Writer seeks to help women heal with life story of triumph over abuse

Fiona Harewood

Thirty-one years ago, Fiona Harewood fled the country of her birth to escape an abusive husband and over the years has worked herself up from cleaning houses to being employed with the US Federal Government. She is now about to release a book about her abuse and finding a path to healing.

Harewood was a mother of two, an infant son included, when she left Guyana with limited education. And while her journey, which saw her living in two countries, has been one of highs and lows, it was her decision to return to school at the age of 44 that has seen her coming of age and using her past experiences as a motivation for other women.

Now that she has completed River Never Smooth: Reclaiming Power After Abuse, which is set to be released later this month, Harewood admitted that she is somewhat nervous about putting her life out there.