violence reports surged as people were forced to be quarantined in homes, often together with their abusers. Stress levels peaked and a variety of circumstances brought out the worst in people, triggering emotions and reactions. Of course, abuse isn’t new, this is not an occurrence that just started, but it is often a taboo conversation that is avoided because of the pain, guilt, hurt or embarrassment associated with the victims. 

Today we hear a story of success, a celebration of life, a revelation of a healing process, from an amazingly strong woman, as we dive into this sensitive topic of abuse. Melissa Jordan is a Doctor of Educational Leadership with over 15 years in her field. She began her career in education as a High School Counselor and is currently a high school administrator in Michigan. She is a wife, mother of 10-month-old twins, a life coach, and a podcaster. Melissa tells her traumatic story of violation starting from the tender age of 6 when she was the victim of sexual molestation for a number of years, at the hands of a family member that was supposed to love and protect her. Later in life, she landed in an abusive marriage that continued to tear at her spirit.  There are some of you who have been abused or molested. There are some in abusive situations right now. There are others trying to get out of abusive relationships. And of course, those in the healing process or still recovering. You are her, you know her, or you have heard of her. The abused woman.  She looks for love in the wrong places because her innocence wasn’t protected. She accepts treatment that she doesn’t deserve because her own self-worth was stolen. She puts her needs last because she has been made to feel guilty or selfish through narcissistic behavior. She blames herself for the way others treat her because she was manipulated. But then one day, she woke up and looked in the mirror and didn’t know or like the woman she had become. She recognized and remembered WHO SHE IS and gave herself permission to heal, to put herself first, to break the cycle, and to move forward in her strength.  She set boundaries that couldn’t be broken. She forgave herself for accepting blame that wasn’t hers. She surrounded herself with a support shield of friends and family. She broke the Code of Silence. She sought out help. She rewrote her story. She healed. Dr. Melissa Jordan, you are a SHERO and we thank you for sharing your story of triumph to let others know that they can do the same. From a victim to a confident woman of power, not just surviving but thriving in life. We honour you. You are more than your past. You are more than your pain. You are strong. You are beautiful. You are worthy. Your healing is your right. Your present is your gift. And your future is your choice. Walk positively in your purpose and reclaim your crown, Queens. Instagram- @dopechickmjwebsite- www.dopechicklifepodcast.com