SOPHIA I'M BACK
Victory is Mine!
1996 - Sophia at age 16
1989 - Sophia at age 9
Photo featured in Sept. 2010 Marie Claire Magazine re: sexual abuse victims
In 1989, a father starts molesting his daughter. She is nine years old. This continued for the next two years followed with three rapes by three other men. Each time taking more of her identity and self-worth.
She is quoted in her self titled book, “Sophia ~ I’m Back!” as saying “By the age of sixteen I felt like a washed up rag. I felt like – what else!” BUT there was an underlying strength that God had given her to overcome the unimaginable. To overcome both of her parents being on drugs, homeless and pregnant at 15 years old. Strength that only comes from a shear determination to defy the odds and stereotypes to become a SURVIVOR.
After watching a documentary on Oprah Winfrey, she realized they had similar pasts. At that moment she said “If Oprah can decide not to allow her past to dictate her future, then I refuse to be another statistic.” From then on, Sophia was propelled into her true destiny…being an inspiration for other woman and children to follow.
Her critically acclaimed book, “Sophia ~ I’m Back” is filled with remedies for past hurts, disappointments, abuse, loneliness and guilt. It tackles all of the myths surrounding sexual abuse and provides the FACTS that every parent and person should know. Motivated to shout her story from the mountaintops by the real Coach Ken Carter from the 2005 Hit Paramount movie “Coach Carter” starring Samuel L. Jackson, Sophia has been traveling all over the US bringing a new found joy, self esteem and empowerment to victims of sexual abuse or just plain life.
As a result Sophia founded “Empowerment Driven by Knowledge Coalition” a 501c3 dedicated to empowering others to survive and overcome. Their motto: Rebuilding communities’ one family at a time. She’s partnered alongside Martin Luther King III, son of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his organization Realizing the Dream in hosting their National Listening & Learning Poverty Tour in American to East Waco and Marlin, Texas. A Historical event reigniting hope for thousands of families. These two communities have been plagued with over 40% of their populations living at or below the poverty level and high percentages of single parent homes, incarceration and drug dependency.
Those who feel as if their past or current circumstances have kept them bound will find this woman’s journey a true inspiration for all ages, genders and demographics. As she so elegantly states in her speeches “The sky is NOT the limit”. Sophia A Strother is dedicated to empowering others to live, love and laugh all over the US.
She is currently a single mother of three and holds a MBA in Marketing and LCCA (Licensed Child Care Administrator). Sophia is the CEO of Empowerment Driven by Knowledge Coalition (nonprofit that she founded) & Trustworthy Consulting, working on community projects involving LaDainian Tomlinson (Former RB San Diego Chargers), Coach Carter from 2005 Paramount Hit “Coach Carter” starring Samuel L. Jackson, Martin Luther King III and many more. Sophia is also the host of "Sophia's Juicy Dish Radio Show" featured on BlogTalkRadio. She was just awarded “Citizen of the Month” by the Central Texas African American Chamber of Commerce, presented June 2009 and was featured on the cover of UMonthly Magazine in July 2009.
Click here to read 2009 UMonthly July Article
Click here to ready Press Release
2009 Touch Love Award
Request Sophia to come and share her testimony of Survival and Hope!
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Can you see your victory coming? I can.
Helpful Organizations for Survivors and/or Survivors’ Family and Friends
RAINN- Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network
Take Back the Night
Rape Is
National Foundation to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse
National Sexual Violence
Resource Center
National Organization on Male Sexual Victimization
If you have been a victim or know someone who has PLEASE REPORT it to law enforcement. Only 2% of offenders are prosecuted and only 16% of sexual abuse crimes are even reported. Please don’t live as a victim! live as a SURVIVOR!
New book follows woman’s triumph over abuse
Sophia I’m Back by Sophia A. Strother chronicles the author’s own traumatic plight and offers guidance on overcoming personal struggle
Sophia I’m Back by Sophia A. Strother aims to inspire others to live and love more fully by telling the author’s own story of how she was able to move on with her life after facing abuse and adversity.
Strother has endured much in her life—from sexual abuse and drug-addicted parents to being homeless and pregnant at 15. As an adult, Strother has struggled with and overcome her past demons and built a life and career around helping others. Sophia I’m Back is the author’s story of how she was able to remedy her past hurts, disappointments and tragedies. With this book, Strother intends to educate and help others to rise above troubled pasts by discussing the facts and myths surrounding abuse, signs of abuse for parents to look for in their children, national statistics and poetry from the heart of a survivor.
Strother was inspired to turn her negative experiences into a positive influence after watching a documentary on Oprah Winfrey as a teenager. “I refuse to be another statistic,” says Strother. With support from public advocates like Coach Ken Carter, star of 2005 Paramount Film featuring Samuel L. Jackson, and Martin Luther King III, Strother has become an activist for struggling families and communities throughout Central Texas and shares the wisdom of her success in Sophia I’m Back. My desire is to thank personally two women that have inspired me even when I thought I was going to throw in the towel, Oprah and Maya Angelou.” Strother states. I’m now the voice for all of the unheard whispers that are present in a lot of these smaller communities that don’t get national attention but are dealing with national issues.” Her life has come full circle - once the victim of abuse by the hands of men – now she’s working with the real Coach Carter as the Administrator for an all boys transitional living facilitate helping to mold young men who are broken become role models and responsible men that will know how to treat women.
About the Author
Sophia A. Strother is the CEO of Empowerment Driven by Knowledge Coalition & Trustworthy Consulting, a nonprofit community organization she founded. She is a radio personality on “Sophia’s Juicy Dish” on blogtalkradio.com. She also works for the State of Texas aiding individuals with disabilities in attaining employment or furthering their education. Sophia holds a master’s degree in marketing and is a licensed childcare administrator. Strother is a community advocate, inspirational speaker and the single mother of three beautiful children.
CONTACT:
Sophia A. Strother, MBA
Empowerment Driven by Knowledge Coalition
Email: sophiastrother@hotmail.com
Phone: (254) 495-5556
Web:www.trustworthyconsult.com
www.trustworthyconsult.comRadio: www.blogtalkradio.com/sophiasjuicydish
