After suffering an irregular childhood filled with fear and witnessing the hardships women suffered when they left their abusers, Johanna Crawford developed Web of Benefit, Inc. to help women who suffered from “intimate terrorism” rebuild their lives after they left their abusers. Crawford managed the nonprofit for twelve years and served over two thousand women. Some women who received grants from her company agreed to share their stories in Johanna Crawford's book, It Takes a Woman to Empower Women. Crawford shares statistics about abuse and includes stories from survivors of different types of abuse. Journal topics are included for the organization of thoughts and reflection.

Johanna Crawford paints a clear picture of the imbalance between men and women and extends it over the decades of her life. She cries out for the need to raise children with a foundational sense of equality. Crawford helps her readers develop a vision of their ideal life so that they may be inspired to take steps toward achieving it. Men could also read this book and take away a better understanding of the difficulties women face, perhaps making them more empathetic when they hear or deal with stories of abuse. Each story will inspire readers to either better their situations or improve the circumstances of the women in their lives. Crawford's call to action will motivate others to make a difference. It Takes a Woman to Empower Women is a great motivational book, and it should be shared in public libraries and with anyone who will benefit from the contents.

-Courtnee Turner Hoyle

An impressive book and an essential tool for gaining clarity on how to survive intergenerational intimate terrorism; because that’s a more accurate term to describe what we commonly call 'domestic violence'. “Intimate terrorism” is much more descriptive of the aggression many women experience within their homes, when no one is watching... Having been a victim myself, and as someone who has supported other women through terrible experiences, I highly recommend this essential work. I deeply appreciate the unique perspective of author Johanna Crawford on this cruel issue and the ways offered to address it. The book helps us identify and acknowledge the behaviors that lead us to suffering. It also helps us realize that we have the strength to survive, persevere, and emerge empowered after enduring such dire situations.

Through her brilliant insight, Jo Crawford offers the reader a powerful pathway to survival. Reading the true stories and the accomplishments of these brave women in their quest to rediscover themselves made me feel supported and helped me realize the true value of our personal and collective power as women. The contrast between strength and tenderness is, for me, the essence of love, a concept that this book conveys – it helps us take a compassionate and loving look at ourselves, knowing that, at the same time, we can muster the strength to emerge empowered from any abusive situation.

-Claudia Jiménez

Uplifting, inspiring, promising, gratifying, heartening, and encouraging. This book is a tribute to the women who have experienced toxic relationships and overcome adversity thanks to the generosity, emotional and financial support of one woman. I was deeply moved by the inspiring stories of courageous women who have overcome incredible odds to achieve their dreams.

Chapters include self-care tips, affirmations, and journaling prompts. These guidelines encouraged me to dream big, practice gratitude, and pay it forward. All of us need to dream. Jo’s book recognizes and encourages that need and provides tips to fulfill those dreams. It is definitely ‘a must read’.

- A Grateful Reader

For twelve years Jo Crawford personally helped more than 2,200 survivors of domestic violence achieve personal and financial empowerment. In this book, she combines the fruit of these experiences along with her own journey as a survivor to create a guide for women to thrive in our society. With a heart for the struggles of all women, she has produced a straightforward and easy-to-read blueprint to encourage women to take control of their lives and their futures.

- David Ladd, Founder and Principal, Even Keel Coaching LLC.

The most important message of this life-transforming book is Self-Care. This is how women facing intimate terrorism take their power back. Jo shows us how to start repairing our lives by focusing on ourselves. At the end of each chapter, she includes an Invitation to Self-Care and Healing. There are writing prompts, journal ideas and questions that are focused and on point. I found these very well laid out, simple to follow and very helpful. I loved the concept of the Dream Proposal; I think this guide should be taught in schools. Women who suffer from any kind of abuse often forget about themselves, they believe they are unworthy and undeserving and invalid. This book is the first step towards building a better future and realizing you deserve to dream big and out loud. I would recommend this book to any woman, a thoroughly empowering and inspiring read.

This is a book every woman should read; it doesn’t matter if you are a daughter, a wife, or a sister; unfortunately, in this society, every woman has suffered some form of abuse and in consequence, we must be able to identify it in our lives in order to find effective ways to stop it.

Nonetheless, Johanna Crawford's book is full of hope. She believes that every woman has the power to change the world by helping other women; and we must use this power to create the life of our dreams. In her book, she also shares her own personal story along other women's experiences to explain why self-care and healing are the starting point to move from victim to survivor.

Finally, the Author shares her vision of a world where women can live free from the threat of any kind of abuse or violence and how to achieve it, day by day, with small steps. Such a compassionate reading!

- Rita

This book is filled with relatable and digestible guidance for women on the healing path from abuse and trauma -- this book is an incredible resource for the journey. I would recommend it to any woman, but especially a woman who has lived through pain, suffering, and abuse and might have lost her way and her connection to self and worthiness.

- Amazon Customer

Very inspiring, I found it extremely emotional to read all these stories of brave women who survived and empowered themselves.

Not only does it invite you to value your life, your environment and the way in which women have been treated, but it also takes you by the hand to do a self-analysis and work on your personal improvement to achieve your dreams.

The author makes an excellent book that is so pleasant to read with a didactic guide, as well as very interesting information on the subject of gender violence in various ways and that we have all suffered to a lesser or greater degree at some time.

Not only recommended for women, I invite everyone to read it, I find it a very pleasant, realistic, and educational read.

-Judith

Jo takes the reader through stories of women who have overcome huge obstacles. She details, and repeats all the positive actions and thoughts that a survivor requires to make incremental changes that can make it from surviving to thriving. Numerous exercises help reinforce, with case studies, the step-wise process of getting from being overwhelmed to achieving a life's dream. There are dozens of resources listed and simple worksheets to guide the process. Anyone who has family, friends or colleagues that are struggling to move from desperation to moving forward needs this resource. I will purchase print copies to have on hand for when I hear a cry for help.

-LWM-Tech

The most important message of this life-transforming book is Self-Care. This is how women facing intimate terrorism take their power back. Jo shows us how to start repairing our lives by focusing on ourselves. At the end of each chapter, she includes an Invitation to Self-Care and Healing. There are writing prompts, journal ideas and questions that are focused and on point. I found these very well laid out, simple to follow and very helpful.

I loved the concept of the Dream Proposal; I think this guide should be taught in schools. Women who suffer from any kind of abuse often forget about themselves, they believe they are unworthy and undeserving and invalid. This book is the first step towards building a better future and realising you deserve to dream big and out loud. I would recommend this book to any woman, a thoroughly empowering and inspiring read.

-Doreen Burns

Ms. Crawford knows how to tell a story, weaving into her tales both research and invaluable information for women who find themselves in intimate abuse situations. The reader benefits from knowledge that Ms. Crawford gained in her years directing the non-profit Web of Benefit, an organization that enabled many women, through grants, to find freedom from the financial abuse they had suffered at the hands of partners. I plan to keep a couple of hard copies on hand for those times when someone I know needs to escape from a toxic abuse relationship or deal with its aftermath.

-Gentle Reader

Jo has real insight and she shows that she has compassion and knowledge to hold your hand and guide you through tough times. Her book can help you make the first step to finding your path or the hardest step away from pain. It is packed full of practical information and inspiring stories from women that illustrate clearly, a thriving life after trauma is possible.

-Angela Clegg