Meet LaQuesha Ford-Mcquay

We recently connected with LaQuesha Ford-Mcquay and have shared our conversation below.

LaQuesha, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

Resilence isn’t something I discovered all at once. It wasn’t wrapped in a “breakthrough moment” or tied to a single victory. For me, it was slowly shaped-carved through rejection, sculpted by sacrifice, and rooted in an unwavering faith that anchored me when life felt unsteady.

I’ve always stood out, not just as a woman, or as an African American, but as someone who clings tightly to strong Christian values in a culture that often pressures people to let go of their convictions. It hasn’t been easy. I’ve been overlooked – not just in relationships, but in spaces where I was capable, qualified, and ready to contribute. I’ve felt the sting of being passed over and misunderstood, simply because I refused to compromise who I am.

Yet, resilience was rising in me even then.

Being a single mother of boys has brought out a different kind of strength within me—the kind that wakes up early daily to go to bed empty, that prays through tears, and learns to carry the weight of responsibility without bitterness. My faith is not just a comfort; it has become my compass. I know where my help comes from, and I’ve consistently leaned into that truth as if my life depends on it, because it does.

Resilience, for me, is not just about bouncing back. It’s about standing firm. It’s about knowing that every “no,” every closed door, and every tear had purpose and realizing I never move forward in my own strength, because I’m never alone.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a born-and-raised East Texas girl, brought up in a morally grounded, loving, and upstanding family. From an early age, I was taught the values of kindness, integrity, and hard work. While my family life was stable, I faced trauma outside those safe walls, experiences that shook me, challenged me, and shaped me into the woman I am today.

Despite the pain, I was always filled with the love of God and compassion for others. That heart of service, empathy, and resilience naturally led me into the nursing field, where I’ve spent the last 25 years caring for people in their most vulnerable moments. Nursing taught me not only about physical healing but about the quiet strength it takes to endure emotional wounds.

One of the most defining challenges of my life was walking through divorce and the transition into single motherhood. It was painful, but it also revealed a strength I didn’t realize I had. Through God’s grace, I emerged not bitter-but bolder, more focused, and deeply burdened to help women who carry silent, unhealed traumas.

That passion gave birth to Women Cloths Community Outreach Fellowship (WCCOF)- a nonprofit dedicated to holistic healing and restoration of the heart, mind, body, spirit, and soul.

At WCCOF, we create safe, transformative spaces for women to talk about deep wounds, release shame, and begin the journey to wholeness. Our mission is faith-driven- we aim to be the hands and feet of Jesus, especially to single mothers, truama survivors, and those who feel forgotten.

We offer sessions, retreats, peer support, and encouragement through outreach, education, and community engagement. Whether someone is navigating heartbreak, rebuilding after abuse, chaos in the family, or simply seeking purpose, we walk alongside them with compassion, love, and truth.

My journey hasn’t been easy, but every chapter has prepared me to serve. What brings me the most joy is being a voice for those who feel voiceless-reminding them that their story matters and healing is possible! WCCOF isn’t just a non-profit-it’s a movement of healing, hope, and heart.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Emotional Resilience/Intelligence
2. Compassion
3. Effective Communication

My advice to those who are early in their journey would be to have a clear sense of calling rooted in your faith because it provides direction, strength, and peace, even in uncertain times. When your “why” is tied to a higher purpose, it becomes easier to persevere through challenges and serve others with sincerity, humility, and hope.

I would also say healing doesn’t happen in isolation. Being able to bring people together, foster meaningful relationships, and build safe, supportive spaces is a key skill needed to develop and grow.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was to consistently show me what sacrificial, genuinely authentic love and support truly looks like in every season of life.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: Women Cloths Community Outreach Fellowship

Image Credits

Darrion Thompson-Identity Capture
Meg Ferguson- Through My Eyes Photo Co.