SHIRT: SPEAK UP, IT’S NOT OK. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Women Breathe Again
Discovering Your True Gifts and Purpose
By Dr. Marie O. Etienne

Women breathe again is a true testimony of what God has in store for each one of you who is reading this book. Learning to pause, reflect, breathe, and actually see the true meaning of God’s gifts and our purpose are essential in our daily lives. Everyone has gone through some challenges one way or another. However, the question we need to ask ourselves is how long do we keep our hearts heavy and not really willing to forgive ourselves, our past mistakes or realizing the true testimony of the situation we find ourselves going through? Are we being true to ourselves or just trying to please everyone else?
Women, pause and breathe again! Don’t be weary, unbalanced, and tired with emotional baggage that we can’t find the strengths and the courage to do God’s will. We need to be true to ourselves! How are we using our energy, purpose and the power that God has bestowed upon us? We must learn to trust God and know that His plan for our lives will come to pass. Learn to fast and pray and stay strong in Him. Just as we’ve gone through many turmoils, we must not be afraid to call on Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
As we are making plans, we must pray to God for guidance in our lives to take the right path with every step. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once stated that “set yourself earnestly to discover what you are made to do, and then give yourself passionately to the doing of it.” Women, it is time to look in the mirror and ask yourselves, am I ready to roll over the hurdles to start afresh? A new you with a new mindset to take on this world with no fear because God intended for us to live in peace, love, and harmony. Let’s be reminded that He will always reassure you by His everlasting love, dominion, and power. I must remind you that in the book of Proverb 3:5-6, it stipulates that “we must trust in the Lord with all of our hearts and lean not unto your own understanding in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your path’s straight.” Once you confide in the Lord, you cannot go back. Women, listen to your inner voice, Breathe Again! Every author who contributed to this book will share their story with the ultimate goal to positively impact your life to a new understanding of who to get back on your feet no matter test and trials you may have faced.

Are you ready to unleash the past and start something new?
Are you listening to God’s gentle voice? Be still and meditate on His words, and allow yourself to have a conversation with the Almighty God. Ask and you shall receive. Be in His presence at all time and stay in the spirit. Maybe God has something to tell you, but because you are so bog down with daily chores, you can’t hear His voice. On February 2, 2018, I was on my way to Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, and while I was sitting on the plane, I head the Lord say “start a business.” Thus, I started to jot down some of the words He put in my heart to name the business, and I actually wrote down everything the Lord said. Less than a year later, God allowed some great friends and amazing volunteers to be part of the business and subsequently created a non-profit organization to help victims of crimes. I am sharing this story with you because many of us hold on to our past mistakes or failures which stops us from moving forward to being free to dream again. In order to start building or creating new ideas or projects, we need to release the past and trust in God and allow Him to move on our behalf.

You have to be ready to Receive
Releasing your emotional baggage and stepping out on faith, opening your heart, mind and soul to receive what God has for you are essential. I urge to take time to read each chapter written by these amazing women. You have the power to influence people and help make things happen in your circle of friends. Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts and ideas to other women and men to empower them. Do not allow your past to determine your present. Do not allow your gifts and talents to go to waste and not be shared with the world. You matter and your life matters. Remember God loves you!

Steps out to make that change
You actually took the first step toward changing your life by investing in this book. Do not allow your faith to be shaken by anyone, but God! How do you envision your future? Women, take that deep breath and sought out your feelings and emotions to be able to help others to make smart and courageous choices? What do you envision your next project will be? Are you ready? Let’s do this!

Marie O. Etienne, DNP, APRN, FNP, GNP, PNP, PLNC is a professor of Nursing at Miami Dade College Benjamín Léon School of Nursing (BLSON). Dr. Etienne is also the Business Owner, President and CEO of Global Innovative Consulting Network, LLC. Dr. Etienne entered the realm of academics at Miami Dade College since 1997. Her experience includes pediatrics, geriatrics, family practice, community health nursing, leadership and course developer of online teaching for the RN-BSN program at the College. She is a certified Professional Legal Nurse Consultant. She earned the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from University of Miami in 2010, and has been ranked as a tenured full professor at Miami Dade College. Dr. Etienne serves as consultant in Curriculum Development and is a member of the Professional Development Advisory Board Member of Albizu University for a HRSA Grant on  Inter-Professional Integrated Care Training for Healthier Communities.

Dr. Etienne is the 2007 recipient of the MDC Stanley G. Tate and Family Endowed Teaching Chair for Excellence in Academia. In 2007, she was also honored by the North Miami Beach Commission on the Status of Women for her significant educational contribution to women and children in the community as one the “Impressive Women of the City”. She is past President of the Haitian American Nurses Association of Florida (HANA) 2005-2007 and past Chairperson of the Haitian American Professionals Coalition (HAPC) in 2008-2010. Dr. Etienne serves as the Liaison of all HANA Chapters throughout the United States. She is an active member of the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) and currently serves as the 2nd Vice-President of Miami Chapter – BNA (2016-2018). Dr. Etienne is the Chair of Communications and Chapter Development Committees, and is the Historian  Miami-BNA. Dr. Etienne received several distinguished awards for her work by local, national and international reputable organizations. In 2010, Dr. Etienne organized and participated in Disaster Relief Efforts post-earthquake in Haiti with Project Medishare and HANA. She coordinates local humanitarian efforts in Immokalee and Belle Glade and also coordinated medical missions in the Dominican Republic Bateyes serving migrant workers and their families since 2005-2013 with HAPC/MDC/HANA. In 2011, Dr. Etienne & Dr. Yamina Alvarez were selected from a pool of 253 faculty as two MDC Faculty for the Health Information Technology Scholars (HITS) from National League for Nursing (NLN), John Hopkins University College of Nursing, University of Colorado Denver & University of Indiana nationwide to participate in the Health Information Technology for Electronic Health Records and Simulation. Dr. Etienne serves a consultant and Public Relations Chair for the National Association of Hispanic Nurses – Miami Chapter. In March 12, 2011, Dr. Etienne was one of  the Honorees at the Haitian Women of Miami Annual Spirit of Justice Gala where she was one of the recipients of the Marie Claire Heureuse Leadership Award for her community service to the community in Florida, Dominican Republic, and Haiti. In March 2011, Dr. Marie Etienne was also proclaimed as the “Haitian Woman of the Year” of the Archdiocese of Miami by the National Center of Haitian Apostolate among two thousand women. In April 2011, Dr. Etienne was recognized as the first inductee on HANA’s Wall of Fame” for being a transformational leader, a passionate servant, an inspiring achiever, a dedicated role model, excellent nurse educator and HANA outstanding member. In 2011, Dr. Etienne was appointed NBNA to serve on the  National Nursing Committee of the American Red Cross and was subsequently appointed to the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council (SAC); she served in the Nursing and Caregiving Subcouncil in SAC (2011-2014). In August 2014, Dr. Etienne was appointed as Consultant and  Chair of the International Services Workgroup of the National Nursing Committee of the  American Red Cross and served until July 2018. Dr. Etienne serves as Co-Lead for the Diversity Council of the Florida Action Coalition 2014-2018 and Co-Lead for the Diversity Workgroup of the South Florida Cancer Control Collaborative (SFCCC) since 2009-2018.

Dr. Etienne was the 2012 Advanced Practice Nurse Award recipient from the Florida Nurses Association (FNA), and South Region FNA Awardee as well. She was selected as one of the Top 25 Nursing Professors in Florida in Online Schools; and is a recipient of the Beacon of Hope and Achievement Award by the Consulate General of Haiti in Miami dedicated to the month of women. One out of 32 recipients worldwide; Dr. Etienne was among Five (5) Recipients from the United States to receive the 2013 Florence Nightingale Medal by the International Red Cross. Dr. Etienne was honored as one of the 2014 Top Black Educators in Miami by Legacy Magazine. In April 12, 2014, Dr. Etienne received the Award of Excellence from HANA of Florida for exemplary leadership, and for being instrumental in advancing HANA’s Legacy. She has served in the Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) of the American Red Cross (2011-2014). Dr. Etienne was honored by the National Organization for the Advancement of Haitians (NOAH-NY) in New York with the Lifetime Achievement Award in April 2015. In May 14, 2016, Dr. Etienne was awarded one of the Unsung Heroes by Miami Chapter – Black Nurses Association. In April 8, 2017, Dr. Etienne received the President’s Choice Award from HANA of Florida. In May 20, 2017, Dr.  Etienne was the recipient of Miami Chapter – BNA’s Service Award. In June 29, 2017, Dr. Etienne was unanimously chosen by HANA Chapter Leaders to serve as the first President of Haitian American Nurses Association International (HANA-I). In February 1, 2018, Dr. Etienne received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 10th Anniversary of Caribbean Week from Senator Daphne Campbell and Mayor Hazelle P. Rogers in Tallahassee, Florida. In May 2018, Dr. Etienne received the Nurse Educator Award from Miami-BNA for excellence in teaching. In June 2018, Dr. Etienne was received the Excellence in Community Service & Engagement Award from the Association of Black Nursing Faculty for her leadership in community service and sustained impact of her work on improving the well-being of Underserved Populations at the 31st Annual Meeting & Scientific  Conference in London. For over a decade since 2006-2018, Dr. Etienne coordinates and actively participates in Humanitarian Medical Missions Migrant Workers, Children & Families in Dominican Republic, Haiti, Belle Glade, Immokalee, Florida, and local underserved populations in Florida. Dr. Etienne’s ultimate goal is to inspire others to be social innovators, leaders and change makers in society.