A Tribute to the Girls in Philly
From My Heart to the Daughters in Philly
Coming straight from my heart and my hometown, this tribute to the daughters in Philly carries lessons for every generation. Whether you’re 18 or 88, the stories and insights here offer encouragement to wait on God for transformation, deliverance, and healing—reminding us all that His timing is perfect. Images of Mya Kay are by Ardell McDuffie. All other images provided by Canva AI and Sora/ChatGPT.
Let’s be honest. Philly girls are cut from a different cloth. The world may see us as tough, sometimes even aggressive, but the grit we have—backed by God’s grace—sets us apart in more ways than one. This article is for those girls—the girls like me who grew up in the roughness of a city that the news labels as dark. You don’t have to be ashamed of where you come from; embrace the beauty in the beast and learn to appreciate what it gives you, even when the headlines look crazy.
I thought it would be a great idea to sit down and answer some questions that girls and young women have asked me over the years, including some recent ones about doing life with Christ and what made me want to walk with the Lord. So, sit back, relax, and let’s have a girl chat that will make you want to pursue Christ deeper and chase purpose harder. This Q&A will leave you wanting more of Christ and less of the world.
Girls Anthem: Let’s get right to it. One of the hardest things girls today deal with is rejection. You’ve talked about rejection quite a bit in teachings and even via social media. How did you deal with rejection as a teen?
Mya Kay: To be honest, I think rejection made me strong in a lot of ways. I was so used to being rejected by my father and even by those who said they loved me, that rejection from girls in the neighborhood or at school didn’t sting as much. People say, “Rejection is protection,” and that’s true; but I also believe God used it as a seed for me to chase Him more. Even when I didn’t feel like pursuing Christ, there were times I found myself leaning into those sleepless nights—crying myself to sleep and crying out to God in the process. Psalm 34:18 reminds us, “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.”
Girls Anthem: Why do you think we want to connect with people or hang with those who don’t see our value?
Mya Kay: Some of us are so used to hard that we think everything has to be a struggle. Maybe we were born into adversity and faced a lot of hardships, so chasing after someone who doesn’t want us—no matter the kind of relationship—makes us feel like we earned their love and attention. That’s a lie from the enemy. While we may go through hardship and adversity, that’s not a sign our lives have to be marked by that to have value. When I was growing up, they’d say, ‘good girls like bad guys.’ I saw that in my life, but the truth is, I was looking for validation from people who didn’t even know their own worth. Jeremiah 17:9 warns us that “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked,” but God calls us to find our worth in Him.
Girls Anthem: Wow. That’s deep. We can be so used to hard that we think everything has to be a struggle. So what would you say to the young woman reading this right now that feels that way?
Mya Kay: Even if you feel like what you want out of life—in relationships, love, dreams, career—seems impossible or like something you can’t reach, don’t minimize it. God placed those desires in you for a reason. First, focus on becoming the person who can handle what you desire. You can’t want great friends and not be one, so lean into preparation. You’re never too young to become better. Second, ask God to give you the things you should desire. Sometimes what we want, no matter how good it sounds, isn’t good for us. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). He places desires that align with His will for your life. Lastly, trust that in time, the right people, jobs, places, and opportunities will come to you. You don’t have to chase what God has for you.
Girls Anthem: Another thing today’s generation is faced with is the gender confusion and sexual fluidity that is going on. How can those who know God’s word is true stand on their beliefs without feeling like they’re ostracized or standing alone?
Mya Kay: Let’s be clear—we are not friends of this world; we are citizens of heaven, and our job is to go and make disciples. Persecution comes with the territory. If you’re wondering how to stand on your beliefs and not be ostracized, that’s not going to happen. Jesus was ostracized, even though He had proof of who He was. We have to be okay with standing alone sometimes. That said, God often provides a Silas to your Paul or a Jonathan to your David, but you can’t wait on that. We know what God says about male and female (Genesis 1:27; Matthew 19:4), and we know what He says about marriage. The world will always push its agenda. We have to be confident that God’s Word stands forever (Isaiah 40:8).
Girls Anthem: Okay, let’s get to some of the burning questions. How did you know you needed something more than just success, money, or clout?
Mya Kay: I knew these questions would come, and I’m ready. When I was chasing money—even through my nine-to-five jobs—I realized how empty I felt whenever I clocked out. There’s nothing wrong with working hard because we need provision, but when we chase it beyond our capacity, trying to achieve worldly success and fame, our spirit signals that something is off. I remember launching my first business in 2012 and calculating how much I’d make in the first year, all the doors that would open when I hit six figures. I believe God allowed it to fail because that wasn’t His plan for me then. I wasn’t mature enough to handle that type of money. I knew I needed more than a vision for financial increase—I needed a vision to develop the character to maintain any increase that came into my life (Proverbs 22:1).
Girls Anthem: Whew. That’s deep. The character needed to maintain any increase. So what did choosing Christ over everything look like in your real life?
Mya Kay: It looked like me accepting that I might spend more time in the wilderness than the spotlight. It looked like spending more Friday or Saturday nights studying the Word and praying instead of partying. I remember being in deliverance sessions during my sophomore year of college while friends were out. It looked like moving to Atlanta in 2012 and realizing God’s will was to focus on Him—not on gaining celebrity contacts to get ahead in writing. It looked like surrendering daily to His will, even when opportunities looked good. It looked like staying aligned with Him when I moved to Hollywood in 2018, standing in rooms full of A-listers but choosing His timing. Even now, as I become more visible, I remember Girls Anthem belongs to Him, no matter the platform size. Choosing Christ means dying to myself daily and surrendering hourly (Galatians 2:20).
Girls Anthem: That makes me realize I have more growing to do. Did you ever feel like God forgot about you? What did you do with that feeling?
Mya Kay: I feel that several times a year. It can seem like God is overlooking you, especially when you see others flourishing. I’m not talking about online comparisons, but real-life examples where people get ahead in ways that don’t honor God. It makes you wonder why doors won’t open for you. I always run to my Father’s arms and keep it real with Him. God isn’t afraid of our questions. We may not always like the answers, but He’s ready for them. I remind myself that Christ came so we can have abundant life, but eternity is the goal (John 10:10). No matter how far we get in our destiny or how blessed we are, we can feel overlooked. God may be watering our grass faithfully while we look at someone else’s. We have to keep the right perspective: “Your will, not mine” (Matthew 26:39).
Girls Anthem: Why do you believe your relationship with God is more important than a relationship with a man?
Mya Kay: My relationship with God is solid. It’s the one constant in my life that doesn’t let me down. While it will change because I change, and different seasons bring different rhythms, He never changes. He remains the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Having a relationship with someone I can rely on, even when I’m not at my best, is more important than any human relationship.
Girls Anthem: How did you keep going when you felt like everyone else was winning except you?
Mya Kay: I redefined winning. Today, winning means someone tells me an article helped them pursue Christ more; that a prayer call led them to rededicate their life; or that a podcast episode helped deliver them. I’m not going to pretend I don’t want material things or earthly pleasures, but having those doesn’t mean I’m winning. Once we realize the true meaning of life—being used by God to impact the world—everything else is just icing on the cake. Remember Solomon asked God for wisdom, and God gave him wisdom and riches. It’s about your heart posture and how you approach it (1 Kings 3:9-13).
Girls Anthem: Was there a moment where you knew you had to change your life? What triggered it?
Mya Kay: My last nervous breakdown before moving to South Korea in 2012 was the turning point. I knew if I returned to the States with the same mindset and habits, I would destroy myself. The devil wouldn’t be to blame; it would be on me. Before that, I was still masturbating, having sex, and addicted to porn—even while in South Korea. I had to make a change. I knew keeping those doors open to the enemy was causing the schizophrenia to worsen. If I wanted to walk in complete healing, I had to close those doors, one by one, and let God work. It was a battle for years, but I fought for deliverance and stopped making excuses (James 4:7).
Girls Anthem: You guys have to read her testimony on overcoming schizophrenia in our Beauty Issue (March/April). It’s so worth it. So, let’s talk about healing. What did healing from childhood trauma look like for you—and how did God meet you in it?
Mya Kay: First, there was deliverance. No matter how much therapy I did, I knew there was demonic oppression I needed to be freed from. Therapy helps mentally and emotionally, but deliverance works on a spiritual level. That’s not to say therapy can’t do all three, but some things only Jesus can handle (Matthew 17:21). After several years of deliverance, I started therapy in 2020. Because I had done deliverance first, God accelerated my progress. The first breakthrough came in just two months. When I returned in 2022, I kept receiving breakthroughs as I stayed rooted in Christ and worked with my therapist. Healing also meant confronting family issues—I talked with my mom over the last two years, which added new layers to my healing. It’s one thing to do therapy and deliverance, and another to face your childhood head-on.
Girls Anthem: Okay, I love that. You stood in the tension of the pain and let your real life aid in your healing. Now, this issue has been coming together beautifully—between the covers, the images, and the layout. Many young girls want to know: can you still be successful, stylish, and confident—and still love Jesus?
Mya Kay: Of course! Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts is a great example of this because she merges style and faith so well. We represent Christ. We don’t have to look homely or boring to serve God. People are drawn to our internal light, but the anointing flows from top to bottom. God gave each of us a personal style, just like our personalities. He wants to use all of that. The key is not to get caught up in it. I remember in February 2020, just before the pandemic, I planned to wear a certain outfit for a speaking engagement. God kept pointing me to a plain black dress. I didn’t get it—until my cycle came right before the event. God was refining me then; it was about the message, not the clothes. As long as we remember Psalm 1:1-3 and Joshua 1, we can be successful God’s way—but it starts with success in His Word.
Girls Anthem: You just set some people free with that. I can feel it! Speaking of God’s Word, what’s one daily habit or decision that helps you stay rooted in Christ?
Mya Kay: Prayer. When I say I love prayer, I really mean it. It’s the one thing I never skimp on. Some days I read the Word but don’t study it deeply—I just meditate on it. But we’re told to “study to show yourself approved” (2 Timothy 2:15), so there are times I push myself to study more. Still, prayer is my constant. You’ll find me praying all day, every day. Prayer keeps me rooted in Christ and connected with heaven. At any moment, I can hear God’s voice, guiding me on what to pray about next.
Girls Anthem: What do your prayers sound like when you’re overwhelmed or doubting?
Mya Kay: Like a conversation. I tell God exactly how I feel and what’s going on. I lay it all out. If I’m going to walk this out, I give Him all of me. Once I get myself out of the way, I can hear Him better. It’s just me sharing my heart with my Father.
Girls Anthem: What do you say to the girl who feels like she has to choose between God and her dreams?
Mya Kay: God didn’t separate Joseph from his dreams, so why would He separate you? You don’t have to choose between God and your dreams. You might need to choose God’s dream over yours, but God placed those dreams in your heart for a reason—they’re part of His bigger plan to bring Jesus to the world. Sometimes, you have to lay down your “right now” dream to pick up His, but that doesn’t mean you can’t revisit yours later. For example, this issue comes out September 2025, and next month I’m starting my PhD in Health Sciences, focusing on Exercise & Sport Science. I laid down my dream of being a pediatrician in college and picked up God’s dream for me. I love writing, and Girls Anthem is proof of that. But God is also opening doors for me in medicine, with a twist. I didn’t realize how much I loved sports and fitness until recently. Sometimes, God helps us discover new passions. Trust the process—it’s worth it.
Girls Anthem: Wow. That’s big. Congrats on that! I think this is a perfect place to end the Q&A, but don’t worry ladies. We have some great additions to this article that’ll answer more questions and provide more tools for you. You’ve shared so much about your journey, from childhood until now. What would you tell a girl that feels like it’s too late to turn her life around?
Mya Kay: I would tell her to reach out and touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. I’m not being funny with that. Ask Jesus to meet you where you are. Ask Him out loud, right where you are and don’t stop asking until you have an encounter with Him that makes you realize He heard you. It’s never too late to turn your life around. You just gotta be willing to surrender to Christ wherever you are and no matter what you’ve done. Don’t let shame dictate your pursuit. It may take some time, but you gotta push past the voice of shame and the enemy telling you that you’re too dirty for God. God loves cleaning us up. He created man from dust, so dirt doesn’t frighten Him (you’re not dirty, by the way, but I know how the enemy can make us feel). Trust that even now, God’s hand is out, waiting for you to grab it. He will pull you out of the miry clay (Psalm 40:2).Then vs. Now Timeline:
At 18:
Mentally: Battling schizophrenia but didn’t have a name for it yet. I was depressed all the time and struggling heavily with identity.
Spiritually: Struggling with my identity. I still had a strong same-sex attraction (I was touched at four by another little girl). I was even in a same-sex relationship at this age.
Emotionally: I was an emotional wreck. I was tough on the outside, but once I got home from school or work, I was crumbling.
At 25:
Mentally: Still struggling, but now I had a name for the mental illness and knew what I was dealing with. My faith was stronger, so I was a little stronger.
Spiritually: This is when I became really serious about Christ. I was determined to stay rooted in Him and chase Him the way I once chased men who were no good for me.
Emotionally: Stronger, but still struggling with loneliness, which often made me run back to bad relationships — including friendships.
At 30:
Mentally: I was seeing how schizophrenia affected my relationships and decisions more than ever. I was still going through deliverance but took it more seriously this time.
Spiritually: More mature in Christ but still searching for some answers.
Emotionally: Still running to sex to heal wounds, not realizing it created deeper scars. This caused bouts of depression at times.
Today (at 41):
Mentally: Supernaturally delivered from schizophrenia and chronic depression. I still have moments of sadness, but they’re tied to events — not a cloud hanging over my life.
Spiritually: I feel like Joseph—standing with Christ whether in the pit or the palace. I’m more mature in my walk and a prayer warrior (people actually come to me for prayer!). I lead the best ministry ever, Girls Anthem.
Emotionally: Healed and whole in my emotions. Healing is ongoing, but I can go through storms without panicking, handle life’s blows without succumbing, and navigate hardships with wisdom and grace.
Major turning points:
Age 19:
I spoke with Deanna Vinson, a small group leader at my then church home, about the mental illness. Over the next two years, I was led to Reverend Geneva Hackett and Dr. Candi Stewart. All three women played pivotal roles in my deliverance.
Heartbreaks:
Honestly, outside of my high school sweetheart who broke up with me in high school, I haven’t had a real, serious relationship. I’ve had situationships, but nothing serious. However, I’ve learned that heartbreak doesn’t just come from romantic relationships. Most recently, my father broke my heart via text by telling me he wanted nothing else to do with me. Sometimes, our heartbreaks come from those who should love us most.
I’ve also realized that waiting on God for my husband can cause heartbreak. Not because I’m dating someone who isn’t right for me (I’ve been abstinent and haven’t dated for eight years), but because watching others get married while I wait on God for my own can be painful—especially since I didn’t want to get married at first. That’s changed, and again, God gives us the desires of our hearts. But I wasn’t pressed for it before.
Heartbreaks come in many different ways, but during those times, we have to lean into Psalm 34:18 — “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.”
Career pivots:
At 20, I switched my major from pre-med to Journalism. I went on to study English Creative Writing in graduate school but tried to pry open the nursing/medical door again between semesters. I had to rest in the fact that God knew what He was doing.
At 27, I taught ESL in South Korea. I spent a year teaching English as a Second Language full-time, capitalizing on my Master’s in English. It made me realize that God will open doors in His time and allow you to pursue passions—even if you don’t end up in them full-time.
At 26, I self-published my first book, Speechless: Short Stories. From that point until today, I’ve had multiple publishing deals, been nominated for book awards, and published over fifteen books.
At 40, I launched Girls Anthem Magazine, and right after, Girls Anthem Media. Both are designed to produce transformative content that helps women and girls go from consuming culture that wounds to
encountering media that heals—rebuilding the ruins of media with God’s truth (Isaiah 61:4).
At 41, I’m going back to school for my PhD in Health Sciences with a focus in Exercise & Sport Science. I’m excited to see God take my history and launch the next phase of my destiny as I partner with girls and women in sports to help them become whole—mind, body, and spirit.
Faith & Therapy Sidebar:
Faith and therapy can work together, as I mentioned above. Here are some things to remember as you pursue healing in all areas:
· God cares about all of you. He wants you whole in every area. The key is to keep Him at the center of every strategy and pursuit.
· Prayer and therapy both require work. You can’t just pray once and sit back, just like you can’t go to therapy once and expect a miracle. Create a strategy for your prayer life and one for therapy. As you work those strategies, watch God move.
· Listen to God’s will for your healing. He may send you to someone who walks you through deliverance first, then leads you to therapy. God didn’t want me going to a psychiatrist first because it could block what He was trying to do supernaturally. I remember begging my mom to 302 me, but she wouldn’t. Now I realize God knew the doctors wouldn’t understand the spiritual side and that medication would just numb symptoms—not remove the root cause, which was His plan all along.
You are not crazy for needing help. You’re brave for seeking it. Here are some resources we’ve vetted:
· Just Heal with Dr. Jay: We love this platform and the tips they provide. Check him out at https://kjbcoaching.com. Be sure to check out the Just Heal Bro podcast on YouTube and streaming platforms. If you can’t afford therapy right now, lean into podcasts and books to help until you can.
· Books: The Garden Within by Dr. Anita Phillips and Why Am I Like This? by Kobe Campbell. Both offer powerful approaches to mental and emotional well-being and have accompanying podcasts. (Dr. Anita’s is on hiatus as of this issue, but the backlog is fire!)
· Voice Diary: One of the greatest tools I ever used was creating a voice diary. I’ve kept one since 2018—recording my dreams, interpretations, thoughts, pain, confusion, all of it. I move these memos to a disk every few months so my phone doesn’t fill up. Don’t underestimate this tool. It’s invaluable.
2 Corinthians 10:5
This scripture literally saved my life when I was in college. I had to learn to discipline my mind—not to let my thoughts run wild with shame, guilt, fear, lust, or rejection. That verse taught me I wasn’t powerless. Even when my mind felt like a battlefield, God gave me authority to speak over it.
Here’s a prayer for your journey:
“Father, in the name of Jesus, I surrender my thoughts to You. Every lie that tells me I’m not enough, I cast down. Every thought that exalts itself above Your truth, I bring into obedience right now. Help me to renew my mind daily with Your word and guard my heart with Your peace. I declare I have the mind of Christ. When the enemy tries to flood me with fear or anxiety, remind me of Your promises. Let my thoughts align with heaven, and let my heart rest in Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
P.S. The Gen Z Issue is now available for purchase! With every print copy, you get a free PDF via Magcloud. Purchase Here