Goddess Force Empowers Women Through Healing And Networking

REDONDO BEACH, CA — Gloria Florinda Palma — who also goes by "Goddess Gloria" — refers to woman as "beautiful goddess sisters" and frequently uses phrases such as "enjoying this precious moment" and "sending you an abundance of love." To put it simply, she radiates positivity, but it wasn't always that way.

Palma credits a modern dance class in college for her positive thinking. The class required a book report and after reading "The Power of Positive Thinking" by Norman Vincent Peale, it "totally changed her life," she said. That wasn't the only book that was life-altering for Peale. After years in an abusive marriage, Palma received a book for her 36th birthday, "Mama Gena's School of Womanly Arts: Using the Power of Pleasure to Have Your Way with the World" by Regena Thomashauer, which led to the creation of Goddess Force.

"My goal for Goddess Force was to empower women and give them a safe space to heal," Palma said.

Goddess Force began as a for-profit company, "similar to Match.com," according to Palma, to give moms a place to make friends. However, when the business started to go in the wrong direction, it was re-launched as a non-profit group for women to network, empower each other, and heal, she said.

The first few Goddess Force events had hundreds of women in attendance, and after getting "burnt out," Palma scaled them down and hosted smaller events more frequently. With a stockbroker background, Palma referred to the new version of Goddess Force as a "brokerage of healers."

"I learned two things in the rise and fall of Goddess Force: no one succeeds alone, and I’m really shitty at running a corporation," Palma laughed.

Her peers were surprised at the transition from successful stockbroker to head of Goddess Force, and thought she had "lost her mind." However, Palma said she's achieved every goal she's set for herself and doesn't intend on stopping now.

There are different types of Goddess Force events, but one of the most popular workshops consists of three steps: I love myself, I forgive myself, and I heal myself. This technique will be used at the upcoming Goddess Gathering on July 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. where women will be able to participate in games, networking opportunities, and empowerment through the program.

This event will be for women only and will feature vendor booths, speakers, and networking opportunities with different healers talking through each of the three steps throughout the day. It costs $20, and will be hosted at the Hermosa Beach Community Center located at 710 Pier Avenue, Hermosa Beach. For more information visit Goddess Force on Facebook or Instagram.

Photos provided by Goddess Force