The Brave Women's Community Center

Experience the transformative power of collective belonging.

At The Brave Women’s Community Center, we are guided by a deep commitment to creating a space of true belonging and survivor-centered healing.

We recognize that healing from trauma and the lies of abuse cannot happen in isolation. It requires a community of safety, compassion, and understanding—especially for women. Within a secure and nurturing environment—free from judgment and comparison—we begin to reclaim the truths that were taken from us. Here, we remember that we are not broken, that our stories matter, and that our voices are powerful.

In this brave community, we transform our pain into purpose. We challenge and unlearn the social constructs and conditioned beliefs that told us to stay small, silent, or pleasing. Together, we replace those old narratives with authenticity, creativity, and courage.

Through peaceful collaboration rather than competition, we discover what it means to be in community with other women who lift as they rise. This is a space where individuality is celebrated, self-expression is sacred, and healing is an act of defiance and freedom.

At The Brave Women’s Community Center, we don’t just survive—we reclaim, we create, and we thrive.

Founder / Executive Director

Meet Lucia Severtson

Lucia Severtson, licensed psychotherapist and creative arts therapist, is the founder and visionary behind The Brave Women’s Community Center — a trauma-informed, arts-based nonprofit that helps women and girls heal from abuse, reconnect with their inner voice, and reclaim their power.

Drawing on her background in theatre, dance/movement therapy, and psychotherapy, Lucia has spent more than a decade helping women untangle the grip of trauma and social conditioning. In 2019, during her own mental health crisis, she realized what was missing: a brave, loving, and nonjudgmental community of women. That insight sparked the birth of BWCC — not just as a healing space, but as a movement to reimagine how women recover, reconnect, and rise.

BWCC offers trauma-informed programs like therapeutic improv, storytelling circles, empowerment workshops for girls, and the Brave Hearts Speak podcast and audio library. Each is designed to affirm that healing isn’t just about surviving, but about rediscovering joy, creativity, and purpose.

Lucia leads with a deep belief that bravery isn’t fearlessness or perfection — it’s showing up anyway. She is passionate about creating spaces where every story matters, every voice is valid, and women can move beyond survival into bold, creative, and fulfilling lives.

In addition to her nonprofit work, Lucia offers 1:1 and small-group coaching for women who are ready to reclaim their lives from abuse, trauma, and social conditioning. Her coaching blends therapeutic insight with creative practices to help women:

Untangle the internalized voices of doubt, shame, and fear
Reconnect with their passions and gifts
Build everyday bravery through bold, aligned action
Create a life rooted in authenticity, joy, and purpose

This isn’t about “fixing” yourself — it’s about remembering who you are and designing a life that matches it.

👉 Find out more about Coaching with Lucia

Board Member

Gabi Garland, Director of Media and Platform Strategy

Gabi Garland is the Founder and CEO of Resilient Voice Media, the production company behind the Brave Hearts Speak podcast. As Director of Media & Platform Strategy for the Brave Women’s Community Center, she oversees podcast production and helps expand the organization’s media reach and digital platforms. A survivor of domestic violence and former spiritual coach, Gabi is passionate about helping women reclaim their voices and share powerful stories of resilience and healing.

Board Member

Al Brandano

Founder and President of The Voice Library (TheVoiceLibrary.net), a mobile app platform for easily recording, archiving, and sharing authentic audio stories with images—preserving family legacies, business testimonials, and personal narratives more emotionally resonant than video.

Northeastern University BS in Industrial Technology graduate and retired airline captain (39 years). Brings entrepreneurial experience in hospitality, marketing, and technology, with a strong focus on mentoring & teaching personal enrichment skills, along with his 29 years of passion in coaching and developing hockey players.

A Life is Good Foundation Playmaker graduate, Al is passionate about igniting the “fire in the belly” in young people to become entrepreneurs, responsible citizens, and successful leaders in life and business.

“Do good. Have mercy. Walk humbly.” — Micah 6:8

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Intern

Jennifer Alford

Hi! I’m Jennifer. I’m a mom of four, ages 10, 14, 21 and 23. We have two dogs, a cat, and five chickens. I love to garden, hike, read, and when I can, snowshoe and paddleboard. I run a community garden and this summer, added a therapeutic sensory garden for the community to enjoy.

My journey into women’s health has been both personal and professional. My background is in biology and public health, and I recently returned to school to get a doctorate in occupational therapy. Through my studies and lived experience, I’ve come to recognize how overlooked and underserved the perimenopause transition can be. That’s why I’m passionate about creating supportive, evidence-based resources that empower women to navigate this stage with confidence, clarity, and care.

Empowering Women Through Liberation and Unity

We believe in the profound transformation that occurs when women unite, shed societal constructs, and embrace their authentic selves. In a world often filled with expectations and competition, our women's programs are crafted with a unique vision: to foster kindness, inclusivity, and celebration among women.

Why It Matters:

1. Shedding Social Constructs:

We recognize the need for women to liberate themselves from societal norms and family constructs that may stifle authenticity. Our programs provide a nurturing space to challenge and shed these constructs, empowering women to redefine their identities on their terms.

2. Unified Empowerment:

The essence of our community lies in unified empowerment. We seek to redefine how women interact, moving away from competition and towards collaboration. Together, we celebrate individual goals, passions, and achievements, fostering an environment where every woman is supported in her unique journey.

3. Reprogramming Interactions:

It's time to reprogram the conditioned ways we treat one another. Our programs aim to break down barriers and create a culture of kindness, encouragement, and mutual upliftment. We believe that through shared experiences, women can foster deeper connections and understanding.

4. Expanding Identity Horizons:

Beyond rigid definitions, our goal is to help women expand their identities. We encourage them to explore the vast possibilities of who they can be, freeing themselves from limiting beliefs and embracing the richness of their true selves.

5. Creating, Not Competing:

Our community is a space where women come together to create, not compete. Whether it's collaborative projects or supportive ventures, we believe in the power of women joining forces to achieve greatness.

6. Magic of Play and Creativity:

Rediscover the magic of play and creativity. Our programs infuse a sense of joy and curiosity, breaking down fear blocks and reigniting the spark of creativity that often lies dormant within.

7. Real-World Impact:

What is learned in our workshops is meant to be brought into the real world. We provide practical tools and support, empowering women to apply newfound insights to their daily lives.