Our Featured Warrior

Courtnie Antoinette Ward is a 33-year-old woman who has a driving force that has always pushed her to be the best she can be: a young, talented chef before the age of ten, a cheerleader, a drum major in the band, a creative, talented seamstress, a graduate of Alabama Agriculture and Mechanical University (Go Bulldogs), a business entrepreneur, and a loving family member. Courtnie is the loving daughter of Mark Ward and Glenda Brake-Ward, and the younger sister Shaina Stewart and Jayna Wallace. Although she does not have children of her own, she is the loving aunt to two nephews, Justin and Izaiah, and a niece, Anyah. She is very outgoing and supportive person to her friends and family. Courtnie is all of those things, and she is also a cancer survivor… a cancer survivor of Stage Four Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Thus, the beginning of The Violet Phoenix Foundation.
Courtnie began The Violet Phoenix Foundation because of her struggles with acceptance and finding an outlet of support for her during this journey. She learned early on that she is not only dealing with the cancer and fighting the disease, but that she was also dealing with trying to keep her job, regular household bills, medical bills, and the whole restructuring of her life.
As a young adult, many times it is difficult to find outlets that can assist and support people between the ages of 19 to 45. This is the forgotten age group that still needs just as much if not more support with going through their process. Courtnie is determined to create a support system for others in her similar situation and is ready to inspire others fighting cancer. She will continue to use her journey as a way to begin to uplift others.
“When you have cancer it’s like coming back. It’s a brand-new beginning.” ~ Courtnie Antoinette Ward--