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Introduction

Getting To KnowMichelle

Fields

Congratulations Ladies

The Encouragement Corner

Our Current Events

Welcome to the FIRSTedition of the iChooseNewsletter! We are so excited to create a communication

to let you know about the organization and also be a resource in your everyday lives. The goals of this

communication is to quarterly:

Communicate the happenings of the organization

Get you acquainted with the members of the sisterhood

Provide encouragement to your soul

Share editorials on current events in our community

WHO IS

We are a faith-based organization with a mission to encourage and

promote an open forum and dialogue to discuss and provide solutions

to issues and circumstances that hinder women. We strive to grow asindividuals, raise our children with passion, keep our communities alive,

and be a source of strength to our men. we must also work diligently to

enlighten ourselves, families, communities and the world of our

magnificent identities and obtain absolution from the

stereotypes. Happiness is a choice, so we choose to embrace the hindrance and overcome together.

OUR VALUES

Sisterhood

Accountability Positive Self Image

Respect

Prayer

Community Involvement

IF YOU WANT SOMETHING THAT YOU NEVERHADYOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING YOU HAVE

NEVER DONE.

-Anonymous

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GETTING TO KNOW MICHELLE FIELDSMICHELLE FIELDSis the Founder and President of . . In this issue, we would like to spotlight

Michelle and give you a chance to learn a little more about her letshear from the visionary of theorganization.

WHATICHOOSE

MEANSTOYOU

iChoose to me is a group of youngwomen that chose to combinestrengths to help one another facelife, the good and bad times. iChooseis a sisterhood.

ONEOFYOURFAVORITE

QUOTES

If you want something said, ask aman; if you want something done,ask a woman.

Margaret Thatcher

FAMILY

Family is everything to me next toGod. Family is my strength and myfoundation. I now have animmediate family of 6, my husband,and four sons.

DREAMCAREER/JOB

My dream job is to be self-employedowning/managing myown neighborhood bar and grill.

GREATESTACCOMPLIS

HMENT

SOFAR

Juggling the many layers of myeveryday life and still being in myright mind,lol; wife, mother,daughter, sister, president of

iChoose, employee in corporateAmerica and so on.

HOWDOYOU

HANDLEADVERSITY

With prayer first, asking forincreased faith during difficult times,directions on what to do to getthrough and discipline to do whatneed to be done.

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GETTING TO KNOW MICHELLE FIELDSMICHELLE FIELDSis the Founder and President of iChoose. In this issue, we would like to spotlight Michelle

and give you a chance to learn a little more about her. Lets hear from the visionary of the organization.

WHATDOYOUNOT

LIKETODO

I dont like to step outside of my norm in

all aspects of my life. Im not good at trying

different food or changing my style just toname a few things.

WHATSONGSAREINCLUDEDONYOURLIFE

SOUNDTRACK?

Silly - Denice Williams

The battle is not yoursYolanda Adams

Giving myselfJennifer Hudson

Started from the bottom - Drake

I Choose by India Arie

WHATWASTHELAST

EXPERIENCETHATMADE

YOUASTRONGER

PERSON?

My grandmothers recent hospitalization,

rushing her to the emergency room andseeing her screaming from pain wasdifficult but what was most difficult waswatching my mom cry. This made mestronger because I had to step in and bestrong when my mother couldnt.

IFYOUCOULDWITNESSANYEVENTPAST,PRESENTOR

FUTURE, WHAT

WOULDITBE?

Future. I would love to witness my childrenas adults with their own families, careers,homes, and friends.

IFYOUCOULDKNOWTHE

ANSWERTOANY

QUESTION,BESIDES

WHATISTHEMEANINGOFLIFE? WHAT

WOULDITBE?

When Is Jesus Coming Back?

SELECT1ICHOOSE

MEMBERWHOHASAQUALITY

THATYOUADMIREAND

WHY?

I admire LaWandas sweet spirit and

positive outlook on life. Its good to know

that though shes had her share of difficult

times she did not allow circumstances toturn her into a bitter person. Shes shown

me strength in times where some of uswould have been weak, courage instead ofcowardice, and love instead of hatred. Iadmire her strength.

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Congratulations Ladies!!!The Ladies of iChoose are always up to something BIG. In the first three quarters of the year, there

were many accomplishments. We would like to take this moment to congratulate the ladies on a job

well done.

LaWanda Burrell

celebrated 4

Years Cancer

Free!!

Robin

Armstrong

completed her

MBA Degree!!

Kia Bailey

hosted her 1st

Womens

Business Expo

successfully!!

Michelle Bradley

completed

Bartending

School!!

Nerissa Smith

started a new

career

adventure!!

Shaquita Harris

celebrated 1 year

on her job and

received a raving

review!!!

Monique

Bradley

celebrated 7

years at her

job!!

Kimberly Banks

proposed to the

love of her life

and he said

Kena Young

started herfitness

program!!

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The Encouragement CornerTherearemomentswhentroublesenterourlivesandwecandonothingtoavoidthem.

Buttheyarethereforareason.Onlywhenwehaveovercomethemwillweunderstandwhytheywere

there.PauloCoelho

Sometimestroublestumblesuponus,itseemslikeitcomesouto fnowhere.Wedontexpectitandevenin

ourwildestimaginationcouldweseeithappeningtous,butithappened.Itshappening.Webegintoask

howcouldthishappen?Whyme?IthoughtIdideverythingIcouldtoavoidsituationslikethese.WhyamI

beingpunished?Wedontalwaysseethelessoninthestorm.Wehavetoalwaysrememberitsnotwhat

yougothroughbuthowyougothroughitandalsothingscouldalwaysbemuchworse.

Irecentlycameacrossanarticleonmeechymonroe.com,Meechyisa Chicago based natural Hair &

Beauty Blogger who is currently fighting brain cancer. Although dealing with her own struggle she took

the time to support and share the story of another young lady who happens to also be in the middle of

the same fight thats sisterhood!

Here is a snippet of Briana story:

My name is Briana Ray aka Morgan Monroe and I am 23 years old. I wanted to give you some history on

when my journey began withGlioblastoma Multiforme.

I started having severe headaches around October 2012 when I was 21 years old. I kept putting it off

because I worked all the time. Sometime in November I got in trouble because the nursing home I was

working at thought I was falling asleep. I went home to feel better and I got an extremely intense headache.

When I went to work the next day I was told that I was suspended until I got a doctors note so I went to the

doctor the very next day. I was considered a walk in so I was there all day. Later that day, I was given a

cat-scan and was told that I had a massive tumor and that they were going to operate that day. Literally,

that same day Could you imagine? At that point the doctor had me rushed to Henry Ford Hospital. As you

can see my life changed dramatically within that day. I spent three days in the hospital but they didnt

operate, they gave me a surgery date which was December 21, 2012.

In January 2013 the doctor called saying that I had cancer and that I had to go through chemotherapy and

radiation. I was told that I had stage four brain cancer and I didnt have long to live, maybe two years at

best because the tumor is too aggressive. I was told my quality of life would not be good. I did chemo and

radiation but my tumor showed signs of growing back progressively. I had to get on clinical trials

immediately because standard treatment just didnt work. In the middle of my chemotherapy my aunt had

introduced me to a woman named Melissa. They were telling me about these natural essential oils

calleddoTERRAand that I should try them to help shrink my tumor. I wasnt really on board but I tried it

anyway. I started a new chemotherapy as well and once I started taking the oils I didnt feel sick.Melissa

gave me three oils to use; clove, myrrh and frankincense oil. Since the 1st day using the oils I

immediately noticed that I wasnt having any headaches. I took the oils for two weeksstraight and I

decided to go a day without them to see how I felt. I had major headaches that whole day. Since that

day I havent went without them. My next three MRIs showed my tumor was shrinking.

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/566.Paulo_Coelhohttp://www.goodreads.com/author/show/566.Paulo_Coelhohttp://www.webmd.com/cancer/brain-cancer/glioblastoma-multiformehttp://www.webmd.com/cancer/brain-cancer/glioblastoma-multiformehttp://www.webmd.com/cancer/brain-cancer/glioblastoma-multiformehttp://www.mydoterra.com/brianamrayhttp://www.mydoterra.com/brianamrayhttp://www.mydoterra.com/brianamrayhttp://www.mydoterra.com/brianamrayhttp://www.webmd.com/cancer/brain-cancer/glioblastoma-multiformehttp://www.goodreads.com/author/show/566.Paulo_Coelho

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remission which is awesome!! My

doctors are still shocked and they

dont want me to get too happy

because it can turn for the worst at

any moment. However, I know with

Gods Grace that I am a survivor and

he will see me through! Since

meeting Melissa my tumor has never

showed signs of growth and I am so

grateful.

I have great faith in GOD that I am

cancer free, not will be cancer free but

that I AM cancer free As of now my

tumor is stable and I am thankful. Now I

currently live in Atlanta, Georgia and I

couldnt be any happier. GO is good I

would like to thank you from the

bottom of my heart for your support for

me throughout this time You will never

understand how much all of you mean

to me, strangers, friends, and family

alike. You are all Angels

IhopeafterreadingthisyoufeelasoverjoyedandblessedasIdid.Aswegothroughwhateverstormwe

arefacingwehavetoremembertroublewontlastalways.Speaktheresultsyouwantintoexistenceand

constantlytakeactionsanddoyourparttomakeithappen.Attheendofourstormtherewillbea

rainbow.Remembertoencourageandsupporteachotheraswomenandassistersyouneverknowwhat

someoneisgoingthrough.Youneverknowhowyoursmileorwhatyousaytosomeonecoulddoforthem

sometimesitsassimpleasthat.

FormoreonMeechyandBrianavisit

www.meechymonroe.comanddontforgetifyoucan

support!

Author

~Monique S. Bradley

http://www.meechymonroe.com/http://www.meechymonroe.com/http://www.meechymonroe.com/

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Current EventsIf youre anything like I am, then youre tired of turning on the television and seeing children dying from

senseless violence but that seems to be a reoccurring topic, not only in Chicago, but all over the world.

It has gotten to a point that I dont watch the news anymore because it saddens me.

Over one weekend, several incidents have occurred:

A man died after a gunshot wound to his chest and 13 other men were wounded; all related to gun

shootings. Four reputed gang members have been charged with gunning down Antonio Smith, 9, as they

searched for someone from a rival gang to shoot last month; All charged with first-degree. Shooting are

occurring every single day. I have teen boys and also members of iChoose so this particular event

touched home. Ladies we have to be active in our children lives and also be aware of the company

that they keep. We must come together as sisters and pray and bleed the blood over them every day

and trust and believe that they will be covered.

Another event that touched my heart was the death of a two-year-old. The death has been ruled a

homicide after officials determined the toddler died of methadone toxicity. Mickel Brown, 2, was found

unresponsive in his home on June 18, police said. The toddler was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital where

he was pronounced dead according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office. No criminal charges

has been filed. I just have one question, how does a 2-year-old get methadone?Ladies we have to keep

a close eye on our children. As sisters we lend on each other in any situation and most importantly we

trust God!

The last event I came across is about Ronnie Romaine, 43, is in custody and charged with three felony

counts of robbery; he is responsible for stealing necklaces from women on the CTA and he has been

taken into custody. Ladies please be aware of your surroundings if you catch public transportation.

These events may not be the most positive but they are realistic. There is a lot of merciless things

happening in the world but knowing that I have iChoose makes things easier. Lets keep our city and

children lifted in prayer and let continue to come together as sisters.

Author~Kia Bailey

Psalm 127:3 Behold,

children are a heritage from

the Lord, the fruit of thewomb a reward

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ission Statement

From this day forward, everyday will be my own, being free of the past

and living to improve my future. iChooseto be free of guilt, let go of

pain, negativity and focus on accomplishments to inspire me when I

feel weak. iChooseto conquer lifes challenges with prayer and

courage, while gaining wisdom along the way to help strengthen my

sisters in their time of need. Through Gods grace, I am regaining my

strength, getting closer to my goals and inspiring the change for a

better me. I understand that this life is not mine alone, but iChooseto

start living life for me.

EMAIL:info@ichoose2embrace.org

WEBSITE:www.ichoose2embrace.org

FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/iChoose2INSTAGRAM:http://instagram.com/ichoosew

TWITTER:https://twitter.com/iChoosew

DESIGNEDBYTHEICHOOSE MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS TEAM

NOVEMBER 2014

mailto:info@ichoose2embrace.orgmailto:info@ichoose2embrace.orghttp://www.ichoose2embrace.org/http://www.ichoose2embrace.org/http://www.ichoose2embrace.org/https://www.facebook.com/iChoose2https://www.facebook.com/iChoose2https://www.facebook.com/iChoose2http://instagram.com/ichoosewhttp://instagram.com/ichoosewhttps://twitter.com/iChoosewhttps://twitter.com/iChoosewhttps://twitter.com/iChoosewhttps://twitter.com/iChoosewhttp://instagram.com/ichoosewhttps://www.facebook.com/iChoose2http://www.ichoose2embrace.org/mailto:info@ichoose2embrace.org