Celebrating Resilience with Love Letters to Our Bodies
- Moyo Institute, Inc.
- May 25
- 3 min read
This past weekend, we had the privilege of hosting the Love Letters to Our Bodies workshop, a transformative experience dedicated to exploring the profound mind-body-spirit connection. This special workshop was designed as a gift to African-American women on their cancer journey, creating a sacred space for healing, connection, and empowerment.
Inspiring Voices, Powerful Stories
We were honored to welcome two extraordinary guest speakers who brought their wisdom, strength, and lived experiences to our community.
Zainab Sow, founder of the Melanin Breast Cancer Alliance, shared her personal journey as well as insights on advocacy and support within the cancer community. Her dedication to creating resources and connections for those affected by breast cancer resonated deeply with our participants.
Erin "Bionic" Brown brought her incredible story of transformation and triumph. A celebrated founder of programs for the differently abled, Erin's journey from cancer survivor to accomplished triathlete exemplifies the power of resilience. After losing her leg to an above-the-knee amputation due to cancer, she didn't just rebuild her life—she soared to new heights, ultimately becoming a triathlete and earning the honor of being named Godmother of the Odyssey of the Seas vessel in the Royal Caribbean fleet. Erin's update about a recent injury reminds us that life continues to bring challenges that show us the importance of self-care and taking time to rest and rejuvenate.
A Community of Courage
The heart of our workshop was found in the courage and openness of our participants. Throughout the day, women shared their personal journeys with remarkable vulnerability and strength. These moments of connection reminded us all that while cancer may be part of our stories, it doesn't define the entirety of who we are.
The sharing was filled with laughter, tears, wisdom, and hope as participants explored what it means to write love letters to bodies that have carried them through unimaginable challenges, including three generations of breast cancer, recurrence and multiple cancers found. Yet, there is determination, hope, faith and the desire to understand the body and how it functions.
Celebrating Our Community
We were thrilled to award $50 gift certificates to Kim Clay and Luanda Wesley, recognizing their meaningful participation and contributions to our workshop community. Winners of the January gift certificates were Kamika Allen and Dana Herbert.
Moving Forward with Love
The Love Letters to Our Bodies workshop reminded us that healing happens in community, that our bodies deserve love and gratitude regardless of what they've endured, and that the mind-body-spirit connection is a powerful force for transformation.
"It is a time commitment, but so worth it," said Kimberly Clay. "Even though I was in my own home participating online, it felt like being in a spa where you were pampered and taken care of."
Tell a friend, the next Love Letters to Our Bodies Workshop will take place on July 19&20 - https://tinyurl.com/Love-Ltrs-July2025.
We're grateful to everyone who joined us for this beautiful two days of connection, healing, and celebration. Until we gather again, may we all continue celebrating the little things about our bodies that we take for granted — honoring our journeys, embracing our strength, and celebrating the incredible bodies that carry us through life.
Gwendolyn Mitchell
Creator, Love Letters to Our Bodies Project
Comments