Mary Wagstaff
Imagine a picturesque day in the foothills of a tropical, mystical mountain range—blue sky, surrounded by lush viridian vegetation with pops of bright hibiscus pinks and oranges, reds and yellows, infused with powerful spiritual energy blowing through the warm, Caribbean breeze. This is where I met Mary, on the veranda of a small boutique hotel in Hopkins, Belize.
Mary Wagstaff is a women’s advocate and alcohol cessation coach who works from a deeply divine feminine space. It’s no wonder that the Universe pulled us together over a year ago, and we have not only stayed in touch, but have connected to support and empower women through our unique perspectives.
Mary originally connected with The Love Necklace Campaign when she sponsored a girl in The Empower Her Sessions, an empowerment workshop teaching San Pedrano girls the red flags of teen dating violence. Since then, not only was she kind enough to let me pick her brain about what she does, what inspires her, and why she connected with The Love Necklace Campaign, but she has so graciously chosen The Love Necklace Campaign as a project that she will continue to support through the work she does to help women find freedom from alcohol.
I believe that everything happens for a reason and I am humbled to be able to share a piece of her beautiful soul with you:
What do you do for a living?
I help women claim their worth and define their relationship to spirit through 1:1 support, sacred sisterhood, movement, and ritual. This means creating the belief that they are ALWAYS enough regardless of outside circumstances
What inspires you?
.Being a part of the natural world. Watching how Gaia effortlessly moves through change with grace, beauty death, and rebirth.
What are things that interest you within your community?
The nonstop need for people to be in the elements. The growing amount of women supporting one another and claiming their power in leadership guided by the divine feminine.
What does being a part of The Love Necklace Campaign mean to you?
So much! Creating that grid of sisterhood support is so needed throughout the world. An opportunity to let a woman know that she is not alone—and although her voice may feel weak at times, it is NEVER gone. The connection of LOVE is how we will heal this world and continue to support the rise of feminine strength, bring awareness to domestic violence and other forms of oppression and strengthen the world for the future of the next generation. I think the work that Margaret is doing is so inspiring and her mission should be one to lead an example for all of us truly wanting to make a difference.
What is it about the Empower Her Sessions that inspired you to become a sponsor?
To give young girls the opportunity to learn skills for emotional health and total wellness now so that they may have faith that their WORTH, no matter what circumstances they are in, can never be destroyed, will create a better world. Having the opportunity to develop the skills to recognize the signs of abuse before it takes place, and have the strength to seek help when needed is invaluable and so needed, especially in parts of the world where resources are limited. Sometimes it can be just ONE moment of feeling love from another that creates the opportunity for resilience.
The girl you sponsored for the Empower Her Sessions, and who wears your sister Love Bracelet, is named Martina. If you have one piece of advice for her, what would it be?
To always remember the power of your MIND. Even if you are in a circumstance out of your control, the thoughts you think turn into your beliefs. Let them be your indestructible worth, your ability to solve problems, and always to know you are loved free of conditions. This mean, just as you are.