Dr. Solanges Vivens’ journey from a teenage immigrant sewing zippers in a factory to the CEO of a multimillion-dollar nursing company is a story of resilience, determination, and empowerment.
Born in Haiti, she left her homeland at 19, arriving in the United States with limited resources and no knowledge of English. Through hard work and perseverance, she ascended to the top of the healthcare industry, leaving an indelible mark on geriatric care and female entrepreneurship.
Dr. Vivens founded Vital Management Team, Long Term Care, Inc. (VMT) in 1988, transforming it into one of Washington, D.C.’s premier long-term care facilities.
Her dedication to quality healthcare and business excellence earned her recognition as one of the 50 Most Influential Minority Business Persons in America in 2001. She later sold her company in 2018, entering a well-earned retirement while embarking on new ventures in writing, media, and mentoring.
A lifelong advocate for women’s empowerment, Dr. Vivens has authored multiple books, including Girls Can Move Mountains: Rewriting the Rules of Female Entrepreneurship, which she hopes to adapt into a film.
Her latest work, Educated Girl, Empowered Woman, continues to inspire young women to break barriers and rewrite the rules of success. She is also working on a documentary to further share her inspiring journey.
On International Women’s Day, Dr. Vivens shared a powerful message:
“We as women take care of people every day—and we forget we exist. The first thing I ask women to do is look in the mirror. Love the girl in the mirror. Let her know you will do anything to protect her because if you don’t protect her, she can’t protect anyone else.”
Beyond her personal achievements, Dr. Vivens has dedicated herself to philanthropy.
She established the Centres D’Etudes Classique de Meyer Fund, USA, a nonprofit organization supporting Haitian children’s education since 2005. She continues to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs, advocating for self-sufficiency and education as keys to success.
From overcoming language barriers to leading in healthcare and now stepping into media, Dr. Vivens embodies the spirit of perseverance.
Her journey is a testament to the power of hard work, education, and unwavering belief in oneself.
