Today we’d like to introduce you to JoAnn Egypt.
Hi JoAnn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I am a survivor of 19 years of physical and mental abuse. Those who’ve never had this horrific experience find it hard to understand why women stay. There is no single answer to this question, and there is no shame. However, there is hope after the storm. I left my abusive marriage in 1997, and since then, I’ve dedicated myself to helping others navigate their new lives free of pain and suffering.
On August 27, 2022, I hosted a Survivor’s Conference on an amazing farm in Julian, CA, for families who are still working to survive the trauma of abuse. This event promoted healing, empowerment, and sisterhood. We had amazing speakers and scheduled activities. If you know of anyone or are a survivor yourself, then you understand the need to connect with others in a safe and loving environment.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been easy. Overcoming the trauma of abuse and finding the strength to not only help yourself but to help others comes with many struggles. I and my 3 sons all suffer from a form of PTSD from our experiences. I worked in a Women’s shelter back in my hometown of Washington, DC. I also was part of the Speaker’s Bureau, where I went out and spoke of my experiences and the difficulties of recognizing the signs of abuse and the means to getting out and staying out. When I moved to San Diego, I tried to get volunteer work with a few of the shelters, but it never panned out. Getting into the shelters or the speakers’ bureau here seemed a daunting task. I decided to work with my women’s group at church to start our own outreach, but we were never able to get our vision off the ground due to illness, finances, and the inability to get a sponsor.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an advocate for abuse. Being a “survivor” and not a victim is how I see myself. I, along with another colleague are in the process of starting our non-profit titled “Surviving Through Grace.” When I worked with individuals with college degrees, I found that the ladies I spoke with and mentored preferred talking to someone who had experienced abuse, both mental and physical but found a way out. Right now, I am doing outreach conferences to help survivors, both men, and women, to find a way to heal from the trauma.
I am most proud of my 3 sons who’ve not only overcome the abuse but are helping me with my outreach. I know that they have their triggers that remind them of what they’ve been through, but they know what they are and know how to push past them.
I believe I will be set apart because I want my outreach to be inclusive. Most of the shelters cater to women and children. There are so many men who’ve not only suffered abuse but watched as their parents were abused. They have a story to tell as well. They can help erase the stigma of shame most men have when they have been abused. The men who came to my conference learned so many things. They later thanked me for the experience.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
“Without risk, there is no reward,” as they say. I think the biggest risk I took was leaving my job of 10 years in Washington, DC, to move out to San Diego without a job or a prospect of a job. I was leaving everything behind and starting over to achieve my goals. It’s taken me 12 years of being out here to finally meet someone who also shared my dream of starting this non-profit for abuse victims.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jegypt1958/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joann.graves
