THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 10, 1995 TAG: 9511100450
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE WATSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
Many black women know her as Sister Iyanla. Their spiritual healer. The former teen welfare mom-turned-attorney-turned-author who has helped them find their souls through her books about the spiritual development of African-American women.
Best-selling author Iyanla Vanzant will be at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott Saturday to conduct a sold-out self-empowerment workshop for men and women.
Vanzant became nationally known when her first book, ``Tapping the Power Within: A Path to Self-Empowerment for Black Women,'' hit black best-seller lists in 1991. Her 1993 release, ``Acts of Faith: Daily Meditations for People of Color,'' was No. 1 on Essence and Emerge magazines' best-sellers lists for 13 months.
Her most recent book, ``The Value in the Valley: A Black Woman's Guide Through Life's Dilemmas,'' was released in June.
``She has a very unique way of helping a person find their soul again,'' said Avis Riddick, a licensed clinical social worker in Norfolk who enjoys Vanzant's work and recommends it to some of her clients.
``She's apparently very much in touch with her spirit, and by her being in touch with her spirit, she is very clear in how to express her spiritual development to others. It becomes inspiration to other women.''
Vanzant, 42, is a testament to what happens when the ``power'' - self-love, positive thinking - is tapped. Vanzant is an incest survivor, former welfare recipient and battered wife who tried to commit suicide more than once. Through perseverance and motivation, Vanzant completed college and law school and became a successful criminal-defense attorney. She resigned from the Philadelphia Public Defenders Office in 1989 and began writing full-time.
Vanzant will return to the area early next year for a series of workshops in Virginia Beach on Feb. 9, 10 and 11. MEMO: For details, call (301) 588-6178. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Iyanla Vanzant
by CNB