She Inspires: Cortia Bingham

Behind every strong, successful woman is a painful story or hardship that has molded them into the pillar of strength they are today. What has held them up over the years...even in the face of adversity? A dream. A dream that was so big it couldn’t be contained. A dream that kept them up at nights and ensured that they didn’t remain stagnant; one that says there is better and they deserve better.

Meet Cortia Bingham. A woman whose dream to inspire women in Jamaica led her to host a two-day Workshop and Brunch dedicated to doing just that. C.E.O of the We Inspire Agency, mother and newlywed, Bingham is not without her painful past. Abused by her father for weeks during her childhood and then again in her previous marriage, she has risen above her circumstances and made her mark as a woman who is tenacious about her dream to bring women together and have them inspire each other.

The two day event dubbed “We Inspire Women Workshop and Brunch” featured various speakers (all-women) speaking about their hardships and how they managed to overcome them and pull themselves up out of the rubble and assume leadership roles despite the odds. We sat down with the lady behind the vision to inspire and got to know her a little better:

It has made me more positive and patient. Patient as it relates to other people’s issues and their challenges, as I was once in a situation that required someone to be patient with me.

I had an epiphany and it made me more passionate about controlling my own destiny. Additionally, when I thought of my past experiences and how I overcame, I had a major subconscious awakening that pushed me to do something more purposeful, that would uplift and contribute to the change, in women, especially.

There were days when I was emotionally incapable of being “tough”, however, what I have deduced from my life’s experiences is that it is gratitude that is the ultimate paradigm shift in any situation, so my strategy is to always be grateful…even for the naysayers. It puts things into perspective. I also persist and am relentless until I get what I want, despite how the naysayers contribute to the process, and yes, it’s a process.. and they do contribute, however it’s all about your perspective.

My vision stemmed from my own experiences and my interventions. Throughout my life, no matter what situation, I have always been motivated, assisted and empowered by our own Jamaican women, and this event was very personal for me. So I looked at my own journey - what had helped me - and I thought to myself, if it worked for me then it would definitely work for others in similar situations. I would also like to note that I was led by an infinite power, that is, God! One may have noticed that all the speakers had different experiences which spoke to someone in the room, and what better way to prove to my audience that it is possible, than to use the experiences of women who originate from the same environs and encounter the same societal hurdles.

The process was divine. Some of them I knew from past work situations but most I did not even know. Most importantly, I didn’t know the depth of their stories until the day. I simply looked at their current stations in life and I know that no matter how beautiful the picture is today, like diamonds, some amount of pressure was necessary to create the beautiful picture we now see. No successful individual gets to the point of self-actualization without overcoming several obstacles, whether personal or otherwise.

It’s very difficult. However, I have a very supportive and selfless husband who keeps me afloat and a loving Jamaican helper of course!

The next staging will be next year around the same time. However, I am burning with the passion to continue my purpose. My next move will be to inspire young girls, ages 16- 18 years, in an event coined, We Inspire Girls…to be Strong Women! You will definitely see more details in the press.