Tawana Williams, a motivational speaker and author who was born without arms, was the keynote speaker for a recent Women’s Empowerment Summit in Georgetown.
The event was held at The Meeting Place Outreach on Highmarket Street.
In 1963 Williams’s mother wrote to President John F. Kennedy explaining to him that her baby was born without arms and she needed some help to show her how to use her feet.
The President wrote her back and sent her to a hospital in Durham, N.C.
He told her that she did not have to worry about the expenses.
Tawana stayed in the hospital for four years and learned how to do everything with her feet.
Williams is now married to Keither Toby Williams and resides in Wilson, N.C. She has overcome being gang raped, raped by her step-father, and a 10-year crack addiction.
Williams has spoken on stage with motivational speaker Les Brown and was interviewed by Oprah’s producer and featured in national magazines.
She’s the author of three books, “UN Armed But Dangerous,” “Mind Interrupted,” and “Da-Bomb.”
Last month she met Elder Rosalyn Grant Coleman, AME District presiding elder, in Columbia and Coleman was so impressed with her story that she invited her to speak at The Meeting Place.
Williams travels across the country encouraging people.
She wanted to motivate the women in Georgetown County and let them know that they can overcome every obstacle that they are faced with.
Williams’ message is a message of hope. “I can’t” is not in her vocabulary.
She told the group that she refuses to live with excuses and that we can overcome fear by taking action in every area of our life.
“You must have absolute faith and believe in yourself even when others don’t believe in you,” Williams said.
She has a saying, “Life is good and if you ask me how I live it; I fly without wings.”
She also said that “no” is not an option.
“Showing up today is half the battle,” Williams said. “Don’t just talk about it but do it, whatever dreams you want to fulfill.”
By Rounette Johnson
For The Times
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