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Testimonials
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Response to the Film & Presentations
"Angela amazed and inspired an entire community in the few hours we spent with her. With crystal clear honesty, Angela educated us, moved us, and then lent us her heart and soul as we shared ourselves with her and were comforted. Everyone left forever changed by the Angela Shelton experience, her words still echoing in the rafters of the theatre, 'I am Angela Shelton -- and I am not alone." ~Abigail Jane Elliott, Umpqua Community College "Angela Shelton has a presence on a platform that cannot be ignored; when she shows up, people listen. All eyes, all ears are on Angela when she speaks. Her messages are expressions of what people need in order to empower themselves and open lines of communication. Hearing Ms Shelton speak always has a valuable impact on me and my colleagues!" ~Lynn C. Tolson, Author of "Beyond the Tears: A True Survivor's Story" "Angela brings both tears and laughter to the audience, thus allowing all survivors to heal in a very personal way. Survivors finally felt that they were not alone and that someone understood. Having Angela Shelton visit a community is a remarkable way to bring the epidemic of abuse and assault to the forefront of people's minds and awareness. Angela has a gift that many connect with and many can relate to. Her story could very well be and is everyone's story. It was an amazing evening with an even more amazing woman." ~Janet Nordine 'The Rape Crisis Center', Las Vegas, NV "Everyone's story is unique and I don't think anyone finds it easy to tell theirs. Angela listens, understands, accepts and cares about every person she speaks to and you cannot begin to know how important that is unless you are a survivor yourself. No one left either event that day without being impacted by her..... ...Angela truly changes lives and, I believe, has likely saved quite a few. What she has to say needs to be heard. Finding ones voice is the only way to truly survive a fractured childhood. She has given so many people their voice already. There are still so many more who need to speak their truth." ~Connie "Women like yourself give me strength. You are strong, you are courageous and you are beautiful. There is a power in connection, in unity. It is my hope that women all over the world will one day empower themselves and unite. See past everything that dwells inside of us and makes us jealous, makes us critical, makes us divided. Push all of that aside and make a commitment to healing ourselves, to permanently changing the state of things in the world. To every little girl and boy who knows that their innocence is being stolen, who know that something is very wrong but has neither the voice to speak nor the freedom to run, who feels so burdened by sadness and loss but can't understand why...your film is a gift to the adult they will become." ~R. Brainis "I just want to say thank you to Angela for making the movie for Survivors around the world. I want to thank all Survivors for having a name, for showing your truth, your anger, your courage. I saw it on the faces; I heard it in the voices." ~Haullie F. "I have advice for anyone who is buying this movie: buy at least 2. You may think you'll want to lend your copy for others to see, but you're going to want to keep your copy to pop in and watch over and over again." ~Kath "This movie gave me great inspiration and also knowledge to help me in dealing with the abuse that has been buried for over 20 years." ~Kris “When Angela Shelton opens her mouth we never know what’s going to come out and that is what I love about her. She is a big mouth and has the qualities I admire in anybody who is making a difference. Angela is an agent for change, a catalyst, an alchemist. Angela has made her private story our public story and her transformation our transformation.” ~Eileen King, Justice for Children “She is very motivating in a subject and issue that seems dark and never ending. She shows Light.” ~Emily Hedstrom-Lieser “she has a great personality and makes sexual abuse awareness fun!” ~Marchele McCarthy, advocatesaba.org “I have encountered an angel in Angela.” ~Sheryl McMullen, US Airforce “Her joy is infectious.” ~Arthur McFarlane II “She is an Earth angel, divinely ordained.” ~Kristiana “Her humor and personality makes her presentation special and memorable.” ~Paula “Excellent presentation.” ~Dustin Mohr, Peterson Air Force Base “Even though I am a survivor, I can use these ideas and techniques to continue to improve myself.” ~Sue, Wings.org “Angela has wonderful energy. I will strive to be where she’s at, to say what I want to say and not worry about being PC.” ~Carmen, Century tel.net “The balance of humor woven into some heavy material made the information more easily taken in and assimulated.” ~Jackie “The first time I watched the film, I was alone. I cried for my little girl self who has finally begun to heal. The second time I watched it was with another survivor, and the third time was with my mother. When the film ended, my mom turned to me and took my hand, and with tears in her eyes, told me that she too had been sexually abused. I was astounded and I was the first person she ever told. Thank you for helping our family begin to heal throughout the generations. With much love,” ~Angela “When you hear and see the things that other women feel, it just confirms everything you feel inside. We all kind of have a unique bond in some sort of way.” ~Wendi “Thank you for making this movie!! I have been seeing a counselor again to help me get through some tough times. I admire your courage to speak out and some day hope to do the same.” ~Irene “It was a great movie, I am happy that so many others will get to see it. Thank you to all the Angela Sheltons for their courage and compassion.” ~Mary Ann “I have finally found the courage to watch this wonderful movie. May God richly bless all of you as you make every effort to spread the word and help those of us who suffer from the effects of the abuse of our past. Thank you for helping me to understand and realize that there are others out there who understand fully what I have been dealing with by keeping all of the pain locked away for such a very very long time. It is the desire of my heart that we will all find the courage to heal.” ~Rolande “Thank you so much for your documentary. It made us all look at life differently and realize that we are not alone in the world. I was greatly impacted by the anger you had after talking to your father. It made me realize it's okay to get mad.” ~Shanda “I appreciate your openness about your abuse; it gives other survivors, such as myself, the courage to speak up about what happened to us. I share your outrage at the epidemic levels and the lack of punishment for the abusers and I also share your faith, your belief, that working together we can make a difference.” ~Samantha “You really do look very happy, a complete inner glow. It's good to see that. It gives the rest of us hope. Healing is a very long process as you know, so thanks for everything you've done.” ~Lindsey “Wow, I just finished watching your video. I just want to thank you. You have such courage. Tears are streaming down my face now. Man, I thought the pain was gone. I don't even know why I am emailing you, but just to tell you that your film touched me. Thank you.” ~Joanna "I have advice for anyone who is buying this movie: buy at least 2. You may think you'll want to lend your copy for others to see, but you're going to want to keep your copy to pop in and watch over and over again." ~Kathy "After your movie I decided to tell my family what my uncle did to me. We live in a society that protects the molester and shun the victims. We needed a starting place, and that starting place is you!" ~Maria "I watched and I was spellbound at how wonderful it was. I cried. I laughed. I got angry. It made me proud to be woman for Christ's sake!" ~Emily "This movie gave me great inspiration and also knowledge to help me in dealing with the abuse that has been buried for over 20 years." ~Kris "I feel it is my job as a survivor to thank you for the beautiful movie filled with hope and courage. Through your strength I am a better person." ~Chantale "I have watched it 6 times. I rewind it and watch it over and over.......... I am so moved!" ~Lisa "I experienced many emotions while watching the movie and loved it! I am on a journey of healing from physical, sexual and emotional abuse and thank you for being another piece of that process." ~Sara "I can't see how anyone can see this film, and not want to open up, heal, share and care. It makes you feel less alone, and braver." ~Angela "When I finished the movie I called my mother who is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. I was so moved that I was crying like a baby. " ~Dean "Thank-you for giving my sister strength and inspiration in continuing her fight for inner peace and a stronger sense of resolution." ~Tricia "It kept me up all night long thinking of what I can do, thinking about all of the women that I know who have been abused and are being abused. I am going to have a 'Viewing Party' of your movie at my home." ~Kim
Response to the Book
"An inspiring, heart-breaking, and fascinating cross-country journey by a survivor and filmmaker who set out to survey American women through the lens of every woman she could find who shared her name. Though she takes on serious issues, Angela Shelton is joyous, irreverent, funny, and feisty. Don't miss this book!" ~Ellen Bass, author of Courage to Heal. "With relentless honesty, humor and vitality, Angela Shelton combines the voices of other Angela Sheltons to expose the depths of sexual and physical abuse toward women that pervades the America family. Angela Shelton opens the door for countless others to stop denying their pain, tell their stories, and join together in the revolutionary act of getting well and loving themselves. What started as a road trip to interview a cross section of women—all named Angela Shelton—turned into a tsunami of people confronting the horror of abuse. One wonders if we should stop worrying so much about terrorists crossing our borders, and focus on the terrorism that exists on a daily basis in millions of American homes. Read this book and understand why." ~Charlotte Sophia Kasl, author of Women, Sex, and Addiction: A Search for Love and Power, If the Buddha Dated, and Many Roads, One Journey, Moving Beyond the Twelve Steps "Everyone needs to read this book. Angela Shelton is the most amazing woman I know besides my mom. She made me laugh and cry and I’m a guy. I’m going to treat women better all because of Angela Shelton." ~Jamie Kennedy, comedian "We all need to read this book. Angela Shelton is a Godsend." ~Marcus Allen "Angela Shelton may be the first woman in history to turn a horrific childhood into a movement so full of hope and inspiration, even people who haven't suffered any form of child abuse want to get involved. In her first book, Angela describes suffering through the type of violence that usually leads to a lifetime of debilitating dysfunction. Angela defied the odds and turned her pain into real power. If you want to understand how the human spirit can thrive in the face of unimaginable childhood trauma -- read this book!" ~Wendy Murphy, Author, And Justice For Some "Angela Shelton’s compelling first book offers a candid exploration of turning tragedy into triumph. She inspires people of all ages to shatter the silence and create a world without violence!" ~Angela Rose, Founder and Executive Director - PAVE: Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment "Bold, brave, honest and inspiring, "Finding Angela Shelton" continues to promote awareness and healing to the masses. Angela's self-professed "big mouth" is changing the world one survivor at a time...I hope she never shuts up!" ~Erin Weed, Founder of Girls Fight Back "In 2004 when we gave Angela the Voice of Courage Award I knew she had done a remarkable, brave, courageous thing by making her documentary. But since I have come to know just what a force she is in the world. Angela is an unstoppable force for honor, justice, courage. By finding her voice she has given premission to tens of thousands of survivors to say, 'me too, it happened to me....' and thus begin there own journey of healing and recovering. As an organization that focus' on teaching responsible adults how to prevent, recognize and react responsibly we realize there are many aspects of the complicated issue of child sexual abuse we do not cover. And for the support, healing and how to become a healthy viable 'force' in the world, with honor we point to Angela Shelton!" ~Anne Lee, Founder, President & CEO, Darkness to Light "Angela's words will reach into your soul and shake you awake! She is fierce and bold and her passion to put a face on issues like domestic violence and child sexual abuse is compelling and necessary. Angela begs us with brilliant writing to ask ourselves what more we can do to unveil the truth around this topic." ~Jessica Weiner, Self-Esteem Expert and Author of "Life Doesn't Begin 5 Pounds From Now" and "A Very Hungry Girl" "Angela means to start a revolution, one where life will be easier and safer for abused kids, and a lot more dangerous for sexual predators. And, it's about time." ~Mary Kelly, Executive Coach "Finding Angela Shelton is well-written, engaging and a strong statement on why it is critical to find and USE your voice if we are ever going to end violence against women." ~Rita Smith, Executive Director, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
"As I sit with Finding Angela Shelton in hand, I am overcome with emotion . . . the emotion of an eight-year-old girl and a ten-year-old girl who were afraid to go home that afternoon because I knew what their father did to them . . . the emotion of two scared little girls whose lives changed dramatically that day . . . the emotion of two girls who left their school friends and teachers never to return to what then was perhaps their only haven from abuse and degradation . . . the emotion of two sisters who supported and loved each other through yet another type of abuse-- emotional abuse--in their foster home, and the emotion of two precious young girls who survived the inadequacies of the social services agency and the inadequacies of the legal system. Then all those emotions melt away and I am overwhelmed and ever so grateful for that little girl who grew up to be Angela Shelton, the courageous young woman who persevered and found her own way through the tapestry of life who has woven a beautiful cloak of self worth and value that she shares with all who have been abused. I feel the essence of Angela Shelton that is much more than that of one brave woman. It is a power that covers the entire earth giving each of us encouragement to leave behind everything that keeps us less-than. This transformational book, Finding Angela Shelton will change the lives of many. It encourages us all to be Angela Sheltons, to speak out and fight for all who are abused, to reach out and help another human being. Finding Angela Shelton should be required reading in all high schools and colleges. It should be required reading for all social workers and law enforcement officers. Angela's writing is tops! Her format of including her dreams,flashbacking into what happened to her, and moving forward into the lives of other Angela Sheltons is powerful. As soon as I finished reading the book, I ordered one for a friend of mine and two for the Butterfly House in Albemarle, North Carolina. The Butterfly House must have a copy of this book for residents to read, to see how one Stanly County girl moved beyond what happened to her, to inspire others to do so also. I am so very proud of Angela Shelton and to share in the healing she brings to us all." ~Mary Lemons , BA, CHTP; Angela's former social worker and now friend. Inner Awakenings | www.healingwholeself.net
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The response to this movie has been absolutely overwhelming. Thank you to everybody who shares their feedback and their own stories. 
