By: Elowen Gray

At 58 years old, Joyce Ann Levy is demonstrating that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. By day, she drives a light rail train. But between stops, she’s become an author, inventor, and the creator of a children’s empowerment movement that’s gaining attention.

Levy’s debut book, The Girl with the Big Imagination, is more than just a children’s story—it’s a guide for believing in oneself and holding onto dreams through life’s toughest moments. The book was written not in the quiet of a home office, but from the seat of her train cab, illustrating that creativity knows no boundaries. “Every stop I made, I jotted down more,” Levy says. “I didn’t sit down and write the book. I wrote it while driving the train.”

This remarkable journey started from a personal mission: to encourage people, especially women and children, to never give up on their dreams no matter how long it takes. “I wanted to inspire the world to keep going, to believe in their goals even when the road is long,” Levy says.

The book itself carries this message forward, rooted in Levy’s own life experiences. The Girl with the Big Imagination is about more than just storytelling; it’s about activating the power within. “Everything that you need is already in you. You were born with it,” Levy shares—a central message of the book she hopes will resonate with people of all ages. Though originally written for children, the book’s themes extend well beyond childhood. “This book is for the world, not just for kids,” she emphasizes.

Joyce Levy’s belief in self-empowerment isn’t limited to the written word. She’s also an inventor, with two patents to her name. In 2007, she came up with the idea for Shy Wear—a disposable garment designed to help women feel fully clothed during their yearly medical exams. It took nearly a decade of setbacks and faith, but in 2016, Levy secured patents for both the vest and the pants in her design. “It was challenging, but I was hopeful,” she says. “I kept believing, I kept going.”

The journey to patenting Shy Wear is a story of manifestation and perseverance. Levy wrote a vision board describing exactly what she wanted—to secure a patent attorney to represent her for free. Against all odds, it worked. “That’s exactly what happened,” she says. Now, she plans to use proceeds from her book sales to fund Shy Wear’s expansion, aiming to empower more women to get their regular checkups and possibly save lives in the process.

But Levy didn’t stop there. The Girl with the Big Imagination is only the beginning of a growing movement. Inspired by the book’s 10-year-old protagonist, Levy has created a baby doll called Amazing. The doll isn’t just a toy—it’s a tool for positive change. Programmed to speak affirmations, Amazing will remind children of their worth, strength, and potential. “I want kids to believe they can have anything, do anything,” Levy says. “That they don’t have to struggle, that everything is taken care of, and that they are enough.”

True to her inclusive vision, Levy plans to create Amazing dolls that represent children from all backgrounds—Black, Chinese, White, Native American—so every child can see themselves in the story of self-love and empowerment. Alongside the doll, Levy is planning a kids’ clothing line and even a cartoon series—all under the Amazing brand.

For Levy, positivity isn’t just a business—it’s a mission. “There’s so much negativity in the world,” she says. “I want to see more love, more belief, more encouragement.”

Despite juggling multiple projects and a full-time job, Levy remains committed to spreading her message. While she doesn’t plan on formal book signings—“I have too much going on,” she laughs—her daughters are helping promote the book through podcasts and social media. Already, she’s seen a warm reception from her coworkers and community, with early book sales increasing steadily.

Levy’s impressive accomplishments are underpinned by a foundation of faith, meditation, and a deep belief in the power of visualization. With an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degree in Theology, she’s no stranger to the power of the mind and spirit. Her life’s journey—raising four children, becoming a grandmother to fifteen, working hard while nurturing creative dreams—reflects an inspiring blend of determination and compassion.

“I’m always imagining how I want my life to be,” she says. “When you believe in your imagination, your life becomes what you put out there.”

The Girl with the Big Imagination is now available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook formats, bringing Joyce Levy’s message to readers around the world. Through her words, inventions, and soon-to-launch products, Levy offers one simple, powerful lesson: your dreams are valid, your voice matters, and no matter where you start, it’s never too late to make an impact.

In a world often clouded by doubt, Joyce Levy stands as a reminder that with vision and faith, even the busiest life—whether driving a train or raising a family—can make room for dreams.