In 1999, I was asked to perform a 10-minute monologue about Harriet Tubman. Reluctantly, I agreed. I borrowed a gray wig from my mother-in-law and a cane, did my research, and delivered the monologue. Over the years, people would hear about my Harriet Tubman piece and invite me to perform it, usually in February or March. And each time, I did. In 2018, I attended the United Solo Festival, where I saw Velvet Determination by Cynthia Shaw and First by Faith by Richarda Abrams. Inspired by these shows, I decided to enter the festival the following year. However, I quickly realized my story wasn’t yet written. I began working on it, aiming to debut in 2020. But then COVID hit, and I had to put my plans on hold. I kept revising, refining, and eventually, in 2022, I set my sights on a 2023 debut. My Life Is Not My Own finally premiered on March 24, 2023, at the Doles Center in Mt. Vernon, NY, as part of Women’s History Month. The response was beyond anything I could have imagined. Then, in my New York City debut at the United Solo 2023 Fall Festival, I was honored to receive the award for Best Biographical Show. This journey has taught me the power of resilience, inspiration, and trusting in my own voice. My Life Is Not My Own is not only a testament to my path but also a reminder that sometimes, the most profound journeys start with picking yourself.