Quotes
"Beautiful Justice is a fierce declaration of survival, grace, and dignity. Axtell bares her soul to the world in searing prose that demands we hear the voices of survivors with respect and compassion. Her perseverance in the face of brutality reminds us of all that is noble in the human spirit."
—Siddharth Kara, author of Modern Slavery: A Global Perspective and Sex Trafficking: Inside the Business of Modern Slavery
"Beautiful Justice is a powerful, poetic call to remember that our worth as women, as survivors, can never be taken from us. Our worth is right here for us to reclaim, from within. Brooke Axtell's story of healing her trauma, returning to her body, and finding fierce love for herself, leads to the greatest triumph of all, to the light no darkness can extinguish; the voice of her own soul."
—Meggan Watterson, author of Reveal and The Sutras of Unspeakable Joy and coauthor of How to Love Yourself
"As a survivor of sexual exploitation and abuse, Brooke takes us on her journey with painstaking honesty and integrity. She takes the reader through her music and poetry and shows us how strong the spirit is. We intimately meet the girl, the woman, the survivor, the advocate, the artist, as she inspires others to their healing. Brooke is an inspiration to all sexual abuse survivors, and as she eloquently writes, 'The pain we feel is not infinite, love is.' The is a lot of love in Beautiful Justice."
—Dr. Patti Feuereisen, founder of Girlthrive, and author of Invisible Girls: Speaking the Truth About Sexual Abuse
"Brooke Axtell's genius book Beautiful Justice proves that every woman has a story that deserves to be heard, and no matter its contents, can be transformed. You will find your story in hers. You'll be reminded that we can all play a part to create a world where women are valued."—Gina DeVee, creator of Divine Living
"In her reclamation of worth, Brooke is a beacon. A white hot burning flame of truth. The words and wisdom held within this book are fierce and much needed medicine for these times."—Lisa Lister, author of Witch and Love Your Lady Landscape
"Axtell [is] an example of the power in speaking out."—Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone
"Beautiful Justice lives up to its name. Brooke Axtell's beautifully written story is born of personal tragedy and triumph. Told with warmth, humor and pride, she shares lessons we can all learn from."—Terry Lickona, co-producer of The Grammy Awards
"Beautiful Justice perfectly describes Brooke Axtell's deeply compelling book. Her poetry weaves her personal story of abuse and child sex trafficking through her own heroine's journey to healing. She reveals how she turned the pain of her trauma into passion for social justice. And she offers a handbook for sexual abuse survivors (and, frankly, all women), gently coaching us to reclaim our bodies, our voices, and our power to lead and live as we freely choose."—Gloria Feldt, cofounder and president of Take the Lead and author of No Excuses: 9 Ways Women Can Change How We Think About Power
"Axtell plumbs the horrors of her trauma as a poet, bard, seeker, and seer and establishes herself firmly as a moral and spiritual authority-and, endearingly, as a teacher and as a friend . . . It is in fact Axtell's unflinching candor that allows the reader to grasp the full extent of trauma and the turbulence of the healing journey. Axtell assumes nothing and therefore reveals everything. If one ever doubts the importance of artists and authors to serve as moral beacons for society, let them read this exceptional book."
—Sanjay Rawal, award-winning documentary filmmaker and activist
"A powerful voice."
—Austin-American Statesman