Tawana Williams has been burning in uncharted territory for
almost 43 years. She is an internationally renowned motivational speaker, author of two books, talented artist, typist, hair stylist, outstanding cook, businesswoman, and loving wife and mother. Mrs. Williams was born in 1963 in a North Carolina hospital. However, unlike any of the other babies born there that day, she entered this world with crippled legs…and no arms.
In Tawana’s latest book, titled Unarmed But Dangerous, she explains how her mother’s chronic fainting spells and severe nausea during pregnancy led a doctor to prescribe the drug, thalidomide. Although the drug improved her mother’s condition, it had devastating effects on her fetus. After Tawana’s birth, her mother and her grandmother took care of her and took care of her as best they could. However, she Tawana had special needs. So her mother sought additional help from the North Carolina Department of Human Services. Incredibly, she was denied. And again.
One day, in a brave act of love and determination, Tawana’s mother sat down and wrote a letter to the President of the United States, John F. Kennedy. Vividly, she told the story of him. The Oval Office was very moved by what they read and responded in kind. He was instructed to take her baby to Cerebral Palsy Hospital in Durham, NC. There, Tawana lived and received intensive rehabilitation services for the first four years of her life.
As Tawana’s spirit began to develop and evolve, so did her role as a “conqueror”. Today, when she addresses her audience, she speaks candidly about how she overcame the darkest periods of her life. Tawana Williams masterfully inspires, motivates, mentors and shows others that they can do the things they think they can’t. She said to a very inspired young man after one of her presentations,
“I was really in awe of how he could do things with his feet that I can’t even do with my hands. I learned to never give up and that you can do anything you put your mind to.”
As part of OnTheMove! Interview series, eMediaCampaigns! talked to Tawana about his mission, “different ability”, love for God and his latest book, “Unarmed but Dangerous”.
CEM!: Good morning, Taiwan. Thank you very much for meeting with us.
T-W: Good morning, frank. It is a pleasure to be with you today.
CEM!: Would you share with us a bit more about your background?
T-W: Yes, I was born without arms and was trained as a baby to use my feet like others use their hands. I have completely overcome the adversity of being born without arms and have gone from being a victim to being a victor!
CEM!: Look, now I want to scream (laughs). I feel your joy, Tawana… Tell us, “A blessing and a curse.” In his opinion, does this statement have any validity?
T-W: Yes, because, once I realized what I had, I didn’t care. As a child, I felt that God had forgotten, cursed and even abandoned me. You see, I have three sisters and I’ve always asked God, “Why me? Why not them?” Today, I realize that they couldn’t have taken what I took, done the things I did, and come through, and come out victorious, like I came out!
CEM!: His latest book, Unarmed But Dangerous: “The Tawana Williams Story of Relentless Struggle and Ultimate Victory,” is due out later this year. Could he explain what he means when he uses the word “dangerous”?
T-W: The “weapons” I have that are dangerous are my feet. I can do almost anything with them. I am an artist, poet, vocalist, wife and mother. I bottle-fed my own baby, braided her hair, bathed her, and even dressed her with my two injured feet.
Les Brown, the motivational speaker and author, wrote an impressive “Foreword” to my book, “Unarmed Yet Dangerous: The Tawana Williams Story of Relentless Struggle and Ultimate Victory.” He will also promote it. Please support the book. I am donating a portion of the sales to the Sharpe School of Health for the Disabled in Washington, DC. I attended school between 1968 and 1974. So my question is… “Wich is your excuse?”
CEM!: Tawana, I understand that you have more skills and talents than you shared before. For example, despite not having arms, he answers and sends his own emails. And isn’t it true that you type 35 words per minute… with your feet?
tw: Absolutely! I send and reply to my own emails. And I write 35 to 40 words per minute (laughs) with my feet! Actually, Fran, I hid my talents for years because I was ashamed of everything I could do. But now, I am proud of what God has done and what he continues to do through me.
CEM!: At what point did you know you wanted to become a motivational speaker?
T-W: I knew I wanted to become a speaker when I realized that many of the people I came into contact with were ungrateful, lazy, lazy, and always complaining about what they didn’t have. I felt like he was the perfect one to complain about, but he wasn’t. He was using what he had. No excuse is acceptable.
CEM!: Tawana, I have heard you say: “The words ‘can’t’ are not an option.” What are the words or phrases you would use instead?
T-W: “I can do everything.” These words are powerful for me because I do not give up; I am a winner. We should all use what we have. If I had started out saying “I can’t”… I probably wouldn’t have made it. If you think you can’t; you will not do it
“Look at what God has done through this woman. Tawana Williams is the most uplifting person I know.”
-The Browns
CEM!: Who are the mentors that have had the biggest impact on your life?
T-W: Many people have made a difference in my life, but some very special people have blessed me more than you will ever know: my mentor, Les Brown; my friend and business associate, Dr. Stan Harris; my life coach, Arthur C. Doakes; Mr. Ken Brown (motivational speaker/author) and my amazing husband, Mr. Keither “Toby” Williams. These men have really impacted my life.
CEM!: The Honorable Judge Glenda Hatchett (from the television series, Judge Hatchett), recently asked him for help during an intervention with a young man in his court. Could you describe the experience?
T-W: That experience was amazing! He had never been a mentor in that capacity, so to speak. Although, he had helped many troubled youths. But that experience showed me that there was another gift to offer the world. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to be Judge Hatchett’s interceptor. That is a day I will never forget.
CEM!: You are one of the few professional speakers who speaks passionately and regularly with our youth. What leads you to target this particular segment of our population?
T-W: Youth awakened something in me that pushed me. I realized that children were mean and cruel. Then I found out that they bothered me because they didn’t know any better. Education is the key to being empowered. Once I started sharing my life situation with them, they understood the differences, peer pressure, drugs, and many other topics. I see how young people are not using what God has given them.
CEM!: When did you start working with children?
T-W: I started dealing with our youth from day one. My daughter’s first day of school was challenging for both of us. Me, accompanying her to class, was an experience in itself. But, when we got home that day, I asked him, “How was your day today?” She replied, “Fine, but all I did was answer questions about you.”
That scared me because I knew that children could be very mean to each other. The next day, I called the teacher and asked if she could come to April’s class for “Show and Tell Day.” The teacher was so excited that I was willing to share my story with the children. She knew that she didn’t want April to be tormented and humiliated like I was as a child. I think we have to train our children in the way they should go. And, when they are older, they will not deviate from what they are taught.
CEM!: His speaking platform includes, “What God Can Do.” Can you share with us how it helped you overcome your adversity?
T-W: God is my main focus in life. He is the first. He used me to show me that he could do (anything) no matter what. He let me know a long time ago that if he didn’t do it, he wouldn’t do it. Also, he let me know that he had everything he needed, he just had to use what he had. “Many are called, but few are chosen.” I was chosen by God to be, just as I am.
CEM!: Tawana, you have been quoted as saying, “God delivered me from crack cocaine in 1991 and I’ve been on a mission ever since.” Could you elaborate?
T-W: Yes. My Crack addiction started because I wanted to “fit in by any means necessary.” Peer pressure in high school was very difficult for me because I was so different. Crack cocaine consumed me. I neglected my family because of Crack. I thought it was my everything. When I hit rock bottom, that’s when God intervened. He did a job and sent me on a mission. I am a living testimony of what God can do.
CEM!: Many believe that their mission is preceded by a vision from God. Do you share this belief?
T-W: Oh yeah! I know that God has sent me on this mission because if it was just me, I would have quit a long time ago. This is my ninth year as a motivational speaker. God has trained me to the fullest. I am a humble servant.
CEM!: What’s next for you in terms of your projects and talks?
T-W: Les Brown and I are going into the studio soon to record a series of CDs called “No Excuse is Acceptable”. And I will be the special guest speaker at the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, Chicago, Illinois. That date is October 10, 2005 and it starts at 7 pm The pastor is Charles Jenkins.
CEM!: Describe one of the most significant breakthroughs you had with a member of your audience during or after a presentation.
T-W: I spoke at a high school last Friday. The young people were excited that I came. I did my thing and they were hurt.
EMC:! When you say, “They were hurt.” Are you referring to the specific demonstrations that she shared with the students that day?
T-W: Yes. I braided the hair of “Baby April” (a baby doll); fed her; he burped her and changed her Pamper diaper. Then I demonstrated how I tie shoelaces with my feet – kids are so lazy about not tying their shoelaces these days! I also talked about peer pressure and teasing from other kids. The children showered me with hugs and kisses at the end. One girl in particular hugged me so tight that I knew something was going on inside her.
A couple of days later, I received a letter from a young woman who attended the school. I knew she was that same girl. She told me that Friday was supposed to be her last day on earth. She had planned to kill herself when she got home. But, after hearing my message and seeing me demonstrate how she used my feet, she said, “I can live and I can go on.” Oh what a glorious day it was for me and my husband to know that God used us once again to save another life. God gives strength to the weak, so don’t lose heart… wait.
CEM!: What a tremendous and powerful presentation that must have been… Tawana Williams, thank you so much for sharing. The truth is that it was a pleasure talking to you.
T-W: The pleasure has been all mine. Thank you, Fran, for giving me the opportunity to share my message of hope and inspiration to warm someone’s heart today. God bless you.
CEM!: No problem. And I receive my blessing.
Electronic media campaigns! He interviewed Tawana Williams in September 2005. Tawana Williams and her organization are a 501(c)3 non-profit entity. She can be contacted at [email protected]. You can learn more, including how you can apply as a speaker, on her website:
http://www.tawanawilliams.com/ and by calling:
1.252.230.6414 Mobile
1.252.291.6081 Office
For more information on the Moving! interview series, contact [email protected] or http://www.franbriggs.com