Iyanla Vanzant is an inspirational speaker, life coach, author, lawyer, spiritual guide, and television personality. She is mainly known for her self help books or well known show “Iyanla Vanzant: Fix My Life” where she gives encouraging words, spiritual advice, and guidance through this path we call life. She has written 18 self-help books, which cover how to cope, embrace, and overcome heartbreak, loss, grief, change, and more obstacles faced in life. 

Iyanla Vanzant, 68, was born September 13, 1953 in the back of a taxi cab. This was just the beginning of years of adversities. At the age of two, her mother died and by nine, she was battling being molested by a family member. At the age of 16, she became pregnant, followed by an abusive marriage of 9 years. Knowing she needed to stay alive for her three children was her purpose. One day she woke up and decided she wanted something different for her life. After seeing a college sign while riding the bus, she applied and graduated three years later. Vanzant currently has a BA, MA, and a JD. Over the years, Vanzant has been honored with awards and titles for her purposeful, empowering work. Some of her awards include: Oni Awards – 199, Alumni of the Year – 1994. BlackBoard Book of the Year – 1994, 1995, and 1996. NAACP Image Award – 1999. Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters – 1999. Honorary Doctor of Divinity – 2000. 

After looking back at her life, Iyanla turned her painful early years of life into learning lessons. She embraced tragedy and turned to spirituality. She did not allow the journey to break her, but to build her. The pain she experienced evolved into 6 New York Times’ best sellers and has sold over 8 million copies worldwide. Vanzant allowed her trauma and path to become a guide for other women facing similar situations. She motivates women to know that better is coming, to work through your issues, let go, and allow things to happen in divine timing. 

Vanzant is an honorable, respectful, and renown woman who has helped many other women around the world, including myself. 

“Until Today!” and “In the Meantime” are two books that have inspired me in many ways. I now start my days with prayer and meditation. I find myself journaling and praying when stressed, worried, or anxious. In a sense, I view life in a different light. Life is a journey and it will have its bumps. It’s all about how you choose to handle the situation and surrounding characters and how you will come out. 

Written by Summer Wright, Plaid For Women’s Intern