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Hi! I’m Jante,Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
(Isaiah 43:19) Awakenher Wellness isn’t merely a passion project for Jante Gibson-Bryant, the Founder and Executive Director; it stems from her firsthand experience. Jante was raised by her single mother, whose primary source of income was a monthly Social Security check, supplemented by food stamps. In other words, they lived in poverty. Quickly, Jante learned of the restraints placed on both families and individuals due to a culture that overemphasizes personal responsibility, while failing to assess the part imposed hindrances placed on already marginalized people plays. |
Due to what Jante believes was shame surrounding mental health in her community as well as a lack menstrual health conversations, coupled with her mother’s undeveloped understanding of emotional intelligence, Jante grew up not fully understanding one of the most normal experiences for a female: the menstrual cycle and its impact on wellbeing.
Consequently, until at least her early 20s, Jante lived with an immense amount of menstrual shame, which directly affected her mental and reproductive health. Jante’s faith in God planted a seed within her to start a nonprofit focused on female empowerment. However, it wasn’t until 10 years ago, when Jante embarked on a self-love journey, which is still very much in progress, that she truly began to understand the interconnectedness of menstrual health, reproductive health, and mental health. Jante was, and still remains, the first recipient of her holistic approach to wellness.
As a result of her own experience, Jante has become increasingly involved in creating environments where safe, honest, and healing conversations can happen. Monthly, Jante host "Coffee & Conversations", she has also hosted several other female empowerment events. Also, Jante is committed to serving the female youth in the community by providing menstrual management resources, supplies, and education through The Period Purse Project, to schools and organizations in and around her local community.
Recently, Jante participated in an event where she disbursed many of her "Period Purses" however, one encounter stands out more than the others: An older woman who appeared to be in her 70's approached the table with two young girls between the ages of 8-11 years of age, "I know this because I asked their ages", Jante states. Before the interaction ended, Jante asked who she assumed was the guardian of the young girls—the older lady—if she wanted the girls to receive a menstrual purse? She also made it known that girls typically start their period between 10-15 years old, but anywhere between 9-16 years old is considered normal thus, preparing the girls for what their bodies are sure to undergo—their menstrual cycle, would be of utmost importance. Sadly, the conversation ended with the older lady rejecting the offer of the purses and urging the young girls to move to the next station.
Consequently, until at least her early 20s, Jante lived with an immense amount of menstrual shame, which directly affected her mental and reproductive health. Jante’s faith in God planted a seed within her to start a nonprofit focused on female empowerment. However, it wasn’t until 10 years ago, when Jante embarked on a self-love journey, which is still very much in progress, that she truly began to understand the interconnectedness of menstrual health, reproductive health, and mental health. Jante was, and still remains, the first recipient of her holistic approach to wellness.
As a result of her own experience, Jante has become increasingly involved in creating environments where safe, honest, and healing conversations can happen. Monthly, Jante host "Coffee & Conversations", she has also hosted several other female empowerment events. Also, Jante is committed to serving the female youth in the community by providing menstrual management resources, supplies, and education through The Period Purse Project, to schools and organizations in and around her local community.
Recently, Jante participated in an event where she disbursed many of her "Period Purses" however, one encounter stands out more than the others: An older woman who appeared to be in her 70's approached the table with two young girls between the ages of 8-11 years of age, "I know this because I asked their ages", Jante states. Before the interaction ended, Jante asked who she assumed was the guardian of the young girls—the older lady—if she wanted the girls to receive a menstrual purse? She also made it known that girls typically start their period between 10-15 years old, but anywhere between 9-16 years old is considered normal thus, preparing the girls for what their bodies are sure to undergo—their menstrual cycle, would be of utmost importance. Sadly, the conversation ended with the older lady rejecting the offer of the purses and urging the young girls to move to the next station.
Though that experience left Jante feeling sad for the little girls, her heart also breaks for the older woman as she wrestles with what it must feel like to have lived so long feeling shame as a result of the most natural occurrence in the female body? "From my teens until my early twenties, I too lived with the shame of having a menstrual cycle", Jante explains. "Funny enough, I was very sexually active at this exact time. In other words, I was more comfortable giving my vagina away than I was having discussions about my vaginal health. This experience has been so eye-opening and for that reason, I have come to realize not only are developmental conversations needed for pre and pubescent girls, but also women who have been shamed by the silence of "The Not Knowing Any Better". "
Due to her personal experience, Jante understands the importance of reinforcing just how needed healing conversations and strategies are if we truly want to help develop our next generation of leaders. She is an advocate for self-love and feels very strongly that it is nearly impossible to be a conduit for change if one doesn't first put in the hard-work to change themselves. Nonetheless, don't be fooled—changing is an ongoing process, so it is much less about perfection and much more about effort and progress. Jante strives to be a beacon of hope for women and children near and abroad, and for that reason, self-accountability plays a vital role in her life.
Jante uses her life's experiences—both good and bad—to empower all those who are willing to listen. When giving speeches, Jante quickly explains that without her faith in God there would be no Awakenher Wellness.
"It is my experience that NOTHING is wasted with God. My life is evidence of Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.""
Due to her personal experience, Jante understands the importance of reinforcing just how needed healing conversations and strategies are if we truly want to help develop our next generation of leaders. She is an advocate for self-love and feels very strongly that it is nearly impossible to be a conduit for change if one doesn't first put in the hard-work to change themselves. Nonetheless, don't be fooled—changing is an ongoing process, so it is much less about perfection and much more about effort and progress. Jante strives to be a beacon of hope for women and children near and abroad, and for that reason, self-accountability plays a vital role in her life.
Jante uses her life's experiences—both good and bad—to empower all those who are willing to listen. When giving speeches, Jante quickly explains that without her faith in God there would be no Awakenher Wellness.
"It is my experience that NOTHING is wasted with God. My life is evidence of Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.""
Awakenher Wellness Inc is not only my mission and labor of love, but also my lived experience and a considerable part of my purpose!
Empowered Women, Empower Children. Empowered Children, Empower Communities.
“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”