R&B singer Mary J. Blige has been a prominent figure for the past two decades in discussing issues women face. Be it from singles like “Not Gon Cry”, or opening up about her own personal issues with addiction and abuse, the singer has been upfront about her concerns. Now, she has acted on those concerns and in conjunction with Steve Stoute and Gucci creative director Frida Giannini, as well as the Foundation For the Advancement of Women Now(FFAWN) which Blige and Stoute are cofounders, and the Westchester Jewish Community Services, Blige created a safe haven for women who face the same issues that the singer herself faced in the past. The the Mary J. Blige Center for Women is located in Yonkers NY. Speaking of the center, and what she hopes it can accomplish, MJB offers some perspective: “As a child, I never saw a confident woman; I only saw women being abused. That’s why I am here; that’s why FFAWN exists. I want every girl and woman who walks through this door to know that she is loved, no matter who is telling her she isn’t loved.” The socially conscientious singer will also be dropping her ninth studio album ‘Stronger’ December 15th on Geffen Records, which includes the hits “The One”, “Stronger” and “Said and Done”.
