Valerie Valentino
August 2025 ANNEfluencer
Valerie grew up in Greenville, North Carolina, where her early years were filled with the competitive spirit of athletics. She played basketball, cross country, soccer, and volleyball—planting the seeds of her lifelong passion for fitness and drive.
At just 20 years old, Valerie made a courageous decision to join the U.S. Air Force to help pay for college. She became a Communications and Navigation Specialist, working on KC-135 aircraft—massive military planes used for aerial refueling and transport. She thrived in the high-pressure world of aviation maintenance, embodying excellence and discipline.
But at age 22, Valerie’s world shifted. She discovered a golf-ball sized lump in her throat that was later diagnosed as Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Rather than letting cancer define her, she attacked it head-on with resilience and faith. Valerie faced chemotherapy with grit and grace, and despite the toll it took on her body, she emerged victorious and transformed—finishing her final round of treatment while living in North Dakota.
Following her recovery, Valerie spent about three years working as a delivery driver, rebuilding her strength and reconnecting with her body. She soon transitioned into her true calling as a personal trainer and health coach, helping others achieve their fitness goals and reclaim their health. During this time, she became immersed in the world of powerlifting, pushing her body to new limits. It was at a competition where she met her future husband, JW.
“JW is the one who taught me about nutrition,” Valerie says. After beating cancer, she realized she had survived chemo but knew nothing about nourishing her body. “I would go to chemo and then through the drive-thru at McDonald’s.” With JW’s guidance and her own fire to rebuild, she embraced a healthy lifestyle—and eventually, a brand-new business.
After giving birth to their son, Valerie deepened her expertise, becoming a certified personal trainer with a specialty in pregnancy and postpartum athleticism. As she trained others, her passion for juicing began. It started as a few orders from gym friends… and quickly snowballed.
With faith at the center of their decision-making, Valerie and JW prayed for guidance. “God has a plan for us,” she’d say. “Let’s ask Him to open doors.”
The doors flew open.
She began juicing out of her home, taking orders Monday through Thursday, shopping on Fridays, juicing on Saturdays, and delivering on Sundays. “We had fruit everywhere,” she laughs. “All over the garage.” What started as a goal to sell 100 bottles quickly turned into 250 bottles a month. That’s when JW, inspired by the vision, quit his job in the oil fields. “I wish we could do this every day,” he said. The very next day, they bet on themselves—and never looked back.
From their kitchen to a rented kitchen, to juicing 18 hours a day, the couple’s relentless work ethic fueled their growth. They opened their first Jack & Juice shop in 2023. By 2024, they had sold it. And in 2025, they returned to Valerie’s roots in Greenville, NC to bring Jack & Juice home.
You can now visit Jack & Juice in Arlington Village, where Valerie and JW serve made-from-scratch smoothies, açai bowls, and fresh-pressed juices in a space full of love, health, and hope.
Valerie’s story is one of deep resilience, bold faith, and fearless entrepreneurship. She reminds us that the most powerful stories are the ones we write ourselves.
Come taste the spirit of strength at Jack & Juice – 642 E. Arlington Blvd Greenville, NC.
Welcome home, Valerie. Pirate Anne salutes you.
Why she’s an ANNEfluencer: Valerie’s journey is one of resilience, faith, and determination. A Greenville native, she served in the U.S. Air Force before bravely overcoming Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at just 22. Her battle sparked a passion for health and fitness, leading her and her husband JW to build Jack & Juice from their home kitchen into a thriving business. Now back in Greenville, Valerie serves fresh, made-from-scratch juices and smoothies, inspiring others with her story of courage, perseverance, and faith in God’s plan.
Read Valerie’s story →
Patty Schaeffer
Igniting Hope: A Transformational Journey
From the quiet pews of a Mississippi church to the fiery paths of personal transformation, Patty Schaeffer’s life story is a testament to resilience, faith, and the indomitable human spirit. As our July 2025 ANNEfluencer, we honor Patty’s unwavering commitment to healing, empowerment, and community upliftment.
Raised as a pastor’s daughter in Mississippi, Patty’s early life was steeped in spirituality and community service. However, the transition to adulthood brought unforeseen challenges. Despite earning a scholarship to Texas A&M, Patty’s academic pursuits were derailed by struggles with alcohol. Her subsequent career as a dental technician was similarly overshadowed by substance use, leading to a decade-long battle with addiction, incarceration, and mental health institutionalization.
It was during these turbulent years that Patty encountered a profound revelation: the Greek word for trauma translates to “wound.” This insight became the cornerstone of her healing journey, prompting a deep exploration of her own traumas and the wounds they left behind.
In 2007, Patty embarked on her path to recovery, embracing the philosophy that “any positive change is good change.” Her personal transformation inspired the creation of WellSurgent, a North Carolina-based nonprofit dedicated to mental health, wellness, and recovery education. As Executive Director, Patty collaborates with organizations across the state, offering training and support services to individuals facing mental illness, developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and substance use disorders.
Patty’s commitment to personal growth and empowerment extends beyond traditional therapeutic modalities. Alongside her husband, Ron, she co-founded Obsidian Firewalking, an initiative that uses the ancient practice of firewalking as a metaphor for overcoming fear and embracing transformation. As Master Firewalk Instructors, the Schaeffers guide participants through experiences designed to ignite inner strength and resilience.
For more info follow @obsidianfirewalking
https://obsidianfirewalking.com
Why she’s an ANNEfluencer: Our July ANNEfluencer, Patty Schaeffer, has turned her story of addiction, trauma, and recovery into a beacon of hope.
From Mississippi pastor’s daughter to battling addiction and incarceration, Patty chose healing—founding WellSurgent, a North Carolina nonprofit supporting mental health and recovery. With her husband, she also co-founded Obsidian Firewalking, helping others conquer fear and embrace transformation.
Her motto: “Any positive change is good change.”
Read Patty’s story →
May 2025 ANNEfluencer - Jenn Wood
Pirate Looks at 50 ✨ 🏴☠️
Aye, what’s the treasure we’re all really searchin’ for? Some say it’s gold, but those of us who’ve sailed a few storms know—it’s clarity, health, and a deep connection to self.
This May, we raise our compass and salute Jenn Wood, our Annefulencer of the Month, as she celebrates turning 50 with the heart of a healer and the spirit of a true Pirate Anne. Jenn isn’t just the guiding light behind Raccoon Run Reiki—she’s a full-on spiritual powerhouse: tarot reader, psychic, energy worker, and quantum manifestor.
As Jenn steps boldly into the second half of life, she’s made a vow to make Health her new North Star. Hydration, protein, stretching, strength training—she’s turned these into rituals, just as sacred as meditation and stillness. Because in the quiet, she says, is where the real work happens. Where healing starts. Where the soul whispers its truth.
By trusting her intuition and honoring her energy, Jenn not only helps others heal—she’s healing herself. And in true Pirate Anne fashion, she doesn’t stop there. She’s chasing her dreams, setting bold intentions, and leaning into life’s next great adventure.
Her motto?
“The choices you make today become who you are tomorrow.”
So if you’re ready to align your energy, chart your course, or just share a cup of tea with someone who sees the real you—set sail toward @raccoonrunreiki where
Jenn offers 1:1 sessions (virtual or in person), and small group readings too.
This month, we toast to Jenn.
To 50.
To health.
To honoring your gifts.
To living wild, wise, and Anne-fully free.
#PirateAnne #AnnefulencerOfTheMonth #RaccoonRunReiki #WomenOver50 #HealingJourney #ReikiHealer #SpiritualGifts #PirateLooksAt50 #QuantumQueen #TarotReader #StrengthAndStillness #PirateAnneSlays
Why she’s an ANNEfluencer: This month, Pirate Anne raises a toast to Jenn Wood, our Annefluencer of the Month, as she turns 50 with the heart of a healer and the spirit of a true pirate. Jenn is the force behind Raccoon Run Reiki—a psychic, tarot reader, energy worker, and quantum manifestor—helping others heal while honoring her own journey.
Marking her milestone birthday, Jenn has made health her new North Star, weaving strength training, hydration, and stillness into sacred rituals alongside meditation and intuition. She reminds us that “the choices you make today become who you are tomorrow,” embodying resilience, wisdom, and freedom.
Read May’s story →
Kia Glosson
Pirate Anne’s September 2025 ANNEfluencer:
If there’s one word to sum up Kia Glosson, it’s heart.
Not just for her family and friends, but in everything she sets her mind to—Kia leads with compassion, creativity, and resilience.
From an early age, Kia had an artistic soul. She followed that passion all the way to East Carolina University, where she studied art education with a focus in pottery (a true Pirate alum—arrgh!). After graduation, Kia taught for Wilson Public Schools before dedicating herself fully to raising and homeschooling her three children for the next 21 years.
“I loved the collaboration with other homeschooling parents,” Kia shares. “I wanted my kids to have hands-on learning as well as strong critical thinking skills. We did a lot of field trips!”
When her children left the nest, Kia felt a new calling. Her volunteer work led her to a position as a Community Educator at ECU TEDI BEAR, North Carolina’s largest children’s advocacy center. TEDI BEAR provides assessment, treatment, education, and prevention for children who may have experienced abuse or neglect.
“My director at Tedi Bear took a chance on me and really gave me an opportunity to shine,” Kia says.
And shine she did. Yet, after years of teaching and service, Kia felt a tug in her spirit: Was it time to go back to school?
At that same time, both of Kia’s parents were struggling with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Though her heart ached to stay close, her parents encouraged her to pursue her dreams: “We’ll be OK,” her father told her. With their blessing—and aided by ECU tuition assistance, grants, and fellowships—Kia courageously returned to school at 53 years old, pursuing her Master’s in Social Work.
Her journey was not without heartbreak. Both of her parents passed while she was in school. But Kia held onto their pride, love, and encouragement, finishing her degree in 2022 and walking across the stage at 56 years young.
Now, she’s determined to become fully licensed at the age of 60 —proving that dreams have no expiration date.
True to her artistic roots, Kia plans to blend her love of expressive arts with her work in therapy, helping others heal through creativity. When she’s not seeing clients, you can still find her teaching pottery classes at Emerge Gallery in Greenville, sharing her gift and passion with the community.
And this year, Kia took an even bigger leap: she’s opened her own practice and is now accepting new clients.
If you’d like to connect with Kia for her heartfelt services, she can be reached Kiagglosson@gmail.com
Why she’s an ANNEfluencer: Kia’s story is a reminder that strength and resilience take many forms. She shows us that it’s never too late to chase a dream, that love and service to others leave lasting legacies, and that art and heart together can create healing.
Kia Glosson is the embodiment of what it means to be a Pirate Anne ANNEfluencer: bold, resilient, and deeply committed to living with heart.
Read Kia’s story →
Jocelyn Pringle
Student ANNEfluencer Spotlight 2025
At just 20 years old, Jocelyn Pringle embodies the grit, faith, and resilience of a true Pirate Anne.
Growing up in Jacksonville, Florida, Jocelyn was always an athlete. At Providence School, she excelled on the basketball court and dreamed of earning a scholarship to play in college. But when a serious knee injury shattered those plans, she faced one of the toughest battles of her life. Unsure if she’d ever play sports again — let alone compete at the collegiate level — Jocelyn leaned on her faith and her unshakable determination to heal, rebuild, and come back stronger.
And she did exactly that. After a long and grueling recovery, Jocelyn earned acceptance to East Carolina University and walked on to the track & field team as a hammer thrower. Not only did she make the team — she rose to the top, now holding the #1 ranking in the country for her event.
When she’s not training or studying, you can find Jocelyn recovering at Cryo 252, serving at Sup Dogs, or capturing life’s moments with her trusty camera.
Jocelyn is an inspiration to young women everywhere — proof that when life knocks you down, you get back up, stronger and more determined than ever.
That’s why we’re proud to name Jocelyn Pringle as our ECU ANNEfluencer for Spring 2024.
Never stop. Never settle. Always rise.
#ECUANNEfluencer #PirateAnne #ResilientWomen #StrongerThanEver
Why she’s an ANNEfluencer: Jocelyn Pringle is the definition of resilience. After a knee injury threatened to end her athletic dreams, she fought her way back — walking on to ECU’s track & field team as a hammer thrower and rising to #1 in the country. At just 20 years old, she inspires young women to get back up stronger every time life knocks them down. Jocelyn credits her faith, determination, and hard work for her incredible journey, and we’re proud to honor her as our Spring 2024 ECU ANNEfluencer.
Read Jocelyn’s story →
Erika Taylor
A True Pirate Anne Woman
Resilient. Fearless. Determined. Erika Taylor embodies the spirit of a Pirate Anne woman—strong, confident, and unwavering in the face of adversity.
Born in 1989 at just 1 lb, 15 oz at 26 weeks gestation, Erika’s fight for survival began long before she took her first breath. Her mother, facing a maternity care desert in Bladenboro, NC, had to be rushed 3.5 hours away to UNC Children’s Hospital to give her the best possible chance at life. In the absence of a NICU Family Support Unit, her family navigated the journey largely on their own, making sacrifices and enduring hardships that only strengthened their resolve.
From the very start, Erika was a fighter. Enrolled in a groundbreaking clinical trial for surfactant therapy, she became part of medical history, contributing to the research that would save countless premature babies in the years to come. Against the odds, she defied medical expectations, overcoming a heart murmur, a brain hemorrhage, and respiratory distress syndrome—conditions that could have defined her life but never did.
Now, at 35 years old, Erika has ZERO long-term complications from her preterm birth, a testament to both her own resilience and the power of medical advancements. But her journey didn’t stop at survival—she turned her experience into advocacy. A lifelong supporter of March of Dimes, she has dedicated over a decade serving on local and state boards, leading fundraising efforts, and shaping policies to support mothers and babies. As a medical family therapist and certified perinatal mental health provider (PMH-C), she now walks alongside families facing the same struggles her own family once did, offering them the support that was once so scarce.
Erika Taylor is more than a survivor—she is a force for change, a fierce advocate, and the embodiment of what it means to be a Pirate Anne woman. Strong. Bold. Unstoppable.
Erika Taylor is our March 2025 Pirate ANNEfluencer 🏴☠️
@estaylor2011
@marchofdimes.northcarolina
@marchofdimes
@uncchildrens
@pirateanneslays
Sent from my iPhone
Why she’s an ANNEfluencer: Erika Taylor embodies the spirit of a true Pirate Anne woman—resilient, fearless, and unstoppable. Born weighing just 1 lb, 15 oz, she defied incredible odds to survive and thrive, becoming part of groundbreaking medical history as a preemie. Today, she’s a passionate advocate for mothers, babies, and families, serving as a therapist, leader, and voice for change. Her journey from NICU warrior to community champion is a powerful reminder that strength and determination can change lives
Read Erika’s story →
Ellen Sheffer
April 2025 ANNEfluencer of the Month
Ellen’s journey started at East Carolina University, where she studied Neuroscience and Psychology, setting her sights on a career in medicine focused on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome research. But when the funding for her research fell through, she found herself at a crossroads. Refusing to be defeated, Ellen pivoted—taking on a role at REAL Crisis Suicide Hotline while nurturing a side hustle: a mobile spray tan business.
Growing up in Barbecue, NC, and striking out on her own in Greenville wasn’t easy. But Ellen pressed on, eventually opening her first brick-and-mortar spray tan studio—a space that provided her a place to live and work, though it came with one major challenge: no air conditioning. If you’ve ever experienced a Carolina summer, you know that’s no small feat for a spray tan artist!
When she faced obstacles, Ellen turned to her father, who kept her grounded with the saying:
“Are you eating honey and crackers yet?”—a reminder that things could always be worse and that she had the strength to push through.
And push through she did. Ellen mastered her craft through continuing education, built a loyal clientele, and in May 2019, she opened Southern Soleil’s current location at 802 Dickinson Avenue. Her business has been thriving ever since.
Ellen is living proof that when you follow your passion, success follows. During my time with her, I saw firsthand how spray tanning is more than just a beauty service—it’s an artform. But Ellen’s impact goes even deeper.
Her keen eye and knowledge of skin health have led her to encourage clients to have certain spots checked by doctors—some of which were later diagnosed as melanoma. Through her work, she’s helping women not just look and feel their best, but also stay healthy.
Ellen embodies the spirit of a resilient Pirate Anne woman—bold, determined, and unafraid to chart her own course.
@southernsoleil
P.S. @pirateanneslays loved the “House Rules”
#SouthernSoleil #SprayTanArtist #WomenInBusiness #PirateAnne #GlowUp #SunlessTanning
Why she’s an ANNEfluencer: Ellen's journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and refusing to let setbacks determine her destination.
Read Ellen’s story →
Constance Miller
🌟Testimony of Miracles and Faith 🌟
On January 13, 2008, Constance and her two boys faced a life-changing car accident. It left her with a broken femur and ankle, while her youngest son (just 3 at the time) suffered severe injuries, including a hole in his intestine.
What happened next is nothing short of miraculous:
Her baby boy recalls seeing a bright light and being held in the arms of Jesus, who gently placed him back into his hospital bed.
Constance, confined to a wheelchair, was told she’d need months to recover and learn to walk again. But just two weeks after the accident, her faith led her to church. After her Apostle prayed over her, God showed His glory—she stood up and walked to the front of the church!
What was supposed to take seven months only took three. Constance walked again without medical intervention, and her family experienced healing and blessings beyond what anyone could have imagined.
Her story is a powerful reminder of God’s healing power and the strength of unwavering faith.
Constance Miller is our ANNEfluencer for February 2025
Follow @pirateanneslays for more
Pirate Anne is the exclusive Coastal lifestyle brand for Strong, Confident woman
#MiracleTestimony #FaithInAction #HealingPower #GodIsAble #Inspiration #Miracles #PirateAnne
Why she’s an ANNEfluencer: After a devastating car accident in 2008, Constance and her young son experienced extraordinary healing through faith. Told she’d need months to walk again, she miraculously stood and walked just weeks later — a testimony to God’s power and her unwavering belief. Her story inspires us all to trust in miracles and keep moving forward with faith.
Read Constance’s story →
Chariesse Boyd - October 2025
From Brooklyn to nearly seven years of dialysis to a life-saving kidney transplant, discover how Chariesse Bord turned survival into a mission to give others hope.
In the heart of Brooklyn, where the streets hum with culture and survival, a young girl named Chariesse Boyd learned early what it meant to see people—not labels. “When you grow up somewhere like Brooklyn,” she says, “you embrace the melting pot. There’s no room for judgment.”
Surrounded by the rhythms of Little Italy, the flavors of Chinatown, and the colors of the Caribbean, Chariesse was raised in a world where every face told a story. That tapestry of humanity became the foundation of her purpose: to work with people, to understand them, and to bring them hope.
Her journey began with determination. In high school, she joined a co-op program that allowed her to alternate weeks between classes and working at Emigrant Savings Bank on Fifth Avenue. That first paycheck lit a fire within her—a taste of independence. But by twenty, she realized ambition alone wasn’t enough; the people climbing the ladder around her had degrees. So, she packed her courage and enrolled at The College of New Rochelle in upstate New York.
While studying psychology, fate found her in the form of a neighboring building—a behavioral health day program. She started volunteering, simply because it felt right. It didn’t take long before her compassion and skill turned into a calling. She moved from activities counselor to employment specialist, dedicating herself to helping adults with mental health challenges rediscover purpose.
After graduation, Chariesse accepted a position at Kings County’s infamous psychiatric unit, “The G Building.” The work was intense and unrelenting—but she stayed, heart first, because people needed her.
Then came love, marriage, and a dream of a quieter life. She and her husband left New York for Delaware, where she continued her work—this time inside the state prison system. She worked with some of the most vulnerable souls: incarcerated youth serving life sentences. “They thought their lives were over,” she said softly. “My job was to help them see that hope still existed.”
But even the strongest hearts can be tested. Her marriage ended. Life shifted again. Chariesse moved to North Carolina to care for her aging parents and found work in another prison—this time at Maury Correctional. The culture shock, both in the South and within the prison walls, was jarring. “I felt like a foreigner. A fish out of water,” she recalls. The emotional toll began to show physically. “I started losing my hair,” she admits. “I’d style it so no one noticed—but I knew.”
Years of stress, confinement, and emotional labor left scars unseen. Divorce, fertility struggles, and eventually an early hysterectomy followed. Then came another battle: her kidneys. In 2016, she was diagnosed with an acute kidney condition. Dialysis became her new normal—three evenings a week after full days of work. Few knew. “I never looked sick,” she says with quiet strength.
For nearly five years, she showed up—resilient, steadfast, unstoppable. And then, in December 2022, came the call that changed everything.
A kidney. A new chance at life.
Since her transplant, Chariesse has soared. She was featured on CBS Saturday Morning’s “Black Health Matters” segment, and today she serves as a Certified Kidney Advocate Coach with the American Kidney Fund, mentoring others through the same storm she once weathered alone.
Her dream? To one day launch her own nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals fighting kidney disease—to be the lifeline for others that she once needed herself.
Today, Chariesse still works within the prison system, training officers in Crisis Intervention and championing self-care for all. Her message is simple but powerful: “You cannot pour from an empty cup.”
From the heart of Brooklyn to the corridors of correctional facilities, from dialysis chairs to national news—Chariesse Boyd’s story is one of rebirth.
She is proof that even when life tries to take everything from you—your health, your marriage, your hope—you can rise again. Stronger. Softer. Braver.
Because when a woman like Chariesse Boyd chooses to keep going, she becomes more than a survivor—she becomes a beacon.
And that’s why this October, Pirate Anne proudly honors Chariesse Boyd as our Annefluencer of the Month—a woman who reminds us that even in life’s darkest storms, the light within you can still lead the way home.
Why she’s an ANNEfluencer: Chariesse Boyd was chosen as an ANNEfluencer because her life embodies resilience, compassion, and the courage to keep moving forward through even the roughest waters. From dedicating her career to people experiencing mental health challenges and incarceration to quietly enduring nearly seven years of dialysis before receiving a life-changing kidney transplant, Chariesse has continually turned hardship into purpose. Today, she uses her second chance at life to advocate for kidney health, teach others the importance of self-care, and remind people who feel forgotten that their story isn’t over yet.
Read Chariesse’s story →
KATE KERR
January 2025 Annefluencer
“The funny thing about starting over is that it teaches you what you’re really made of,” Kate reflects. As a mom to two daughters, she’s less interested in painting a perfect picture and more focused on showing them what real grit looks like in action. It’s why she connects so deeply with Pirate Anne’s mission - it’s about celebrating women who aren’t afraid to write their own rules.
Why she’s an ANNEfluencer: No fancy inspirational quotes are needed - just pure determination and the courage to keep going, even when the path ahead isn’t clear.
Read KATE’s story →
Beth Keeter
Teacher Annefluencer 2025
Those five simple words say it all. Ms. Beth Keeter at DH Conley has been lighting up classrooms and shaping young minds for over 35 years — teaching not just science, but curiosity, confidence, and compassion.
Why she’s an ANNEfluencer: As an Earth Sciences teacher, students don’t just learn about the Earth — they learn how to care for it, and for each other. That’s why we’re beyond proud to honor Ms. Beth Keeter as our Pirate Anne Teacher Annefluencer of the Year!
Read Beth’s story →
BONNIE JEAN KURAS
November 2025 Annefluencer
From Concord to the Netherlands to North Carolina, she’s continued to find her people—and help them find their way.
Why she’s an ANNEfluencer: We are so grateful for the heart and leadership she brings to the families and children of our state. Congratulations to Bonnie Jean Kuras, our November 2025 Pirate ANNEfluencer.
Read BONNIE’s story →
