Theresa’s Story

Theresa’s Story

  • Mom
  • Victorious
  • Kind
  • Courageous
  • Supportive

Abused by her father and betrayed by her family, this courageous advocate uplifts survivors: “Strong, Powerful, and Victorious!”

“We are the descendants of very strong, powerful women,” said Theresa Willard Hughes. Her extensive research has unearthed countless stories of women of color who have “gone through hell.”

To honor those women, Theresa founded the organization Strong, Powerful, and Victorious. “It’s primarily to uplift women of color who were victimized early in life by sexual violence,” she explained. “Our voices are never heard; our voices are missed.” Through Strong, Powerful, and Victorious, Theresa provides her Journey to Healing videos and programs; she also hosts a podcast that was nominated for the Black Pod Awards in 2020 and 2021.

She is also a Certified Life Coach, a staunch advocate for those victimized by sexual violence, and a RAINN Speaker’s Bureau member.

Surviving to Thrive

While young, Theresa experienced not only the theft of her virginity but also being impregnated by her father. His socioeconomic status drove her family to reject her story in favor of the abuser, an excruciating betrayal. She vowed to protect her son above all and determined that he would not be damaged by the circumstances of his birth.  

As a successful African American woman and mother, Theresa worked hard to compartmentalize her history in order to survive and thrive.

As a successful African American woman and mother, Theresa worked hard to compartmentalize her history in order to survive and thrive. Behind the scenes, she continued to seek support, but she didn’t fit a standard mold. She refused to be classified as either a victim or a survivor. Theresa wanted to learn how to live, not survive.

A Small Act of Kindness

Around 1997, her world seemed to be crumbling around her. Her father died. and her beloved grandfather was dying; she was navigating a divorce while managing the largest contract of her career; and her eldest son was lashing out at her, blaming her for being raped. Theresa knew he was “struggling with the fears of possessing DNA from not just a rapist but a pedophile.” 

After nearly 20 years of searching, she finally found a therapist whom she hoped would truly see and hear her. She’d never before been willing to share her complete history, but with this therapist, she chose to disclose her full truth. 

After listening intently, the therapist responded and said, “You’re going to be okay.”

Theresa described the therapist's response as “a small act of kindness. She not only saw me, but she didn’t see me as damaged goods. And that meant the world to me.”

Breaking the Code

Theresa grew up under a social code that taught that “things happen. Get over it and move on.” But in 2004, at her high school reunion, she chose to disclose her experience of abuse with the entire Class of 1966.

Chosen to speak at the reunion, Theresa was called to the stage by the name she’d used in high school, a name she’d actively distanced herself from: “Teri Willard.” To Theresa, Teri Willard was a terrified 14-year-old girl being raped for the first time by her father. She felt frozen—glued to her chair. 

At last, with her classmates cheering her on, Theresa rose from her seat and walked up to the podium. No one knew what she was about to say.

At last, with her classmates cheering her on, Theresa rose from her seat and walked up to the podium. No one knew what she was about to say.

“You guys saved my life,” Theresa told the room full of former classmates. “No one knew I was being abused. School was my only safe place, and it allowed me to dream, to succeed, and to escape my family.” With that, she burst into tears—”a full-blown ugly cry!” she said. 

Theresa’s classmates were caring and reassuring. Many even shared their own stories of abuse—abuse they, too, had felt compelled to hide. 

If You’re Considering Disclosing… 

Though Theresa has had positive disclosure experiences, she has also revealed the abuse to people who were unkind and even disbelieving. She shared this advice for other survivors who are thinking about recounting their experiences of sexual violence:

“Be careful. Everybody says you should talk. Once you open your mouth and say those words, there is no taking it back and no unhearing it. Just because you're ready, doesn't mean that whoever you're getting ready to tell is going to be ready. Is this person you're getting ready to tell worthy of this conversation? This is your personal story—your life. You can't just be telling this to anybody. You don't know how they're going to respond.”

Advocating for Women of Color

Theresa focuses her advocacy on women of color, who already struggle with the pain of macro- and micro-aggressions, lack of access to timely and affordable healthcare, and [lack of access to] traditional therapy.”

Theresa’s compassion and understanding are enhanced by her in-depth research of women of color. “I am forever grateful that I grew up during the Civil Rights movement,” Theresa said. “Almost every night, I saw kids who looked like me—my color and my age; they were risking their lives, being beaten, suffering from being water hosed and attacked by dogs. They taught me that I, too, could survive.” 

Through exploring not only her own history but that of previous generations, Theresa has embraced the importance of recognizing the sacrifices her ancestors endured and their unwavering hope for better lives.

“These women suffered a great deal in silence,” explained Theresa. “I truly believe they not only survived but they passed on to us their DNA of strength, perseverance, and conviction that what they endured would pave the way for us to live full and free lives. I honored them and that was a great part of my healing.”

Speaking to the current generation of survivors, Theresa concluded our conversation with this hard-won wisdom: “It’s never enough to [just] survive, but it is imperative for you to learn how to live and thrive for yourself and future generations. Own and celebrate who you truly are—Strong, Powerful, and Victorious.”