[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 180 (Tuesday, November 22, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1175-E1176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING TERESA ZILK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 22, 2022

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in honoring Teresa Zilk, community advocate 
and founder of ``Stories to Tell My Daughter,'' as Iowan of the Week.
  ``Stories to Tell My Daughter (STMD),'' a series of live storytelling 
events that center the voices and experiences of Black women and other 
women of color in our communities, is a dream brought to life by 
Teresa. In creating a platform for women to share the trials and 
triumphs of their lives on stage in front of an audience, she believed 
the experience would facilitate a particularly powerful and cathartic 
moment of healing for everyone involved. It was an admirable goal, 
especially during a time when the country is navigating collectively 
traumatic circumstances, and one that has come to fruition each time 
the events take place.
  After years of careful thought and planning, STMD officially Launched 
in Des Moines in March of 2018. At the time Teresa and her family were 
navigating their own challenges, and she found that channeling her 
energy and focus into an uplifting project with so much potential was a 
boon to her wellbeing. She knew storytelling was important and wanted 
to share the concept with the community, but wasn't sure if people were 
going to show up for the first event. To her surprise, the performance 
sold out and had standing room only, so she moved to a larger venue at 
her alma mater, Grand View University, the following year. The event 
has continued to grow and draw in a diverse audience. She now hosts two 
events each year during which women discuss everything from the birth 
of their children, leaving abusive relationships and situations, 
starting

[[Page E1176]]

businesses, finding themselves, spiritual awakenings, beauty and 
understanding it goes beyond the physical, emerging as community 
leaders, and more.
  Representation of Black women and other women of color matters, and 
STMD has become a beautiful way to celebrate their lived experiences, 
recognize their impact, and honor their voices in Iowa. Teresa's goal 
is to expand STMD's platform outside of the Des Moines area and further 
its reach. She has already taken ``Stories to Tell My Daughter'' to 
Dubuque by holding a recent event at Clarke University, and I look 
forward to its-continued growth and success in the coming years.
  Additionally, Teresa has always been a strong advocate in the field 
of mental health. She worked as a community counselor for the American 
Red Cross early in her career and found it aligned with her skills and 
interests. She wanted to work in a field where she could make the most 
impact. Teresa has since worked in many different roles at various 
community support agencies and with many families throughout the years. 
She firmly believes mental health is and should be a top priority in 
all the work we do. As the pandemic has created even more challenges 
for Americans to have their basic needs met, Teresa knows how important 
it is to prioritize mental health as we continue to address challenges 
like housing, food insecurity, affordable health care, and education. 
All of these circumstances impact overall mental health for Iowans.
  Teresa is a current graduate student at Drake University in the 
counseling program where she hopes to further her work in the mental 
health field. She looks forward to becoming a clinician and 
practitioner in our state, where the need for such professionals is 
great, and to helping Iowans lead healthier lives.
  Teresa's work is inspiring, admirable, and worthy of high praise. 
She's helping our communities foster more empathy and understanding, 
heal from challenging circumstances, and move forward in a healthier 
mental space. It is my pleasure to recognize Teresa Zilk as Iowan of 
the Week.

                          ____________________