Rachel Chanel Taylor is a student at East Tennessee State University, currently pursuing a medical degree, but is debating changing her major to social work, or any other degree program where she believes she can help people in their day-to-day lives. For her, that is more important than any six figure paycheck.
Rachel has survived hell and uses her story to stand with and fight for others. For years, she endured an emotionally, mentally, and physically abusive relationship that repeatedly put her in the hospital. She understands on a very granular level what 1 in 4 women around the nation understand; that leaving your abuser isn’t easy, especially when you’ve been worn down mentally, are financially dependent, and are worried about your safety and ability to survive. Now, she is using her story and her experience to help other women face their abusers in court and hold them accountable for their actions.
No one should have to endure what Rachel has, but she has turned her story into advocacy. She understands what it’s like to financially struggle due to intimate partner abuse. She understands how difficult it is to stand tall after being beaten down.
With graduation on the horizon, Rachel’s future as an advocate, as a leader, as a concerned citizen continue to blossom and I know we will all be the beneficiaries of the work she is and will continue to do. Because Rachel, like her mother– Ruth Taylor Read, founder of Women Matter Northeast Tennessee– continue to bring our community together and actively advocate for women and other marginalized communities.
Thank you Rachel Chanel Taylor for your leadership! May we all possess your courage and turn our personal challenges into a platform for advocacy to bring positive change.
