The Heart Behind HERstory

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HERstory In Color (HSIC) was founded in 2021 by Holly Jones, a passionate advocate and trailblazer who transformed her personal health journey into a powerful movement aimed at providing chronic illness support. Diagnosed at the age of 19 in 2003, Holly began her silent struggle with multiple invisible chronic illnesses. A severe mental breakdown in 2016 took a toll on her physically and spiritually, leaving her feeling like she was just existing to die. After a heartfelt conversation with her husband and a dear friend, Holly began her advocacy work in 2017 by sharing her experience with Polymyositis, a rare inflammatory muscle disease, through her radio/talk show Krazy N Christian and her YouTube Channel MyoLife. As her journey progressed, she faced challenges such as Interstitial Lung Disease, Pulmonary Hypertension, Congestive Heart Failure, Vasovagal Syncope, and Anemia—conditions often unseen and misunderstood, especially among women of color who seek better healthcare. Holly recognized the critical need for mental health advocacy and support when she created the Myositis Women of Color Facebook support group in 2020, which evolved into the Myositis Women of Color Affinity Group at The Myositis Association in 2021. This led to the founding of HERstory In Color in November 2021, driven by the ongoing lack of representation and support for women of color diagnosed with multiple chronic illnesses, resonating deeply with her own experiences. Her vision was clear: to foster a safe, empowering community rooted in sisterhood, shared strength, and storytelling. Holly is unwavering in her commitment to uplifting voices too often silenced in the healthcare system and society. She encourages women to embrace their journeys, advocate for better care, and support one another without judgment—because every story matters, and every voice deserves to be heard and echoed. Coining the phrase: Be the Voice and the Echo!

Herstory In Color creates a safe space for women of color affected by multiple chronic illnesses and mental health comorbidities. We provide chronic illness support by offering a platform for sharing experiences and developing solutions, extending our assistance to their families, caregivers, peers, and the healthcare providers who care for them. Through community engagement, education, advocacy, and culturally responsive research, we aim to eliminate delayed diagnoses, promote prevention, improve treatment options, and raise awareness of the unique challenges in our community, particularly in the realm of mental health advocacy.