By: Kim Y. Stanley
I recently interviewed Lyvette Byrd to ask her about her nonprofit, Women Healed for a Purpose. I was honored that she granted me the interview because she wears many hats and has many responsibilities. She is the mother of an adult autistic son Jonathan who also has intellectual disabilities and is the caretaker for her parents and uncle.
When I asked why she felt the need to create Women Healed for a Purpose, she explained that Philadelphia has many women’s organizations as well as support groups, and that she didn’t just want to be another place on the list. Byrd said, “What I envisioned was something that could unite all these entities, a community where each group could talk to and uplift one another.” And, “for me, Women Healed for a Purpose was what I personally missed—a sense of connection, support, and spiritual nourishment—so when I felt God nudging me to build what I lacked, I decided to create it rather than wait for someone else to do so.” She further stated, “I believe every woman’s organization addresses different facets of womanhood: inspiration, healing, and repair. Bringing them together could foster a sense of continuity and consistency, pouring into one another and networking for the greater good.
Although Lyvette explained, she’s no stranger to being a part of women’s ministries and various women-centered groups, two life-changing events prompted her decision. In 2020, COVID shut down all in-person activities and in 2021, her son Jonathan came to live with her.
Lyvette said, “That season intensified my need for connection and emotional support—the tears, the longing, the safe place to just be. I craved a sanctuary where women could forget their masks and be embraced. I didn’t set out to create it; I yearned to find it.” Lyvette wanted to join or be a part of a women’s group but not run one. “But God had other plans, whispering that if I was missing something, I should build it.”
After three years of conferences, Women Healed for a Purpose is in its fourth year, and I wanted to know what this year‘s conference will bring. Lyvette does admit that it has grown bigger than she imagined but is committed to continuing the work she began. She further explained how she overcame wanting to be a spectator to committing herself fully to her God given vision. “It began from a place of reluctance—I wanted to be a participant, not a founder. Yet, as I sat still and listened, the vision blossomed. I believe God wants this work to be transformative—a substantial, ongoing force in Philadelphia, impacting women across different backgrounds and needs.”
Realizing that her mission is more than she can handle alone nor did she feel she should, Lyvette said, “The relationships and networks formed with other women’s organizations are essential.” and, “the aim is to provide healing, education, empowerment, and support year-round. Whenever a woman has a need, she should find open arms and holistic resources, not just once or twice but consistently. The dream is to expand what we do now—so the opportunities for growth, support, and transformation are always available.”
One of the last questions I asked was: What do you want women to take away from Women Healed for a Purpose? Lyvette’s reply, “the sense that they are ready to take their next step. Often, as women, we are overwhelmed by the big picture—so much to create, so many roles to fill. That enormity can breed anxiety and fear, leaving us stuck.”
This year’s theme is ‘The Next Step’. “I want every woman not to stare down the whole mountain, but to find the courage to move forward just one step at a time. If a woman arrives feeling lost, I want her to walk away prepared for her next move: to dream again, rediscover her purpose, and get unstuck. And for those who’ve already found their footing, I hope they become mentors—helping others take that first step. My greatest satisfaction is seeing women ignite that spark in one another, becoming advocates and nurturers for each other.”
Lyvette answered my questions so eloquently that I’m going to let her write the conclusion of her interview using her own words.
“I wish everyone understood that women are multifaceted—they’re mothers, daughters, wives, coworkers, entrepreneurs—and sometimes, amidst all these roles, we lose sight of who we are at our core. Healing begins when a woman truly knows herself, beyond all her external identities. There’s a person behind the titles, the superwoman image; someone tender, vulnerable, real. Too often, society gazes at our lives from a distance, assigning labels, without ever stepping into our world to see who we truly are inside. I want Women Healed for a Purpose to help women uncover that deepest self—the woman behind the woman. When we learn and share at that intimate level, it fosters genuine respect, connection, and collective healing. Our mission is to live life interdependently, building trust and walking together—not isolated in silos but as a powerful, unified force. That’s the heart of my work, and of this organization.”