9/11 survivor speaks about new book at Mt. Tabor UCC Sept. 23rd
Although she is best known for her miraculous escape from the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, Leslie Haskin is a New York Times bestselling author, a Global Technology Executive, Inspirational Speaker and Women’s Mental Health Activist.
The Unbreakable Spirit of Leslie Haskin
NYTimes Bestselling Author
9/11 Survivor
Liver of Life & Follower of Jesus
Saturday, September 23 at 7pm
Refreshments & signing of her newest book, “Hey, Gurl, Hey” to Follow
1002 E. Holly Grove Rd., Lexington, NC 27292
Having grown up on Chicago’s notorious south side, this youngest girl of fifteen children learned all about tenacity and the importance of sharing her voice at an early age.
After college, that tenacity led Leslie to New York City, where her climb up the corporate ladder landed her a senior position as the only black female executive for one of the largest insurance companies in the country. She lived all the privilege that her executive lifestyle afforded.
SEPTEMBER 11th SURVIVOR
Then at 8:43 a.m. on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 everything changed. Leslie was in her office on the 36th floor of The World Trade Center’s North Tower when a Boeing 747 airplane crashed into the building and caused the most devastating terrorist attack in American history. Leslie says she thought her life was over. She lost 22 of her friends, was diagnosed with severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and was committed to a psychiatric hospital. Unable to function, eventually she and her son Eliot became homeless.
Leslie admits that her life so far has been a surprise. Having also survived a brutal sexual assault, a cancer scare and debilitating depression, she is the ultimate survivor. And she never imagined the expansive plans that God had in mind for her through overcoming. Leslie says, “When I was a little girl, I just wanted to grow up, get married, have a
“Brady bunch” of children and live in a traditional home.
ACTIVIST FOR FEMALE SURVIVORS
Instead, Leslie Haskin has written six books, including the New York Times Best Seller, Between Heaven and Ground Zero and Baker Books Best Seller, God Has Not Forgotten about You. She is a lifestyles favorite author among readers and her latest book, ‘Hey Gurl, Hey” is real women’s empowerment! Leslie is the founder of a successful boutique consultancy that partners with ministries to provide assistance to female victims of trauma; including victims of domestic violence and young survivors of sex trafficking rings.
Continuing to ignite her passion to serve others, Leslie travels across the country speaking to women in conferences, keynotes and seminars that motivate them toward inner peace, self-care, overcoming and faith in a loving God. In fact, nothing pleases her more than sharing her own faith and life lessons through real stories of laughter, tears and evidence of God’s unwavering love—the earned wisdom that enables her to live a soft life.
Leslie says, “Gone are the days of pretending that we’re okay when we’re almost dead inside. Our past does not define us and what we have endured does not diminish our worth. As women, the world has opened up to hear from us and its time we speak—louder, bolder and not necessarily using our indoor voices. Gone are the many ways that we shrink to fit into bad relationships, devaluing positions and selfish love. It’s time we share our stories without guilt or shame, allowing those same stories to testify of our wisdom, resilience and strength. We should be “fierce”, demanding more from ourselves and from those around us.”
Leslie lives, works and plays in upstate New York and on stages around the globe.
