MEET THE TEAM
MONICA WILLIAMS, FOUNDER/VISIONARY/AUTHORMonica is a native of Baltimore, Maryland who now resides in the state of Pennsylvania. She is the founder and visionary of Women Empowering Women To Be Women of Truth. A vision inspired to empower women from various walks of life to be their authentic self by removing the layers of mask we parade around in daily in order to be accepted, validated, or welcomed. Monica has always provided support, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, and prayer when needed. She would give the unadulterated truth when asked and sometimes when not asked. Monica would spend countless hours on the phone or face to face without hesitation with women venting about the overwhelming cares of life. Those same women could not wait to also share good and exciting news with her.
At a very young age Monica seemed to connect with hurting, neglected, rejected, abused, angry, broken, and wounded women searching for love. She realized those women were a reflection of her and they shared similar life experiences. Her mother would often tell her as young as a teenager, that she should be a counselor because she was always offering advice. In addition to friends and family, Monica extends herself by inspiring women any and everywhere she can, especially women who are overlooked in a crowded room. A minister at a former church shared with Monica a dream she had. She told Monica she was a vine surrounded by hundreds of berries which represented the women she would soon be ministering to. In addition to God speaking to Monica, over the years she received several personal prophetic messages confirming that dream and God's plans for her life. She is a humbled servant motivating women to be who they are while they walk through their journey of life together. As complicated as things can be, Monica is committed to the call, as she knows it is not just about her. Monica earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master's Degree in Social Work, from Millersville/Shippensburg University. She also studied at the Maryland Theological Seminary in Baltimore. She is also the author of How I Loved God and Her: The Battle of the Heart which was featured in the York Dispatch Newspaper and her new book, The Unveiling: Pain, Trauma, & Truth. Monica and her spouse have five children, two grandchildren, and enjoy vacationing, cooking, watching movies, fellow shipping, and spending time with close family and friends. She is always thinking of ways she can improve in her personal, professional, and spiritual life as she becomes the best version of herself in her quest to be the image of God in every way possible. One of her favorite scriptures is Luke 1:45, “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her.” |
SHARRON MERRITT, ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORTMinister Sharron Merritt began ministry over 20 years ago working with youth and young adults. Her ministry ranged from singing on the choir to caring for the elderly that were sick and shut in. She has also facilitated annual church and secular meetings and conferences. Sharron is passionate about promoting healthy, positive and God-centered families. She believes that communities and the world at large will become healthy as we strive to empower and mend broken families no matter their socio-economic status. Men, women and children need support and encouragement as individual members of the family unit. However, since women are charged with the awesome task of being the incubators of life, she feels that it is necessary to be their midwife. Whether it is whispering, “Just breathe through the pain” or “It is time to push”, offering her gifts to help women birth whatever or whomever God has allowed them to carry in their wombs is a privilege and honor not taken lightly.
Women Empowering Women to be Women of Truth is a ministry that Sharron helped her cousin Monica Williams give birth to. She is grateful to be a part of such an awesome ministry that is changing lives with each event. Her role in the ministry is to help facilitate an environment that is safe for women who are broken, confused, insecure, and to those who struggle with finding their identity. The environment also serves as a fertile ground for inspiration and encouragement to women from diverse social-economic backgrounds to give birth to the dreams and visions that God has instilled in them not to mention cultivating new life-long friendships. She has three sons and grandchildren whom she absolutely adores. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Marriage, Couples and Family Therapy. For fun, she loves spending time with her family and traveling. She is also the sole proprietor of Moore Sass Body Scrubs and operates as an independent travel consultant (Agape2Travel). |
JUANIKA BALLARD, AV/TECHNICAL SUPPORTJuanika is a West Baltimore, Maryland native who has spent more than a decade giving back to her community in numerous ways. She has always had a passion for working with at-risk youth, especially the male population. In her young adult years she served as a 4th grade summer school teacher, after school basketball coach to elementary school aged children, and counselor to children with emotional and mental disorders.
Juanika is a veteran Baltimore County Police Officer. She has worked in various precincts and Specialized Units. She serves and protects her community by enforcing the law, mentoring youth, and showing random acts of kindness. Juanika is an Ordained Minister. She also holds a Bachelor's Degree in Applied Psychology from Coppin State University and a Master's Degree in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University Maryland. Juanika and her spouse currently reside just outside of Maryland and they have 5 beautiful children. "Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime," this African Proverb is dear to her heart and governs her daily life. |
GRETCHEN MCBRIDE, ADMNISTRATIONGretchen Trusty-McBride is a mother, a healthcare professional, and has a passion for inspiring people to be the best they can be. Her love for God and her strong faith has empowered her to overcome some of life’s most challenging adversities, giving her the ability to share her story in hopes of helping others. Her genuine love for people has allowed her to accept people where they are in life, without judging.
In 2010, Gretchen embarked on a path to complete her undergraduate degree in healthcare. A recent honors graduate from the University of Baltimore; she has been given the opportunity to advance her career within the University of Maryland Medical System. In addition, she received her Master's Degree in Health Information Management from the Southern New Hampshire University in 2020. Every day she sees people who are in need and many without hope. This is what keeps her grounded and thankful. Gretchen enjoys traveling, meeting new people, and spending time with family and friends. Her favorite quote is “Never regret a day in your life: good days give happiness, bad days give experience, worst days give lessons, and best days give memories.” She attempts to live by these words daily. |
Created by Ignite Visions.