CONTRIBUTORS ( CONTINUED )
TOYIN LAWAL
ERICA MATHER is the President of 1000 Women in Religion for global peace , an initiative promoting the United Nations Peace agenda SDG 16 globally . As a Director of Peace for UNESCO , she leads an international peace movement and gender equality through the 1,000 Women in Religion for Global Peace with chapters across the United States , Africa , and Europe . Toyin is also the senior pastor of Tabernacle Worship and Prayer ( TWP ) Ministries , headquartered in Palmdale , CA . She enjoys mentoring , coaching , and teaching by serving as a role model for others . She is an active member of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership , The American Nurses Association , and The American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing , serving as their Chairperson for the Planning Committee . She was the past Chairperson Succession Committee for Sigma Gamma At Large . Her commitment to humanity has won her many local , national , and international awards . The Mayor ’ s Office in Los Angeles featured Toyin for her efforts during the COVID19 Pandemic . She was recognized among 100 Women Trailblazers at UCLA . In 2021 , Toyin received United Nations Commission on Status of Women Power of Dreams Award . She also received the Barco Nightingales Foundation Nursing Excellence Award in 2021 and President ’ s Volunteer Award in 2022 . She is an evidence-based Fellow at UCLA Health . Toyin ’ s inspiring and empowering story , “ Becoming The Woman I Envision I Am To Be ,” is perfect for our Bubble Of Quiet Confidence section ! grew up swimming , playing the piano , and reading books . She began her lifelong career as an educator at 17 , teaching sailing and windsurfing at the University of Wisconsin , Madison Hoofers Sailing Club . Erica attended UW-Madison and earned two degrees ; Music Theory and Music Education . When her father died at the young age of 56 , Erica , at 23 , realized life is short , and it ’ s best to quickly get on with living in alignment with what matters most . She quit her day job , played the piano professionally , and self-produced two jazzinspired albums , Borderlands ( 1999 ) and The Millennium Song Cycle ( 2001 ). Erica was voted “ Madison ’ s Favorite Jazz Artist ” in the Isthmus Reader ’ s Poll in 2002 . She served on the Mayor ’ s Arts Advisory Board . At 26 , Erica began experiencing adult-onset migraines , going overnight from “ healthy ” to “ gravely ill .” On a quest for relief , she discovered Forrest Yoga . In the summer of 2006 , Erica completed the immersive Forrest Yoga 200-hour Teacher Training with Ana Forrest in Boston . In 2009 , Ana selected her to be a lineage-holder ( called “ a Guardian ”) in the Forrest Yoga system . In 2014 , Erica founded The Adore Your Body Transformational Program , a 7-step system on handling body image challenges , and The Yoga Clinic of NYC to educate clients , medical practitioners , and yoga teachers on the empowering self-care practices of yoga . Erica ’ s compelling story , “ Your Body Has a Purpose ,” is perfect for our Mama ’ s Me Time section !
TRACY SECOMBE is the founder of Soul Pleaser , Director of Potential Realized , and Author of From People Pleaser to Soul Pleaser . She lives in Adelaide , Australia , with her family . Tracy grew up with a selfless , caring mother and an entrepreneurial father who taught her to put everyone first and work hard . She is grateful for these lessons , as they served her well until she became constantly anxious and burnt out from being a people pleaser . Tracy has been on and off in her Soul ' s path all her life . She enjoys doing what she loves and feels passionate about contributing to other people ’ s happiness . However , she would soon get overwhelmed and distracted because she was taking on too much in an attempt to please others . Her mom ’ s passing in 2016 reminded Tracy about what is important in life . She realized that she matters and vowed to prioritize connection to her “ Self ,” family , and service without losing herself in the mix anymore . Tracy is now on a mission to help others regroup and remind themselves of their uniqueness and magnificence . She shares with them six steps to being who you are meant to be so
they can realign with their highest potential and live the life they love . Tracy ’ s empowering story , “ Discovering My Purpose and Soul Happiness ,” is the perfect inspiration for Our Global Village section !
8 | Inspirations for Better Living • March 2023