Sunny Gopual reminds women they’re not alone with first book

2026-03-29 - 00:35

Freelance Correspondent Many women quietly shoulder life’s hardest seasons—hidden behind careers, family roles, and expectations. With her debut book, Dear Sis, This Too Shall Pass: Letters of Hope, Healing and Sisterhood, Sunny Gopaul hopes to remind them they are not alone. A woman of faith and longtime advocate for women and youth development, Gopaul has spent more than a decade creating spaces for women and girls to grow, reflect, and support one another. Her new book continues that mission. “Every woman carries a story,” she says, “and every story deserves to be heard.” Gopaul’s work empowering others began years before the book was written. Since 2014, she has been involved in corporate communications and event management, founding initiatives that focus on developing confidence, leadership and personal growth among young people. Through her organisation, she hosts several events annually, including programmes aimed at strengthening public speaking, presentation skills and leadership among youth. One of her signature initiatives, the Whole Girl Workshop, has been running for the past decade and has reached nearly a thousand young participants. The workshops are held both in Port-of-Spain and in South Trinidad—a deliberate effort by Gopaul to remain connected to her roots. Originally from Marabella, she attended Naparima Girls’ High School and continues to bring programmes back to the southern community where she grew up. “I always try to duplicate events in the North and South so that more young people and women can access them,” she explains. Dear Sis, This Too Shall Pass is Gopaul’s first book, and its inspiration comes from deeply personal experiences. The collection of reflections was born out of a period of testing, pain and spiritual searching. During that time, she felt a growing calling to share what she was learning through faith, reflection and perseverance. “I believe in pain to purpose,” she says. The book offers faith-based reflections and heartfelt letters designed to comfort, encourage and uplift women navigating different seasons of life. It addresses themes such as healing, self-acceptance and emotional resilience—especially for women who often carry heavy internal struggles while still showing up for others. One of the realities Gopaul addresses is the silent pressure many women face as they move through different life stages. Women, she notes, can be especially hard on themselves. Many struggle with expectations at work, in family life and in their personal identity — often without the space to talk openly about their challenges. For women in midlife, additional physical and emotional changes, such as perimenopause and menopause, can add to that burden. “A lot of women are dealing with so much internally,” she says. “Yet we are expected to show up as we normally would.” Through her book, she hopes to reassure readers that their feelings are valid and that faith can provide strength even during uncertain moments. “My advice is to access your faith regardless of what you are going through right now,” she says. “It is our faith that carries us.” Beyond personal encouragement, Dear Sis, This Too Shall Pass also promotes unity among women. Gopaul believes women thrive when they support rather than compete with one another. Her experiences hosting workshops and gatherings over the years have shown her how powerful shared spaces can be for healing and growth. Her message is simple: kindness and encouragement can ripple outward in powerful ways. “When you help a woman, you help a family,” she says. “You help a daughter, a co-worker, a friend.” Following a successful launch event in Port-of-Spain, Gopaul is bringing the experience to San Fernando, hosting another gathering where women can come together for encouragement, reflection and connection. For her, the book is not just a publication—it is an extension of the safe spaces she has spent years creating. Through every letter and reflection, she hopes women will feel seen, supported and spiritually strengthened.