Toke Makinwa has some tips on living your best life in 2018 in her latest vlog post. The pretty media girl and best selling author makes an hilarious case for the best things that will ensure you have a splendid 2018.
The latest episode of her vlog, ‘Toke Moments’ dishes on some important do’s and don’t of getting the best out of the new year.
As 2017 wraps up, here is what Toke Makinwa thinks you should do instead of creating new year resolutions and goals.
Watch the video below
Once, Janie had a gun, and now, she’s got a fund and a house that helps victims of violence and abuse. On December 7, Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler took to Instagram to announce the opening of Janie’s House, a new residential center that will provide support to survivors of abuse and neglect.
Created as an extension of Janie’s Fund, a philanthropic initiative by Steven Tyler and Youth Villages, the facility is located in Douglasville just outside of Atlanta, Georgia. It offers accommodations for up to 30 people annually, including 24-hour medical care and therapeutic support.
The name, just like fund’s title, was inspired by Tyler’s 1989 song “Janie’s Got A Gun,” which tells a story of a young girl who was abused by her father. According to the Youth Villages press release:
“Tyler has long had a desire to help with this issue, leading back to the 1980s when he was in a program for his personal recovery.
There, he heard a story of a woman who had experienced incredibly painful and debilitating sexual abuse as a child and how those gruesome events put her on a path of suffering that eventually led to her abusing drugs to mask the pain.”
Tyler’s goal was to create a safe space for women and girls to share their problems and get appropriate help from professionals. Describing Janie’s House, the musician said: “It’s a safe haven, and more than anything, it gives them a voice.”
Looking at the impressive things Tyler has already achieved through Janie’s Fund – with donations from more than 38 countries and philanthropic influencers such as Bono, Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears the fund has raised more than $2.5 million and helped over 520 girls – we’re certain his latest initiative will be of equal success.
(Photo: Janie’s Fun/Instagram)
(Photo: Janie’s Fun/Instagram)
(Photo: Janie’s Fun/Instagram)
Source: Konbini.com
Hello WORriors! Today is #WomanCrushWednesday and our Woman Crush is Joke Silva!
Joke Silva (born 29 September 1961) is a Nigerian actress, director, and businesswoman.
Silva was born in Lagos, into a family of four children. Her mother, Adebimbola Silva, a pioneering female doctor, died in July 2015. Her father was a lawyer. She attended Holy Child College in Lagos. At university she was part of a cultural group that included the playwright Bode Osanyin and the singer Stella Monye. Silva took a year off from her studies, during which time she began working as an actress. She then relocated to England, studying drama at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Initially her parents were opposed to Silva’s decision to go into the theatre but they soon began to support her, happy at the success she made of her career. During a slow period of her career, she returned to school, studying English at the University of Lagos.
She began a career in film in the early 1990s. She is the pioneering managing director of Malete Film Village, in association with Kwara State University. On 29 September 2014, Silva received recognition as a Member of the Order Of The Federal Republic, one of Nigeria’s National Honours’ Awards, at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Silva has starred in numerous films and television series in both the English and Yoruba languages. One of her earliest roles was in the 1990 English film Mind Bending. In 1993 she appeared in Owulorojo, followed by Violated in 1995. In 1998 she starred opposite Colin Flirth and Nia Long in the British-Canadian film The Secret Laughter of Women, in which she portrayed Nene. Author Finola Kerrigan noted than Silva stood out as an exceptional actress in the Nigerian film industry after mentioning her role.
In 2002, Silva starred opposite Bimbo Akintola in Keeping Faith. Akintola later cited Silva, whom she refers to as “Aunty Joke”, as a major career influence, adding, “Silva has done a lot, but it’s not even about the things that she did, it’s about the things she didn’t realize that she did”. Also in 2002, Silva co-produced and starred in The Kingmaker with Olu Jacobs. This was followed by roles in pictures such as A Husband’s Wife (2003), Shylock (2004), and A Past Came Calling (2004).
Silva won Best Supporting Actress in 2008 for her “methodical portrayal of a grandmother” in White Waters (2007), though she was not at the ceremony to receive her award in person. In a November 2008 interview, Silva professed that “whenever she had to play an evil character in a film, she would pray and use Jesus as her ‘hedge'”. Silva is also the recipient of an EMOTAN Award from African Independent Television (AIT) and the SOLIDRA Award for Visual Art.
In October 2012, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime appointed Joke Silva a goodwill ambassador. In accordance with the UN policy of enlisting prominent figures in art, music, film, sport and literature to assist with their campaigns, Silva’s role was focused on her participation in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria. Work fighting human trafficking was part of the “I Am Priceless” campaign, which had also received support from the Nigerian authorities. Silva’s appointment was for a period of three years.
In 2013, Silva took to the stage to appear in the Thespian Family Theatre and Productions staging of the “Mad King of Ijudiya” at the Agip Hall of Muson Centre of Lagos at Christmas. Two shows were put on at 3pm and 6pm on 21, 22, 28 and 29 December, which Vanguard described as a “rich blend of folklore, traditional dance and music that naturally transports the audience to a typical African village setting”.
Silva is married to veteran actor, Olu Jacobs, with two children. The couple met in 1981 at the National Theatre, Lagos during the 21st Independence anniversary.
Silva is Director of Studies at the Lufod Academy of Performing Arts, while her husband chairs it. Lufodo Academy is one of several assets the couple own as part of the Lufodo Group, including Lufodo Productions, Lufodo Consult, and Lufodo Distribution. Silva has curated for the Bank of Industry (BOI) in Theatre, Film, Documentary and Poetry and the 2012 London Olympics, and is also the pioneer managing director of Malete Film Village, in association with Kwara State University.
In addition to her work as an actress, Silva is a philanthropist and a strong supporter of women’s emancipation and empowerment, contributing to their education, training and progress.
On 29 September 2014, Silva was honoured as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, one of Nigeria’s national awards, at the International Conference Centre in Abuja. In September 2016 she was unveiled as the brand ambassador for AIICO Pension Managers Limited (APML).
Women Of Rubies celebrates you, Aunty Joke Silva!
Tennis star, Serena Williams is set to make her playing comeback before the end of 2017, following the birth of her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohania.
The mother of one, who has not played since winning the Australian Open in January, will return to court to play French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko next Saturday, at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi.
The 36-year-old, who gave birth to her baby in September, is planning to make a competitive return at the Australian Open next month.
Confirming her comeback, she said:
“I am delighted to be returning to the court in Abu Dhabi for the first time since the birth of my daughter in September,” Williams told the tournament’s official website.
‘The Mubadala World Tennis Championship has long marked the beginning of the men’s global tennis season.
“I am excited and honoured to be making my comeback as part of the first women to participate in the event.
“I look forward to seeing the fans in Abu Dhabi at the 10th Edition of the Championship very soon,” She added.
27-Year-Old Jetsun Pema of Bhutan is the world’s youngest living queen. She became a queen at age 21 when she married King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan, 31, in 2011.
Queen Jetsun Pema and King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan (aka Dragon King) both previously studied in England. The queen attended Regent’s College in London, where she studied international relations, psychology, and art history, while the King studied at Oxford University. They share a love of art, and were once been dubbed the “Will and Kate of The Himalayas”. In April 2016, the King and Queen welcomed the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on a royal visit.
The King and Queen have a one-year-old son called The Gyalsey. He was born in February 2016.
There are different versions of the story of how they met. The Washington Post reported that in one version of events, the two met at a picnic when she was seven and he was 17. She reportedly came up to him and gave him a hug. Theirs has been described as a “love marriage”.
Pema was reportedly portrayed as a “commoner” by the secretariat. However, her family apparently has long-term links with the royals. She is the daughter of a pilot but her paternal great-grandfather was lord of the eastern province of Tashigang, and her maternal grandfather was the half-brother of the wife of Bhutan’s second king, according to The Washington Post.
Speaking about his wife, the king once told local reporters:
“I have been waiting for quite some time to get married. But it doesn’t matter when you get married as long as it is to the right person. I am certain I am married to the right person.
“She is a wonderful human being. Intelligent. She and I share one big thing in common, a love and passion for art.”
The young queen is known for her charity work for organisations such as the Bhutan Red Cross Society, Ability Bhutan Society, and Bhutan Kidney Association. The Queen is active on social media where photos of her, the king, and their son are frequently shared. She also shares interesting works of art via her social media accounts.
Source: LIB
When it comes to mental health, the topic is full of stigmas, particularly when it comes to black females and males. Although a proven form of treatment for mental suffering, therapy has been seen as a longtime off-limits area for POC.
Thankfully, kind souls are doing the work necessary to put tools into place to get rid of these stigmas surrounding mental health, and begin the healing in a proactive way.
BTW, http://therapyforblackgirls.com is a nationwide listing of licensed Black women therapists in case you’re looking for someone professional to talk to like you.
Therapy For Black Girls is a website that allows black women to connect with licensed psychotherapists who are just like them. Featuring a growing database across the United States, the website boasts a goal of “encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls” by giving them access to women who can not only help improve their mental health, but who they can relate to.
Founded by Georgia-based licensed psychologist Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, she explains she created the space as a way make getting help easier for young black women faced with debilitating stigmas.
“So often the stigma surrounding mental health issues and therapy prevent Black women from taking the step of seeing a therapist. I developed the space to present mental health topics in a way that feels more accessible and relevant.”
Broken into a variety of poignant topics – including anxiety, break ups, dating, depression and college life – the site allows visitors to decipher which areas of life they’d like support in before accessing psychologists based off of an easy to use and regionally-specific list.
Dr. Joy Harden Bradford (Photo: Therapy For Black Girls)
The directory includes the psychologist’s website – so you can find your absolute best match – as well as the contact information for the desired therapist– solving hours of Googling, calling and researching that can instead be used towards remedying the mental issues at hand.
As many young black men and women know, the avoidance of acknowledging mental health issues is a direct deterrent to the betterment of the race as a whole. But by making this process simple, modern and stigma-free, this tool is heightening the chances of black women becoming masters their mental health, leading to a inarguably healthier, happier and more free world.
culled from Konbini.com
British lady who married an Igbo man and goes by the name Nwanyi Oma on social media has shared a testimony of how she gave birth after the doctors had told her she could not.
Talking about her experience on her Instagram page, she wrote:
“There was a time in my life I thought I couldn’t have children. My doctor told me I suffered from PCOS – the most common endocrine disorder among women between the ages 18 and 44 – and that my chances of having children were close to zero. When you are dreaming of starting your own family, the pain and heartache that go with such a diagnose are absolutely overwhelming.
But as it turned out, God had a different plan for me. Today I am not only the proud mother of three children, but on top of that, I can proudly call myself mama ejima!”
See her full post below
In Tunisian high schools, the dress code is not uniform. Actually, it is: but only for girls. Boys can wear what they like, and now the girls are up in arms.
One morning, instead of turning up for class wearing the regulation navy blue smock, a defiant group of adolescent girls came to school in white T-shirts instead, demanding an “end to discrimination”.
At the elite Bizerte public school in the north, as is the case in most high schools in the North African country, pupils have to sign a school rule stipulating that wearing a uniform applies to girls only.
One day in September, supervisors reminded senior female students who did not abide by this rule that if they did not wear the smock, a loose-fitting, long gilet, they would be sent home.
Ironically, the warning was passed on during a philosophy class — about the human body.
This “injustice” inspired many of the girls to take to social networks and vent their feelings, 18-year-old Siwar Tebourbi told AFP.
She said the girls agreed to take collective action from the following day “to demand that this discrimination must cease”.
So dozens duly turned up for class, wearing white. Several boys did the same, in solidarity with their classmates.
How did the school authorities react? By saying nothing. Thus was born the “Manish Labsetha” (“I won’t wear it”) campaign, referring to the offending garment.
It was the culmination of a dispute that had been brewing for years.
Outraged that the navy blue was imposed on everyone in primary and secondary school but was compulsory in high school only for girls, pupils regularly appeared without it, risking expulsion or seeing their parents summoned.
Monia Ben Jemia, head of the Association of Democratic Women of Tunisia, an independent feminist group, called the smock rule “a terrible message” because it implies that young girls’ bodies can have a disruptive effect on their peers.
She called it a complete aberration, especially since the country’s new constitution of 2014 says that men and women are equal.
The high school students who launched the campaign, both male and female, are also against what they perceive as a wider “hypocrisy”.
“They drill into us at school that men and women are equal, but in practice this is not the case,” said Adam Garci, 17.
That the navy gilet is actually supposed to erase social inequalities between pupils is a source of some amusement to Tebourbi.
“If it was really meant to conceal any differences between rich and poor, then boys as well as girls would have to wear it,” she smiled.
Imposing the blue uniform on girls at a time when their bodies are undergoing change is not a trivial issue, said her friend Farah Ben Jemaa.
“One supervisor told me I couldn’t wear leggings without a smock because I was ‘shapely’, and another told us ‘It bothers the men teachers’,” Ben Jemaa said.
The whole affair would appear to be somewhat embarrassing for the authorities.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, one senior education official found it difficult to explain exactly what was happening.
He acknowledged the sensitivity of the subject, even though Tunisia is considered to be a pioneer in North Africa and the Middle East in the field of women’s rights.
If the official line is that equality between men and women is an asset, large sections of Tunisian society remain conservative and “there is resistance”, said Ben Jemia, at the Association of Democratic Women of Tunisia.
In the courtyard of another school in Bizerte, the Habib Thameur Lycee, equality is a topic for passionate debate among students.
Of around 15 boys asked about it, just one — Nader — spoke up for the traditional view.
“Girls must cover the shape of their bodies,” he said.
“That’s how we have been raised. It’s our mentality, and it should stay that way.”
The others were firm backers of the campaign.
One final year pupil tried to argue with a supervisor seeking to enforce the rules.
“But madame,” he asked. “What if the regulation is wrong?”
She thought for a moment. “For me, it’s not unfair, it’s the rules. That’s the way it is,” she murmured.
School director Iadh Toulgui admitted that the supervisor’s view was unlikely to sway pupils who had lived through the revolution of 2011, which toppled a 23-year police state and brought about freedom of expression.
“This is a revolutionary generation, open to the world. When you try to impose something on them it doesn’t work,” he said.
It is a view shared by Ben Jemia.
“These young people are much more aware of their rights — they have grown up with freedom of expression,” she said.
“This is the revolution generation, and it is incredible.”
For Bizerte’s regional education commissioner Nabil Smadhi, discussion is the way ahead.
“It is time to address this issue in a national dialogue” involving the education ministry, parents, trade unions and civil society, he said.
“This agitation is effective, not just in the public high school but in the majority of establishments in Bizerte and in several high schools” across the country, he said.
In the meantime, Siwar Tebourbi, Farah Ben Jemaa and girls like them still come to school without the regulation uniform.
“We’re not doing it just for us,” said Ben Jemaa.
“Next year we’ll be gone. But it’s important for the generations who follow.”
Source: pulse news
Singer, Gloria Doyle shares her experience with domestic violence in her previous marriage.
In an interview with The Sun, Doyle stated that she got beaten for no reason at all which made her walk out with her.
”I walked out of it with my children alive and faced the challenges, stigma and relegation of being a single mother,” Doyle recounts.
“I told my ex that after three years of marriage, I wanted to return to my music career and he got so mad and he just couldn’t stop battering me, accusing me, that I only wanted to be let loose,” she added.
Doyle advised women to move on when in abusive relationships. She stated that once a sour relationship gets to the point of verbal abuse it is best to move on.
”When a relationship gets to the point of verbal abuse, which leads to physical abuse, if care is not taken, anything could happen so I strongly advice, walk out in peace and not in pieces.
I have seen many young women lose their lives because they were unable to let go their abusive husband especially when they depend on their husbands for everything. Women feel very uncomfortable walking out of such relationship because of the stigma attached to being a single mother,” she said.
Although Doyle was rumored to be getting married to a younger man a few years ago, she said it didn’t work out because she is not ready for marriage.
Source: pulse.ng
Juliet Ezeigwe is a Blogger, Vlogger, Model Coach and Scout, Content Creator, Speaker, Budding Producer, Publicist and a Women and Girl Child Advocate and TV host. A graduate of the Federal Polytechnic Idah, Kogi State, where she studied Science Lab Tech, final year student of Olabisi Obasanjo University(Part-Time), studying Mass Communication.
Alumni of Paradigm Initiative and CVL young entrepreneurs. Jules is not only passionate about modelling but envisages a modelling industry where we have just smart and Top Notch Models, away from the negative opinion people have about modelling and she has been using her platforms to advocate for this, She recounts one of her personal experience as a model, when the director of a modelling agency asked her to go to his room and take off her clothes, to ascertain if she was good for the job, and how she declined the offer with tears in her eyes and made up her mind at that point to have her agency devoid of sexual harassment and high respect for models.
She also has a deliberate interest in advocacy for abused women and girls, which makes her organize both online and offline events to help educate people on abuse. She is the convener of #HelpAnAbusedWoman, My Child, My Hero, Youngster Support Initiative, and the Walk against Abuse. The serial entrepreneur and advocate shares her story and journey so far in this interview.
Childhood
My childhood inspires what I do today, especially in the area of women and child advocacy. Growing up in Ajegunle, where we hear and see the constant beating of women by their husband, boyfriends hitting their girlfriends and a lot of sad tales of little girls getting raped by men old enough to be their fathers. I remember us going into our new neighborhood; I saw a lot of teenage girls get pregnant outside wedlock, I was really surprised, and I went about asking people why it seems young girls get pregnant here. The answers they gave made me cry. Poverty, rape, lack of personality development etc, and then I resolved to start up my NGO called Project F.A.W.A.
Meet Juliet Ezeigwe
I am Ezeigwe Juliet Chioma, the first of 2 amazing girls to my parents. I loved and longed to be a model since when I was a teenager because I loved the girls that modelled for the Orange drugs company then, but unfortunately for me, I stopped growing tall after secondary school. Lol! For a long time, I was angry with myself, so I decided to give it a trial again in the year 2015, and that was when I thought I made the mistake of my life, which made me who I am and becoming.
I had put my picture on the Sun Girl page, and I got a lot of offers from people, to model for them. But the one, I can’t forget, was when the director of a modelling agency, asked that I go to his room and take off my cloth, so as to ascertain if I was good for the job. I declined the offer, looked at him very hard with tears in my eyes and said, give me 2 years I would have my modelling agency devoid of exploiting young ladies and guys. 2 years down the line, I am living that dream. I love travelling, talking, writing, teaching and inspiring people, especially young ones with my story. I think, I am a social media addict, but the beautiful thing is that I make money from it.
Inspiration behind Da Jules Media
The inspiration behind it, was when I attended entrepreneurship training at Paradigm Initiative, I went there like every other person that attended, but one of the facilitators did something for us on that day. He asked that we write down what we would love to achieve in the next 5 years, I wrote mine down, and today I am doing practically everything I wrote down. We were formally Da Jules World, but alone the time, we gained clarity and today we are Da Jules Media. I will say the inspiration behind the brand is to discover empower, celebrate, and encourage small business owners and models, with a deliberate interest in women and girl child advocacy
What Modelz Hangout is all about…
Modelz Hangout is an annual event, organized by Jules Modelz Academy where Aspiring, Upcoming and Professional models from all walks of life come together to discuss and share their experiences, peculiarities and the unique challenges they face in the industry. During this event, we have speakers, facilitators and panelists who take these models through the journey of Modeling, Fashion, Health and Fitness, Etiquette, Self Discovery, Personality Development etc.
As the name implies it is a hangout where models connect and get useful information and insights on how to take their career to the next level. I plan to go into filming and areas of producing and writing scripts.
Challenges
One challenge I face most importantly is getting funds to run the business. Seeing that we are just new to the business, lots of people may not trust us enough to get models for their brands. One challenge we are currently facing is getting sponsors for the production of our short movie.
What sparked my interest in advocacy
Hmmm! What sparked my interest is the environment I come from., the fact that I was sexually abused as a child and I don’t want anyone to experience abuse. Another incident I remember vividly while growing up was when an Okada man raped three old girls in his compound, I was devastated, and it brought back ugly memories. There and then, I resolved to be a voice for abused women and children.
Projects and activities
I do a lot of projects, and the beautiful thing is that I am so passionate about them all.
Jules Modelz Academy: We are fueled with the Paroxysm to Discover, Groom, Empower, Promote and Celebrate young talented models, bringing out the best in them, and providing them with bigger platforms to exhibit their talents. We also celebrate and promote Modeling Agencies/ Fashion Shows/Events. Our projects under this are. Modelz Hangout, Modelz Meet and Greet, Modelz Day Out, Teens Modelz Academy and Jules
Project F.A.W.A: is a nonprofit organization that is aimed at making a world-class piece that captures the Emotions, Minds and Heart of people, to make an impact in our world living systems through lending our voices to humanities that are victims of abuse, in other to alleviate abuse to its minimal and affect a change in our society. Our projects, include, The Survivors, My Child, My Hero, Help an Abused, Woman and Walk against Abuse.
I am currently working on The Consequences (A short movie). This is a story about abuse, and how it affects society.
Greatest reward
That should be the love I get from people on a daily basis. People that come to my inbox, and tell me how I inspire them. Recently I have been soliciting help from my friends on Facebook for the movie, after our principal sponsor, backed out. The love and words of encouragement I get from them before and after helping are rewarding. It means they value me and all I stand for.
Where I see my business in five years
In five years, I envisage seeing Da Jules Media as the topmost digital, media and modelling company in Africa. I also envisage empowering top-notch models all over the world.
On giving up
Yes, I have. A lot of times. Most times, I just ask myself questions like, who sent you. Can’t you just leave this thing and go get a proper job? I have been depressed too. But then, I remember why I started and keep moving.
What and who inspires me
Yahweh is my first inspiration. My family comes second and then all the models and lives that are tied to mine do inspire me. The fact that I see my models doing things they love and enjoy inspires me.
I am a Woman of Rubies
I am a woman of Rubies because I Empower, Inspire, Motivate, Promote and Celebrate young women. I am a woman of Rubies because I don’t give up. I don’t see failures, I see feedback
Final words of advice
Don’t wait for the perfect time to start. Start now and get better. Start small, but never remain small. “Imperfect Execution is better than Perfect Procrastination” (Steve Harris)
Wear are a dynamic women’s media outfit speacializing inmedia, marketing, promotions, leadership and career growth services.
Don’t miss our future updates! Get Subscribed Today!
©2025. WomenofRubies. All Rights Reserved.
