https://tinyurl.com/StolenInnocenceBook

Francoise Bowen, a Toastmasters leader and newly published author from the dual island country Antigua and Barbuda located in the Caribbean, shares her inspiring journey of personal growth, healing, and advocacy. 

A member of Toastmasters since 2014, Francoise has leveraged the organization to develop her communication, leadership, and cultural adaptability skills. She is active in three Toastmasters districts spanning the Caribbean, Canada, and South Africa. Her strategic involvement reflects her belief in the importance of diverse perspectives for personal and professional growth.

Francoise's journey with Toastmasters also played a significant role in her healing process. After a childhood where her voice was often silenced, she joined Toastmasters to overcome her struggles with effective communication. Despite a brief hiatus, she rejoined during the pandemic in 2021, which became a turning point in her life.

Her recently published memoir, Stolen Innocence: A Tale of Survival and Triumph, is a deeply personal account of her experiences with childhood molestation and her journey to healing. The book is both a narrative and a resource, offering solutions, exercises, and insights. 

Francoise also used Toastmasters to refine parts of her story, presenting sections as speeches to gain feedback and improve her narrative.

Key supporters in her journey include her publisher, Robert from Barbados, and her coach, Zivai, from Zimbabwe. Their guidance helped her navigate the challenges of writing and editing, while also addressing emotional hurdles, including revisiting painful memories with her mother.

The book has already started making an impact, with readers sharing positive feedback and expressing how it resonates with their experiences. Francoise views its success not in accolades but in its ability to foster healing and inspire change. 

She continues to encourage others to join Toastmasters, highlighting its ability to build communication and leadership skills while empowering individuals to share their stories and create meaningful change. Her journey is a testament to resilience, advocacy, and the power of storytelling.

Miss Françoise Bowen 

Admin Assistant/Entrepreneur/Humanitarian->HIV/AIDS/Toastmaster/WiMAC (WiMAC-Antigua chapter) Women in Maritime Association Caribbean

https://linktr.ee/francoisegbowen

Club Coach Chair District 86 Southwestern and Central Ontario, Canada

Club Growth Directory Resources - Toastmasters District 86

Team member in Caribbean District 81 Toastmasters: Program Quality Director, Logistic Team and Public Relations.

Toastmasters District 81

Caribbean Toastmasters - District 81 | Facebook

Immediate Past Area Director (2023-2024) Area 91|Division T/District 86, Southwestern and Central Ontario, Canada

Past President Antigua Toastmasters Club (2022-2023) (ranked 35th globally out of 14,700 clubs at the end of TMI calendar year 2022-2023).

Area 26/Division E/Caribbean District 81, https://www.facebook.com/antiguatoastmasters