Cherry Ringgold

Shedding Her Skin

A Journey from Silence to Wholeness, and From Survival to Becoming

"She thought silence made her strong. She thought survival was enough. Then came the call to something deeper — wholeness."

A story written in the space between breaking and becoming.

Cherry Ringgold was fifty years old and still piecing herself back together — after a marriage, a career, and a lifetime of holding everyone else together. Shedding Her Skin is the memoir born from that reckoning: a Caribbean-rooted, faith-filled account of silence, survival, and the slow, sacred work of becoming whole.

Written with the intimacy of a journal and the conviction of a testimony, it’s a hand extended to every woman who is tired of pretending she’s fine.

I. Facing Hidden Brokenness

Uncover the silent pain beneath your strength.

II. Healing Through Reflection

Honest, journal- style storytelling that heals as it’s read.

III. Spiritual Rebuilding

How God restores — piece by piece, breath by breath.

IV. Survival to Becoming

Moving beyond getting by, and into purpose.

V. The Power of Surrender

Letting go as the starting point of transformation.

VI. Beauty in Broken Places

Finding purpose in scars, tears, and silent battles.

Ten parts. One becoming.

Shedding Her Skin unfolds in ten parts, each pairing a season of the journey with the chapter that carries it — from the roots beneath the silence, to the grace on the other side.

Part One · The Roots Beneath the Skin

Chapter 1 — The Weight I Was Born Into

Where generational weight first took shape.

Part Two · The Break Before the Becoming

Chapter 2 — When the Mask Cracked

The moment the strong-woman mask finally gives way.

Part Three · Learning to Breathe Again

Chapter 3 — Silence Speaks First

Learning that silence was never truly safety.

Part Four · The Wilderness Season

Chapter 4 — Wrestling in the Dark

A wandering season with nowhere left to perform.

Part Five · Rebuilding the Sacred Space

Chapter 5 — Coming Home to Myself

Laying the first stones of a self worth returning to.

Part Six · The Threads That Held Me

Chapter 6 — Anchors Along the Way

The people and prayers that held the line.

Part Seven · Stepping Into the Light

Chapter 7 — Shedding the Old Skin

Letting the old skin fall away, for good.

Part Eight · Walking in Wholeness

Chapter 8 — The Woman I'm Becoming

Standing in a wholeness that took a lifetime to reach.

Part Nine · A Letter to My Daughters

Chapter 9 — What I Want You to Know

Everything she needs the next generation to carry forward.

Part Ten · Closing Reflection

Chapter 10 — Grace for What's Next

Closing one chapter with grace for what's next.

Cherry Ringgold

Cherry Ringgold is a Caribbean-born author, speaker, and creative entrepreneur whose work centers on healing, identity, womanhood, and faith. Shedding Her Skin, her debut memoir, traces the emotional work of breaking generational silence, rediscovering self-worth, and trusting God through life’s rebuilding seasons.

She’s especially passionate about walking alongside women in midlife transition as they reclaim their voice, confidence, and purpose — through her writing, speaking engagements, and community events. Cherry lives in Owings Mills, Maryland.

What readers are saying

"Cherry's words are filled with strength, vulnerability, and truth. This book will stay with me for a long time."

Ten parts. One becoming.

Available now, in every format

Choose the way you love to read. Every format carries the same story.

Kindle

$9.99

Instant access to Cherry’s story — start your journey of transformation on any device.

Paperback

$19.99

Instant access to Cherry’s story — start your journey of transformation on any device.

Hardcover

$25.99

Instant access to Cherry’s story — start your journey of transformation on any device.

Also by Cherry

Shedding Her Skin: A 30-Day Devotional

The same journey, in shorter, daily reflections — scripture, prayer, and prompts for women ready to heal.

Ten parts. One becoming.

Bring Cherry to your community

Cherry speaks at women’s ministry gatherings, book clubs, retreats, and panels on healing, identity, and faith after life’s storms.