Wendy Lindberg -- America's SUPER Queen
They are chilling statistics:according to http://domesticviolencestatistics.org/domestic-violence-statistics/
- Every 9 seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten.
- Around the world, at least one in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during
- Studies suggest that up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually.
- Everyday in the US, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends.
- Ninety-two percent of women surveyed listed reducing domestic violence and sexual assault as their top concern.
- Based on reports from 10 countries, between 55 percent and 95 percent of women who had been physically abused.
So LeTecia Cunningham, has decided her mission in platform pageantry should be to share her experience with a violent relationship, and as a domestic violence survivor, to help change these statistics.
"At one point in my life it seemed like I got every loser, bad-boy." LeTecia said. "I got with a guy who was fine and had great money. At first he treated me like I have always wanted to be treated.. (but) as we got more into the relationship, it started off with the insults and put downs, and then it went into the pushing and shaking," she continues. "We had been together for about five years and I had been slapped and punched and beaten and bruised enough that I started to actually get that I wanted to get out of this. That it wasn't what I wanted in life. So I made my decision to get out."
When LeTecia was leaving, she met her partner at the stair well. The confrontation ended with him shooting her and beating her to near death.
Working the Platform
Now LeTecia works with her platform of domestic violence awareness and working with survivors. LeTecia has actually been brought to many undisclosed areas where shelters are located to talk to women who have left their mates to survive. "I tell them my story and I let them know (not to) give up. Keep going. Even if you leave everything behind, you still have your life. And as long as you have your life, you an get all that materialistic stuff back."
"(Domestic Violence) is a thing that goes through every community. It's in the roughest of neighborhoods out into the neighborhoods with the best and prettiest houses. This is something that knows no color, no creed, no financial background. If a woman is getting hurt, you have to get help." LeTecia shared. "You Have got to tell somebody (if you are being abused)."
I checked out this TED talk that shared another woman's story and her thoughts on why women don't leave these situations. You can see this video HERE.
Author and Work
LeTecia is also in talks with a publishing company to get her book out on the shelves in the 2014 spring. The title is Love Can Break a Thug. "I can't tell you (too much of what happens) because you won't get the book." LeTecia Joke.
In addition to the book, LeTecia is an ordained minister. "Everything is grounded with God... I knew him, then I went through that phase where I went out into the streets. I had to get shot and get my head busted a couple times. But then you come home... You always want to come back. I am thankful that I serve a God that when I was ready to come home, he was there with open arms to welcome me back." She says. Working at 247 Praise Radio also gives her the chance to share her love for God.
LeTecia also talked a bit about working for Tyler Perry as the project development coordinator for Perry Studios. Stephanie asked LeTecia to tell the audience a bit about that. "(When we are together) it is a lot of work related things. But I can truthfully say that he is humble. He is very down-to-earth," she said. "(He) does so many things for people in his film studios (and the community). He has programs where he actually trains individuals at the film studios and gives them skills so they can get out of the streets and get a career. ... I wish more people who had big businesses would see we all make mistakes in life, but if no one is willing to give you a second chance, we're just going to have communities of people filled with mistakes."
Ms United America Woman
LeTecia also talked about her title with the United America System and being a plus sized individual. "I really believe as a plus sized woman, we shine too. We just got more to do it with. I enjoy it, and I love our pageant system, United America. I love our sisters in the system. ... The beauty pageant system was something I was scared of. It's really starting to open their arms and embrace plus sized women."
To see the interview, please check out the video below along with additional links to information about domestic violence.
Some links about domestic violence:
National Domestic Violence Hotline http://www.thehotline.org/
http://www.domesticviolence.org/
http://www.ncadv.org/
http://www.now.org/issues/violence/stats.html
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_types_signs_causes_effects.htm
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