TEDxUMiami 2022
"What makes Tanya so special
is her ultimate message:
Resilience is possible.
Her spirit inspires and everyone
who listens stands to benefit."
John Secor, Producer, Sarasota Film Festival
"I wholeheartedly recommend her
for other audiences who want to hear a message of survival, resilience and
growth after incredible human tragedy."
-Dr. Joyce Mikal-Flynn, Ed.D., FNP, MSN
One of the most effective ways to teach about the events of September 11th and empower those who are coping with grief and trauma is to connect to the people who have lived through it. Tanya Villanueva Tepper, the 9/11 widow featured in the Peabody Award-winning documentary, REBIRTH, engages audiences with her deeply moving account of love, loss, living through and healing after one of the most pivotal days in our world's history. With wisdom, heart and humor, Tanya shares our greatest life lessons: love never dies, every moment is a gift, every one is capable of being a hero, and we can live happily, even after life crises.
All programs can include a screening of the Peabody Award-winning feature film, REBIRTH or the 20-minute short film, REBIRTH: Tanya.
From Sorrow to Rebirth: Life Lessons from 9.11
AUDIENCE: THOSE WHO ARE LEARNING ABOUT SEPTEMBER 11TH
Topics Covered:
A personal account of the attacks on September 11th and the aftermath
Love, loss, and the nature of grief and trauma
Tools for building resilience and overcoming adversity
The power of community
What it means to be a hero
COMMUNITY SCREENINGS
"And so I just want to thank you, I want to thank you all for having the courage to go through this process over the last ten years and be here because I know from personal experience in different circumstances there is nothing easy about it. But you give hope to millions of people who are suffering through tragedies of their own and loss of loved ones right this very moment.”
-Vice President Joe Biden
HIGH SCHOOLS
“Your presence at my school was greatly appreciated. After watching Rebirth I saw a whole other side of 9/11. It changed the way I think and feel. It’s that kinda story that made me shut down and put myself in you guys’ shoes. That touched me in so many unbelievable ways. I felt what you felt during the story. Seeing and hearing all the great things you guys have said, I have never seen or met someone so brave and strong until you guys came to our school…It taught me the value of life and everything about 9/11 I never knew about. I felt like I was upfront and experienced all the emotion from each story that was told. This changed my life I can assure you, I think everyone needs to see this and learn what it’s really all about from the best people they can.”
To read more letters from the students at E.O. Smith High School, click here.
To learn more about Tanya’s work with high school students, check out her Huffington Post article, Rebirth at Ground Zero: Life, Reverence, and Resilience for a New Generation.
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
“We really appreciate you sharing your very inspiring story with us here at Shiloh. What we had learned we will carry out with us where ever we go in our life time. You taught us that everyone has ups and downs in their life, but as long as we dream big we can over come any hardships in our life. Throughout the years 44 students will carry Sergio’s name and memory in their life time forever.
Love,
The Students at Shiloh
Love always wins!”
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
“Thank you so much for being so open with our class! I truly enjoyed talking with you! You have by far been my favorite lecturer!”
All programs can include a screening of the Peabody Award-winning feature film, REBIRTH or the 20-minute short film, REBIRTH: Tanya.
From Sorrow to Rebirth (and Everything In Between)
AUDIENCE: THOSE WHO ARE COPING WITH OR LEARNING ABOUT GRIEF AND TRAUMA
Topics covered:
A personal account of love, loss, and the nature of grief and trauma.
The importance of therapy and peer support.
Managing expectations, from oneself, and from others.
Practical tools for building resilience as we learn to live with our loss.
Owning our power to create a new life filled with love, joy, and peace.
“Although my pain remains, after sharing your wisdom and journey today with us, I can actually start to see a wee bit of “light” through the tunnel, and most of all have some hope. My heart is with you and has gotten a bit bigger today.”
Tim Bowen
Social Studies Teacher
E.O. Smith High School
"Tanya gave my students a personal connection to one of the many heroes of September 11th by sharing who Sergio was and all that he meant to those who loved him. The students were able to step into her life and attempt to empathize with all that she went through after losing him. Some students have experienced loss in their lives and can relate directly. With Tanya's example, I have witnessed students walk away stronger, more aware of themselves, and more appreciative of their loved ones."
Michele Neff Hernandez Executive Director Soaring Spirits International
"Tanya Villanueva Tepper's presentations are filled with both wisdom and hope. Tanya is personable and approachable making each person she meets feel as if they are the only person in the room. People leave Tanya's workshops and keynote addresses, changed. After she shares her heart with an audience, their outlook on life and love will be viewed with new eyes. I can't recommend her highly enough."
Dr. Carrie West, PhD
Assistant Professor,
Communication Studies Schreiner University
"We are so fortunate that Tanya has shared her experience and her spirit with our Family Communication class at Schreiner University. As part of the course, we discuss how families deal with tragedies and changes, so one of our topics is dealing with loss. Tanya told her story with the class over Skype, and gave most of them, their first ever personal connection to the events of September 11th. Tanya’s energy and spirit were so engaging, and then she let the students ask her questions when she was finished to really help them get a better understanding of what her experience was like. In summary, 'Tanya is the very definition of resilient.'”
Mike Chrvala
8th Grade History Teacher
Shiloh Middle School
"As a history teacher, the focus of my classes are the people involved in historical events. Teaching the events of September 11th is no different, and working with Tanya enables my students to better comprehend the impact of that day. Through their correspondence and conversations with Tanya, my students are able to develop a deeper, highly personal understanding of the far-reaching effects of that day. By working with Tanya, students see the singular impact of September 11th on one family and how their lives were changed in an instant. Tanya’s story of loss, love, and incredible resiliency resonates with my students."
Dr. Christine L. Norton, LCSW
Associate Professor,
Texas State School of
Social Work
Adventure Therapy Advisor, Project Rebirth
Research Scientist,
Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Center
"Tanya has shared her story several times at the Ride2Recovery/Project Rebirth Women's Initiatives, a therapeutic cycling retreat that focuses on healing through connection. Tanya's openness, vulnerability and raw sense of humor is a gift, and enables her to reach deep into the audience's heart and connect in a very authentic way. Tanya's post 9-11 story is a profound example of resilience, and yet, it is not white-washed, it is very REAL! Together, Tanya takes you on a personal journey that humanizes and normalizes the highs and lows of the healing process. If you are looking for a speaker to connect, motivate, inspire and heal, Tanya is a great choice!"
Dr. Joyce Mikal-Flynn Ed.D., FNP, MSN
Associate Professor;
Sacramento State University
Owner: Metahab SURVIVE; ADAPT; AMAZE
"I first met Tanya Villanueva Tepper while viewing the film REBIRTH. Taken by her story and her courageous journey back to life I was compelled to have her speak in my trauma course at Sacramento State University. She kindly skyped into our class. It was beyond my expectations. Not only is her story compelling but her insights, engagement of the audience and keen articulation of her message is brilliant. There is no doubt she will be asked back to speak for my students and I wholeheartedly recommend her for other audiences who want to hear a message of survival, resilience and growth after incredible human tragedy."
John Secor
Sarasota Film Festival
Producer
