STRUT! May 2014 | Page 18

Sylinda Mumphrey My name is Sylinda D. Mumphery. I am the President of SylindaD, LLC, an author of three books, mentor, youth and women empowerment speaker. I was born and raised in Cordele, Georgia and now reside in Atlanta. I am the eldest of three and the only girl. As I pursue a degree in Business Management with a minor in Marketing/Advertising. I recently founded a mentoring program 'Girls To Pearls.' This platform gives me opportunities to speak to young ladies about integrity, morals, self- love and how to pursue their passion while walking as a queen. I had two breast cancer scares in one year that left a large hole in my left breast. This was a life changing and challenging event for me. I was left with a hole in my breast and heart. I lost my house, my marriage to divorce, my car and the enemy tried to make me lose my mind. I was diagnosed with fibroids, causing me to have to endure a surgery (myomectomy) and eventually having to have them removed- again through a UFE being performed. When I began to own my STRUT, things started to shift. My willingness to be a voice for cancer Awareness resulted in the design of my own cancer Awareness T-shirt. It has been displayed in several boutiques. I remember feeling like everything that belonged to me was being cut on and cut out of my life. I no longer wanted to look at myself because of the scars. I no longer knew the woman in the mirror. Even though I was going through my storm, no one knew it because I concealed it well with a mask. I smiled behind the pain. I adorned myself with beautiful garments as a means of drawing attention away from me. I was dressed up, but messed up. During my time of testing, there were many other women reaching out to me with their problems. This is when I realized how strong I was and that my problem was not for me… but to help others. By engaging in conversations with other women while going through storms in my life, my book 'Heal My Private Parts' was birthed. There are so many women who suffer with private pain. They try to keep it together and look the part but all the while they are pushing themselves into a position of personal abandonment. I want women to know that they have so much power within, but you have to know it for yourself. Not one time did I decide to lay down and give up on my dreams and passion. I used the fight within to punch my way to the top. I give credit to my mother for igniting the fire inside and motivating me to go after her dreams. I know that my purpose is to speak into the lives of others. My purpose is to inspire, impact and empower others to be the best that they can be. I have spoken at several churches, conferences, youth groups and schools. Currently, I am promoting my new book ‘Heal My Private Parts’ through the 'Removing the Bandages Movement'. This movement is geared towards women of all races, social and economic backgrounds. It has been designed to speak to those things that lie dormant within. Simultaneously, encouraging women to face their wounds and remove the