Women’s History Month Feature
PaSH Magazine is celebrating Women’s History Month with a Q&A style mini-series highlighting women from many different industries making an impact in the world, their communities and for themselves. In this Q&A we will spend time with Yassie.
Meet Yassie
For pop artist Yassie, music has always been more than performance, its purpose, healing, and storytelling. But in the midst of a rising career, she made a courageous decision that would redefine her journey. Yassie stepped away from the spotlight for six months to write a children’s book inspired by her son and his experience with autism. That deeply personal project became The Way Shawn Sees It, a heartfelt story centered on compassion, awareness, and understanding, scheduled for release on Amazon Books on April 14, 2026.
This was not a pause driven by exhaustion or uncertainty. It was a choice rooted in love, faith, and responsibility.
Every page of The Way Shawn Sees It reflects Yassie’s devotion as a mother and her calling as a storyteller. Through her son’s eyes, readers are invited into a world rich with imagination, sensitivity, honesty, and resilience. The book celebrates neurodiversity while offering gentle insight into how children with autism experience emotions, friendships, and everyday moments. With warmth and authenticity, Yassie creates a powerful resource for families, educators, and young readers. One that fosters empathy, understanding, and connection.
What inspired you to write your latest book, and how does it reflect your experiences as a woman in today’s world?
My biggest inspiration was my son. Becoming his mother changed the way I see the world. When he was diagnosed with autism, it opened my eyes to a journey that many families experience but that is not always fully understood by others. I wanted to write a story that captured the beauty, patience, and unconditional love that exists in that journey.
As a woman and a mother, I have learned that advocacy often becomes part of your identity when you are raising a child with unique needs. This book reflects my experience of learning, growing, and fighting to make sure my son feels seen, understood, and celebrated for exactly who he is. More than anything, it is a love letter to him and a reminder that different does not mean less.
How do you see women’s perspectives shaping literature and storytelling differently than in past generations?
Women today are telling stories with more honesty and openness than ever before. Many women are sharing personal experiences about motherhood, caregiving, resilience, and identity. These perspectives bring depth and authenticity to literature and allow readers to see parts of life that were not always represented in the past. Stories from mothers raising children with autism are one example of how women’s voices are expanding the conversation in meaningful ways.
Were there cultural or societal barriers you faced as a woman author, and how did you navigate them?
One of the biggest challenges has been balancing motherhood with pursuing creative goals. Many women carry the responsibility of caring for their families while also trying to follow their passions. I have learned to navigate that by giving myself grace and remembering why I started this journey. I wanted to tell a story that matters and create something meaningful for my son and for families who may share similar experiences.
How does your work challenge traditional narratives about women, identity, or power?
My work challenges the idea that strength only looks one way. Strength can look like patience, advocacy, and unconditional love. Mothers of children with autism often become strong advocates for their children, and that kind of quiet resilience deserves to be recognized and valued.
In what ways do you hope your writing empowers or inspires other women readers or writers?
I hope my story reminds other mothers that they are stronger than they realize. Raising a child with autism can sometimes feel overwhelming, but it can also be incredibly beautiful and transformative. I want other women, especially mothers who may feel alone in this journey, to know that their love, patience, and advocacy matter more than they know.
For aspiring writers, I hope it shows that our real life experiences are powerful stories. Sometimes the moments that challenge us the most are the ones that shape us and inspire something meaningful. If my story encourages even one mother to feel seen or one woman to share her own voice, then it has done exactly what I hoped it would do.
How do you approach representing diverse voices or experiences in your storytelling?
I approach storytelling with empathy and honesty. Every family’s journey with autism is different, and it is important to recognize those differences. My goal is to write in a way that helps readers understand the emotional experiences behind the story and see the humanity in every perspective.
What role has mentorship, collaboration, or community played in your journey as an author?
Community has been very important in my journey. Support from other parents, educators, and advocates within the autism community has helped me feel less alone and more encouraged to share my story. When people come together to support one another, it creates a space where stories can grow and reach the people who need them most.
How do you balance the personal and professional aspects of your life while pursuing a career in writing?
Balance is something I continue to learn every day. Being a mother always comes first, but writing has also become an important way for me to express myself. I often write during quiet moments or when inspiration comes. It is about making space for creativity while still being present for my family.
Looking back, what advice would you give to young women aspiring to become authors in today’s literary landscape?
My advice would be to trust your voice and write from the heart. Stories that come from real experiences often connect with readers in the most powerful way. Do not wait for everything to feel perfect before you start. Your perspective and your story deserve to be heard.
On International Women’s Month, what do you hope the celebration of women in literature achieves for current and future generations?
I hope it continues to amplify women’s voices and create more opportunities for diverse stories to be shared. Women bring unique perspectives to literature, especially when it comes to family, resilience, and advocacy. Celebrating women writers encourages future generations to speak boldly, tell their stories, and know that their voices matter.
Thank you for reading this installment of the Women’s History Month Features. Come back each day to read a new inspiring story, centering women.
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