CEO of Whole Self Collaborative | Erin Swem

Erin Swem (she/her) is a poet, artist, and all around badass CEO for the nonprofit Whole Self Collaborative. We caught up with Erin for Women’s History Month to hear her story.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I'm a trauma therapist and CEO of the non-profit Whole Self Collaborative, primarily serving the LGBTQIA+ community. It's truly my dream job and I couldn't imagine doing anything else. I am a poet and a deeply creative person at heart. My undergraduate degree is in biology and I still LOVE science. I call myself an amateur photographer, and you could probably find me wandering around a parking lot or laying on the ground to get a good shot, especially if the sky is giving ombre or the moon is in the sky... at all. I love words, cats, and all things celestial. I read tarot.. you will RARELY catch me without a deck on me (and we won't mention how many decks I own). If you ever play 2 truths and a lie with me, just know that I  have some doozies!

What is one thing you enjoy about living in the Tennessee Valley Area? 

The stunning views! I love the landscape of the mountains, especially in the spring and fall. The photographer and scientist in me are particularly drawn to these aspects of the area!

What is one thing you don’t enjoy about living in the Tennessee Valley Area? 

The social climate can be challenging, as it's a predominantly conservative area-- which means that people like me, the people I love, and the community I serve face a lack of acceptance and understanding.

What is one hope you have for 2025? 

Something that I am hoping for in 2025, which is already in the works, is to publish my first book of poetry. I'm really excited about it as I am working with an up and coming publishing company, Tempest Press, which is a woman owned business that is focused on publishing female, POC, and LGBTQIA+ authors.

When you think of existing as a woman in the LGBTQ+ community, what are some of your superpowers? What are some of the obstacles you’ve encountered? 

I think within the community, my superpowers align to those I have in the world at large. I'm deeply intuitive and a natural encourager. This allows me to see connections--sometimes before others realize they exist-- and uplift others in a way that is authentic rather than just lip service. I also am really comfortable sitting with the hard stuff. If you're having a really hard time and you need someone to listen, I can do that without telling you that it gets better or giving you advice that you aren't asking for. And like the rest of the women in the LGBTQ+ community.. I'm STILL HERE. We're resilient and not going anywhere!

In terms of obstacles, I think CompHet has been the hardest for me, as it is what kept me in the closet so long (even to myself). As a "late-in-life-lesbian" I often look back and think "the signs were all there" yet I genuinely had no idea I was queer until I was well into my adulthood. It's frustrating, but I know I'm not alone in this experience.

If you could say one thing to other women in our community, what would it be? 

As I say quite often, I have a poem for that:

unfurling ember

resignation to fear, an unacceptable familiarity 

defiantly staring into the abyss, with raised fist

no more will she bow to despair 

choosing a revolution of wrath, now

lest all be lost… the price is exponential 

a debt she has not incurred, no longer

shouldering the burden, nor lose one more

moment of sleep

judgment day has arrived 

the empire of men collapses 

patriarchy— you were warned!

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

I have a tattoo on my left arm, which I have dubbed my reminder arm, in my own writing that says, "your hope will not be lost;" Right now, the world can feel extraordinarily hopeless, but I believe-- deep in my core--that as a community OUR hope will not be lost.