DAughters who Dared
Inspirational
Women.
A space to revel in the amazing acheivements, stories and experiences of women from all walks of life...!!
iNterViews...
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Janoel Liddy – Step Into Womanhood
I was so thrilled to discover Janoel Liddy. An amazing woman every mother with daughters of their own should have the privilege of discovering.
Janoel is the founder of ‘Step Into Womanhood’ an organization all mothers, fathers and educators should be talking about.
Working together with a great network of women, Janoel creates a space where women and women-to-be, can connect with themselves, in a fully supported and respected environment.
Ranging from ‘Women’s Circles’, ‘Celebration Day for Girls’, and the amazing ‘Mother and Daughter Retreat’, Janoel unites women on many fronts, from getting to know ourselves, getting to know our sisters, supporting the women and daughters in our lives and most importantly recognizing the beauty within.
Mother Daughter Retreat - Janoel is one of the facilitators of this fantastic program supporting and embracing the journey of both young girls and their mothers, as their daughters take their first steps into womanhood . The Mother & Daughter Retreat program has been running for 2 years and proves to be an invaluable, special and beautiful celebration of the much anticipated Menstrual Cycle of our young girls. Hosted in the beautiful Ubud – Bali, the perfect place for mother and daughter to relax and focus on their relationship in a nurturing environment, where girls can take with them wonderful memories and an understanding of their journey and more importantly the knowledge that becoming a woman is a most beautiful thing!
Women’s Circles – Janoel has been part of her own Women’s Circle since 2000, and helps other women create their own circle and sisterhood. Each circle offers a space to speak and listen from the heart as individuals, while being part of a sacred space, filled with energy and love, the key word being…Connection.
Celebration Day for Girls – An avenue for girls, their mothers and friends alike to celebrate the wonderful beings we are. This workshop has been running for 15 years and gives girls and their friends and opportunity to understand and celebrate this special time in their lives.
We feel Janoel is doing an amazing thing here, working with mothers and daughters at a pivotal time in their lives. Providing an opportunity for mothers to embrace their young daughters, and for the girls themselves to build confidence and for them to be empowered in light of the transformations they are about to face.
Please show Janoel your support by visiting her website:
http://www.stepintowomanhood.com
and her facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/StepIntoWomanhood
Janoel takes a moment to answer some of our questions, an insight to this wonderful person!
1:What did you aspire to as a young girl and how much of that is part of your current journey?
I’ve loved reading, stories and learning from a very young age, so my calling of being an educator has always made sense to me. I thought about becoming an actor – I did drama classes in primary school. They say that teachers are all wannabe actors, as there is an element of performance in sharing your knowledge in an engaging way!
I was the sort of kid who was the social service representative, raising money to make the world a better place. I remember my friends and I made a club, the Horse Lovers Association, when we were in Grades 5 and 6. My job as Secretary was to organize things and get the information out to everyone – first role of many!
2:Can you tell us about a joyous moment in your life?
Gosh! There are so many! Walking by the creek every morning while our border collie dog sprints up and down the hills. Holding our children for the first time on my bare skin. Belly laughs, affection with my partner and children. Making love!
3:What has been the most rewarding aspect of empowering women through women’s circles?
Seeing the ‘Aha!’ moments when women see a pattern in the burdens they’ve been carrying, and recognize that they can do something about it. And the relief they feel from being in such a safe space, where they can take time to be present, speak and really be heard, and actively listen and be a witness to their sisters. The magic of circle giving you what you need!
4: Do you have a personal Mantra?
I believe underneath it’s “How can I make this easier by being more efficient and effective?” I’m always looking for ways to improve a system, whether it’s a program I deliver, parenting or the kitchen cupboards!
5:What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Walking, eating great organic food with my family, reading – these days mostly non-fiction, as there are so many great resources out there, but I love a good story, too. Every week I have a 5Rhythms class, a moving dance meditation where you sweat your prayers, and I walk out of my yoga classes blissful.
6:Tell us about a woman/women you find most inspiring and/or one who you feel emanates the true essence of a powerful woman.
True essence of a powerful woman… Well, just about all the women I know and meet inspire me in some way – we’re all wonderful!
At 13, I found my favourite fiction character of all time: Elizabeth Bennett, from Pride and Prejudice – she’s smart, sassy and stands up for what she believes in. I didn’t realize until much later how much she and other strong female characters had influence my life choices as I grew up.
Of people that I know personally, Jane Bennett, author of A Blessing not a Curse, shares her vast knowledge of natural fertility management and menstruation with love and humility so very well. For me, she’s a glorious role model of the beautiful crone, passing on her wisdom.
I’m really inspired by Jean Shinoda Bolen, a Jungian analyst, author and activist who has worked with the United Nations. She was part of the global movement for a fifth World Conference for Women, and wrote the poetic and simple The Millionth Circle: How to Change Ourselves and the World, about creating women’s circles with a sacred centre, which I came across years after we had been circling. I was astonished to find her outline of principles were the same as ours that we had developed organically through experience!
Gabrielle Roth, the founder of the 5Rhythms dance movement, and her work have affected me profoundly. Through weekly practice, her books and intensive workshops, I have gained many insights into who I am, how my ego works, my heart, mind, soul, body and spirit, and shifted a lot of stuff. Without the years of dance and my women’s circle, I would be a very different (and much crankier!) woman today.
Christinne Rudd - Advocate for people with disabilities - Author
We came across Christine on Facebook, having discovered her blog called Mamas Munchkin - a space where she discusses the many issues of disability. Christinne is a mother of a beautiful young boy, has completed a Masters in Criminal Justice and has Cerebral Palsy. The wonderful thing about Christinne is that she seems to set goals with substance and continues to acheive them!
It is wonderful to see Christinne working so hard as an advocate for others with disabilities, using her own life experiences to aid our understanding of disabilities, and striving to offer support and advice via her blog for all.
Christinne takes a moment o answer some questions.
1: What did you aspire to as a young girl and how much of that is part of your current journey?
I aspired to be a lawyer who would help people with disabilities. My current journey just allows me to reach people on a larger scale. This is not how I originally thought I would be helping others but, because of my involvement in different things such as speaking and community groups geared toward different aspects in the disability community, I find it very rewarding and feel very lucky to be in a position to help others.
2:What is your personal mantra?
My personal mantra would have to be I don't allow my disability to stop me from reaching my goals.
3: Your Blog seems to be an invaluable space for information and inspiration, what has been a highlight in you having created this space?
The highlight would have to be all the positive feedback I receive, especially on Facebook, and when I am approached at speaking engagements. It shows me the work I'm doing is making a positive impact on the lives of others.
4:Tell us about the first book that you have published?
I actually have a number of book projects in the works. They all center around the idea that when you think about disability as a subject, it's not always how a textbook may describe it, or it doesn't always fit specific criteria. Everyone's disability affects them differently, and we should be treated as individuals first, our disability doesn't define who we are as people.
5:What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
In my spare time, I love playing with my 2 year old son, reading, and listening to music.
6:What have been the most difficult and most rewarding aspects of pursuing your career as an advocate for equality for the disabled?
The most challenging thing about what I do would have to be trying to make a difference in the way people think about people with disabilities as a whole. By that I mean I try to put a different spin on things so that the subject of disability more relatable to everyone. The most rewarding part is the opportunity I've had to help others and that everyone has been receptive to my message.
Please show Christinne your support and visit her blog and facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/MamasMunchkinblog
http://mamasmunchkin.wordpress.com
Debra Ruh – Ruh Global LLCGlobal Disability Inclusion Strategist
As parents we all want the world for our children and it would be a grand achievment to have our child aquire the title of 'Chief Inspiration Officer" and for Debra Ruh her daughter Sara could not be better suited to this role!
Debra is an amazing woman and devoted mother. Her achievments are on a global scale, all inclusive and driven by passion and dedication. With her daughter Sara by her side, they work together to empower those with differences, and rather than focus on the disability, highlight the abilty...to work, love and help stengthen our communities.
1:What did you aspire to as a young girl and how much of that is part of your current journey?
As a young girl I wanted to be a mother first but still have a career. I thought about being a Police Officer or a Psychiatrist. I wanted to make the world a better place and wanted to try and make people’s lives easier.
2:Can you tell us about a joyous moment in your life?
I have had many joyous moments in my life but the birth of my daughter and son were joyous. So was the marriage to my husband in 1982 (so 32+ years and counting). I have won a lot of awards for my work and been featured in media – those were always joyous moments. However the little times are also joyous – when our new dog rescued from the pound looks in my eyes with pure love. Or the wind is quietly blowing through the trees. I am joyous anytime that I am on a boat, canoe, kayak, stand-up paddling or swimming in the water. I love the water and it always makes me feel joyous. When my daughter giggles she puts me in pure joy. My life is all about joy – sometimes life is very, very hard and even in those times I can find joy. I think life should be about joy and I have felt joy during some of my toughest challenges and tried to be grateful for the lessons. I am not always able to be joyful but I try to find my way to Joy and Grace. Nature also helps me move to joy especially thunderstorms. My daughter and I will lie in bed and listen to a thunderstorm CD and hold hands. Simple Joys are the best.
3:What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Being with family and walking in nature. As noted above water – always make me feel joy.
4: Do you have a personal Mantra?
Find Joy in the simplest and most complicated parts of Life. Also all you can control is your reaction to life. I always look for the silver lining of life.
5:What do you find to be the most challenging and most rewarding aspect of your work?
My most rewarding is changing people’s lives and the most challenging is the sheer size of the job to assure people with disabilities are meaningfully included in society.
6: Have you found a voice in Social Media, and how has this improved awareness, inclusion and integration of people with disabilities in the work place ?
I have found my voice and even wrote a book called Find Your Voice using Social Media. I have over 100k followers on all platforms and love to chatter about making a difference. I normally only focus my chatter on positive stories, stories of hope and stories of overcoming challenges. I try hard not to pass on negative stories especially ones that seem to have an axe to grind instead of wanting to change difficult situations.
A Positive Voice and Time to Include People with Disabilities in all Aspects of SocietyBy Debra Ruh, UN G3ict EmployAbility and Technology Chair and Ruh Global
I have spent a long time pondering all the lessons and opportunities that I encountered during the past year. How I can take those lessons and use them to improve the lives of people with disabilities. As a diehard technologist, I believe that social media can expand our voices. I also believe that social media can be used to help people with disabilities around the globe find their place in the world.
The time has come for people with disabilities to find our voices. Let’s use social media to be heard and to help others be heard. We can change the lives of billions of people by including people with disabilities in all aspects of society. We need to help change the mindset that having a disability is a bad thing or something to be ashamed of.
Instead of it being a bad thing let’s celebrate our differences and allow people with disabilities to be seen as whole and not broken. During a recent speaking engagement a young man asked me if he should disclose his disability to an employer. I have been asked this question a thousand times and it breaks my heart each time. What I hear is a young man saying that he is afraid to be honest about who he is because an employer might view him negatively and not see his value as an employee. In many cases that may be true and it is a failure of our society on so many levels. We need to allow people to be proud of every aspect that makes them different, and encourage them to celebrate their differences and special abilities.
A few years ago, my daughter was sitting at the table with my husband and I was nearby. She said, “Dad, Mom is doing it again.” My husband said, “What is Mom doing?” Sara quickly responded, “She is telling people that I have Down syndrome.” It brought tears to my eyes, and I jumped up and said, “Sara, you have brown hair, hazel eyes, a great smile and Down syndrome. Never be embarrassed about the way God made you.” We talked about it for a long time and she told me she was not embarrassed but sometimes did not understand why I talked about it all the time. I told her that this was our path - to help people understand why people like her add value to the world. Sara has spoken for global audiences many times since that conversation and she firmly believes the world is a better place because she is a part of it.
We are all different but at the same time we have so many similarities. As I travel all over the world that point becomes clearer to me. I believe that families across the globe want the best for their family members with disabilities. I have had the fortune to meet parents of children with disabilities in Spain, Singapore, Egypt, Qatar, Oman, Pakistan, Portugal, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Costa Rica, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Ecuador, Ireland, India, England, Russia, China, Singapore, Thailand and all over the United States. Without exception these families wanted their family members with disabilities to have opportunities and have the resources to meet their goals, follow their passions and have their dreams come true.
I have also had the pleasure to meet talented people with disabilities all over the world. I believe that something amazing is happening. People with disabilities and the people that love them are finding their voices. Social media tools like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Four Square, Tumblr and BlogSpot are wonderful ways for people with disabilities to find their voices. Other countries are using tools like Renren, Youku.com and Sina Weibo in China, and Bebo in the UK - opening new opportunities for people with disabilities to have a voice.
I believe there is a trend to move away from the charity based model of, “let’s help those poor people with disabilities,” and instead we are witnessing a movement toward a model of empowerment. A more robust and promising model where everyone is included because society benefits when everyone participates to the best of our abilities. Plus, we all benefit when people that think differently work together to improve the world and solve societal problems.
Let’s look at the problems that exist globally with inclusion and put our minds and hearts together and solve these issues. Work to include people with disabilities in technology, internet, communications, education, employment, transportation, travel, housing and every other aspect of society. As you hear about success stories, share them across your networks. Find your voice and help others in the community find their voices as well.
Let’s celebrate and embrace our differences and let our voices be heard - blog, write articles, tweet your thoughts and share interesting articles. Follow other thought leaders and become a thought leader in your own right. Look for opportunities to mentor people with disabilities around the world. Please join me in supporting people with disabilities to continue to find a solid and positive voice. Follow Me twitter, linked-in, facebook, pinterest, tumblr, Google+ . I follow back because I believe that social media should be about conversation and good content.
Also proud to announce my book “Find Your Voice using Social Media” http://ow.ly/kxglRMy next book “Global Best Practices of Inclusion of People with Disabilities in the Workforce” it will be published by UN G3ict in late 2013 or early 2014.
Visit our Daughters Who Dared Blog to read more from Debra Ruh - A Mother’s Story: How Down syndrome changed my life and helped me find my Purpose!
Thank you for the opportunity Debra and Sara!!
Gretta Free
As a young woman, Gretta Free was pursuing her desired career, studying a Double Degree in Secondary Education and Sport and Outdoor education, while maintaining a long distance relationship with Todd, whom she fell in love with while travelling Australia together, in her spare time she was also a lifeguard, swimming teacher, personal trainer and more…The future was bright!
Gretta was soon faced with a life changing decision, as she put her hand up to become the permanent foster parent of the 2 youngest sisters, in her extended 9 sibling family.
Gretta places her own life on hold, embarking on a new chapter of parenthood…and what an amazing chapter that would translate to.
Her long distance love commits to being part of this new chapter, they work together in supporting and raising the young girls, while each beginning their own business from home.
Gretta took charge of her own career and started her own studio, ‘Embody Wellness Studio’, where Gretta work with others to empower their fitness
Nine years on, as her adopted daughters move on into the big wide world pursuing their own passions, Gretta and Todd continue to add to the wonderful chapters of their journey with a child of their own!
All Gretta loves and adores seems to have come together, into a neat little package called Life, filled with Heart, Love and Happiness.
Noora Naraghi
Womens Motocross champion
Born in the year 1988, Noora’s father was a motocross champion, and her mother his biggest fan, so it was only natural that Noora would be soon riding her own bike.
Learning to ride at the age of 4 on a small 50 cc Montesa, Noora clearly remembers falling in love with riding, riding round her father in circles, wanting to ride every other day. Her brother also followed in her steps and learnt to ride, this completing their motocross family.
Having practiced for 4-5 years together with her family, Noora then entered her first race, competing with the boys, placing 3rd. This was the first of many competitions, which would lead her becoming to Iran’s first female motocross champion.
In Iran women are not permitted to participate in many sports, and motocross was one of them.
Noora was forbidden to practice let alone race, however she continued to secretly practice on once particular track on top of the Shahran’s mountain in her hometown.
Noora continued to practice for 8 years, disheartened by the lack of girls interested and involved. She then met her husband (also is a motocross rider ) and they started to ride together, including mom, dad and brother.
A year on and her husband decided to start a motorcross club, Xanyar Club, to help promote the sport and it is here that Noora started teaching girls to ride, forming a girls team, who would ride to the top of Mountain Tochal, a record, the first time women had climbed the 3964m mountain.
In 2009 Xanyar club held its first female race in which Noora won, with her mom a close second.
This race sparked international interest, which reinforced to the female team that anything was possible. As Noora worked closely with her team, she also won great support from international female riders such as Ashley Fiolek – USA, Noora’s role model. The two practiced together, and Noora was also entered into one of the biggest races in the world AMA/WMA in which Noora is now a member, again a first for an Iranian woman.
Noora also worked with by Stefy Bau, owner of 211 MXSchool, working together on training other girls, as well as Livia Lancelot, who inviting Noora to France to practice on the European tracks.
On returning to Iran from her whirlwind tour, many girls approached Noora, wanting to learn and be involved in the sport of Womens Motocross. The Iranian motocross federation however still don’t do acknowledge women’s motocross and women are still restricted as to where they can practice, and there are still no official races for women motocross enthusiasts.
There is hope however that with more interest and support, this situation may change soon and the Iranian Motocross Federation accept and acknowledge the talent and excitement of women in motocross.
Noora takes some time to answer our questions...
1:What did you aspire to as a young girl and how much of that is part of your current journey?
At first I just fell in love with riding, but when I grew up I found motocross as a way to help girls of my country to experience the excitement of this sport and let go of their thoughts, thoughts that they are weak and can’t do anything so strong. I then saw that motocross is not just a sport but a way of life and a way of finding new people like Ashley (Ashley Fiolek - USA) and Stefy and Livia. Motocross leads me to form friendships like nothing else can do.
It’s not important to become a world champion very much but when you wish for something unreachable and someone else make your wish come true, that’s a hero. Ashley is a hero for me and I want to make Iranian girls wishes come true and become like her.
2:Can you tell us about a joyous moment in your life?
One of them was the time I first saw (Ashley Fiolek - USA)Ashley’s email and also any time I teach girls to ride and they say to me that they feel more confidence by learning to ride and feel more power to do big things. These are the best joyous moments of my life.
3: How much time do you spend training and competing, and what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I like to practice a lot and race a lot but it’s impossible in Iran now because we don’t have sponsors and more important we don’t have races, but I try to make changes by myself by making small races just for my students and girls who learn to ride.
I also like to go to other countries to train with fast girls and new tracks and compete in races they have.
In my spare time, me and my husband like to hang out with our friends and play volleyball outside and playing card or backgammon inside. Also I really like to surprise my friends on their birthdays. I like to watch movies a lot.
My favorite actor is Adam Sandler and Keanu Reeves and my favorite actress is Angelina Jolie. I like comedy movies and vampire and zombie movies.
4: Has the interest and acceptance of women in Motocross improved in Iran?
In Iran people are changing, they really like us and when they see us they always encourage us but the government couldn't accept that girls can ride motocross and Iran’s motocross federation refuses to give us any facilities. But we hope they consider a way to change this.
5:What has been the most rewarding and most difficult aspect of you sporting career ?
Sometimes I think the most difficult time was when boys had to race and I had to just watch it, although I was faster than some of them, but I think when someone stops you, if you keep trying one day something good comes to you out of nowhere, and helps you to improve more than you ever imagine. You just have to have hope and never give up, so I believe there is no difficult side to keep trying to make your wishes come true.
6: What do you see yourself doing later in life, once your racing career slows down?
I like to race and ride forever, but I also enjoy teaching motocross techniques to other girls. As I said, it’s not just sport, it’s the way of living (like in motocross you have to look ahead and see further down the track, just like life we have to look ahead of ourselves and see where we are going)
I would like to become more popular and attract sponsors so I can help other people with the money I gain from my sport activities. I would like to help deaf people for thanking Ashley (Ashley Fiolek - USA), because of all she did for me and also to help people with cancer, because I’m a vegetarian and I think all the people can cure with eating good food and having exciting experience with riding motocross and to help them to be super happy to cure faster.
And also to help women in my country and the entire world to believe in themselves and know they are the same as the men and they have the same right as man.
I would like to thank you for helping me and show my thoughts to more people and also like to thank all the people who helped me on my way and also my family and especially my husband for being so supportive!!
Adrianne Simeon - The Mama Bear Effect
1:What did you aspire to as a young girl and how much of that is part of your current journey?
I always wanted to be a writer/poet - my creativity was pretty much squashed when I entered middle school through high school and it didn't really wake up again, until I took creative writing in college. It's coming back more and more every day as I try to put into simple, meaningful terms, the various issues surrounding child sexual abuse. The battle with this issue, is not simply educating people by providing information, but inspiring people to care enough to learn and take action.
I also always knew that I wanted to be a mother, and now, staying home with my 2 young children (with a 3rd on the way), I appreciate the honor of being a parent and my role as their nurturer, teacher, and guide. Being responsible for someone's childhood is a serious task, and understanding it as a parent now, it has truly changed the way I feel about every child's right to be protected & nurtured in a loving, purposeful manner.
2:Can you tell us about a joyous moment in your life?
What comes to mind first, is the moment my husband and I finally came together. I had known and admired him for a long time and I have always considered it an honor to be with him. He emanates goodness just by being himself - and without even trying, he inspires me every day to be a more compassionate, generous person.
Aside from that - anytime that my children show affection or kindness to me, my husband, or each other - children truly do love with all their heart and it is truly angelic.
3: How many people/groups do you work with to form part of your support network for The Mama Bear Effect? Does this span globally?
Part of our mission is to empower everyday people to take part in this effort to protect children from sexual abuse. Living in the age of social media has given me the power to connect with people who want to do just that. When I first researched what I could do to help this cause, I was a bit discouraged to find there weren't many ways for me, as a regular citizen, to help. A lot of organizations just want people to donate or raise money while they have their own staff - but much of the money we raise, I take to create education materials that people can distribute on their own. We're approaching 10,000 Facebook fans - which is how I keep in contact with the majority of our supporters. Last spring we ran a door hanger campaign and we shipped them all over the globe - it was pretty incredible. I've also connected with other non-profits, like Break the Cycle out of Orangevale California - she makes jewelry and takes the profits to provide comfort packs to abused children. She handcrafts some of the jewelry we sell to support our costs and we also provide her with brochures etc to raise awareness. I've also connected with many professionals like Dr. Janet Rosenzweig, author of "The Sex-Wise Parent", Jayneen Sanders, author of "Some Secrets Should Not Be Kept," as well as the staff at The Children's Advocacy Center of Bristol County in Fall River, MA - they have spent a lot of time in helping me understand the process of how child protection programs function. I'm also extremely fortunate to have a good friend & board member who is an amazing graphic designer and runs her own firm, Design Invasion. From our logo to our brochures she has donated thousands of dollars of her time that have enabled us to progress our campaign in a short period of time.
4: Do you have a personal Mantra?
“There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.”
and "God does not call the qualified; he qualifies the called."
This has been a learning process for me. I don't have a PhD or any sort of social service degree or experience, I have a degree in marketing and years of experience in sales. When I believe in something, I know how to sell it. And I believe more people need to care & understand how to prevent child sexual abuse; and I believe I can help.
5:What inspires you in life?
People that have faced adversity, and despite having every reason to fall apart, they have chosen happiness, and believe there is love in this world and want to make the world a better place. There are people every day, through the Facebook page, that inspire me to keep going. A supporter said to me the other day, "I feel like [I'm] part of something big ... like I have more of a purpose in life." That connection to other people, trying to do something good together, I think that is meaning & purpose to life.
6: As the founder of ‘The Mama Bear Effect’, what has been the most rewarding moment and where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I think it has been most rewarding to see the positive responses from people who learn about us for the first time. The people who thank us and want to know how they can get involved. The first parade we participated in, I was a bit nervous because it was the first public even we had done, and we could hear people saying our name with a sense of curiosity. However, when we handed out brochures as we marched people read them, gave us the thumbs-up and said "Yes! This is great!" One woman even gave us an impromptu donation (which we weren't seeking any donations). At that moment, I realized - we were giving a voice to people that felt they didn't have one. Those people knew they weren't alone and that people care about this issue and are doing something about it.
Since most of the work behind Mama Bear Effect is carried out by myself, as I juggle a growing family, I am doing as much as I can to build up a support network for the future. At times, I feel like I'm doing this backwards - most organizations are established and then work on creating a following, and I created a following and realized I needed to form an organization. In five years, I hope to spend more time doing public speaking and hosting presentations. I also aspire to find more and more people every year that want to get involved and raise awareness in their communities, so that when I'm ready, I can seek substantial funding & grants with proof that my "power of the people" approach is effective. Someone told me earlier this year that child sexual abuse prevention awareness doesn't belong out in the public - but if breast cancer awareness can find its way into professional sports, with football players dressed in pink when they play, I think the safety of our children deserves just as much support.
Stephanie Rond – Street Artist
Stephanie Rond is a Street Artist – with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, and a fine determination to pursue that which she desires…Stephanie is an amazing artist and her work communicates strength with each piece being infinitely captivating!!
As well as creating amazing art, she is also is the founder of ‘Women Street Artists’ http://www.womenstreetartists.com
This is a space dedicated to Female Street Artists, where we can immerse ourselves in their works, showcasing the many styles and interpretations of the female street artist!
Oh, did I mention that Stephanie is the proud owner/director of some amazing Galleries…I proclaim her to be ‘The Alice in Wonderland of Galleries’, fantastic and curious, operating for over 3 years with over 100 participating artists.
Curious ?!? You should be !! The detail in these Doll House converted Galleries is amazing…and they speak for themselves, so make yourself at home and take a look around… http://stephanierondcreative.com/welcome
Also have a look at this link to the “Tiny Out Loud” - Teaser Trailer http://vimeo.com/76661143
Let your mind wander through the doors and windows of this space! The film is coming soon…
With all of this going on, it is clear that Stephanie is fully immersed in a whirlwind of creativity, wonderful ideas and happiness!!
Here is some insight to the wonderful mind of Stephanie as she answers our questions…
1:What did you aspire to as a young girl and how much of that is part of your current journey?
I have always wanted to be an artist. When I was in the fifth grade, we had to write a report on what our careers would be when we grew up. I told my teacher I wanted to be an artist and she said, “being an artist is not a career”. For two weeks I pretended I wanted to be a dentist.
Thankfully, my parents always supported my creative nature and taught me to be a veracious learner. They took me to the library, cultural venues and festivals. My family helped me with my homework and answered all my wild questions. With this continued support and encouragement from family and friends, I am still on the adventure of becoming an artist. It’s a good thing I’m so stubborn.
2:Can you tell us about a joyous moment in your life?
My most joyous moments come from the confidence that I can be a voice and advocate for the greater good.
I am a street artist. When I started researching other street artists, I found we were all exploring the same concepts of environment, scale and non-product, except the female experience was missing.
That missing piece is what kept me up at night. I knew I was not alone. I wanted to meet women globally that were thinking about the same things that I am wrestling with. After more research, I found them. It was official. I needed to build a database. I needed to create a space where anyone who searched “women street artists” on the Internet discovered women doing art on the street with great examples of their passion. I’m amazed at the super stars of the streets who talk to me.
3:What has been the most difficult and most rewarding part of being a street artist?
The most difficult part of being a street artist is that it takes money. What I make on the street is free for those who experience it, but it requires financing. I sell work in galleries so I can make art for free in the streets.
The most rewarding part of being a street artist is when others experience my work in a way that speaks to them directly. I’m thrilled when strangers relate to the work in a way that makes them feel as if someone was reading their journal, as if the work says “I hear you, I agree”.
4: Do you have a personal Mantra?
“Rise above!” is my personal mantra. I first heard this mantra from the punk band Black Flag in high school. The high school was an art school filled with misfits who didn’t fit anywhere else, but we fit together. This mantra reminds me that when society as a whole tells you that you are doing something wrong or outside the norm, you need to rise above and hold your head high. You need to stand up for what you believe in. Be proud, be yourself and fight for being the person you are.
5:What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Spare time? What’s that?
6:Tell us about your galleries/museums…amazing as they are, how many artists have you incorporated into these, and are they specific to your town or global galleries?
A few years ago I was invited to a show in Cleveland, Ohio at the Wall Eye Gallery. The show was titled “playing house”. This exhibit was meant to explore the current, but hopefully changing princess culture.
I took an old dollhouse and turned it into a gallery, challenging the notion of home and house. While sharing that process on a social media site, many of my colleagues thought I had opened a real brick and mortar gallery. Because I want to support my colleagues, I opened the doors. After three years and over 100 artists, S.Dot Galleries is experienced globally.
S.Dot Galleries creates a safe space for artists to explore the same concepts of street art: environment, scale, non-product and gender. It represents the artist as a viable citizen of the community. The galleries and museums represent our intrinsic nature to play and have a safe space to play. It’s that simple. When you see people playing in a space month after month, it frees the viewer to be who they are, no matter where they live and breathe.
Ella Soper – Martial Artist
Let me introduce you to Ella Soper…
Young Inspiration is often the biggest form of inspiration!
Ella started Karate at the age of 5. In the 3 years since she started training , Ella has won 3 National New Zealand Titles and multiple regional titles. She also placed 4th at the World Championships in 2013.
Now age 8, Ella’s achievements can only continue to exceed expectation. She has proven that she is dedicated to her art and has exceptional concentration and training ethic for her age.
The most amazing thing about Ella's karate journey so far, is not the number of competitions she has won, but rather the number of people, "young and old' that she inspires in return. Ella is often contacted by people, from across the globe, sharing their own stories, in which Ella has inspired and motivated them to return to the art of Karate, or to continue training in pursuit of their own martial arts journey.
And what a wonderful support network Ella must have in her friends and family, who have encouraged and supported her on her journey!
Ella takes a moment to answer some questions for us…
1: As a student of GKR Karate – apart from Self-defence, what are some other key aspects you think are important to this style of karate?
Discipline and fitness. Karate really helps young students develop self-awareness.
2:Who do you look up to the most, in sport and in life?
Chloe Bruce is one of my biggest inspirations. Also my Mum, Dad and brother for their support.
3: Tell us of a special moment during your martial arts journey.
Winning my first medal is very special to me and my family. I won gold at the New Zealand Championships at the age of six. It was the time in my Journey that we knew there was something special about me doing this art.
4:How much time do you spend training/competing and what would you like to tell other young girls and boys about the benefits of Martial Arts?
I train two times a week on the off season. Leading up to a tournament (4-6 weeks out) I can train up to 5 times a week, normally trainings are up to two hours. There are so many benefits to training in martial arts. Not only has it improved my focus, fitness, balance and discipline. We have also seen positive changes in school work and most aspects of life.
5:What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I like to go to the beach, shopping and watching a good movie. I also love music.
6: What do you imagine to be your dream job when you grow up and why? I love animals so much.
My dream job would be to work at the Zoo.
Show Ella your support and visit her at www.facebook.com/ella.l.soper
Strength and happiness to you Ella, we look forward to hearing of your future successes!
Thank you to FMA https://www.facebook.com/FemaleMartialArtist?fref=ts
for nominating Ella Soper as a Daughter who Dares!
Angela Waltner – LUTHIER - A Master Craftswoman.
In a workshop enriched with warmth, clarity, depth, treble and bass, we find Angela Waltner, a fantastic Luthier (Guitar Maker), with a grand reputation.
Angela may well have been one of only a handful of female Luthiers when she started her journey 20 years ago. Through hard work, commitment and more importantly passion, her profession seems a natural and organic one, and well suited to the humble and talented Master Craftswoman.
Angela takes a moment to answers some of our questions!
1:What did you aspire to as a young girl and how much of that is part of your current journey?
As a young girl, I was not very ambitious. I lived somehow in a capsule. I spent most of my time as a teenager dreaming away and cultivating vegetables and flowers in the garden of the small farm where I grew up. Even today, I love the soil and nature, and I would have loved to study landscape architecture but my school grades weren’t good enough. I also sang in choirs and played on the Zither, an alpine folk instrument.Regardless, it was rather a fortunate coincidence that I became a guitar maker. I passed an apprenticeship as a plucked instrument maker and studied instrument making at university. After graduating I have been working in my own workshop in Berlin for more than ten years.For a long time, I had this very romantic view on my profession that may exist in the mind of many people. But of course in real life, it is a long and hard way to build up and establish your business and a good reputation. You need to improve your skills, find your own sound vision, a construction that enables your own personal style of sound and good technological solutions. It is also helpful to have an inspiring, supporting network. Over the years, a certain number of instruments are spread in the community and speak for themselves.Now, after all these years of search and competition – in a tonal and personal way – I have realized that one main reason for choosing this profession is a strong leaning towards calmness and tranquility that I had in my parents garden. Recently I found a nice workshop space in the creative ambience of Prenzlauer Berg that offers both, an inspiring and at the same time peaceful environment that I need for my work.
2:Can you tell us about a joyous moment in your life?
During my studies, I had the opportunity to teach for a couple of weeks at a school for instrument making in a small town at the south coast of Norway.I was ordered to lead rule the guitar class with an iron fist as it had a reputation of being "difficult". But because of my nature, I wasn't able to. All I did was to teach the students what I knew from my studies and at the same time learning from them what they knew. Surprisingly, they all came daily and were eager to learn. We had a good, warm time together. In the end, I could even identify a hidden conflict in the group that destroyed the overall atmosphere. We all learned a lot and I didn't expect this. After my last day I looked at the calm and icy sea and I was full of joy and peace. Back in university people found I have completely changed.
3:What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
For a long time - during my studies and in my first years in my own workshop - I was focused on guitar making and on developing, on the development work on my personal constructional concept. From time to time, my former workshop partner and I organized little concerts in our space.But I live in Berlin, and of course Germany's capital and metropole offers much more. For some time, I enjoyed visiting political seminars and discussions and I even had a little political engagement with a campaign aid for a national election. It was funny.Also I also participated in some spiritual activities of the church, for example a pilgrimage to the famous monastery of Montserrat in Spain. This is an outstanding and magic place amidst bizarre rocks high in the mountain. Fernando Sor, an important composer for the guitar, received his musical education in this very monastery in the end of 18th century.Finally I became aware of my true love: the music. Music is the reason why I put so much passion into my work on the guitars.I have found a guitar teacher who steadily guides me in learning good technique, learning about music and finding my personal voice. Further I am singing in a young chamber choir. Starting as a tenor - the main guitar voice -my pitch arises to be soprano actually. Life has surprises in store from time to time.
4: Which are your 5 favorite timbers to work with?
All timbers have different sound character and qualities to work with. Good selection of wood is a very important point. An essential timber for my work is Alpine spruce that is used for the top - the most important resonance part of the guitar. It is just the ideal wood as it is light and stiff at the same time. It’s sound is rich in colour and very variable. I used to work on the tops for many hours in an intensive phase of rapprochement to craft the desired resonance structure. Now I am more sure and free and I have learned to do the tonal fine tuning when the instrument is finished. I also like the darker and less Western Red cedar for the top. Its sound is less rich than Spruce, but also very noble as long as you respect its fine tonal texture. As for the back and sides of the guitar, one of my favorite timbers is Flamed maple, the noble wood used for the violin family since the dawn of history. The sound is as bright as the wood, the treble notes are singing and the basses are tight, yet powerful. Another favorite timber is Bahia Rosewood from Brazil. The wood has dark rose strips and is even changing towards green. It smells sweet, is so easy to plane and the sound is enormous rich and warm! Unfortunately in the dimension we need it, it is very rare. Ebony, which is mainly used for the fingerboard, fascinates me again and again with its deep black color and its fine and dense structure.
5:What do you find to be the most challenging and most rewarding aspect of your work?
I work with a really complex subject that includes wood craft, music, art and design, science and there is even a spiritual note. Yet it is manageable. I have always appreciated that the classical guitar is not yet mature and so I have great possibilities and freedom to develop the instrument towards a higher level. Of course, this development is a quite slow process compared to most other subjects. For this I am grateful - it matches my nature. My network consists of interesting and competent professionals on a very high level. This is both - challenging and rewarding, supporting personal growth and sometimes extremely exhausting.Each time a guitar is getting finished under my hands, it feels like a birth. And when during my final tuning the sound begins to reflect the personality of the musician who gets the guitar, this is really satisfying.
6:Have you seen many changes in your industry in the last 20 years, and what do you envision the future holds for instrument makers, especially women ?
The guitar is an instrument that is very wide spread and is used for many styles of music. I find this great. Of course most of the guitars around are built in manufactories. I am working in the field of the classical guitar. Here the changes in the last 20 years - since I have started to build - are quiet obvious. The technical and musical level of the players has very much enhanced, mainly due to todays well educated teachers. Parallel to this the quality of guitars has improved both for beginners and professionals. I see a positive future for the guitar for its fine, sensitive sound. Individual instrument makers will always exist as long as professional musicians or ambitious amateurs search for instruments that match to their personality. On a certain level they need the partnership of artistically working luthiers to express their musical imagination and communicate to an audience.For a long time I was one of only few female guitar makers worldwide - obviously exotic for the male dominated field of the guitar. Nowadays a number of young female makers have raisen up and this becomes more and more normality. Anyway, music is a medium with a primary human nature. If the female characteristics of both - players and instrument makers - get more weight, this can only be a benefit for everybody.
Please visit Angela's website and learn more about her and her craft.
Photos courtesy of:
Patrik Budenz www.grauwerk.de
Eberhard J. Schorr www.photosign.de
Suzanne Enghed – Female Firefighter
Having an opportunity to interview a firefighter it became quite clear that Suzanne Enghed's role as Firewoman required strength on many levels.
And amazing strength is exactly what we have in Suzanne.
Holding the title of " The World Toughest Female Firefighter", winning both 2010 and 2012 competitions, is an amazing feat in itself.
However Suzanne has an inner strength, which has her focussed on her profession, a physical strength which through training and staying fit keeps her in good stead for the demands of being a firefighter, and a strong sprit, evident in her belief that anything was possible.!
Thanks for the wonderful insight to your daily and life journey Suzanne!!
1: What did you aspire to as a young girl and how much of that is part of your current work as a firefighter?
When I was very young, I loved Pippi Longstocking and dreamed of being strong, confident, independent, and a friend to all like her. I'm a bit embarrassed to say that I also wanted to be a football star. I wish our society didn't glamourise a few athletes like we do because I think it adds a lot of concussion and stress to our children's goals. It did to mine anyway, but I am glad I transferred that drive to volleyball and later to other sports, and working out.
I lived in the countryside far away from other kids, my parents were very hard working trying to make a living from the garden centre that they built and ran as a family business from our home. I was very lonely as a child but I found strength in nature and wildlife around me. I could spend hours listening to the birds singing and just laying on the bridge on the lake looking at the fish swimming back and forth. This helped me to gain strength, set goals, and learn dedication. Discipline came naturally to the things I wanted to do to reach my dreams.
2: How long have you been working as a firefighter and where did your journey begin?
I worked in the UK in 2001 for 6 month to improve my English. I spent a few years traveling between England and Sweden taking any studies and job opportunities that came up. I have been interested in working for the ambulance, police, or fire service for a long time. One day I walked past the fire station opposite to the office where I worked and lived. There was a leaflet in the window that simply said: "firefighter recruitment". So I walked in and talked to them and before I knew it, I was on a training course for retained firefighters. It then took me two years to get in as a full time firefighter.
3: Tell us of a special moment during your firefighting experience.
I am not allowed to talk about any operational incidents that I've been to because of public safety and privacy of the people involved. But when I received the letter from the fire and rescue service telling me I'd been successful in all the assessments of the 9 month long recruitment process, and will now go to the firefighting college for my training, it was one of the most special and memorable days of my life.
I will certainly also never forget the day I won the title for the World's toughest female firefighter for the first time in Daegu, Korea in 2010. And on 23 May 2012, I was given the opportunity to run with the Olympic flame. Together with lots of encouragement and help of the people from the community we felt privileged to show our support for the athletes and later celebrate such great British results on the world's largest sporting stage.
4: To give us some insight into the “Day (or week) of a Firefighter”, how much time do you spend training, based at the firestation and attending emergencies on an average week?
The days are very different and include anything from lectures of rules and procedures, drills outside, physical training, visits to high risk property and factories in the community, protection of the public with help in fitting smoke alarms, educating adults and children about fire safety, testing our water supply's like hydrants in the street, and a lots and lots of cleaning and testing of equipment.
5. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
At the moment I am sewing a wedding dress for my and Kevin's wedding tour. I really enjoy that, I also love traveling, and spending times with friends and my family in Sweden. I love learning new things and my life involves a lot of sport of course. I spend about 10 hours per week in the gym working out and a lot of time biking around Cheltenham with Kevin.
6: What have been the most difficult and most rewarding aspects of being a firefighter?
I am very very fortunate so it's a bit difficult to choose just one rewarding thing.But going around to schools that invited me to talk about the job of a firefighter, training for the world police and firefighting games, and showing them the Olympic torch have been lots of fun and very rewording. The kids are always so happy and excited and it is such a joy to be around them.
I did go through something very tough last year! I was very upset, I even thought about leaving the fire service. But with the support from collages I managed to get back and learn from my experiences which I'm so very glad about. I feel stronger and more ready and happy to help others for the experience.
If you dream big, dreams that you believe you can accomplish, and your family and friends help you, you really can accomplish anything! Just never stop believing. The journey there will make you stronger and help you to appreciate what you achieved and dreamt of.
The day you achieve a dream is just a very happy day but that glory fades fast. The journey to reach the goal is what helps make you you, and gives you the memories and strength for life. The journey and learning along the way, will serve you well as a recipe for reaching your future goals in all aspects of your life.
I learned that no matter what you go through in life, with a bit of help you can do anything. There is only one person in your life that can stop you - and that is you!
And as I look forward to a new chapter in my life, I always remember the saying "For the world you might be one person but for one person you might be the world!"
