Women Celebrating Women
The word inspire is defined as the act of filling someone with the urge or ability to do something, and here in Chattanooga, we have no shortage of incredible women who motivate those around them day in and day out. Whether they intentionally set out to be a role model or random acts of kindness are simply in their DNA, these women are making the world a better place. Read on to learn more about the individuals who encourage others to be the best version of themselves told by those they inspired most.
Photography by Rich Smith
inspired: Lakweshia Ewing | inspiration: Dr. Sheryl K. Randolph
“She urged me to not get stuck in the mediocre things of life, but to embrace walking in the extraordinary side of life.”
Sometimes life can give you a hard knock upside the head to help you realize just how much you have to offer the world. For me, one of those hard knocks came from a little woman with a large presence, a strong will, a powerful mind, an anointed voice, and a simply beautiful spirit: Dr. Sheryl K. Randolph.
I met Sheryl 15 years ago as a 20-something young professional new to the city. Having grown up with a strong Christian background, I fought hard to understand how I could live a life of love and serve my community, whether in business or ministry. Sheryl was always there to encourage me, but not with a typical level of encouragement. She offered the type of support that made me feel that as long as I had God by my side, I could conquer the world. One of her favorite sayings is, “Empowered people empower people.” She urged me to not get stuck in the mediocre things of life, but to embrace walking in the extraordinary side of life.
As a mother, pastor, author, educational consultant, speaker, international evangelist, and mentor, Sheryl has balanced life’s trials and tribulations with grace and a smile. As I think about navigating my own path, her encouraging words resound in my mind: “Life happens. Live anyway.”