Stephanie Linus - Women of Rubies

In self development June 9, 2020 By Editor

Stephanie Linus: 3 Reasons Why You Should Love Yourself Everyday

Star actress Stephanie Linus shares three reasons why everyone should love themselves every day on her website recently and we absolutely agree with her.

She says:

Whether or not you are capable of giving and receiving love starts with how much you have come to love yourself. Loving yourself should not be mistaken for narcissism or selfishness. It is about accepting and being comfortable with yourself, and above all embracing your uniqueness by not wishing you were someone else.

A popular old saying goes “You cannot love others if you do not love yourself.” This is a truth that should not be despised; you cannot give what you have not felt or experienced for yourself. Love starts with “Me”. It flows from within and only flourishes when is coming from a place of security and consistency.

Here are three reasons why you should be head over heels in love with “You”:

You deserve to be loved: If you do not love yourself for who you are, you would find it very easy to believe that you do not deserve to be loved. If you are in a relationship, you begin to think everything that goes wrong is your fault and then you justify your partner if he/she is abusing you emotionally or physically. Loving yourself means you realizing that you deserve everything good – including someone who would love and respect you for who you are.
When you love who you are, you accept who you are: Loving yourself is knowing yourself perfectly well. It is about being truthful about your positive and negative sides and choosing to focus on the positive side. This is not an excuse to stop improving yourself, but instead accepting your unique traits rather than comparing yourself to others.
You are Confident and Live a Happy Life: When you love yourself, you are more confident about your body, your choices, your job and everything you can think about. It also means you live a life free of worries and endless comparisons with other people because you do not feel like you are missing out on a particular quality of life.

SL Fabz, the best approach to life is loving and leading every step of the way, and it all starts from the inside.

xoxo SL

Credit: StephanieDaily.com

In Career Gems February 7, 2019 By Editor

STEPHANIE LINUS RECEIVES SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR HER MOVIE ‘DRY’ AT LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL

Nigerian actress and producer, Stephanie Linus has received special recognition at the first Blacks in Cinema presentation. The recognition was for her movie, “Dry”which was released in 2016.

The Blacks in Cinema presentation held at the Los Angeles City Council Chambers yesterday as part of the opening of the highly-covered Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) which will hold in Los Angeles, USA this month.

Los Angeles City Council President, Herb J. Wesson kicked off the Black History Month by honoring the actors and filmmakers who paved the way for people all walks of life to be represented in film. With the help of some legendary African-American actors and filmmakers, the day was officially proclaimed #BlacksInCinema in Los Angeles.

“Dry” had already screened in 2016 at PAFF while also winning the Best Narrative Feature at the festival. The movie will now screen for the second time at PAFF on the 9th, 13th and 18th of February 2019. The movie was recalled to the festival due to the growing importance of global human rights advocacy, which was the core of the movie.

The movie’s core narrative is based on changing the narratives surrounding the issue of child marriage and other forms of social injustice.

Watch Stephanie Linus speaking at the Los Angeles City Council:

see photos below:

Credit: Bella Naija

In Career Gems November 29, 2018 By Editor

STEPHANIE LINUS’ EXTENDED HANDS FOUNDATION GIVES FREE MEDICAL SURGERY TO 25 WOMEN LIVING WITH VESICO VAGINAL FISTULA

A total of 25 women formerly living with Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) have received free repair surgeries, giving them a chance to live normal lives again. This life-changing event was carried out courtesy of a recent Extended Hands Foundation’s pool effort in Sokoto state sponsored by SNEPCo/NNPC.

Since its inception, the goal of the Extended Hands Foundation founded by star actress and producer Stephanie Linus has been to restore hope and put smiles on the faces of women. For some years now, the foundation has been focused on helping women with Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) – a serious disability that can be experienced by women after childbirth – and giving them a chance at living normal lives through free repair surgeries.

With a generous sponsorship from SNEPCo/NNPC, the foundation completed the successful repair of 25 Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) patients at the Maryam Abacha Woman and Children (VVF Hospital) Sultan Bello Rd, Sokoto. All the repairs have been completed successfully and the women are recovering well.

The team of medical staff was led by Dr Sa’ad Idris, a seasoned VVF Surgeon and former Commissioner for Health in Zamfara State with over 20 years experience in the field. He was assisted by Dr Halima Bello a VVF surgeon, Chief Medical Director Dr Lawal Bello, Chief Matron Hamsai Abdullahi Wisso, and other doctors and nurses at the VVF Center.

As noted by the medical team, most of the women who were repaired had very complex cases of fistula resulting from botched surgeries carried out on them by inexperienced doctors. Some of the women had damaged wombs and tubes which caused a continuous involuntary discharge of urine into the vaginal vault. These women had been living with this condition for a varying number of years and finally got dry after the surgeries.

Against the backdrop of her Child Bride and Fistula advocacy movie, Dry, Stephanie Linus has been taking the message of restoration and hope to real women suffering from VVF. This pool effort goes a long way to show that DRY is more than just a movie, but a tool for touching the lives of women actually living with this condition.

See photos below:

Credit: Bella Naija

In Career Gems November 12, 2018 By Editor

STEPHANIE LINUS LECTURES STUDENTS OF DILLARD UNIVERSITY, NEW ORLEANS

Over the weekend, Stephanie Linus was invited to speak to the students at Dillard University

The filmmaker, human rights advocate and actress was invited to celebrate the school’s annual Ray Charles Week.

During her visit, she gave a lecture on “The Emergence of African Storytellers and Their New Narrative” and also screened her self-produced and directed movie ‘Dry’ which focuses on fistula and the practice of under-age marriage among young women.

The award-winning actress told the group of young college students at Dillard University in New Orleans:

You have the power to change the narrative of every wrong representation of who you think you are. There is so much you can achieve by telling a story. When I think of a story, I think of it as a connection between myself and my audience, an opportunity for me to take them on a journey that inspires them to learn about themselves and the world around them.

Speaking at the Ray Charles Week hosted by Dillard University Ray Charles Program, Dillard University Film and Dillard University African World Student Organization, the filmmaker encouraged the college students to tap into the power of the media and growth in technology to create a new narrative for themselves.

The media is such a powerful tool of influence that if used properly, can bring about a positive change in almost every sphere of life. It is time for you to look inside yourselves and see the gaps within your society, and find ways to fill these gaps with your narratives. I ask you here today, what is your story? What is that new narrative you desire when you think of black people and black history and what kind of impact do you want it to create?

She encouraged the students to be fearless about telling their stories, adding that by doing so, they could create a better representation of themselves and who they ought to be.

Credit: Bella Naija

In Career Gems October 24, 2018 By Editor

STEPHANIE LINUS TO SCREEN HER MOVIE ‘DRY’ AT DILLARD UNIVERSITY, USA

Nollywood actress and film maker, Stephanie Okereke Linus has been invited to screen her movie, ‘Dry’ which was produced in 2014, at 2018 Ray Charles Week which will hold at the Dillard University, New Orleans, Lousiana, U.S.A on the 25th and 26th of October, 2018.

Stephanie Linus will also give a lecture at the university on Thursday, 25th of October, 2018 while the movie screening will be on Friday, 26th of October, 2018.

Stephanie will be speaking on “The Emergence of African Storytellers and Their New Narrative” at Dillard University. Stephanie will also be joining a list of speakers from previous editions, which includes Denzel Washington and Tunde Wey.

The movie ‘Dry’ was mostly shot in the Northern part of Nigeria and produced in 2014.

Credit: fabwoman.ng

In self development May 10, 2017 By Editor

5 FAMOUS PEOPLE WHO WERE REJECTED BEFORE ACHIEVING SUCCESS

Many times, we think that famous and successful people achieved success overnight or that they got it handed to them on a platter of gold. That’s absolutely wrong! In most cases, people who achieved success failed several times before. What makes them stand out however is the fact that they did not give up even after being rejected.

Today, I’d like us to encourage ourselves with the stories of these 5 famous people, with the hope that their remarkable stories would inspire us:

Walt Disney was fired from the Kansas City Star in 1919 because, his editor said, he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.”
Oprah Winfrey was fired as an evening news reporter because she couldn’t keep her emotions from her stories.
Elvis Presley was told by the concert hall manager at the Grand Ole Opry that he was better off returning to Memphis and driving trucks.
Henry Ford went broke five times with his early businesses which all failed.
Albert Einstein didn’t speak until he was four, and couldn’t read until he was seven.

Today, their success stories are being celebrated all over the world because they dared to try again.

Do you have any other success story you want to add? How do you encourage yourself when you’re feeling rejected?

Source: http://www.stephaniedaily.com/5-famous-people-who-were-rejected-before-achieving-success/

In Career Gems March 22, 2017 By Editor

STEPHANIE LINUS’ FOUNDATION CARRIES OUT 35 REPAIRS OF VVF PATIENTS IN KEBBI STATE

The Extended Hands Foundation, a non-governmental organization with sponsorship from NNPC/SNEPCo has completed the successful repair of 35 Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) patients in Kebbi State. The pool effort took place at the Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development VVF Center in Gesse, Birin-Kebbi and received the co-operation of the Kebbi State Government.

Led by the founder Stephanie Linus, the Extended Hands Foundation team was received by the Governor of the state Dr Abubakar Bagudu and the First Lady Dr Zainab Bagudu. They both paid visits to the women at the VVF Center, showing their support for the cause.

All the repairs have been completed successfully and the women are recovering well.

Stephanie Linus, who spent some time with the women at the VVF Center during the course of the exercise, expressed her appreciation to the sponsors of the pool effort – NNPC/SNEPCo for investing in this cause. She also added that this was the second time the foundation was carrying out such an exercise in Kebbi state.

The team of medical staff was led by Dr Sa’ad Idris, a seasoned VVF Surgeon and former Commissioner for Health in Zamfara State with over 20 years experience in the field. He was assisted by Dr Abubakar Bawa, and other doctors and nurses at the VVF Center.

Against the backdrop of her Child Bride and Fistula advocacy movie, DRY, Stephanie Linus has been taking the message of restoration and hope to real women suffering from VVF. This pool effort goes a long way to show that DRY is more than just a movie, but a tool for touching the lives of women actually living with this condition.

In Interviews&profile March 13, 2017 By Editor

#PROFILE | 9 FEMALE FILMMAKERS CHANGING THE FACE OF NOLLYWOOD

Nollywood is wearing a new feminine look and we are loving it! These awesome breed of female filmmakers are giving life to the Nigerian film industry and pushing film beyond its limits. We call them the table turners! They inspire us and we can’t help but celebrate them.

Tope Oshin Ogun

She is a foremost filmmaker who prides herself as an Amaka’s kin. She kicked off her career as an actor and now sits as one of the most highly regarded and influential female directors in Nollywood. Her most respected works include box office record breaking movie Fifty, Journey to Self, Till Death Do Us Part, Hope and popular TV series such as Tinsel and Hotel Majestic. She is indeed giving the male folks a run for their money.

Kemi Adetiba

Kemi is Nollywood’s latest superwoman! She made a ground breaking entrance into the film industry by directing 2016’s most watched and talked about romantic comedy, The Wedding Party. She is popularly known for her award winning directorial skills in music videos. She is a fierce visionary and we can’t wait to see what’s next up her sleeves.

Blessing Effiom Egbe

Blessing is successfully carving a name for herself as one whose films we can always anticipate. She is a model turned actress, award winning producer and CEO of B’Concept Network Production. Some of her film releases include Two Brides and a Baby, One Room, This Thing Called Love, Iquo’s Journal, popular series Lekki Wives and much anticipated The Women.

Stephanie Linus

Stephanie is more than just the looks. The model-turned-actress and producer has carved a spot for herself as one of the most inspiring filmmakers in Nollywood. In 2015, she got film lovers and critics gushing about her self-directed movie, Dry, where she strongly kicked against the societal abuse of the girl-child. The movie won her commendations from international film bodies as well as global awards.

Omoni Oboli

Omoni makes us keep wanting more. When it comes to acting and directing, she makes the best of both worlds. She made her directorial debut with her 2014 movie, Being Mrs Elliot, which won her ELOY Awards’ Big Screen Actress of the year. Since then, there’s been no looking back. Her most recent film exploits include Wives on Strike, The First Lady and Okafor’s Law.

Michelle Bello

She has had her feet in TV and music productions. Her first self-produced and directed 2007 feature film Small Boy got two nominations at the American Black Film Festival and two awards at the Africa Movie Academy Awards. Her second 2013 feature film Flower Girl won the ‘Best African Film’ at the 2013 Black International Film Festival and ‘Favourite New Nollywood Film’ at the UK Screen Nation Film and Television Awards 2014. It also earned her the ‘trailblazer’ award at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.

Funke Akindele Bello

She is definitely one of Nollywood’s favourite female producers. In 1998, she made her acting debut in United Nations’ Sponsored TV Series I Need to Know. By 2009, she got her major industry break through the production of her award winning highly hilarious movie Jenifa. At present, she writes, co-directs and produces Jenifa’s Diary, a TV series and sequel to Jenifa, which is enjoying massive audience view in and outside the country.

Mildred Okwo

She is a foremost film producer and critic. She has made quite a stay for herself in the industry and has become known for her excellently creative way of telling the typical Nigerian story through film. She serves as a member of the Nigerian Oscars Selection Committee. Her directorial exploits include multiple award winning romantic-comedy film, The Meeting and the recently released film Surul’ere.

Mary Remmy Njoku

The actress turned filmmaker took Nollywood by a bang in 2016 with the twin launch of her Film Studio, Rok, and SKY TV Channel, Rok on Sky. The Channel which prides itself as airing ‘awesome originals’ aims to promote African story contents to the world. The studio’s popular productions include TV series such as Husbands of Lagos, Bloodline and Single Ladies. She is definitely set to take Nollywood places.

Source: LeadingLadies Africa

In Career Gems February 24, 2017 By Editor

STEPHANIE LINUS IS NOW A BRAND AMBASSADOR FOR CALIFORNIA NATURAL FOODS’ GREEN VALLEY OATMEAL

Star actress, movie director, and producer Stephanie Linus has just clinched a new deal as the brand ambassador for Green Valley Oatmeal. The actress recently signed up with California Natural Foods to represent the brand’s interest in Africa.

Speaking on her recent deal, Stephanie said she is honoured to be filling this role and she is poised to promote this healthy and nutritious brand to the best of her ability.

Congrats to her!