Blog

  • Stephanie Linus Moderates the African First Ladies Summit on the heels of the U.S.-Africa Leadership Summit 2022

    Actress and UNFPA Ambassador Stephanie Linus hosted world leaders to a high-profile panel discussion at the launch of the Women United Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to giving female leaders across nations a global voice. The event which took place at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art , Washington DC was part of the White House’s U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit 2022 and was graced by dignitaries including President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra of Central African Republic, H.E. Fatima Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, H.E. Denise Tshisekedi of Democratic Republic of Congo, H.E. Ana Lourenço of Angola, H.E. Débora Carvalho of Cape Verde, H.E. Fatoumatta Bah Barrow of The Gambia, Congolese singer Fally Ipupa, Hollywood Actress/Comédien Tiffany Haddish., Daphna Ziman, President of Women United Foundation and Deborah Elizabeth, Founder and Executive Director of  Women United Foundation.

    The mission of Women United Foundation is to provide an international platform for all women to go beyond the boundaries of their nations to collectively project a united message; gain international exposure in a multi-dimensional light in order to own and voice their narrative; change the dynamic of how women leaders across nations engage in politics; and reshape the conversation surrounding issues that impact women’s lives.

    Stephanie Linus with H.E. Fatima Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, H.E. Denise Tshisekedi of Democratic Republic of Congo, H.E. Ana Lourenço of Angola, H.E. Débora Carvalho of Cape Verde, H.E. Fatoumatta Bah Barrow of The Gambia, and Deborah Elizabeth, Founder Women United Foundation.
    Stephanie Linus, Daphna Zima, Hollywood Actress/Comedien Tiffany Haddish
    Stephanie  Linus with H.E. Fatima Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, H.E. Denise Tshisekedi of Democratic Republic of Congo.
    Stephanie Linus and First Lady of Gambia
    Stephanie Linus and First Lady of Sierra Leone
    Stephanie Linus and Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield
    President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone.
    President Faustin-Archange Touadéra of Central African Republic
    Stephanie Linus and Hubby, Linus Idahosa 
  • Why Eating Healthy Really Does Matter

    If you change your eating habits for the better, you should see a big difference in just 28 days. Yes, it’s actually possible! What we eat can affect all the processes in the body, including cell regeneration, inflammation, digestion and sleep. So it’s no surprise that after even as little as 28 days of eating well you can expect to not only look better, but feel a whole lot better, too.

    But before we talk about the benefits of healthy eating, what does it really mean to eat healthy?

    Healthy eating includes consuming high-quality proteins, carbohydrates, heart-healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and water in the foods you take in while minimizing processed foods, saturated fats and alcohol. It’s also important to focus on diet quality. The type of carbohydrate in the diet is more important than the amount of carbohydrate in the diet, because some sources of carbohydrate—like vegetables (other than potatoes), fruits, whole grains, and beans—are healthier than others.

    Healthy eating has so many benefits. You may find that moving more and eating better could help you keep up with the demands of your busy life and be there for the people who depend on you.

    Adopting new, healthier habits may protect you from serious health problems like obesity and diabetes. New habits, like healthy eating and regular physical activity, may also help you manage your weight and have more energy. 

    Generally, for adults, here are the main benefits of eating healthy:

    • May help you live longer
    • Keeps skin, teeth, and eyes healthy
    • Supports muscles
    • Boosts immunity
    • Strengthens bones
    • Lowers risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers
    • Supports healthy pregnancies and breastfeeding
    • Helps the digestive system function
    • Helps achieve and maintain a healthy weight

    Looks like it’s worth it to me! So, why not try develop a healthier eating habit starting today and you’ll be glad you did!

  • Talk To Steph: Who Should I Marry?

    Hello Stephanie,

    I’m in a very difficult situation now and I hope your readers can help me out.

    I am 28 years-old and I have a boyfriend I have been dating for three years. We met in the University and started dating the year we graduated. The thing is he has been finding it very difficult getting a good job to help him settle down and start a family, but I’ve been very supportive and hoping things will get better for him. He also has some younger siblings that he’s taking care of. However, I recently met an older man who has lived abroad for many years and is ready to marry me. He has way more money than my boyfriend. He has met my parents and although they like my boyfriend, they are getting impatient with him and suggesting I should go for this older man.

    I’m so confused right now. Most of my friends are married or have kids already and I don’t want to get older before I settle down. Should I wait for my boyfriend to get more financially stable and marry me or leave him for this older man who is ready to get married now? – Sharon

    Hello, dearies! What do you advise Sharon to do?

  • Change Your Look: How accessories can elevate your look

    Accessories are often the last thing we think about when putting together an outfit, but they’re the essential part of an entire look. Where would we be without our favorite jewelry pieces, shoes, handbags, sunglasses etc.? We all have individual styles and know what we like collecting and wearing to achieve our unique look. They have the ability to make even the dullest and most basic outfit combinations look stunning simply by adding a little bit of color and vibrancy.

    If you want to make a bold impression, you need to curate unique outfits that make a statement. So, should you want to add a special twist to your outfit, here are the best accessories to use.

    • Jewellery
    • Belts
    • Watches
    • Jackets
    • Bags
    • Boots
    • Scarves
    • Ties
    • Sandals
    • Hats
    • Pins
    • Stockings
    • Gloves
    • Sunglasses

    I have always loved accessories because, along with clothes, they are just a fun form of self-expression. Always play around with what makes you feel most gorgeous and confident!

  • You Have The Strength To Overcome

    Life has a funny way of testing us. We are constantly presented with obstacles that we must somehow find the strength to overcome. Maybe you’ve come up against some unforeseen difficulties or you are stuck in an unfair circumstance, I hope these words encourage you today. 

    Sometimes, the challenges of life make you doubt your own value. Negative voices remind you of your shortcomings, fears and regrets. However, no matter what has happened or what will happen, remember that you will never lose your worth. We all encounter times when we need strength we can’t muster on our own, despite our hard work and best efforts. But remember, the strength to hold fast to God’s word and continue in faith adds grit to our ability to persevere through disappointments or challenging times. 

    The question is not, will you overcome? It is, when will you overcome? Life will always bring challenges. But God will always give YOU strength to face them.

    Be encouraged Amazonians and Warlords! YOU WILL OVERCOME!

  • 4 Ways To Refocus On Your Goals After Falling Behind

    It happens to the best of us: Obstacles appear out of seemingly nowhere, leaving us wondering how to overcome them and continue on the path to achieving our goals.

    Sometimes, a difficult challenge, a life change, a family event – could derail us from a goal we have set for ourselves. Sometimes, we willingly put a hold on our dreams to attend to other things, especially when trying to balance career and family and everything piles on your shoulders.  

    It’s important not to beat yourself up over what did not get done or accomplished. It’s also imperative to recognize that many of the obstacles that may have prevented you from reaching your goals were out of your hands.

    Do you feel like you’ve fallen behind on your goals? Don’t panic! You can still get back on track and live your best life.

    Here are four important steps to take if you’ve fallen behind on your goals:

    1. Define Why. If there’s something you want to do, make sure you clearly understand why. How will achieving this goal make you feel? Will you be more confident? Will it fulfill you and fuel you to work harder? Will it simply make you happier? Dig deep to find the real reason that’s driving you and focus on that.
    2. Take Action. Go to work right away on the most important task, and work until it is completed if possible. Switching between tasks does not speed things up, it has the reverse effect. It takes much longer to task switch than it does to focus on one task at a time.
    3. Set Accountable Goals. Make a to-do list or a goal list and be sure to set realistic goals. Identify the end goal you want to accomplish. Make a to-do or task list of steps to take to accomplish that goal. Set timeframes for each one of those tasks and a deadline of when you would like the goal accomplished.
    4. Celebrate Little Wins. Taking time to celebrate each success you have — whether it be big or small — is an important part of holding yourself accountable because it helps you build momentum and stay focused. Each win builds your confidence — it reinforces your “I can do this” mentality.

    Remember, the most beautiful things in life take time. You’re not going to reach your dreams overnight. You have to stay patient. You have to keep putting in the effort, even when it feels like you aren’t making any progress. Remember, just because you feel like you are stuck in the same place doesn’t mean that’s the truth. Even baby steps matter.

  • 5 things to do to bond with your kids

    Like any relationship, the bond between a parent and child can be made stronger with some habits that can be easily incorporated into your everyday routines. In the present times, the technology which is counted as a blessing is also one negative element that spoils relationships. Therefore, there is a dire need that parents should become smart and use different tactics on handling their kids and developing bonds.

    Here are 5 ways to do that easily!

    Create a story together

    Besides reading a book, I find it really fun to create a story with your child. Or if you love to sing, you could create lyrics to a song together. It’s easier than you think. Kids have a vivid imagination, so explore it as much as you can. By doing this, you can find it a more restful, intimate zone that only you and your child(ren) get to exist in.

    Play Together

    One of the best ways to bond with your kids is by having fun together. Whether you’re outdoors or indoors, engaging in a playful activity is a lot of fun for kids. Go outside and ride bikes together or kick around a soccer ball. Or grab a fun board game and encourage them to work on their social skills while you have fun.

    Listening

    Okay, so you may be thinking, “Listening isn’t an activity!” But I would argue that approaching it as such will do wonders for your relationship with your child. Caught up in the daily current of work and responsibility, it can be challenging to truly listen to our children in a way that is beneficial.

    Provide them with surprises

    To make your child feel happy and show him that you know what he/she likes, you should undoubtedly get surprise gifts sometimes for your child. The surprise could be small chocolate to an outing ticket to an amusement park; make sure you do all of it. When you don’t get surprises, and the child notices his peer group experiencing the same, he certainly feels terrible.

    Tap into Their Interests

    Part of a child finding themselves is discovering what their likes and dislikes are. A great way to bond with your child is to spend some time exploring their hobbies. If they like to cook, spend an afternoon cooking together. If they like art, spend some time drawing or making things with your child. Carve out some time to learn about their favorite things to do. Support their interests as it helps them grow as an individual.

  • You Have The Strength To Overcome

    Life has a funny way of testing us. We are constantly presented with obstacles that we must somehow find the strength to overcome. Many of us need strength to stay positive, to overcome stress, and to make the most of unprecedented times.

    If you’re going through any challenging time, I’d like to encourage you today: please remember that you have the strength to overcome this, even when it doesn’t feel like it. 

    Strength doesn’t come from what you can do, it comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t. We never really know how strong we are until we are faced with hardship. We learn to let go of our fears and take steps towards our future. 

    We become better people as a result of our struggles. Our accomplishments are that much greater because we realize how much strength and dedication it took to achieve them.

    So dear Amazonians and Warlords, face your fears! You’re stronger than you think you are.

  • Wellness Hacks To Start Your Day With!

    Happy Tuesday Amazonians and Warlords!

    Today, let’s talk about our morning routine, because let’s face it, many of us can improve on this one.

    The truth is that your mornings dictate your entire day.  By practicing a healthy morning routine, you can increase your productivity, decrease stress, boost happiness and more. Sometimes rough days feel unbearable, so I always try to get through my days by practicing one of these. No more excuses… time to take action!

    1. Drink A Glass of Water

    If you wake up feeling tired or sluggish you might be dehydrated. Try leaving a glass/bottle of water on your nightstand the night before, so you can drink it the next morning. It’s an easy wellness hack that can save your mornings.

    2. Move your body

    There’s something about the satisfaction and confidence that comes from an accomplishment complete before most people get out of bed. Run, work out, take an exercise class, or simply stretch. The tip here is just to move; anything to get your blood flowing. 

    3. Start Your Day with Positive Affirmations

    It gets me in the zone for the day, and I feel inspired and ready to conquer. Make it easy: Choose your affirmation the night before and write it down so all you have to do is read it in the morning, or say the same thing each day.

    4. Get Outside

    Whether you’re walking your kids to school, or just walking yourself (or sipping coffee on your balcony–whatever floats your boat), start your day with a little time outdoors, and it just might change your life too. 

    5. Change your Morning Phone Habits

    The key to having it really impact your life is to resist reaching for your phone as soon as you wake up. You are in charge of your morning, so eliminate everyone wanting things from you or social media playing with your emotions.

    6. Eat a Healthy Breakfast Every Day

    Find something you like to eat and stock up. Build a new routine where you start the day with good food every day. Within one week you will be hungry for breakfast.

  • A Special Father’s Day Message

    My love, we celebrate you on this day to let you know how much we love, admire and appreciate you. You are not only a father to us but to many people that you mentor. You put your family first in all your decisions, and you hold us together with your love, strength and tenderness.

    We feel secure about how passionately you express that love, especially to your sons. We will always be here to nurture and care for you. I am happy to call you my husband and the father of my children.

    Remember, you’re loved, always.

    Have a fantastic Father’s Day.