Today we’d like to introduce you to Marguritte Johnson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Marguritte. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always enjoyed listening, supporting and helping people. For these reasons, I’m ecstatic about my most recent achievement of becoming a credentialed mediator in the state of Texas.
I sincerely believe effective communication (listening and speaking) from all parties can bring resolution to any conflict.
Aside from being a mediator, I am also an advocate, speaker, panelist, ghostwriter, editor, caterer, vocalist and bestselling author and compiler of 3 Behind Her Brand collaboration projects. Yes, I love and live LIFE a lot!!!
1 month prior to my high school graduation, I met my ‘now’ husband at Walmart. May 30, 2018 we will celebrate our 20th year wedding anniversary. We have a son (JJ Jr) age 15 and a daughter (Mariah Serenity), age 13 and they have attended Texas Virtual Academy for the past 7 years – so yes, my children are also home schooled.
Furthermore, I grew up in a single family home -raised by my mom – so I’ve always desired to make a positive impact in the lives of girls and women and in some capacity relieve the ‘pressures of life’ and serve as a catalyst of change in our community; which is why I also currently serve as a mentor for Girls Inc.
At age 21 in 2000, I started my first women’s meetup every 4th Sat of the month called Mirror, Mirror in which women could gather in a safe place and confront our fears, insecurities, trust issues, low self-esteem issues, etc. in the mirror. The purpose of the exercise was for women to begin to heal from the inside and out and unconditionally love ourselves flaws and all!!! My last Mirror Mirror was hosted April of 2015 so it was very successful and the lives of many women were revolutionized by the sessions, mines included.
In 2011, I awoke with the ‘ugly cry’ after really missing my beloved baby sister who had been living in Germany for about 6 years. We were inseparable growing up – although about 17 months apart – everyone thought we were twins because we dressed alike and did EVERYTHING together. I needed my sister to have lunch with, share my secrets with, exercise with and of course, do retail therapy with; but she was thousands of miles away. So, after I calmed myself, I heard a still small voice say… “How many other women in this world feel like you? They’ve never had a sister but desire one or there’s a breakdown of communication with the women in their family? I need you to be ‘that sister’ that so many women are desperately in need of.” Initially, I had NO idea what they would like like or how it would all come together; but January 28, 2012, I made it official and launched The Godly Girlfriend Movement. The GG Movement served as spiritual support and social outlet group that offered a book club, dance group, getaways, retreats, conferences, etc… to unite women in the spirit of sisterhood.
In 2014, I hosted a 4 city tour (Fort Worth, TX; Farmers Branch, TX; Waco, TX and Tulsa, OK called Stand 4 Sisterhood) that catered to the needs of girls and women and for some reason, I couldn’t shake the name. Therefore, December 21, 2016, we officially changed the name from The Godly Girlfriend Movement to Stand 4 Sisterhood and became a 501(c)(3) organization.
S4S is a community crusade committed to empowering girls and women to collaborate vs. compete by uniting to bring social awareness and prevention power for bullying, sex trafficking, domestic violence and gender inequality via mentor-ship, volunteerism and positive collaborative projects. We are on a mission to put the Sister back into Sisterhood considering we are indeed… #BetterTOgether!
As Bell Hooks eloquently states, “Women are enriched when we bond together!”
In 2017, S4S…
*Provided complimentary makeovers to girls victimized by bullying and women living with cancer that had just completed chemo treatment.
*Provided school supplies to 100 youth of single family homes.
*Provided bread and pastries every weekend to the homeless community via our partnership with Panera Bread.
*Provided 117 handwritten cards for female soldiers stationed in Germany for Christmas.
*Provided empowerment and support to 1000+ girls and women via our monthly events with topics of self-esteem/confidence; abuse awareness, health & wellness, entrepreneurship, communication, etc…
*Provided financial support to girls, women, hurricane relief and other organizations in need of assistance.
Our Corporate Partners in the above accomplishments:
Walmart
Allstate
American Airlines
Chipotle
Individual Donors
Local Restaurants
The vision of Stand 4 Sisterhood is GLOBAL; however, we are in need of local sponsors and volunteers to continue to dedicate time and resources to further our endeavors. In 2018, we will serve girls and women in the following:
April 21, I will host a collaborative event with Pinky Swear called UniTea18 for mothers, daughters and girlfriends. Our desire is for this entire event to be corporately sponsored to provide a complimentary unique dining and entertainment experience for those mothers, daughters and girlfriends that have survived domestic abuse, sex trafficking and/or single parent or military families.
May 19, Stand 4 Sisterhood will host I’m Not For Sale: Sex Trafficking Awareness Movie Event w/ Q & A with Chong Kim, a survivor of sex trafficking and producer of her real life story movie, Eden.
July 12-15, Stand 4 Sisterhood will host the Diamonds in the Rough Summer Camp for 15 girls (ages 12-17) that will enhance their social skills, life skills, soft skills and domestic development.
August 30- Sept 3, Stand 4 Sisterhood will host The Clean Slate Retreat for adult women (age 18+) that are ready to forgive the pain of their past to move forward successfully in their future.
October 18 will be a 1 day intensive “We Will Win” that will cover WINNING as a girl and/or woman in every aspect of life!
November 8 – 11, Stand 4 Sisterhood will host and 100% sponsor #SisterSalute – a retreat designed to serve and give back to the female veterans and active female soldiers that have selflessly dedicated their lives to fighting for our freedom.
December 09, 2018 will be the #SisterSoiree – early BDay Bash for Stand 4 Sisterhood turning 2 years old.
I am also preparing for the launch of my new blog and talk show June 2018 and will host two talent shows for the City of Desoto, July and September 2018 from the $2500 grant S4S received from the Desoto’s Cultural Arts Committee.
I know this is a lot – but this world is in need of all the positivism we can get. Moreover so, I definitely see politics in my future because somethings will NEVER change; unless I’m seated at the table of change. I know that I was created to solve problems; therefore, that’s what I will do. Without a doubt, I am indeed a solutionist!!!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely not… this road has been full of bumps, roadblocks, UTurns and dead ends. I would actually consider this journey more of a roller coaster ride because the twists and turns are definitely unexpected.
I would say the most challenging experiences I’ve had is letting go of people that were indeed apart of my history; but not necessarily apart of my future. It’s difficult at times to make decisions that will leave people behind. However, I am very progressive and future focused – a mover and a shaker with many assignments to make a difference; therefore, I can’t afford to remain connected with negativity or contentment; because I like CHANGE.
Also, considering that on the road to success you can’t take everyone – the walk can be very lonely sometimes. 2012 was a very dark time for me because I had to grieve the lost of some 5 year, 10+ years relationships because we were simply headed in two different directions. But as a result, I entered into a depression and ate myself into 50 extra pounds. I didn’t have alcohol or drugs; but I had Braums Ice-cream and it was my go to fix.
However, whether people come or go… I know what I’ve been called to do; so daily, I must confront my fear of failure and I do it anyway – afraid and all- with or without support, finances, volunteers, friends, etc…
Yet, because of my consistency and refusal to quit- I am FINALLY starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. No one told me the road would be easy but I know, God Almighty hasn’t brought me this far to leave me! #NoPainNoGain
One of my fav quotes: “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Stand 4 Sisterhood – what should we know?
Stand 4 Sisterhood is 14 months and I sincerely believe we are positively impacting the lives of girls and women via the power of sisterhood. There’s a quote by Pubilius Syrus that states “Where there is unity, there is always victory.” Without a doubt girls and women are experiencing VICTORY in area of their lives where there was an initial victim mentality before Stand 4 Sisterhood.
We are proud to provide a safe haven for females and provide a platform where our voices are not just tolerated but heard and celebrated.
The fact that we genuinely care sets us apart from others. As a person, I sincerely want to listen and hear your story… because at the end of the day- EVERYONE has a story; but not everyone has someone that cares to even hear it and at S4S; we care enough to listen!!!
“People won’t care how much you know until they know how much your care.” – Theodore Roosevelt
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My husband deserves so much credit because I absolutely could NOT have pushed forward with Stand 4 Sisterhood without his relentless support of finances, free studio usage for our events, his creativity with designing our logo, website, photoshoots and all of our event flyers. Because I’m so passionate, he also keeps me grounded and constantly brings me back to “reality” thinking. My husband ROCKS – although he works my nerves “Sometimes”… he is indeed my ROCK. I am one blessed girl to be married to my BFF!
My chicken nuggets (my children) are also my greatest cheerleaders. They always volunteer and support my events; sometimes they are the entertainments and will create a special dance just for me. They are indeed my heartbeats and they bring me laughter and joy 24/7.
Without these three, there would be no me… 4REAL! I Love My Fam.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2435 Squire Place #100 Farmers Branch, TX 75234
- Website: www.stand4sisterhood.org
- Phone: 469.730.3621
- Email: stand4sisterhood.global@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stand4Sisterhood/
Image Credit:
Jeremiah Johnson of theHELPstudios
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