On Wednesday 27th November 2024, Aston Poetry Society hosted an inspiring event at Aston University, celebrating resilience, healing, and the power of women empowering women.
Best-selling poet Lisa Connolly, author of the transformative collection Built from Broken, delivered an afternoon filled with inspiration and hope, demonstrating that even the darkest moments can lead to profound light.
Lisa, whose empowering book quickly soared to number six on the bestseller charts, shared her deeply personal journey of healing through poetry. Built from Broken chronicles her triumph over trauma, offering a powerful testament to survival, self-discovery, and transformation.
As part of the event, Lisa invited Jacky from WE:ARE to discuss their life-changing work, including the Freedom Programme, which was instrumental in Lisa’s recovery. Lisa credited Jacky and Donna from WE:ARE for their pivotal role in her healing, saying:
“Walking through the doors of the Freedom Programme with WE:ARE was the first step in my recovery. Jacky and Donna made me feel seen and safe. They gave me the tools to find my voice, and for that, I will forever speak highly of them. They created a space where I knew I wasn’t alone. It’s because of them that I now have the strength to open doors for others.”
Some of Lisa’s collection is dedicated to Jacky and Donna at WE:ARE.
Lisa also spotlighted Words from Warrior Women, WE:ARE’s recent anthology compiled by Miss Yanky. This powerful collection features anonymous poems and artwork from survivors of domestic violence. She emphasised the book’s profound impact:
“Words from Warrior Women amplifies the voices of survivors, reminding us of the courage and resilience that come from shared experiences. This book is a beacon of strength and solidarity, and I am proud to support it.”
The event further underscored its theme of women supporting women with Shayla from the award-winning organisation Roshni and representatives from 1in3 in attendance. These connections, like Lisa’s poetry, reinforced the message of collective empowerment and healing.
Reflecting on her own writing journey, Lisa shared:
“This collection wasn’t written overnight. It’s been years in the making, even when I didn’t realise it at the time. It’s a raw and honest reflection of my healing journey—capturing the highs and lows and everything in between. Poetry became a lifeline, helping me rediscover my strength.”
During the event, Lisa celebrated the collaborative spirit of Built from Broken and Words from Warrior Women, highlighting how both works champion the resilience of survivors and the transformative power of connection.
Lisa’s words resonated as a call to action:
“For those hesitant to take that first step, know this: the Freedom Programme changed my life. It’s the beginning of finding your tribe, your voice, and your strength. What WE:ARE did for me will never be forgotten. And now, I’m in a position to give that back to others. This is what women empowering women looks like.”
Both Built from Broken by Lisa Connolly and Words from Warrior Women complied by Miss Yanky are available on Amazon. Together, these collections are inspiring countless readers, proving that through connection, understanding, and storytelling, true transformation is possible.
Presenter Black Country Radio & Black Country Xtra
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