An Alexandria woman originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo is focused on empowering women with the publication of her first book.
Tania Dalia Kiboko published “Woman: Source of Happiness,” a story of self-discovery and finding inner strength geared toward women who have faced adversity and haven’t put themselves first. She drew from her own experiences and testimonies of women from Africa, Europe and North America as well as inspiration from biblical women.
Born in Kinshasa, Congo, Kiboko moved to the U.S. as an adult, leading her to work in interior architecture and insurance. During the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, she began writing as a way to process her own personal struggle.
Kiboko writes in English and French and published the book in both languages. Kiboko is planning to publish her second book — “From Tears to Joyful Hope: The Healed Woman” on a journey from pain to healing — in January 2027.
ALXnow: Tell me about your background and how you ended up in Alexandria.
Kiboko: My name is Tania Dalia Kiboko. I was born in Kinshasa, Congo, and I lost my parents early in my life, which shaped my resilience and the way I understand identity. In Congo, I became an Interior Architect, creating harmony and beauty in people’s spaces.
When I moved to the United States, I rebuilt myself again and became an Insurance Professional. In 2020, while living in Ohio, I went through a difficult period where I didn’t feel like myself. That season led me to begin writing my book, Woman: Source of Happiness, a journey of healing and rediscovering inner strength.
After Ohio, I moved to Virginia, seeking peace and stability. Alexandria became my home because it offered the calm, clarity, and emotional space I needed to heal, grow, and finish my book.
ALXnow: Why did you decide to write books?
Kiboko: I grew up in a family where reading was important, and that environment taught me to love books, stories, and writing small reflections from a young age.
But in 2020, while living in Ohio, I went through a painful chapter where I didn’t feel like myself. I felt disconnected from my joy and my purpose.
That is when I began writing Woman: Source of Happiness — not as a project, but as a way to reconnect with my inner strength. Through writing, I realized that many women carry silent pain, just like I did.
My personal motto guides my work: “We become stronger when we help others rise again.” I decided to write books to help women rediscover their identity, heal from within, and remember that happiness begins inside.
ALXnow: How was your book shaped by personal experiences?
Kiboko: My book Woman: Source of Happiness is shaped entirely by my life. Losing my parents early taught me resilience, but it also left emotional wounds that I carried for years.
Moving from Congo to the United States forced me to rebuild myself again — first as an Interior Architect, then as an Insurance Professional.
But it was in Ohio, during a difficult period, that I truly confronted my emotions. Writing became my healing process. Every chapter reflects the lessons I learned: how to rise after loss, how to rebuild identity, and how to create happiness from within.
ALXnow: How long did it take to write, and what is your writing process like?
Kiboko: I began writing Woman: Source of Happiness in 2020 in Ohio, and continued as I moved to Virginia. It took time because I was writing from my heart, not from a plan.
My writing process is emotional and intuitive. I write early in the morning or late at night, when everything is quiet and I can hear my inner voice.
I write in both French and English because both languages carry my identity. I write to heal, to connect, and to speak honestly to women who may feel lost or unseen.
My first book, Woman: Source of Happiness, is available on Amazon in Paperback and Kindle. I also share more about my writing, my journey, and all my upcoming projects on my website: monickglobesecret.com, a space where readers can learn more about me and my work.
ALXnow: Do you have any literary influences or other inspiration for your work?
Kiboko: I am inspired by real women — especially African women — who carry strength even in silence. My mother’s memory is one of my greatest inspirations.
My writing is also influenced by my own journey: losing my parents early, rebuilding myself in a new country, and facing emotional challenges in Ohio.
I admire authors who explore healing, identity, and resilience, but my strongest inspiration comes from life itself — the tears, the hope, and the courage to rise again.
ALXnow: What will your second book be like?
Kiboko: My second book is called From Tears to Joyful Hope: The Healed Woman. It continues the journey I began in Woman: Source of Happiness.
This new book is about transformation — how a woman moves from pain to hope, from brokenness to joy, and from silence to strength.
It is the story of becoming the healed version of yourself.
Like my first book, it will be bilingual, because my identity lives in two languages and I want women in both cultures to feel included.
