RALEIGH, N.C. — Tawana Williams is an entrepreneur, motivational speaker and author.

She was born without arms and impaired use of her legs after her mother was prescribed Thalidomide during her pregnancy. It was later discovered that the drug resulted in birth defects in thousands of children worldwide.

What You Need To Know

  • Thalidomide is a drug that was marketed as a sedative and treatment for morning sickness in pregnant women in the late 50s and early 60s

  • Thalidomide created a range of disabilities in babies, including shortening and absence of limbs, and malformation of hands and digits.

  • It could also cause damage to ears and eyes, sensory impairment, facial disfigurement and palsy and damage to the brain, internal organs and skeletal structure

  • The story of Tawana Williams is being turned into a feature film entitled, “Eagle Without Wings”
 “Thalidomide didn't stop me, it just pushed me to let me know that I could do anything but fail,” Williams said. 

After overcoming years of physical pain, bullying, sexual assault and an addiction to drugs that lasted a decade, Williams became a motivational speaker and in 2002, founded Tawana Williams Outreach, Inc. 

Williams calls herself “The Hope Coach," and travels around the country with her husband, Toby, to encourage everyone that they can do anything if they set their mind to it. 

“Figure out what it is you want to do with your life, don’t make excuses, just challenge yourself. I realized that challenges came to make me strong, and everyone can do the same thing. Sometimes, we talk too much and end up talking ourselves out of what we want to do,” Williams said. 

Williams is now the author of seven books, including “Unarmed But Dangerous -The Tawana Williams Story of Relentless Struggle and Ultimate Victory,” which is being adapted into a feature film entitled “Eagle Without Wings.”

To learn more about Williams, visit her website.