Anti Bullying Advocate

When I step onto the stage, people can expect truth, transparency, and transformation. My speech isn’t just words—it’s a journey. I take the audience through real-life experiences of pain, bullying, and self-doubt, and show them how those very moments became the foundation for boldness, healing, and purpose.

They’ll laugh, reflect, and maybe even shed a tear—but most of all, they’ll leave inspired to rise above their own challenges. My message reminds every listener that no matter what they’ve been through, their story isn’t over. They have the power to turn their pain into purpose and live boldly

Teresa Leola Robinson, also known as Rita, is a survivor, speaker, and author who transformed years of bullying, abuse, and loss into a powerful message of healing and boldness.
Born and raised in Mount Vernon, New York, Teresa grew up in a large and often complicated household where love and hardship existed side by side. She was the only Robinson sibling to graduate high school, a milestone she achieved despite relentless bullying, and the devastating loss of her mother at just fifteen. That moment defined her — not as a victim, but as a fighter who would keep moving forward no matter the obstacles.
Teresa went on to raise her son, Craig, largely on her own. He became her anchor, her greatest reason to push through pain, and the living proof that boldness can be inherited. She worked tirelessly, beginning her career in 1987 as a civilian employee with the Town of Greenburgh Police Department, where she has now served for over 38 years. She later earned her college degree, balancing full-time work and single motherhood, proving that perseverance is stronger than circumstance.
In addition to her career, Teresa devoted over a decade to working with adults with autism, offering compassion and dignity to those who needed it most.
Her life has been filled with heartbreak — abusive relationships, betrayal, family loss, and the sting of being underestimated. Yet each challenge became fuel for her transformation. She found healing through therapy, the daily practice of affirmations, faith, and the love of people who reminded her of her worth.
In May 2025, Teresa stood on the TEDx stage in Clarkstown, New York, and shared her story with the world. That talk opened doors to international speaking engagements, including at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, local opportunities to inspire youth in her community through the Greenburgh Police Department’s Summer Youth Program, September 2025 speaking with parents from G.O.O.D for girls (mentoring young girls into positive woman, September 24, 2025 I had the option speak on a panel for authors @ The 54th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC), in Washington DC, October speaking to local schools & October 11, 2025 guest speaker by zoom for the Renew Your Mind Success Summit 2.0.
She is also deeply grateful for her partner, who entered her life and showed her a new way of being loved — with patience, kindness, and respect. Through him, she learned that true love begins with loving herself first.
Today, Teresa is more than a survivor — she is a bold voice for healing, resilience, and change. Through her book, From Bullied to Bold, she invites readers to rise above their pain, embrace their truth, and step boldly into the lives they were created to live.

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