Shanée Eatmon | YWCA Women of Excellence Honoree
What inspires you to get up and do the work?
When I was 17 years old, I lost the most important woman in my life who taught me how to be a woman and all these instrumental things that molded me into who I am today.
What inspires me is having the weight of raising my sisters and their children and taking on that mother role my oldest sister and I shared. I sacrificed most of my young adult years to help support and provide for my family, which lead to my entrepreneurship, but it was a lot of factors. Starting with my family who have always been entrepreneurs the path was set. My Grandfather used to own a peanut truck business and I would ride with him while he made deliveries, so I was up close with watching how the business was ran. My family is my driving force.
What have you learned about yourself through the challenges you have overcome?
I am strong, I am determined, and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
How do you take care of yourself?
I get massages two to three times a month and foot reflexology once a month. I am conscious of what I eat. I do aqua aerobics and walk at the lake to stay active. My husband and I go on a few vacations a year for relaxation and peace of mind, and I spend a healthy amount of time in my own space.
What is the best advice you've ever been given? Or what advice do you have for others?
My mother would say, get out of your own way.. And what that means is…. Don’t be afraid of you, don’t be afraid of your purpose or your gift, don’t be your own worst enemy. Stop self-rejection and develop self-confidence. Have the courage, because the only failure is not trying.
Replace the negative feelings and thoughts in your head with positive affirmations. I am the best, I am worthy. Be an example. Be persistent. In whatever goals you set, don’t give up and be yourself. And one of life’s golden rules, treat others the way you want to be treated.
What is your vision for our community? Has it changed through the pandemic and racial justice reckoning of recent years?
My vision would be to engage the community in the Arts. Art represents life in so many ways. Different ways for children and adults to express themselves. We have to expand their minds. I believe it would reduce crime, violence, and help with mental health by getting them involved. It’s about taking pride in your community and loving where you live. Art inspires engagement and a feeling of belonging to a community.
The mission of YWCA is to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. What does YWCA's mission mean to you?
Understanding racism still exist today, it is expressed overtly and covertly on a daily basis and will not be easily changed. We eliminate racism when we educate and celebrate differences, calling out bigotry and hate speeches, children encouraging kindness and embracing other cultures, standing in solidarity with immigrants and marginalized groups, supporting human rights individually and through our collective efforts, so that one day all people will live in a just and equitable world.
When I think of empowering women, I envision both the giving and receiving of mentorship, promoting positivity, unity, pride, Sisterhood, guidance and direction. Having the freedom and liberties to make choices for ourselves whether personal or professional and the ability to have the opportunities that is required to be successful. It is important to lead by example and walk alongside other women by encouraging women to believe in themselves, and advocate for themselves and giving future generations and future leaders a fighting chance to change today for tomorrow.
