50th Anniversary Story

By: Ciara, Change the Narrative Fellow

Being selected to be a part of WOMEN'S WAY came at a time when I believed I had already healed from my past. But when I began sharing my story, I realized healing isn’t always complete; it’s a journey. I found myself still holding on to old pain, still seeking closure from people who were still present in my life. It made speaking my truth difficult, because I didn’t want to offend anyone or reopen old wounds, but WOMEN'S WAY helped me realize something life-changing: MY STORY IS MINE, AND MY VOICE MATTERS.

As an immigrant from Jamaica who left my entire family behind to pursue a better life, except for my father, Everton Douglas, I became a U.S. citizen. Having experienced life after foster care without support, I deeply understand the feeling of being left to navigate challenges independently. This personal experience motivated me to advocate for youth transitioning out of Foster Care and champion gender equality. I was in the foster care system from age 10 to 21, experiencing homelessness at ages 10, 14, and again at 21.

After leaving foster care, I enrolled in college in 1999, but I was abruptly told that college wasn’t for me. For a long time, I accepted this notion. However, personal growth compelled me to change my mindset. I had to unlearn the limitations imposed upon me and choose to believe in my own potential. Upon my return in 2021, I emerged stronger and more determined than ever before.

Through WOMEN'S WAY, I found more than just a platform; I found healing, confidence, and community. Being surrounded by other women who shared their truths reminded me that I wasn’t alone. I built genuine connections and gained the strength to stop shrinking myself and start standing fully in who I am.
As a divorced mother of two children, SAAGE and SHEMARR Washington, this experience felt like a form of healing and counseling. Having access to support, even therapists, made me feel seen, heard, and supported on a deeper level.

Today, I stand proud not only of who I am, but of what I’ve accomplished. I’ve earned two COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS, THE RUTH HOLMES BACON SCHOLARSHIP, and recognition for EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. I am graduating on May 2nd from the Community College of Philadelphia as an early childhood education teacher. My father had to deal with homelessness and wasn’t stable enough to take care of me, but we are closer than ever due to the support from WOMEN'S WAY.

WOMEN'S WAY didn’t just invest in me; they reminded me that I am worthy of investing in myself. They helped me release the weight I was carrying and step into my purpose with confidence and a brighter future. WOMEN'S WAY made me feel like a star. And now, I don’t just feel like I shine, I know that I do.

Thank you WOMEN'S WAY, Kelly S., Aathira, Kelly L., Jos, Syreeta, Tezarah, and Diane Cornman-Levy for always making me feel never forgotten, even beyond my time at WOMEN'S WAY.

Photos courtesy of Ciara

This story is a part of the WOMEN'S WAY 50th Anniversary Storytelling initiative. To learn more and submit your own story, please visit: womensway.org/WW50