BlackShirtBio_2010[1]On November 14, Naomi Judd captivated over 450 Calgarians with her story of resilience, hope and courage.

At the 3rd annual WHYWHISPER Fundraising Gala, Naomi bravely described the abuse she suffered in her life and how she overcame multiple challenges to become a survivor.

While Naomi became known in the 1980s as part of the dynamic mother/daughter country music duo The Judds, her early life found her struggling with abuse.

“I got pregnant by date rape the night before my senior year of high school,” Naomi said.

The boy responsible left town and Naomi’s mother kicked her out of the house when she was five months pregnant.

“That’s why I think the YWCA is such a fabulous organization. Can you imagine? I was 17 years old, couldn’t drive a car, had dolls in my room and I was kicked out of the house. God bless the YWCA because they take people in.”

After being kicked out of the house, Naomi accepted a marriage proposal from another man to give her daughter Wynonna “a name and a home.”

This relationship was also marked by abuse. At 22-years-old, Naomi found herself single with two small children.

“I barely had a high school diploma. As a waitress, I was patted on the butt and paid in pennies. I had zero self-esteem because I thought I was responsible for being the town scandal. We attract what we feel worthy of. I attracted an ex-con on heroine who beat me and raped me.”

One night, Naomi managed to escape with her daughters. She filed a restraining order, discovering for the first time the man who abused her was an ex-convict.

Naomi worked hard to transform her life and provide a better future for her daughters.

“A crisis is what gives us our opportunity to figure out what we’re made of.”

She moved her family to a mountaintop in Kentucky and received a nursing degree. Naomi and her family flourished.

“You see what happens when you discover you are worthy and valuable?”

Naomi connected her story to the women the YWCA serves every day.

“Everything in your life is based on what you think you deserve. All of you that work for this fabulous cause, you see this every day. That’s the core issue with these women, they have no self-esteem.”

Naomi highlighted the importance of a support system like the YWCA to help vulnerable women.

‘If I had a support system back when dinosaurs ruled the earth, I would have had a much easier life.”

Her victory over the abuse she suffered throughout her life displays the strength of women the YWCA serves.

YWCA CEO Sue Tomney said, “Naomi Judd is a testament to the bravery and resiliency of our women.”