Honoring Women’s History Month: From Struggle to Strength

Women’s History Month is a time to honor the resilience, achievements, and strength of women who have paved the way for change. It’s a month to reflect on the progress we've made and the challenges we've overcome, but also to recognize the struggles that continue today. For many women, the path to reclaiming their lives is often fraught with obstacles, from overcoming trauma and societal barriers to battling personal challenges. In this month of reflection, I want to share my story of finding my voice after years of abuse and addiction and ultimately discovering the power within to rebuild my life, step by painful step. 

I was in an abusive relationship for years; he enabled my addiction at every opportunity. After seven years I got away, having nothing to my name. I longed for a fresh start to escape the misery I had been trapped in for so long. It had been over ten years of active addiction, and I knew I couldn’t keep running anymore. After that chapter of my life, I met someone who has since become a significant part of my journey. When I learned I was expecting a baby, I was ecstatic. It was everything I ever wanted, and I immediately tried to manage to stay sober.  

I tried a few times in the next six months to stay clean after she was taken. I was and am still thankful that my baby girl was placed with my parents, which allowed me to see her. It was hard and emotional for me every time I had to walk away and leave her there. I overdosed in March of 2024; I had hit my rock bottom. I was tired of hurting everyone around me and hurting myself. Three months later, I decided to go into rehab. It was the best decision I could’ve made. 

While in rehab I was told about Labyrinth House which was that they have transitional living and outreach services that may benefit my life. I thought that maybe this was it, my chance to really change my life and it was. I haven’t picked up any substances since I left rehab and am 9 months clean today.  Labyrinth House has helped me through obstacles I never thought were possible by providing me with support and kindness I hadn’t had while I was in my addiction. Labyrinth House helped me to see, I am capable of doing anything I set my mind to, even believing in myself when in the past I did not. Making sure I was able to make it to NA Meetings, counseling, and court appointments, the staff even went with me to show support. That support has been so beneficial. They have helped me open doors that I didn’t even know would be available for me to open on my own. 

Which lead me into the next big steps in my journey, two days after I moved into Labyrinth House, they were having a group, where I met Labyrinth Made Goods team and got a chance to learn Labyrinth Made Goods mission and values. It was very empowering, listening to them speak and getting to know them. I remember that same day, I filled out the form to be an apprentice. I understood that their mission is focusing on supporting women who have experienced incarceration. I knew that was and currently is a topic that gets hushed, swept under the rug and forgot about, until it directly affects you or someone you care about. Now, as the new Sales Apprentice at Labyrinth Made Goods, I have a platform where I can amplify my voice and stand as a voice for those who don’t have one. This truly means so much to me.