About Us
We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides transitional assistance for women experiencing distress. We provide a platform for healing and transformation among women who are survivors of sexual, mental, and domestic abuse. We serve as a pathway from instability to stability by equipping women to unleash their voice, own their values, and walk in their destiny.
We believe all women can embrace who they are,
can define their future, and can change the world.
Our Mission
Our Mission is to provide education, workshops, shelters, and other resources to victims and survivors of physical, mental, and sexual abuse so that they can have a better quality of life.
Our Vision
Our Vision is to equip victims and survivors of physical, mental and sexual abuse with the resources necessary for healing as they approach a better quality of life.
Meet Our Board Members
Gloria Henderson, Founder
Gloria Henderson opened a boutique-style massage practice, Soulful Journey, in 2011. As a survivor of child abuse, both physical and sexual, she saw Soulful Journey as a source of healing, a place where she could use her knowledge, skills, and abilities in massage therapy to help others.
Since opening her doors over a decade ago, Gloria has encountered women who are professional, successful, and educated, whom she discovered were also battling feelings of not good enough, a lack of self-love and abuse. Knowing that she was not alone, Gloria set out to provide a platform for others who have experienced trauma in their lives that have left them fragmented.
The “I AM Enough” Retreat is for women to gather, to foster healing through music and workshops, and to provide an avenue for continued healing on their journey to wholeness and recognizing their best selves.
Jill Johnson
Founder of True Found Wellness, serving as a Registered Nurse, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, GAPS Practitioner and Wellness Strategist. She has five children, two grandchildren, an energetic Schnoodle and resides in Virginia Beach with her husband Junior.
In Jill’s medical career she served as a Registered Nurse in Cardiac Intensive Care and various administrative roles with great success until the occurrence her “incurable” auto-immune disability in 1998. Thankfully an amazing reality unfolded in her understanding that our bodies were created to heal and repair… and with that the importance of healing spirit, soul and body! During the 15 years while finding keys to her recovery she was also confronted with the reality of her childhood which had been laced with abuses and neglect. Along the way becoming a Licensed Minister and learning much in her own journey, she is keenly aware that the greatest gift she ever received was the clarity from God that He was not like her father. Because of this, she was able to grow in relationship with God through the years as not only her greatest Father, Redeemer, Provider, and Friend, but pathway-to-wholeness… spirit, soul, and body. Because of this, her heart has always been to do what she is able to lift others up any way she can since the truths she has found and efforts of her hands should not be kept hidden.
After meeting Gloria at the first “I Am Enough” Workshop, it was clear that supporting her in reaching out to help other survivors was vitally important… IAE is a huge project that requires many hands and hearts to reach its goals. She is certainly excited that IAE is part of her mission… spirit, soul and body!
MAJ Elizabeth R Batts, Secretary
Joined the service on 20 January 1998 as a Private First Class (PFC) and completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. She then went on to complete AIT at Fort Sam Houston, Texas as a 91B Medical Specialist. MAJ Batts first duty assignment was as a 91B Medical Specialist for Bayne Jones Army Community Hospital at Fort Polk, LA. In 1999, she reclassified and became a 91BN9 Physical Therapy Assistant and was assigned to Dilorenzo Health Clinic Pentagon, Washington DC. In 2002 she was selected for the Army Enlisted Commissioning Program (AECP) where she attended Old Dominion University and earned a Bachelors in Nursing Science Degree. In 2005 she completed Officer basic training at Fort Sam Houston, TX as a 2nd LT. Throughout her career she has PCS’d 8 times to different locations to include where she received medical training: Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington DC, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, Kenner Army Health Clinic, Fort Lee, VA, WOMACK Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, NC. In 2012 MAJ Batts earned her Master’s in Nursing Science Degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of Cincinnati while serving as the Faculty Advisor for the Army’s largest Licensed Practical Nursing Phase II site. MAJ Batts was instrumental in providing care in the Attack on the Pentagon and Hurricane Katrina Humanitarian Mission. Her final assignment was with the Clark Health Clinic, WOMACK, Fort Bragg, NC. Retiring with 20 Years of Service she will earn her Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree from Chatham University in May 2018.
Rev. Dr. Sandra Sessoms-Penny
A highly motivated and engaging ministering professional. She is founder and principal of Inevitable Growth Life Coaching and Consulting, LLC. As a John Maxwell Team certified coach, speaker and trainer, she helps individuals, communities, churches and organizations maximize their full potential, overcome challenges and grow their lives. She is a published author. She is a military veteran having served more than 21 years in the United States Air Force. She served as an educator and school administrator in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. She offers a monthly complimentary I-GROW Group Coaching Mastermind Group focused on personal development through her coaching practice. She also trains and certifies life coaches in her I-GROW Coaching Academy. She serves as a Research Fellow and University Research Methodologist for the University of Phoenix. A graduate of The George Washington University, Old Dominion University, Troy State University and Saint Leo University, Sandra believes learning is key to breaking bearers, overcoming challenges and reaching your potential. She is an associate minister at Zion Prospect Baptist Church, Yorktown, Virginia. Modeling a servant’s heart, she knows how to get people to make things happen now! She honors and lives by the statement, “Change is inevitable; however, your growth must be intentional.” Originally from Ft. Pierce, Florida, Sandra enjoys traveling, writing and spending quality time with her family. She married to Rev. Alonzo Penny. Discover more about Dr. Sessoms-Penny at www.inevitablegrowth.com