Courtney Santana: From Survive To Thrive
Courtney Santana: From Survive To Thrive
Guest Speaker at Women's Music Industry Meetup in Austin, TX
Courtney Santana is a living legend in Austin’s renowned music scene. And with good reason. Once Courtney puts her mind to something, there is no stopping her.
A short list of her 35-year career achievements as a singer, dancer, and model includes:
singing on 15+ albums, including her upcoming album Epiphanies of a Butterfly
performed with Brannen Temple, Guy Forsyth, Patrice Pike, Strings Attached, Malford Milligan, Matt Wilson, Nakia, Chanel Haynes, and ShinyRibs
opened for Kirk Whalum, Kyle Turner, Salt N Pepa, and Musiq Soulchild
performed in Austin productions of Dreamgirls, Fame, Porgy & Bess, and RENT
made it to the final producer rounds of NBC’s The Voice
But there was a time…
when Courtney struggled to survive after experiencing domestic violence and sexual assault that left her with broken eye sockets, a broken chin, bruised ribs, and other injuries.
Her journey toward healing physically and mentally, while raising two children, revealed voids in emergency services that can’t always provide for those who need it most. In particular, offering a safe place to stay and the resources to get back on your feet. Without them, women return to their abusers seven times on average, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
“I feel like I’ve made a difference because I use my voice to serve others like myself, with children like mine.”
Now the founder of Survive2Thrive Foundation, Courtney and her team created a program that provides short-term housing stays and life resources like groceries, clothing, and toiletries. She’s active on so many nonprofit boards and government programs related to serving survivors that Austin Mayor Steve Adler proclaimed March 3rd as Courtney Santana Day.
Meet Courtney on November 6th
On Monday, November 6th, Courtney joins SIMS Foundation executive director Patsy Bouressa and SIMS board member Patty Lynn to lead Herizon Music’s quarterly Women’s Music Industry Meetup. The discussion topic:
Depending on which study you read, between 34 and 67 percent of women in music experience sexual harassment or assault. In a previous Herizon Music meetup, over half of our attendees raised their hands when asked if they personally or someone they directly know in the industry experienced sexual harassment or assault.
That means it’s imperative to have the knowledge and resources in your professional toolbox for taking the important legal and emotional steps toward healing and recovery. This could save your life or the life of someone you love.
For the first time, we are offering access to the November 6th meetup both in-person and online. The meetup, hosted at Girl Guitar, includes a free lunch and a meditative moment led by local musician Heather Greenslade. The program wraps with a Q&A and take-home resource packets for attendees. The live stream program has a nominal fee with a private link for a safe and personal experience.
Texchromsome will air an interview with Patsy Bouressa and me on Thursday, October 19th. Show host Penny Jo Pullus will also spin some tunes from Courtney and Patty of The Wind & The Wave.
If you would like to sponsor food (either by an in kind donation or picking up the tab), please contact me at thea@herizonmusic.org.
Noteworthy
ICYMI: Michele Darling chats about Women, Technology & The Future of Music in Herizon Music’s first Substack podcast.
“Music, Purpose & Community” The Recording Academy’s Chicago Chapter produced this 15-minute video spotlighting the creative experiences of 10 songwriters and composers in the Midwest. WATCH HERE
Congrats to Judith Miller who was recently inducted into the Indie Music Hall of Fame.
Janis Joplin “Women is Losers” from Songs That Saved Your Life talks the bullying that rock’s shiniest pearl endured and still does today.
Thank you for joining our band of dreamers, rule breakers, and rockstars. Invite others to the group!
Thea 🎶