Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rhonda Anita. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Rhonda, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

When I think about the legacy I have been called to build, it’s not just about the titles, awards, or accolades—though I’m deeply honored by each one. It’s about the lives changed, the women restored, my two sons, my granddaughters and the generations shifted because one woman chose to rise from pain and turn it into purpose.

I want to be remembered as a voice for the voiceless, a woman who took her trauma, her truth, and her testimony and used it to ignite healing in others. I hope people say, “Because of Rhonda Anita, I found the strength to speak up. I found the courage to heal. I believed I could overcome.”

Through Rose of Sharon Transitional Living for Women, Amazing Life Empowerment Group, Tea Party Socials, and everything else I’ve built, my goal has always been to create safe spaces for women to transform—not just on the outside, but deep within. My mission is to help women reclaim their identity, own their stories, and walk boldly in the freedom and wholeness that God destined for them.

When I’m gone, I want my legacy to live on in every woman who finally saw her worth, every survivor who found her voice, and every soul who realized that healing was not only possible—but hers to claim.

That’s what I pray I’ll be remembered for: a life poured out in purpose, compassion, and unapologetic faith. A woman who didn’t just survive—but who made survival a doorway to something far greater for herself and for others.

My legacy is not just mine—it belongs to every woman I’ve ever had the honor to stand beside and say, “You are not alone.”

Rhonda, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi there! I’m Rhonda Anita, also known as Rhonda A. Thompson – “A Voice for the Voiceless”– and that name didn’t come by accident. I am an award-winning empowerment speaker, certified healing life coach, ordained minister, author, and, above all, a fierce advocate for women and survivors of abuse. My journey has been anything but easy, but every part of it has prepared me for the purpose I now walk in daily: **to help others heal, rise, and reclaim their power**.

I got into this work not by chance, but by calling. A survivor of multiple forms of abuse, including domestic violence and sexual trauma, I understand the silence, the shame, and the struggle that so many women face behind closed doors. But I also understand the freedom that comes from healing, self-awareness, and the decision to live *on purpose*. I’ve gone from survivor to overcomer, and now I use my voice—and my platform—to help others do the same.

After earning my degree in Business Management, I went on to become the CEO & Founder of Rose of Sharon Transitional Living for Women, Inc., Real Estate’s Leading Lady, and Amazing Life Empowerment Group. Each of these branches of my work offers something different—from safe transitional housing to real estate guidance for women seeking financial independence, to empowerment coaching that gets to the root of healing. Everything I do centers around transformation, restoration, and reminding women of their **God-given identity and right to freedom**.

My mission is simple but powerful: Healing the human spirit by equipping women to create their own reality of wholeness through self-awareness, confidence, and forgiveness.” And I’ve been honored to live that mission not just through coaching and mentoring, but through unforgettable events that educate, entertain, and uplift—from the *Living Behind the Mask Masquerade Gala* that honors domestic violence overcomers, to *Tea Party Socials* that spark deep, meaningful dialogue among women who are ready for change.

What sets me apart? I’d say it’s my lived experience, my unshakeable faith, and my unwavering commitment to sisterhood. I’m not just a speaker or a coach—I’m a woman who’s been there, and who now lives to shine a light for others still trying to find their way out of the darkness.

I’ve been blessed to receive honors such as the 2024 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, the John Lewis Ambassador Award, and many others that I hold dear—not because of the accolades themselves, but because they represent lives touched and stories rewritten.

At the heart of it all, I want women to know this:
You are not alone. You are not broken. And you are absolutely capable of rewriting your story.

So whether I’m handing you the keys to your first home, guiding you through emotional healing, or handing you a microphone to share your truth—I’m here to remind you that your voice matter.

Let’s rise together.

With grace and grit,

Rhonda Anita
“A Voice for the Voiceless”

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to *unlearn* the habit of people-pleasing—a pattern I once thought was kindness, but through healing and therapy, I came to understand it as a **trauma response**. It was a way I learned to survive, but not a way to thrive. People-pleasing kept me stuck. It blurred my boundaries and silenced my voice. So, I made the choice to let it go.

I began the work of **coming home to myself**—of building a space within where I am grounded, whole, and secure, whether others approve of me or not. That inner peace is now non-negotiable.

My faith deepened in the process. It became more than belief—it became **a way of being**. The Bible is no longer just a book to me, but a **blueprint for life**, a mirror that reflects my purpose and a guide that anchors me daily.

I also had to reframe my understanding of **boundaries**. I used to think they were walls meant to keep people out. But I now know they’re fences meant to keep *me* in—to protect my peace, preserve my power, and remind me that **I am worthy of sacred space**.

This journey isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. Every step has brought me closer to the woman I was always meant to be: **free, grounded, and unapologetically whole**.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

The audience I’ve built on social media began taking shape in 2015, following the launch of my very first Living Behind the Mask Gala. That event was more than just a moment—it was a movement. From that point forward, the momentum never stopped. The message resonated, the community grew, and the purpose deepened. What started as one event sparked a powerful connection with people who shared the vision—and it’s only grown stronger ever since.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aleg4u.com
• Instagram: rhondaanita_
• Facebook: Rhonda Anita

Image Credits

Antoinne Duane Jones and Tara Harp Photos