Heartpeople® Productions President, Devon Hansen, has inspired people for more than 20 years, sharing her amazing story of turning a once homeless life around to become a nationally known speaker, author, and artist. On April 11, 2003, Devon will be honored with Dayton, Ohio's most prestigious award as one of Dayton's "Top Ten Women".

At age 31, Devon was going through a divorce from her physician husband who manipulated and conspired with the judicial process. After a five minute preliminary hearing, the judge took away her children and ordered her out of her home. Her attorney, also the city's prosecutor, instructed her to leave town or she would never see her children again. With no supportive family to help her, she was driven to despair and financial ruin. She found herself homeless, forced to live on the streets amongst drug pushers, pimps, killers and prostitutes.

Losing all her self worth, she had to reinvent whom she was in order to survive and be accepted by these social outcasts. This harsh reality would eventually save Devon. She realized that to get her children back, she had to regain her life. With severe learning disabilities, and the odds stacked against her, she graduated from college with honors while surviving the horrors of the streets. Eventually, she found work and left her newfound street family by moving into a low-income housing project. Devon started her own business and began her struggle to rescue her children.

Fighting the legal system single-handedly that had forced her to a life on the streets, after ten torturous years of defeat, she eventually succeeded in outsmarting that cold-hearted system and won custody of her children. They were eventually determined Victims of Crime by Supreme Court of Ohio.

Devon was the consultant called to work with the Oklahoma City bomb survivors. Her book, Angry? Do You Mind If I Scream?, published by Health Communications, was the book they requested. World famous speaker and author Zig Ziglar says: "If a speaker's role is to encourage and inspire others to believe in themselves and do more with their lives, you will agree with me that Devon is a speaker. She has a rare and delightful ability to make you laugh at yourself and cry with others. She truly is a heart-to-heart communicator. Don't miss her!"

In 1996, Devon created a special valentine for her daughters. It was a heartfelt drawing, a gift of love. Much to her surprise, the Heartpeople® Valentines has spread its wings and is capturing the hearts of the world. The new Dayton Heart Hospital commissioned 144 pieces of Devon's artwork for the entire hospital.

Devon never forgets where she came from. Her positive purpose and fight for justice attitude have inspired thousands of people, including myself. She freely gives back to organizations by donating art and sharing her message of hope.

Devon Hansen encourages women to follow their own star! She teaches "when you are true to purpose, success will follow." Devon is truly Dayton's Hometown Hero.