Lisa Carrington Firmin, champion for women veterans and leader in promoting healing through writing, presented the keynote speech at the 2026 Women in Publishing Summit.
At the 2026 Women in Publishing Summit, our keynote speaker Lisa Carrington Firmin delivered a powerful and deeply personal message about storytelling, healing, and the courage it takes to reclaim your narrative.
Lisa is an award-winning author, entrepreneur, poet, and decorated U.S. Air Force combat veteran. Her work focuses on trauma, resilience, and the transformative power of telling the stories that are often left untold.
Her keynote reminded us of something we say often in the Women in Publishing community:
Our stories matter.
And sometimes, sharing them can literally save lives.
Storytelling as a Path to Healing
Lisa shared that for decades, she carried trauma that she never spoke about publicly. Like many survivors of difficult experiences, she compartmentalized it in order to survive and succeed.
It took 40 years before she spoke openly about the sexual assault she experienced during military training.
That moment of vulnerability changed everything.
During the COVID lockdowns, Lisa began confronting the experiences she had buried for years. Through therapy and writing, she started transforming pain into purpose.
Eventually, that journey led to her first book.
Her message to writers was clear:
Creative expression can save a life.
Writing helped her process trauma, reclaim her voice, and connect with others who had experienced similar struggles.
As she told attendees during the keynote:
“With every word I write, every poem I pen, the burden lessens.”
transcript
From Op-Ed to Impact: When One Story Opens the Door for Many
Lisa’s first step into sharing her story publicly was an op-ed about military sexual trauma.
She didn’t expect what happened next.
After the article was published, survivors from across the country began reaching out to share their own experiences.
That response eventually led to her book Stories from the Front, which amplifies the voices of service members who experienced military sexual trauma.
The book includes stories from veterans across multiple branches of service and generations.
Lisa described the experience as overwhelming but deeply meaningful:
“I started getting people writing me, calling me, emailing me, sharing their stories. I was overwhelmed by what that piece brought up.”
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The book has since been used in educational settings and training sessions for military personnel and veterans.
Vulnerability Is Not Weakness
One of the most powerful moments of the keynote came when Lisa spoke about vulnerability.
For most of her military career, vulnerability felt impossible. The culture encouraged strength, resilience, and silence.
But writing her story changed that.
Lisa shared that the more she opened up about her experiences, the more powerful her voice became.
Her biggest lesson:
Vulnerability equals empowerment.
She explained that when we share our stories honestly, we give others permission to do the same.
Writing Through Trauma
Lisa also spoke about the emotional complexity of writing about painful experiences.
Writing about trauma can be healing, but it can also be difficult and triggering.
Her advice for authors working through personal experiences:
Work with professional support when needed
Set boundaries while writing
Take breaks when emotions become overwhelming
Remember that healing happens in different ways and timelines
One book that played a major role in her healing process was The Body Keeps the Score, which helped her understand how trauma impacts the brain and body.
Collaboration as a Force Multiplier
Another major theme of the keynote was the power of collaboration.
Lisa’s poetry collection Latina Warrior became a collaborative project with retired Army Major and artist Christina Helferich-Polosky. The book combines poetry and visual art to explore identity, trauma, and resilience.
Together they created a unique combination of poetry and visual art that explores trauma, healing, and identity.
Lisa described collaboration as a “force multiplier.”
When creators work together, their impact grows exponentially.
This message resonated deeply with the Women in Publishing community, where collaboration and mentorship are central values.
Owning Your Narrative
One of the most powerful poems Lisa shared during the keynote was “Invisible Veteran,” which highlights the experience many women veterans have of feeling unseen or unrecognized.
The poem eventually became so impactful that the Department of Veterans Affairs used it during a ceremony announcing a more gender-inclusive motto.
It’s a reminder that stories can influence real change.
As Lisa said during the keynote:
“Our stories really matter. They can save lives.”
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Key Lessons for Authors
Lisa closed her keynote by sharing several lessons she has learned through her journey as a writer and advocate:
1. Your story has power
Even the stories that feel small or personal can have profound impact.
2. Healing looks different for everyone
There is no single timeline or path for working through trauma.
3. Community is essential
Support networks, collaborators, and mentors help amplify our voices.
4. Authenticity resonates
Readers connect most deeply with stories that are honest and real.
5. Writing can be transformative
For many people, writing becomes both a creative outlet and a path to healing.
Why This Keynote Mattered
Lisa Carrington Firmin’s keynote was a powerful reminder that storytelling is more than creative expression.
It is:
Advocacy
Healing
Leadership
Community building
For many attendees, the keynote was deeply motivating. In fact, one participant shared that they went on to write 20,000 words immediately after the session.
That’s the kind of spark powerful storytelling can ignite.
Watch the Full Keynote
Lisa’s keynote is now available to watch on YouTube.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your story matters, this talk will remind you that it absolutely does.
Because stories don’t just change the writer.
They change the world.
