Cecelia Williams-Young is a thriving survivor of domestic violence and a committed advocate who helps others find their path out of abuse, so they can live, prosper, and thrive. Having lived through the complexities of domestic violence, she now shares the hope she discovered by transforming pain into a platform for healing. Her journey from silence to strength is a beacon for those who feel voiceless, proving that it is possible not only to survive, but to also thrive after abuse. Originally from Buffalo, New York, Cecelia is passionate about dismantling the stigma surrounding domestic violence and building a community rooted in hope and restoration. She believes every survivor’s story matters and that healing is a bold and necessary journey. She is a professional chaplain and dedicated advocate with more than forty years of experience in ministry and social service. She holds a Master of Divinity from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School and is a certified chaplain through the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education. Her work includes serving as a women’s shelter director, HIV/AIDS program director, and hospital chaplain, always with a heart for those on the margins. Cecelia is the founder and director of Mary and Martha's Oasis, a ministry providing a safe haven for underserved women and children. She serves as an evangelist missionary in the Church Of God In Christ and as Supervisor of Women for the Nigeria United Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, where she has the unique privilege of serving alongside her son, the Jurisdictional Prelate. She is a devoted mother, proud grandmother, and a spiritual mother to many, sharing her journey with wisdom, love, and transparency to empower others. Cecelia attributes her well-being to an intimate relationship with the Word of God. Though she has endured deep trauma affecting her body, soul, and spirit, she celebrates a life free from bitterness. She has chosen to love herself and serve others with a servant’s heart. While she does not deny her past, she has found healing through her relationship with God that no longer allows trauma, or her abusers, to steal her peace, joy, or identity. Through her commitment to Christ and the practice of Christian discipleship, she lives as a powerful example of restoration and wholeness.
