About the Contributor
This story was written by Suzi Dent, shared as part of The Impactful Voice Project™ — One Voice. Infinite Impact.™
Suzi Dent is a film and television hair and makeup artist with more than forty years of industry experience who became a global advocate for women’s voices. Known for her courage in speaking out in the historic Rolf Harris case and for redefining confidence through pageantry, she now helps women step into their authentic power.
🔸 Category: Survivor
🔸 Country: Australia
🔸 Connect: https://www.suzident.com
“We’re not going to be quiet now. We’re going to use our voice.”
– Suzi Dent
Key Takeaways
- Trauma silences you but reclaiming your voice is the first step back to self.
- Confidence and self-esteem are not the same and both must be rebuilt intentionally.
- Saying yes to uncomfortable opportunities can break lifelong psychological barriers.
- Age is irrelevant when you choose courage over fear.
- Your story becomes a catalyst for others when you rise and speak.
Story Summary: Shared From a Live Talk by Suzi Dent
This story is drawn from a live presentation delivered by Suzi Dent about her journey from silence to unapologetic confidence. The video captures her reflections on growing up without a voice, surviving sexual assault in the entertainment industry, coming forward in the historic Rolf Harris case, and rebuilding her identity after decades of hiding her true self. It also documents the surprising path that led her into pageantry at fifty-five, where she confronted lifelong fears, stepped into visibility, and reclaimed her authentic womanhood.
What follows is not a polished narrative, but Suzi speaking in her own spontaneous voice about the moments that shaped her. Her experiences reveal how confidence and self-esteem diverge, how trauma can fracture identity, and how courage can be rebuilt at any age through deliberate, uncomfortable choices. Suzi’s words highlight the power of lived experience, the strength of collective female voices, and her determination to become the woman she was always meant to be.
Key themes explored in her talk include:
• Learning to listen to intuition after years of silence
• Understanding the difference between confidence and self-esteem
• Coming forward in the Rolf Harris trial and reclaiming her voice
• Hiding her body for decades and confronting deep psychological fear
• Entering a beauty pageant at fifty five and transforming her identity
• How taking risks and saying yes created a new life path
• The role of community, courage, and self-belief in healing
#UnapologeticConfidence #WomenRise #LivedExperienceMatters #TraumaRecoveryJourney #EmpoweredVoices #ReclaimYourVoice #ResilientWomen #CourageToSpeak #HealingThroughStory #IVPCommunity
Suzi Dent is an International Speaker, Published Author, and Advocate for Women’s Rights.
When it comes to speaking out about current issues in the world today, international media outlets have not been able to go past Suzi and her inspiring story.
With her extensive experience in the Entertainment industry as an award-winning Hair & Makeup Artist, Suzi is well-versed in all things media and entertainment.
Known worldwide for her bravery in coming forward in the Rolf Harris court case, Suzi has paved the way for thousands more to also find their voice and speak up.
