Tonya fought through significant adversity to become one of the first black female command sergeants major in the U.S. Army’s prestigious 82nd Airborne Division. With help from Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), Tonya overcame the worst of her post-traumatic stress. Now, she serves her fellow warriors by sharing her story of pain and triumph with audiences nationwide as a keynote speaker and professional storyteller.
Speaker availability may vary based on date and location.
Tonya Oxendine joined the U.S. Army a year after finishing high school — mostly to run away from a difficult childhood and abusive family. Unfortunately, she left one abusive situation only to find another, as the first half of her nearly 30-year Army career was marred by harassment. Instead of seeking help, she remained silent and kept the pain and emotions bottled up inside. But eventually, during Tonya’s last deployment in Afghanistan, all the pent-up emotions started to take a toll on her mentally.
It would be two more years before Tonya finally sought help for her post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the severe depression and anxiety she was experiencing. The WWP Talk program gave her the connection she needed to someone who not only listened but, as she came to realize, was always there for her.
Today, Tonya’s passion is helping other veterans “out of the quicksand” through fitness and nutrition and by sharing her powerful story. Her goal is to help other warriors realize they, too, can overcome the debilitating symptoms of PTSD.
Below are some of the many topics on which Tonya can speak.
Tonya has spoken at a variety of events — from casual community gatherings to team building retreats, galas, conferences, and just about everything in between.
Below are some of the groups who have heard Tonya’s message:
Hear from attendees who felt energized, inspired, and motivated by Tonya.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Tonya was amazing. She was passionate, engaging, and able to pull the entire room into her story, struggles, realizations, and journey. This was an amazing event and a great start to our Women's Empowerment spotlight month. Thank you so much!’”
Thermo Fisher Scientific
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“I would like to share that Tonya did an amazing job this morning and exceeded what we could have hoped for. This was by far one of the most impactful events we have held to date. Tonya was more than accommodating during a busy time of year and made herself available for any and all questions we had.”
Cornell University
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Ms. Oxendine was absolutely amazing. I did not know that WWP offered speakers with no financial requirements. Ms. Oxendine and this opportunity will go down as one of the most beneficial google searches of my life, and I do not say that in jest. Her story, resilience, and faith were the equivalent of lightning in a bottle. I am so blessed that our paths crossed.”
Space Operations Command – U.S. Space Force
“Life won’t give you a second chance, but it will give you a fresh start.”
Wounded Warrior
Tonya Oxendine
Learn more about Tonya Oxendine and how she helps raise awareness for the needs of injured veterans and their families.
