ALABASTER- Unity Christian Center in Alabaster hosted the Stiletto Monologues, an event to empower women, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 11.

“You don’t always have someone to help guide you through the ups and downs in life,” organizer April Mixon said. “The Stiletto Monologues is a time for women to come together. There are so many different issues that we as women face, but hearing that someone else overcame a similar situation is liberating to know that you can make it.”

During the Stiletto Monologues, several women shared their stories of overcoming obstacles. They spoke about relationships, abuse, loss and how their faith got them through tough situations.

“What happens is, after they get up and share their truths, there are other women who pop up out of the audience and want to share theirs,” Mixon said. “There are so many different stories about things from abuse to struggling with weight, the way you look or the color of your skin.”

Mixon said this is the second time Unity Christian Center has hosted the Stiletto Monologues. Mixon was originally inspired to organize the event after moving to the Shelby County area.

“When I moved here with me husband, we lived in a little country town. A lot of the women weren’t cultured, and really didn’t know how to be ladies,” Mixon said. “I use the Stiletto Monologues as an instrument to empower them.”

Mixon said she also felt called to organize it after she noticed a pattern with her interactions with church members.

“I’m a pastor’s wife, so people come to me all the time. Usually, women feel more comfortable talking to me about their girl problems than they would going to the pastor,” Mixon said. “The most common thing I’d hear is a ‘woe is me’ kind of story. Hearing that kind of thing brought back memories.”

Fee Fee Redmon provided live music and vendors were onsite.

According to Mixon, the Stiletto Monologues took place in the middle of the church’s three-day 2017 Living Stones Conference.

“The Stiletto Monologues is a good way to fundraise for [the Living Stones Conference], but it was also a fun way to fundraise,” Mixon said.

Mixon said, hopefully, women left the event feeling uplifted and less alone.

“It’s a great opportunity, not just for grown women, but for teenagers and young adults,” Mixon said. “Every woman needs to know that they’re never alone, and that there is someone who wants to help you get to where you need to be.”