Quotes for Souls of My Sisters

“A collection of  open-hearted stories that share the hard challenges that face Black women every day-love, sex , racism money--written and edited by Dawn Marie Daniels and Candace Sandy.  This candid testimony from women of all walks of life-celebrities, authors and activist among them-is a map to healing as Sisters realize they are not alone.  It's a touching and empowering book that creates a special circle of Sisterhood.”

- Ebony Magazine, October 2000, Page 25

 “[Souls of My Sisters] Provides an opportunity for us to stop apologizing for what we have no control over and control what we can.”

- Debra Fraser-Howze, President/CEO of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS

“Like flavorful dishes and spicy stories shared around the dinner table, Souls of My Sisters simmers up enlightening experiences which are a tasteful medley that provides nourishment for our souls . . . Now that’s Soulfood!”

- Tren’ness Woods, Vice President of Communications, Webbe, Inc. and Granddaughter of Sylvia Woods (owner of Sylvia’s Soul Food Restaurants)

“Souls of My Sisters provides an honest portrayal of real women telling their stories.  The common experience becomes a source of power, which will eventually develop into advocacy for all women of color.”

- Donna Frisby-Greenwood, Executive Director, Inner-City Games and Co-Chair, The Black Youth Vote Coalition

“I recently attended a book signing for this book and I was moved to tears by the sharing of some of the participants in this masterpiece. This book is about women telling their stories, empowering themselves, loving themselves, finding inner peace and strength, communicating with each other on a spirtual level, and all other good things that women can do for each other through communication. I recommend this book to all women. It is a very personal, loving spirtual, inspiring conversation between sisters.

- Karen Jeffries Wells, CEO of a Computer Consulting Company

“It is a fact that we will all face many obstacles and challenges in a lifetime.  When I put my faith in God, I learned that my barriers become roads to travel and that there is nothing that cannot be faced.  Souls of My Sisters provides an opportunity for women to face their fears and realize they can triumph against any odds.”

- Roshumba Williams, Model

Praise for Tears to Triumph

"Tears To Triumph gives us the golden lesson of life; adversity is not about failure, instead it should be transformed into a spring board for success.”

~ America's Psychologist Dr. Jeff Gardere

“These stories show us that when we think we are experiencing the worst of what life has to offer,  we may be actually experiencing the best of life! Tears to Triumph makes it clear that  lessons that are learned from going through those trials prepare us for the next level that God had in store for us.”

~ Alabama State Representative Merika Coleman

“This book goes a long way towards helping us better understand how our pain and not just our successes makes us stronger, better and renewed.”

~ Dr. Rahn Kennedy Bailey, Chair of Psychiatry at Meharry Medical School

My testimony
Melissa Mann-Jones

I guess you could say that souls of my sisters started helping me out even before the book was published. I met Candace Sandy through a mutual friend and she has remained a sister and mentor to me ever since.

I just moved to NY a transplant from Toronto, Canada, in search for a record and publishing deal. New and very unacquainted of things and treatment of women in Entertainment, I endured sexual harassment, derogatory treatment with blatant disrespect from music execs and producers that just wanted to date or sleep with me. I knew within my spirit I could not or would not give in. Candace would always be a comfort and support to me not to give up and don’t let “them win” and that I had more power than just my visual appearance, I just had not discovered it.

I remember being asked on short notice to record a demo of a song I wrote, so excited I went to the studio on 48th and Broadway and couldn’t bring my friend who usually accompanied me to sessions, but something inside just feel right and I didn’t listen. This night became pivotal in my growth as a woman who listens internally.

In the studio, I was locked in a sound booth while a “number one" Producer tried to rape me, luckily or fatefully, I was able to escape literally with just my underwear, and a torn bra, I fled to a burger king that was closed and an employee opened the door and kindly gave me her uniform.
After making it home and breaking down on the bathroom floor (as we all do at some point in life) I picked up Souls of my Sisters and read the chapter Today My Soul Will Fly. I didn’t get upset about the situation that occurred, but I was angry at myself for not listening to my inner voice. Whenever I’m pondering something or someone this chapter helps me to listen within.

After exhausting relationships and bizarre situations, I decided to move to Los Angeles,
with a new outlook and sense of self, but unfortunately the industry was the same there. It was hard for me suffering panic attacks in the recording booth from the previous incident in Ny.I also started getting hives and allergic type reactions whenever life was stressful. Later to be diagnosed with Lupus. Ironically after they told me I was handed a booklet on the condition and the symbol was a butterfly due to a rash some people get with lupus.

When I got home I threw out the book that they gave me, telling me everything under the sun could go wrong and picked up Souls of my sisters Ironically which the cover resembles a lady with butterfly wings. I read  from cover to cover again. And at that point I said Lupus is not going to have me, I just happen to have lupus. At that point I realized that Souls of my Sisters will be a life reference for me as well as the Bible, to be able to confront and subsist in the obstacles that will come. 
And each chapter I face in life, love, health marriage, divorce, career changes and loving again. Souls of my Sisters has had a page to help me through.

I thank you

Sincerely,
Madame Buttafly!!