Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathryn Winsley.
Hi Kathryn, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Originally, I am from Brandon, Mississippi. I came from a family big on education and bringing the community together. From there, I went to The University of Southern Mississippi. There, I found that my peers held those same values, and we looked to bring out the best in one another. After that, I relocated to Memphis. Again, I started on a community search. In turn, Memphis not only embraced me but also challenged me to work to help make it better. Memphis elevated me to the next level. I have worked as a mental health professional, where I have been trained in nonprofit systems, crisis intervention, therapy, and even yoga. I have worked with different service-oriented community organizations. I have even started to work as a political operative in campaigns to support progressive leaders and efforts. The bottom line of it is that I am a better person here when I am serving others.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In this walk, I have lost some loved ones. As a result, I have dealt with my loss, which has led to depression. However, I have grown to understand that grief is a journey of peaks and valleys. Life has not been a crystal stair along the way. Some days it can be gloomy, while others could be clear, blue skies. You must take it one day at a time and give yourself some grace in the process.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Doctoral Student in Counseling Psychology right now. I believe in using every skill possible to promote a holistic approach to healthcare. From that experience, I have worked alongside some of the best healthcare professionals in the city. I plan to continue to work in integrative health by bringing mental health to the table to help our greater healthcare community in Memphis. I have even taken it further to become a trained yoga teacher here. I wanted to understand how our bodies connect to our mental space.
Before that, I worked in residential treatment at Youth Villages and Fairhaven Treatment Center for Eating Disorders. But every day, I wake up, and I still want to go into these clinics to help my clients. Talk about an experience of a lifetime! When I say that I have seen it all, I mean it! That passion for what I do keeps me going.
In my spare time, when I am not working, I usually get things done with different organizations within the city. This is my first year in leadership with the Junior League of Memphis. I have learned how to support progressive leaders and their efforts as a political operatives through Leaders of Color – Memphis. Lastly, I am an officer in the Beta Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. I also serve as a board member for our philanthropic arm, the Sisters in Service Foundation. I try to keep it moving, but it all comes back to my passion for serving our communities.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
If I could share anything else with the world, it would be about cultivating community here. Strong communities build healthy and happy children. Children can become solid leaders with the right supports around them. It’s on us to become that foundation for our children to set them and our community up for growth and success. It’s on us!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/kay__evonne?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathryn.e.j.winsley
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kay__evonne/
Image Credits
@_just_je @leadersofcolor_ @aka_beomega
