Florenza w/ Words to Ponder RadioShow w/ Advocate Zuleika Gonzalez-Felton

Her Story

Zuleika “Zuly” Gonzalez is an accomplished artist and photographer, founder of a non-profit organization named “Voices of Survival”. Voices serves at-risk youth and survivors of trauma.  Zuleika’s most successful year as an artist was the same year she hid behind shadows of shame as a victim of domestic violence. That relationship came to an end the night she attempted to escape her batterer.

He beat her until she was unconscious. With her lungs burning, she regained consciousness only to find him on top of her, attempting to strangle her. Ms. Gonzalez is alive today because of the bravery of a neighbor and a firm truth that it was not her time to die.  Zuleika’s story is unique because of how she coped with the ordeal. She refused to be a victim and her calling to serve her community was re-awakened her to use her art to heal. She poured all her energy into creating a multimedia photographic series called “Bruised But Not Broken- An Epic Journey of Healing, Recovery, and Triumph.” Zuleika returned to the Domestic Violence Center that helped her  C.A.S.A. and in 2013 was the Keynote speaker at their annual “A Goodnight Sleep” Fundraiser Luncheon, speaker for CASA’s Annual meeting which featured her artwork on their annual report.  Zuleika was the voice of Domestic Violence Victims for the Pinellas County Sherriff’s office-Operation Safe Family statewide task force, Panel participants and speaker for Pinellas County Domestic Violence Task Force and motivational speaker and educator for Hot Ninja Defenders.

Zuleika continues to share her story and her art to be a voice to educate and advocate for change. Her purpose is to inspire, empower by uplift and encouraging individuals to live a life filled with self-love, passion, and purpose.