My Story

Born in Atlanta, Georgia to Harold & Rhoda Benning, she was the youngest of four girls.  At the age of just six years old, her mother succumbed to breast cancer.  This left Awona and her sisters to be raised by their father.  Her father also moved his girlfriend and her son into the home.  During these tender years of growing up, Awona was raped by the son.

Although she was living with her father, he was often working and therefore unavailable physically and emotionally.  By age 15, she ran away from home.  By 17 she was married to an abusive husband for 10 years and had a daughter at 20.  While experiencing years of physical, mental and emotional abuse from her husband, she contemplated suicide on several occasions.  As she lay in bed at night one of those times, she was finally brave enough to make the decision to escape all the madness.  She made notes in her head of how she would leave and never return.  The next morning she awoke and was told the same old tired line from her husband, “I’m sorry. I’ll never hit you again, because I love you so much”.

(Lies, she thought to herself) 

She dropped him off to work and never looked back.  

The fear of what was next for Awona, was something that made her shake in her boots.  Being a single mother was frightening, plus the only income she had was from government assistance.  Awona knew quickly that this was not the life that she deserved.  Finally after her divorce, she remarried and this marriage lasted 2 years.  She reconnected with her first husband for parental support; however, her

 ex-husband molested their daughter.

Awona has always been inspired with helping others; therefore, she earned her first degree in Mortuary Science, graduating with a perfect attendance.  She continued her studies and later earned her second degree in Psychology.  She then earned a third degree in Business Administration. Awona has now been employed with several local government/county agencies as a Probation Officer since 2012.  

In support of others, Awona LaShon Love founded Anowa Foundation, Inc.

The foundation’s mission is to help the community to become more aware of the effects and the signs of child sexual abuse.  By promoting awareness, it will increase the success of rehabilitating more victims with Life Coaching services and mentoring.
 

For Awona, being a two-time survivor of child sexual abuse makes this experience real.  She states, “I can relate to the child who never told and being a mother who missed the signs from her child who was sexually abused by her biological father.  I have therefore vowed to walk alongside victims and speak to those who may not know”.  #sasumthing