Personal Stories

Fantasia Shares Her Story of Struggle and Triumph
YWCA USA is a proud sponsor of the Lifetime Television original movie, “Life is Not a Fairy Tale: The Fantasia Barrino Story.”

Inspired by the true account of 2004 American Idol Fantasia Barrino, the film chronicles her childhood struggles with poverty and self-esteem issues, and her oppressive teen years marked by the pain of sexual assault and an abusive relationship. It shows Barrino overcoming illiteracy and the difficulties of being a single parent to become a star.

To read more, click here. 

From Victim to Survivor, Frezell Shares Lessons Learned
Felicia Frezell is alive today, because of a secret she shared with her children. Two days before her estranged husband broke into their home with the intention of killing her, the YWCA Omaha (Neb.) domestic violence team gave her six cell phones. She told her children to keep the phones a secret from their Dad and everyone else. If she were in danger, they should call 911.

As she now looks back to that nightmare two years ago, she has a story to tell and lessons to share with others in domestic violence situations. And she wants people to know that anyone could be a victim. Certainly, nobody she worked with would have guessed she was one.

To read more, click here.