Brooke Axtell - Beautiful Justice: Reclaiming My Worth After Human Trafficking and Sexual Abuse

Beautiful Justice is a powerful, poetic call to remember that our worth as women, as survivors, can never be taken from us. Our worth is right here for us to reclaim, from within. Brooke Axtells story of healing her trauma, returning to her body, and finding fierce love for herself leads to the greatest triumph of all, to the light no darkness can extinguish; the voice of her own soul.

Meggan Watterson, author of Reveal and The Sutras of Unspeakable Joy and coauthor of How to Love Yourself

Beautiful Justice is a fierce declaration of survival, grace, and dignity. Axtell bares her soul to the world in searing prose that demands we hear the voices of survivors with respect and compassion. Her perseverance in the face of brutality reminds us of all that is noble in the human spirit.

Siddharth Kara, author of Modern Slavery: A Global Perspective and Sex Trafficking: Inside the Business of Modern Slavery

Beautiful Justice lives up to its name. Brooke Axtells beautifully written story is born of personal tragedy and triumph. Told with warmth, humor, and pride, [Axtell] shares lessons we can all learn from.

Terry Lickona, coproducer of The Grammy Awards

Brooke Axtells genius book Beautiful Justice proves that every woman has a story that deserves to be heard, and no matter its contents, can be transformed. You will find your story in hers. Youll be reminded that we can all play a part to create a world where women are valued.

Gina DeVee, creator of Divine Living

Beautiful Justice perfectly describes Brooke Axtells deeply compelling book. Her poetry weaves her personal story of abuse and child sex trafficking through her own heroines journey to healing. She reveals how she turned the pain of her trauma into passion for social justice. And she offers a handbook for sexual abuse survivors (and, frankly, all women), gently coaching us to reclaim our bodies, our voices, and our power to lead and live as we freely choose.

Gloria Feldt, cofounder and president of Take the Lead and author of No Excuses: 9 Ways Women Can Change How We Think About Power

As a survivor of sexual exploitation and abuse, Brooke Axtell takes us on her journey with painstaking honesty and integrity. She takes the reader through her music and poetry and shows us how strong the spirit is. We intimately meet the girl, the woman, the survivor, the advocate, the artist, as she inspires others to their healing. Brooke is an inspiration to all sexual abuse survivors, and as she eloquently writes, The pain we feel is not infinite. Love is. There is a lot of love in Beautiful Justice.

Dr. Patti Feuereisen, founder of Girlthrive and author of Invisible Girls: Speaking the Truth About Sexual Abuse

In her reclamation of worth, Brooke is a beacon. A white-hot burning flame of truth. The words and wisdom held within this book are fierce and much-needed medicine for these times.

Lisa Lister, author of Witch and Love Your Lady Landscape

Axtell plumbs the horrors of her trauma as a poet, bard, seeker, and seer and establishes herself firmly as a moral and spiritual authorityand, endearingly, as a teacher and as a friend. It is in fact Axtells unflinching candor that allows the reader to grasp the full extent of trauma and the turbulence of the healing journey. Axtell assumes nothing and therefore reveals everything. If one ever doubts the importance of artists and authors to serve as moral beacons for society, let them read this exceptional book.

Sanjay Rawal, award-winning documentary filmmaker and activist

Axtell [is] an example of the power in speaking out.

Rolling Stone

A powerful voice.

Austin-American Statesman

Brooke is a multitalented, inspiring, and impressive woman. A rising star.

Debra Condren, bestselling author of Ambition Is Not a Dirty Word

Brooke is a dynamic young force.

Suzy Spencer, New York Timesbestselling author of Wasted

In Brooke Axtells stunning book of fierce love, fierce devotion, and fierce healing, she shares her personal journey through abuse, step by step, and integrates it into a road map for others. She honors the many different paths of a womans spiritual and psychological inner terrain and affirms there are as many paths as there are women. Brooke generously reveals the way art healed her life and in turn shows us the way to do the same with our own.

Deborah Kampmeier, filmmaker and director of Hounddog and Split

You cant keep fire in a cage.

You cant keep the wind in chains.

What is true cannot be tamed.

The falling tide will rise again.

I have danced with the hurricane.

I have kissed the mouth of thunder.

I reach for the lightning

when everyone runs for cover.

Dare you come closer?

Closer you will find:

I am the wild kind.