2024 Webby Nominated Podcast Host, Founder of Autism for Badass Moms
Motivational Speaker | Entrepreneur & Advocate
Rashidah is a mother of four, a tireless advocate, and a beacon of hope for mothers navigating the challenging journey of raising children with special needs. Among her four children, two have been diagnosed with autism. One of them also has ADHD, while the other faces an additional challenge of an eye impairment. Despite the daily struggles, Rashidah embodies strength and determination, balancing her roles as a mother and a full-time program coordinator for a nonprofit organization. With over 19 years of experience in the mental health and substance use disorder field, Rashidah has dedicated her career to helping children, adolescents, and adults in hospital-based, residential, and outpatient settings. She has worked in the crisis department of an inner-city hospital, where she witnessed firsthand the complexities of mental health crises, and the resilience required to navigate them. But nothing could have prepared her for the emotional journey that began when her first son was diagnosed with autism. Rashidah recalls the overwhelming emotions she experienced—shock, grief, sadness, anger, and anxiety. Autism was an unfamiliar world, and she was thrust into it without a roadmap. The diagnosis shook her to her core, leaving her grappling with fear and uncertainty. She searched for support, yearning for connection with others who understood her struggles. But the search was met with frustration as many support groups she found were inactive.
Determined to find a sense of community, Rashidah decided to take matters into her own hands. She started a support group at a local library, hoping to connect with other parents facing similar challenges. But when only two individuals attended the first meeting, her hope wavered. The turnout was disheartening, and she questioned whether she should continue. But something inside her refused to give up. She knew there were others out there who needed the same support, so she persevered.
Then the pandemic hit, forcing the group to transition to virtual meetings via Zoom. What happened next was nothing short of remarkable—the group exploded in size as one mom told another, and soon, the virtual meetings were filled with mothers from all walks of life, each with their own unique stories. As Rashidah listened to their stories, she realized that while the details of each journey varied, the emotions were strikingly similar. The shared experiences of shock, grief, guilt, and triumphs created a deep bond among the mothers. It was in these moments that Rashidah began to release the guilt and shame she had been carrying. She found solace in the realization that she was not alone—there was a sisterhood of amazing mothers who understood her pain, and together, they were stronger.
But Rashidah knew she needed to go further. The emotional needs of autism moms were often overlooked.
Rashidah understood that mothers, like herself, needed support and validation. They needed a space to share their raw, authentic experiences—the moments of weakness, fear, guilt, and sadness that come with juggling multiple roles.
This realization led Rashidah to create a podcast, “Autism for Badass Moms” dedicated to highlighting the emotional needs of autism moms. The podcast became a platform for mothers to uncover and share their stories, shifting the narrative from one of weakness and defeat to one of strength and resilience.
In 2024, less than a year after the podcast debut, it received a Webby nomination for “Best Individual Episode”, chosen as one of the five best in the world. Rashidah’s mission was clear: to remind mothers that they are fierce, determined, and courageous—true badasses who can handle whatever life throws at them. Rashidah hopes to make a global impact through her podcast, connecting with mothers from all over the world. She envisions a future where every mother’s journey is validated, where guilt and shame are replaced with pride and empowerment. Rashidah’s story is a testament to the power of community, the strength found in vulnerability, and the incredible resilience of mothers who refuse to give up.
As Rashidah continues her journey, she carries with her the stories of countless mothers, each one a reminder that together, they are unstoppable. She has transformed her own struggles into a mission to empower others, creating a legacy of hope and strength for generations to come.
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