Community Feature: She Speaks
When we learned about Miss Kansas Jr.’s sexual assault awareness outreach platform, we knew we needed to find out more. Learn more by reading our short interview with Bella Andra here!
Tell us about She Speaks and why it's so important.
She Speaks is an outreach program that I created to help prevent sexual assault and spread awareness. When I was very young I began to be sexually abused - this went on for many years until I was finally able to speak my truth and get out of that situation. As soon as I felt I was healed enough to help other girls like me, I created She Speaks. I have been given many opportunities to publicly speak about She Speaks with the news and at my very first pageant! I have also begun my very own “Get Your NO Heard” self defense workshops for girls of all ages, happily partnered with Garry Tate, local Sheriff Deputy and owner of Fuzion Martial Arts. She Speaks is helping our community by conducting a media tour, partnering with the Child Advocacy Center, and receiving thousands of dollars in community grants to eventually become a non-profit. My biggest goal for She Speaks is to get into the schools more. Since abuse can begin at a young age, it is very important that we remember to focus on our youth as well. Along with speaking in schools, I would also love to host self defense classes in schools during a gym class!
Who is your favorite female leader/role model?
My all time role model has got to be Blake Lively, aside from the fact that she is the best actress EVER… she is also a huge advocate for sexual assault and trafficking. I look up to her the most because she has a platform that she is not afraid to use to voice her own opinions. She is not only helping prevent trafficking and sexual assault, but she also promotes great confidence which I find holding myself down sometimes in the sense of what people may think of me.
How can our community best support your mission?
Your community would greatly benefit my platform by getting the word out there for She Speaks and our mission. I would also love any opportunity to publicly speak more about my story and my mission. I love to hear others' feedback and what I can improve on! I also love the fact that The Thread is women based and I look forward to creating powerful relationships with strong women in our community.
Where can we find you to follow along?
She Speaks is on Instagram and Facebook: @she.speaks.saa
We also just launched our website - shespeakssaa.com
What does confidence mean to you?
I always love this question! Confidence to me is looking at yourself in the mirror and telling yourself and believing that you can conquer anything and follow your dreams no matter what gets in the way. Confidence is using your voice to speak your truth no matter the comments or pushback you might receive.