Nadine Eans - C.B.N.’s Mobile Day Spa

Nadine Eans is a Skin Care Consultant, Certified Skin Analyst and Derma Options Consultant. Nadine has seven years experience in the skin care industry and received training in 2003 from Crowning Touch Institute as a Certified Skin Analyst and in 2006 as a Derma Options Consultant, offering her clients a wide range of derma options to such procedures as Botox, Microdermabrassion and Chemical Peels. In 2003 Nadine officially launched C.B.N.’s Mobile Day Spa, which brings the luxury of spa services to clients in the comfort of their own home, office, hotel or location of their choice. Services include skin analysis and consultation, a wide variety of facials, hand treatments and massage services. C.B.N.’s Mobile Day Spa caters to a wide variety of clients for individual services, skin care consultations, bachelorette parties, spa parties for any occasion and corporate events. C.B.N.’s Mobile Day Spa has been featured in Time Out NY’s 2005 Spa Issue, NJ’s Herald News in January 2007 and The Northeastern Pennsylvania Business Journal, NJ and Westchester Health & Life Magazines. C.B.N.’s Mobile Day Spa has provided spa services to such clients as 98.7 Kiss FM, Budd Larner, Chai Lifeline, Conde Naste, Ecko Unlimited, Fashion Institute of Technology, Genzyme Biosurgery, MAMCO Property Management, and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Quote o fthe Day

I may be compelled to face danger, but never fear it, and while our soldiers can stand and fight, I can stand and feed and nurse them.

Clara Barton

Mae West

Born: 17-Aug-1893 Birthplace: Brooklyn, NY Died: 22-Nov-1980 Location of death: Hollywood, CA Cause of death: Stroke Remains: Buried, Cypress Hills Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY Gender: Female Religion: Protestant Race or Ethnicity: White Sexual orientation: Straight Occupation: Actor Nationality: United States Executive summary: Go up and see her sometime Mae West was an American screen legend and erotic icon famous for her voluptuous figure, sexy innuendos, and irrepressible wit. A free thinking and independent woman far ahead of her time, West expressed herself boldly, both sexually and creatively. She famously surrounded herself with handsome muscle men, both onscreen and off, and accrued a long list of famous and powerful lovers. Notably, West was one of the first female American playwrights, and actresses, to demand and receive creative control over her work. West’s creative expression encompassed nearly every facet of the entertainment spectrum including theatre and screenwriting, film, radio, television, and audio recording. And with a career spanning some 80+ years, she holds the further distinction of having performed both vaudeville and rock and roll. As a cultural icon she is immortalized by imitators, biographers, and even an assortment of snacks and devices bearing her name. Her trademark phrases have been translated into numerous languages, including Mandarin, Mongolian, Norwegian, and Lithuanian. She was born Mary Jane West on August 17, 1893 in Brooklyn, New York. Her father, the bare knuckles prizefighter Battlin’ Jack West, was a native New Yorker from the lower east side. A heavy smoker and drinker, he turned to violence when thwarted. Her mother, "Tillie", was a former corset and fashion model, and frustrated actress, who had immigrated to America from Germany with her parents. Curiously, although Mae West always claimed that Tillie was Jewish, records show that the family listed their religion as Lutheran upon arrival in America. West’s paternal grandmother had also immigrated as a child -- an Irish Catholic, she married Mae’s paternal grandfather, John Edwin, while only 12 years old. Edwin’s own ancestry remains enigmatic. But according to West biographer Jill Watts, he may have been a light-skinned African American who passed for white. Arising from this milieu of adversity, Mae learned early on that her unusual talent and good looks were an advantage that just might leverage her into a better life – if she played it smart. Encouraged by her mother, she used her sexuality to build alliances with, or dominate, nearly every man who crossed her path. And she learned to view marriage as a double edged institution – one that offered legal protection and social acceptance, but which robbed women of their independence and sexual freedom. According to most sources she took refuge in marriage just once, with fellow actor and lover Frank Wallace. When she tired of Wallace, and discovered she was not pregnant as feared, she ended the relationship. She neglected to file for divorce however, and Wallace showed up years later, in 1937, with marriage certificate in hand to receive a share of West’s ample earnings. She may have been simultaneously married to musician Guido Deiro, divorcing him in 1920. West allegedly used the alias Catherine Mae Belle West when marrying Deiro to avoid bigamy charges. While West’s attitudes toward men were heavily influenced by her mother so was her choice of career. Tillie West had once longed to follow in the footsteps of idol Lillian Russell, even having her portrait painted in such way as to highlight a certain resemblance. She started Mae off in show business as early as age 5, according to some reports, and by age 7 Mae had won the gold medal in a talent show, with Tillie billing her as "Baby Mae". By age 12 she was appearing on the vaudeville circuit and was soon performing as the sexy "Baby Vamp". At 18 she introduced vaudeville to the "shimmy", a sexy full body undulation that she’d first observed in the blues bars of Chicago. In the 1920s she had moved on to playwriting. A shameless self promoter, she is said to have single billed herself on works that were in fact jointly authored. Nonetheless both on the stage and later in film she showed tremendous wit and intelligence for writing dialogue, especially for those parts she played herself. But while West is chiefly remembered for her clever dialogue and powerhouse sensuality, much of her work dealt also with spiritual matters and West was herself a deeply and eclectically spiritual person for most of her life. Not surprisingly, her tendency toward frankness and maverick free thinking, on all subjects, often put her at odds with moralists and hard line religious leaders. Her first major run in with censorship laws came in 1926 when she was jailed for the play Sex, which she both wrote and starred in. West was sentenced to 10 days in jail on obscenity charges. However she allegedly received star treatment in prison, dining each night with the warden and getting two days off for good behavior. Despite this fact she was sympathetic to those less fortunate, and upon her release she penned an article about the women she’d met behind bars. Putting her money where her mouth was, she also made a donation on their behalf to fund a prison library. In 1927 West was back in trouble again. Her new play Drag, about a homosexual party, was a big hit in New Jersey. But it was banned from Broadway and was soon bogged down in extensive legal battles. She bounced back the following year with her naughty, but more acceptable Diamond Lil. Not only was it a big hit on Broadway, but it more significantly catapulted her toward Hollywood stardom. West debuted on film in 1932 with what was supposed to be a small part in Night After Night, starring George Raft. However West insisted on rewriting all her lines, and the result was pure gold – for West and for the film. Building on this success West was able to translate her Broadway play Diamond Lil to the big screen as She Done Him Wrong in 1933. Audiences went wild, and the film was a huge success, garnering an Academy Award nomination and catapulting male lead Cary Grant, to stardom. What’s more the picture saved its studio, Paramount Pictures, from bankruptcy. West’s next film, I’m No Angel, was also a big hit with moviegoers. But her empowered sexuality and ribald wit, that so entranced movie goers, incensed religious leaders and moralists. The Catholic Church in particular launched a campaign to put an end to the "filth" churned out by West, and to an extent, by the studios in general. By July of 1934 Hollywood was being squeezed toward more exact compliance with the strict Motion Picture Production Code. Since West was not one to give in easily and she managed for a while to pull a clever bait and switch with the censors. She laded scripts with obvious material for them to cut, while slipping in more subtle elements they would overlook. Most famous of these were her sly double entendres, lines she rolled out with such droll understatement that fans were never quite sure what was a straight line and what was intentional innuendo. But censors could not be duped indefinitely, not with more clever moralists writing them outraged letters. And so West found her work in Hollywood more and more constrained. She churned out several more films, including My Little Chickadee, in which she starred alongside nemesis W. C. Fields (1940). But 1943’s The Heat’s On proved to be her last offering, until her film rebirth in the 1970s. For the next few decades she returned her attention to writing and performing for the more liberal environment of the stage. One of West’s favorite roles was her 1944 Broadway production of Catherine Was Great. West’s version of the famed Russian empress was a woman after her own heart – a powerful, lusty, independent woman who surrounded herself with tall muscle men. According to West, an ardent spiritualist, this likeness was appropriate as she herself was the reincarnation of Catherine the Great. Like the historic Catherine, West’s identity as a sexual titan who seemed untarnished by age. West still demanded daily sex well into her 60s and held onto a girlish figure through an assortment of eccentric practices. According to West, she avoided sunlight to preserve her skin, massaged her breasts for two hours a day with cold cream to keep them firm, had her men massage warm baby oil into her skin to keep it soft, and began each day with an enema to rid her body of toxins and keep her skin silky smooth. Determined never to be a "has been" (she hotly turned down Billy Wilder’s invitation to lay Norma Desmond in Sunset Strip) West frequently managed to reinvent and reintroduce herself to the American public. She had her own Las Vegas show in the 1950s. And in the 1960s, she appeared on the album sleeve for The Beatles "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", she popped up on a number of popular television programs (including The Red Skelton Show and Mr. Ed), and she even cut two rock and roll albums. In 1970 she at last returned to the big screen with Gore Vidal's Myra Breckinridge. But although the time seemed ripe for West's bawdy humor to make a come back, with society and censors more open to sexuality, age was catching up with her. Now in her mid 80s, she was struggling with diabetes and other ailments. During the 1978 filming of Sextette, her last film, she often needed to rest during scenes. And she forgot her lines so often that it was necessary to fit her with an earpiece so she could be prompted with her lines. But the indomitable Mae insisted on playing a woman in her late 20s, and she behaved as if she were still the knockout sex goddess that every man wanted to make love too. Despite such handicaps and eccentricities her co-stars would remember West as a grand lady. And when the film finally premiered her cult of longtime fans still found her adorable and embraced Sextette, viewing the flaws of the film as delightful self-parody. But the public in general was not so impressed and despite added talent from the likes of Timothy Dalton, Ringo Starr, George Hamilton, Tony Curtis, Walter Pidgeon and George Raft, the film fell flat at the box office. Two years later West’s decline culminated in a series of strokes, and she died on November 22, 1980 from stroke related complications. Two days later her former lover and longtime friend, George Raft, who had co-starred with West in both her first film and her last, died as well, of leukemia. Like Raft, West is memorialized by a Motion Pictures star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. But like only a handful of other stars her trademark gestures and phrases (such as "Goodness had nothing to do with it, dearie", "When I'm bad I'm even better", and "Come up and see me sometime") have entered into the pop culture lexicon. Courtesy of: http://www.nndb.com/people/828/000031735/

Quote of the Day

A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous

Ingrid Bergman

Aja Stubbs - Belle-Noir Mgazine

Created with the plus size woman of Color in mind and at heart, Belle-Noir Magazine is a complete lifestyle magazine that features everything you need to live your life in a big and beautiful way. Belle-Noir Magazine was originally concepted in August 2003 after a discussion in a Yahoo! Group in which several of the female members voiced their concerns over the lack of representation of plus size women of Color in print media. It was agreed that whether it was a magazine geared towards plus size women or a magazine for Women of Color, women size 14 and over were rarely ever featured at all. Ms. Aja B. Stubbs, seeing the past and recent demise of several magazines for both plus size women and women of color, decided to take her personal goal of starting a magazine to the 21st Century by creating an online publication that would be dedicated to women just like her. With the help of several friends and a lot of determination, Ms. Stubbs launched Belle-Noir E-zine launched on November 1, 2003 on a Geocities site. After four successful years as a bi-monthly online magazine, Belle-Noir Magazine has now transitioned to a blog format in an effort to provide "bakery fresh" content to our readers on a daily basis. Belle-Noir Magazine's Objectives: • To promote the positive image of Big Beautiful Women of Color by featuring content (i.e. articles, poetry, photos, etc.) of an informative, entertaining, and inspiring nature, created specifically with the Big Beautiful Woman of Color in mind. • To support the work and deeds of other individuals who promote size acceptance, the positive portrayal of Big Beautiful Women, and the positive portrayal of women of Color Belle-Noir Magazine is pleased to present our new Signature Event! Curves & Cocktails: The Ultimate Girls Night Out for Women with Curves! Saturday, April 25, 2009 from 12 Noon to 6:00pm in New York City. For more information on tickets, or for information on being a Vendor or Sponsor of this event, please visit http://www.curvesandcocktails.com

Quote of the Day

If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love. Don't be surly at home, then go out in the street and start grinning "Good morning" at total strangers.

Maya Angelou

Nidelka Mayers

As President and CEO of A1 Technology & Travel and Founder of the Affair Group “Your Wedding Affair, Honeymoon Affair and Gifts Affair”, she oversees the marketing direction, technical development and quality control of the entire company. In addition, she is the driving force behind the long-range planning and strategic development that has made The Affair Group a unique woman wend company that specializes in events and strategic marketing. A “hands-on” Chief Executive, she is accessible, determined, with an eye to detail, single-minded in her vision of the Affair Group as the prime force in the event planning market of the 22 century. Ready to take on the next challenge and confident that her experience combine with education gives her the unique set of skills necessary to succeed in the event production and publishing industry. In 2006 Mayers’ strategically partners to create Harlem Weddings Bridal Show, producing the first Harlem Wedding guide and bridal show that features a different for theme each event. A native of the Republic of Panama, motivated and enthusiastic Mayers; the woman whose background consist of 15 years of management, marketing, event planning and customer service experience holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and computer science, certification in business administration and project management, travel and wedding consultant. http://www.yourweddingaffair.com/

Quote of the Day

Curve: The loveliest distance between two points. Mae West

Roseanne Barr

Actor, comedienne, producer, talk show host. Born Roseanne Barr on November 3, 1952, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Roseanne became one of America’s most watched sitcom stars during the late 1980s and 1990s. She married Bill Pentland in 1974 and the couple had three children. Roseanne turned her experiences as a wife and mother into a stand-up comedy act and began performing at local clubs. Audiences responded to her “domestic goddess” routine and she got bigger gigs and made friends such as comics as Sam Kenison. She started making appearances on The Tonight Show in the mid-1980s. In 1988, Roseanne became a television star with her self-titled show. Her realistic depiction of a tough, but tender, wise-cracking mom struck a cord with viewers. Roseanne received three Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, before finally winning the award in 1995. In addition to the show, Roseanne has worked in several feature films. She starred in She-Devil (1989) opposite Meryl Streep and Ed Begley, Jr., and appeared in Freddy’s Dead (1991), Blue in the Face (1995), and Meet Wally Sparks (1997). She also voiced a baby girl in Look Who’s Talking Too (1990) and a cow in Home on the Range (2004). She also wrote two books about her experiences: Roseanne: My Life as a Woman (1989) and My Lives (1994). For almost a decade, viewers tuned in each week to catch the adventures of the Conners. After the show ended in 1997, Roseanne tackled a number of projects. She had her talk show from 1998 to 2000. More recently she returned to her stand-up roots with her own HBO comedy special in 2006.

Quote of the Day

I married beneath me - all women do. Nancy Astor

Constance Baker Motley

Lawyer and judge, born in New Haven, Connecticut, USA. While a student at Columbia University (1946 LLB), she worked as a clerk for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's legal defence and education fund, then took a full-time post there (1946–65). She successfully argued nine cases before the US Supreme Court, including those of James Meredith and Autherine Lucy. In 1964 she became the first African-American woman to be elected to the New York state senate, and became president of Manhattan Borough (1965–6). She became the first black woman federal judge when President Lyndon Johnson appointed her to the US District Court for the S District of New York (1966). In 1982–6 she served as chief judge, becoming senior judge in 1986. Motley died in a Manhattan hospital on September 28, 2005 at age 84. Courtesy of: http://www.biography.com/search/article.do?id=9416520

Quote of the Day

Women are meant to be loved, not to be understood. Oscar Wilde

Robin Roberts

Robin Roberts was named third anchor of ABC News' "Good Morning America" in May 2005 At "Good Morning America," Roberts reports on a wide array of topics and issues for the morning broadcast. She has covered numerous special events ranging from the homecoming of soldiers aboard the USS Roosevelt to the Golden Jubilee at Buckingham Palace to the 25th anniversary of the papacy of Pope John Paul II in Vatican City. Roberts has also interviewed newsmakers from first lady Laura Bush to sports legends Tiger Woods and Shaquille O'Neal. Most recently, Roberts reported from Des Moines, Iowa, where she anchored a Town Hall meeting with presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.). She has also traveled to Africa with former President Clinton to bring viewers a firsthand look at the devastating AIDS crisis in that part of the world. There, she and the president visited cities and villages around the continent to bring the story to "GMA" viewers. Roberts is also the only morning anchor to have ever broadcast live from inside a Navy submarine. In August 2005, Roberts found her personal and professional lives collide when Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New Orleans and the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast -- a part of the country she has called home for most of her life. Roberts reported live amid the devastation in the days following the storm and launched "GMA" Gets It Done," a year-long initiative to get her hometown of Pass Christian, Miss., up and running. She has returned to the Gulf Coast numerous times to continue her reporting and update viewers on how residents, businesses and everyone in that part of the country is mending post-Katrina. In March 2003, Roberts traveled to the Persian Gulf Region to report from Kuwait on the impending war with Iraq. In March 2004, Roberts returned to the war zone, reporting on the one year anniversary of the war. Roberts has also reported on the practicality of sky marshals on airplanes; the impact of the World Trade Center attacks on the town of Rockville Center, N.Y.; the custody battle over 12-year-old Timmie Meldrum; and the controversial gentrification of Harlem. Roberts has contributed to "Good Morning America" since June 1995, and has worked in broadcasting for more than 20 years. Other ABC assignments have included segments hosting "Good Morning America Sunday" and "Prime Time." From 1990 to 2005, Roberts was also a contributor to ESPN, where she was one of the network's most versatile commentators. Her assignments there included hosting "SportsCenter," contributing to "NFL PrimeTime" from 1990-1994, and providing reports and interviews from the field.

Quote of the Day

If you have any doubts that we live in a society controlled by men, try reading down the index of contributors to a volume of quotations, looking for women's names. - Elaine Gill

Robbyne Kaamil

I was born and bred in the Bronx thus proving to the world that civilized people are able to coexist with crack heads, criminals and crooked cops. After changing my major 3 times in college I decided to get my degree in history. If the truth be told I would have preferred to have my ass up on a stage. I’ve always had a flair for the dramatic. (I must have been a drag queen in a past life. I came back with real titties this time. Thank you Jesus!) Despite my artistic yearnings I went into teaching after college. I taught GED preparation to high school drop outs and women on AFDC (for all you uppity bitches that’s Aid to Families with Dependent Children aka Welfare). Teaching left me unfulfilled and stressed. But after college I was unemployed and a bitch has got to eat. Several years ago after a long day at work and a bag of weed I had a vision. (It was some good shit!) I started to give in to my creative urges. I started writing poetry and short stories. I first shared my work with the world when I collaborated with a visual artist by composing poems to accompany his work. My shit was so “in-your-face” that the gallery yanked it. This experience inspired me to produce a body of work including my book “Get Off The Titty: Poetry That Bites” and my one woman show, "Robbyne Kaamil: Raw & Real…Life From One Woman's Perspective" (Now available on DVD) My in-your-face style landed me appearances on numerous television and radio shows including The Howard Stern Show and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. I’ve also added comedian, talk show host, voice-over artist, full-figured model and motivational speaker to my resume. Several years ago a friend was putting together a e-zine and I suggested that she needed an advice column for real people with real issues. I was so tired of the passive shit I’d read in other advice columns. Sometimes it’s best to dump a motherfucker and not try to work it out. Who needs the drama?! This is a new day. It’s time to free your mind and your soul. It’s time to get real and stop the madness. My philosophy is If you’re not real with yourself you can’t expect the world to be real with you. I created the site to help you get to the truth. The truth is the light! Can I get an Amen?! http://www.canwebereal.com

Quote of the Day

Woman is a miracle of divine contradictions. Jules Michelet

66th United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice (born November 14, 1954) was the 66th United States Secretary of State, and the second in the administration of President George W. Bush to hold the office. Rice was the first black woman, second African American (after her predecessor Colin Powell, who served from 2001 to 2005), and the second woman (after Madeleine Albright, who served from 1997 to 2001 in the Clinton Administration) to serve as Secretary of State. Rice was President Bush's National Security Advisor during his first term. Before joining the Bush administration, she was a professor of political science at Stanford University where she served as Provost from 1993 to 1999. During the administration of George H.W. Bush, Rice served as the Soviet and East European Affairs Advisor during the dissolution of the Soviet Union and German reunification. When beginning as Secretary of State, Rice pioneered a policy of Transformational Diplomacy, with a focus on democracy in the greater Middle East. Her emphasis on supporting democratically elected governments faced challenges as Hamas captured a popular majority in Palestinian elections yet supported Islamist militants, and influential countries including Saudi Arabia and Egypt maintained authoritarian systems with US support. While Secretary of State, she chaired the Millennium Challenge Corporation's board of directors.[1] Rice was approached in February 2009 to fill an open position as a Pac-10 Commissioner but declined.[2] Courtesy of: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condoleezza_Rice

Quote of the Day

Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion. The potential for greatness lives within each of us.

Wilma Rudolph

Wilma Rudolph

Athlete, Olympic track and field champion. Born on June 23, 1940, in St. Bethlehem, Tennessee. Rudolph became the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field events at the Olympics. But the road to victory was not an easy one for her. Born premature and sickly as a child, Rudolph had problems with her left leg and had to wear a brace. It was with great determination and with the help of physical therapy that she was able to overcome her physical disabilities. Growing up in the South during days of segregation, Rudolph attended an African-American high school where she played on the basketball team. A naturally gifted runner, she later recruited for the track team. While still in high school, Rudolph qualified for the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia. At the age of 16, she was the youngest member of the U.S. team and won a bronze medal in the sprint relay event. After finishing high school, Rudolph enrolled at Tennessee State University where she studied education. She also trained hard for the next Olympics. Held in Rome, Italy, the 1960 Olympics were a golden time for Rudolph. She won the 100 meter, 200 meter, and sprint relay events, making her one of the popular athletes from the games. This first-class sprinter became a sports superstar, celebrated around the world for her achievements. She made numerous appearances on television and received several honors, including being named the Associated Press Woman Athlete of the Year twice. After retiring from competition in the early 1960s, Rudolph worked as a teacher and a track coach. She shared her remarkable story with the world in 1977 with her autobiography, Wilma. Her book was later turned into a television film. In the 1980s, she was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and established the Wilma Rudolph Foundation to promote amateur athletics. Rudolph died on November 12, 1994, near Nashville, Tennessee, from brain cancer. In 2004, the United States Postal Service honored this Olympic champion by featuring her likeness on a 23-cent stamp. She is remembered as one of the fastest women in track and as a source of great inspiration for generations of African-American athletes. © 2007 A&E Television Networks. All rights reserved.

Quote of the Day

Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got

Janis Joplin

Shirley Chisholm

US representative and social activist. Born Shirley St. Hill on November 30, 1924 in New York City. Chisholm spent part of her childhood in Barbados with her grandmother and graduated from Brooklyn College in 1946. She began her career as a teacher and earned a Master's degree in elementary education from Columbia University. She served as director of the Hamilton-Madison Child Care Center from 1953 to 1959 as an educational consultant to New York City's Bureau of Child Welfare from 1959 to 1964. In 1969, Chisholm became the first black congresswoman and began the first of seven terms. After initially being assigned to the House Forestry Committee, she shocked many by demanding reassignment. She was placed on the Veterans' Affairs Committee, eventually graduating to the Education and Labor Committee. She became one of the founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus in 1969. Chisholm became the first African American woman to make a bid to be President of the United States when she ran for the Democratic nomination in 1972. A champion of minority education and employment opportunities throughout her tenure in Congress, Chisholm was also a vocal opponent of the draft. After leaving Congress in 1983, she taught at Mount Holyoke College and was popular on the lecture circuit. Chisholm was married to Conrad Chisholm from 1949 to 1977. She wed Arthur Hardwick, Jr. in 1986. She is the author of two books, Unbought and Unbossed (1970) and The Good Fight (1973). Courtesy of:

Quote of the Day

You can do one of two things; just shut up, which is something I don't find easy, or learn an awful lot very fast, which is what I tried to do

Jane Fonda

Victoria Woodhull

According to her contemporaries, Victoria Woodhull was a woman 100 years ahead of her time. Although few have heard of her today, when she ran for President of the United States in 1872, she was one of the most famous women in the country. She advocated many things which we take for granted today: the 8-hour work day, graduated income tax, social welfare programs, and profit sharing, for example. Victoria California Claflin was born September 23, 1838 in Homer, Ohio, to a down-on-its-luck family. She was only 15 years old when she was married for the first time to Canning Woodhull. When she died on June 9, 1927, she had come a long way from her modest surroundings in Homer. She died in a Manor House in Bredon's Norton, Worcestershire, England, as the wealthy widow of a British banker. She was no "respecter of persons." She offered her hospitality to prostitutes and royalty alike. She was a bundle of contradictions. Although she was opposed to the organized Christian religion, she lived its principles: She fed the hungry, cared for the sick, and visited the prisoners. She believed that living those principles was more important to saving souls than preaching the resurrection of Christ. She owned a newspaper which was the first to print the Communist Manifesto in English; and yet, she was also the first female stockbroker on Wall Street. Her life was unique, to say the least. Victoria was nominated for the U.S. Presidency by the Equal Rights Party. Her candidacy attracted an unusual coalition of people, which included laborers, female suffragists, Spiritualists, and communists, among others. The members of the coalition represented diverse--and often conflicting--opinions. The one thing that they all agreed upon was that the government needed reform. They wanted a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people." They wanted a government with principles. Not only did the Equal Rights Party nominate the first female presidential candidate, they were also the first to nominate a black man, Frederick Douglass, for Vice President. Although few seriously thought Victoria Woodhull would win, they knew her campaign would send a message to Washington. It's time for a woman in the White House. Victoria faced many obstacles to election besides the obvious one of running when most women couldn't even vote. One obstacle was campaign fund-raising and organization. She formed "Victoria Leagues." She held "Congresses" of her followers in her own home. She attempted to raise money by selling bonds that would be redeemable during her administration. Still, she couldn't get the support she needed to launch a formidable campaign. When she began her run, she had personal funds to draw from like Steve Forbes. She was the publisher of a New York journal, "Woodhull & Claflin's Weekly." She owned a stock brokerage, "Woodhull, Claflin & Company." Eventually, though, her funds ran out. She remarked of her own campaign, "The press suddenly divided between the other two great parties, refused all notice of the new reformatory movement; a series of pecuniary disasters stripped us, for the time being, of the means of continuing our weekly publication, and forced us into a desperate struggle for mere existence. . . . The inauguration of the new party, and my nomination, seemed to fall dead upon the country; and . . . a new batch of slanders and injurious innuendoes permeated the community in respect to my condition and character." Instead of debating Victoria on the issues, her opponents attacked her personally. They called her everything from a witch to a prostitute. They accused her of having affairs with married men. At first, Victoria responded to the slanders by taking the high road and ignoring the abuse. She believed that the private matters of public figures were just that, "private." Still, the rumors didn't subside, and she found she had to justify her private behavior in public. The rumors eventually led Victoria and her family to be evicted from their home. They literally spent one night homeless on the streets of New York because landlords were afraid to rent to the "Wicked Woodhull." Victoria believed certain members of the Beecher family--Catherine Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe--were responsible for the insidious rumors. In desperation, Victoria and her second husband Col. Blood wrote to Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. They asked him to help put an end to the persecution. Rev. Beecher turned a cold shoulder to them. Because Henry Ward Beecher refused to listen to her pleas, Victoria felt there was no choice but to fight back and reveal the hypocrisy of her attackers. She published the story of Rev. Beecher's affair with a married woman, hoping that his family would stop the personal attacks. Instead, they enlisted the help of the United States marshals and the YMCA. The first female presidential candidate spent election day in jail. The U.S. government arrested her under the Comstock Act for sending "obscene" literature through the mail. (As late as 1996, this act was still in effect as a part of the internet Communications Decency Act.) The alleged obscenity wasn't pornography. The obscenity was an article about Rev. Beecher's affair with Lib Tilton, the wife of Beecher's best friend, Theodore Tilton. At first, people took the side of the government. They were glad to see the "Wicked Woodhull" in jail for smearing one of their favorite celebrities. As time went by, though, they realized that the principle of free speech was at stake. Victoria, her sister Tennie C., and her husband Col. Blood were in jail for publishing what they believed to be the truth. The government didn't care if it was the truth. They wanted to destroy Victoria Woodhull and her newspaper, "Woodhull & Claflin's Weekly." Some members of the press joined in. A Chicago editor admitted to an intentional campaign to destroy her. He said, "Editors know that all she has said about Beecher is true, and we must either indorse her and make her the most popular woman in the world, or write her down and crush her out; and we have determined to do the latter." The scandal erupted into numerous trials for obscenity and libel. Victoria was on the defensive and was arrested eight times. Henry Ward Beecher and Theodore Tilton denied everything. They said that woman was lying. In 1875, Theodore Tilton had a change of heart. He took Reverend Beecher to court for alienation of his wife's affection. To some, it seemed a vindication of Woodhull. To others, it proved Theodore Tilton was part of a vast conspiracy to bring down Rev. Beecher. The Beecher-Tilton trial was the biggest news since President Lincoln had been assassinated. It received more coverage than the impeachment of President Johnson. It was as widely covered as the O.J. Simpson trial. It created thousands of pages of testimony and numerous books like the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal. The country was sharply divided. Some believed Beecher was guilty. Others believed Woodhull made the whole thing up. They thought she published the article because she wanted fame or increased circulation. Victoria, Tennie C., and Colonel were eventually acquitted of any crimes, but the lawsuits ruined them. They spent a fortune in legal bills and bail. They lost their stock brokerage. The government confiscated their printing press, their personal papers, and their brokerage accounts, which were a major source of their income. They had received death threats and blackmail letters. They estimated their losses at half a million dollars and told the government they would be satisfied if they received $50,000 in restitution. They never received anything. With its malicious prosecution, the federal government bankrupted its first female presidential candidate--financially and emotionally. It's been nearly 128 years, and still no woman has made it to the White House. No person of color has even made it to the Vice Presidency. Money is still a major obstacle for candidates. The private lives of public figures are still an issue. The people still feel the politicians aren't representing them. It seems little has changed in politics in the past century. Courtesy of:

Quote of the Day

Invest in the human soul. Who knows, it might be a diamond in the rough.

Mary McLeod Bethune

Erica Watson

Originally from Chicago, Erica Watson is a stand-up comedienne and film/television director living in NYC. In 2009, Erica Watson will appear in the Lee Daniel's film "PUSH" opposite Mo'nique, Lenny Kravitz, Sherri Sheppard and Paula Patton. Earlier this year, Watson starred in the 20th Century Fox theatrical release "Dirty Laundry" and she is currently featured in two commercials for the Oxygen Network called "Tresstify" and "Kiss & Tell". Most recently, Watson was a featured commentator/pundit on 3 different BET Specials: "The Evolution of Mary J. Blige", "I Wanna Thank My Momma", and "The Evolution of Jay-Z". Because of her views on politics and pop culture, Watson is a recurring panelist on the BETJ talk show "My Two Cents." Watson is also the DIRECTOR of the reality TV Series "My Model Looks Better Than Your Model" on the BETJ Network. When she is not performing at various comedy clubs across the country, you can catch her on the Oxygen Network, MSG-TV and BET. http://www.ericawatson.com

Quote of the Day

Something which we think is impossible now is not impossible in another decade

Constance Baker Motley

Renee “Soooo Brooklyn” Jennings

What if people were to replace the written meaning of words in dictionaries across the continents with a picture of a person who exemplifies the definition? Words like eclectic, intricate, spunky, fearless, resourceful, and steadfast would certainly be among the adjectives in which this often categorized “superwoman” would be defined. A woman who predicted her own fate at the tender age of twelve; announcing she would indeed live in New York City one day and be in the entertainment business. This luminous female could not hide her shine even in the midst of the most catastrophic tragedy. After all, she is and always has been cut from the echelons of that old school “big momma” kind of strength. She is a writer, model, trendsetter, mentor, entrepreneur, advocate, radio show host, and quite frankly one of the biggest diversified personalities to ever reign in the complicated walls of society. She is Renee “Soooo Brooklyn” Jennings. Born in 1980 Renee seemed destined to surpass any obstacles put in front of her. Being an only child until the age of fifteen, Renee spent a lot of her time immersed in her grandmother and aunt’s record collection. Listening to Roberta Flack and Stevie Wonder, she would close her eyes and feel each word that was sung and listen to each chord played until she became one with the melody. That passion for music, lead her to explore what she could do if she started to write her own songs. By age ten, she could rap Queen Latifah and Monie Loves, “Ladies First,” like she wrote it herself and in turn, could write lyrics like a polished emcee. She began writing everything from short stories to poetry. Often entering writing contests that landed her winning entries such as the one she entered regarding the values her grandmother taught her that landed her lunch with Hillary Rodham Clinton. Her journalism career began to blossom in high school; interviewing Queen Latifah, r&b group, Silk and activist like Dick Gregory, for her school newspaper. In 1999, she left Washington, DC and moved to New York City. Her 10 year span in the city that never sleeps has afforded her many opportunities. After attending Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, New York, her desires to immediately place herself in the entertainment industry, lead her to leave college and go out on her own. The results of this often criticized decision were astounding. Renee has been the music editor for Full Bloom Inc. She also had the opportunity to be one of the associate producers and co-host of the hit talk show on Fusebox Radio called "Her Voice." She has been a freelance audio and print journalist for HHNLive.com, Femmixx.com, and Heavy Rotation Magazine. She has interviewed countless celebrities such as, Too $hort, Jagged Edge, Russell Simmons, Sway, Beenie Man, Krucial Keys and Roy Jones, Jr., and Buffie the Body. Renee is the on-air host and producer of her own Internet talk radio show, "Sarcasm with No Chaser." The show was started in July 2007 as an avenue for people to speak their minds freely and listen to more than just the average rotation of music that plays on local radio stations. Renee has also been featured as an independent woman of the month on Belle-Noir.com. In February 2008, she was selected as one of the models for the 2008 Spring/Summer collection photo shoot for Blur Custom Dezign that took place in Buffalo, NY. She also formed her own company; R. Media Group. The company specializes in all aspects of entertainment writing and event public relations. In October 2008, Renee co-starred in the Sharon McGhee's The Pocketbook Monologues; where she performed at the Sage Theater in Times Square, New York. Currently, her projects include public relations via R. Media Group for Blissful Elegance Events Meeting in the Ladies Room: “Flashing Lights & Lip-Gloss” event and the kick-off of Belle-Noir’s Curves and Cocktails event. Renee resides in Brooklyn, New York with her first love; Hip-Hop. Contact info: Email: hhbkrenee@gmail.com www.myspace.com/reneejennings

Quote of the Day

When I'm good, I'm very good. When I'm bad, I'm better.

Mae West

Trudie Tapper-Coverdale - TruButter

I have always dreamed of leaving corporate America to work for myself, running my own business. I feel that if I am going to work 70 hours per week, I want that time to be spent realizing my own venture as opposed to realizing someone else’s. Bringing my dream to life has been challenging, but I love every minute of it. TruButter was born from the need to find effective deep moisturizing skin care products. With a background in environmental science, I began making products for my husband who wanted a moisturizer that lasted longer than 4 hours. After some thought and research I decided on ingredients and our first body butter was born. The first products were only given to close friends and family, but quickly spread to friends of friends. Soon after the line was picked up by stores. When the products sold out the same day we dropped them off, we knew were onto something good. I found I have so much passion and drive for creating natural products that I started taking courses and attending conferences about how to use natural resources such as fruit butters, nut and flower oils and researched essential oils and skin types. That passion for quality products has led me to my advance my knowledge of nature’s resources and purse a master’s degree in Cosmetic Science. Where I will gain a greater breadth of knowledge that will allow me to create more complex products using the best ingredients. TruButter is my passion, and I want people to benefit from the world’s best natural ingredients. It has been almost six years since TruButter was born and we have grand plans for the future. Now, we’re making products and meeting new people every day. We love what we do. Creating products that reduce stress and revive skin while respecting the benefits and balance of nature, all to enhance a person’s daily wellness routine. www.trubutter.com

Quote of the Day

I want history to remember me not just as the first black woman to be elected to Congress, not as the first black woman to have made a bid for the presidency of the United States, but as a black woman who lived in the 20th century and dared to be herself.

I've always met more discrimination being a woman than being black

Shirley Chisholm

Isabel Garcia

Ms. Garcia is a native New Yorker, born and raised in Brooklyn. Her professional experience includes working in a non-profit serving youth and low-income families and special education. She is currently working toward a degree in Special Education. Isabel holds the titles of Ms. New York Plus America & Ms. New York American Beauties Plus, she has chosen domestic violence as her platform because of her personal and compelling story of survival and the prevalence of the problem worldwide. When she was 23 years old her boyfriend shot her in the face with a .38 magnum handgun and left her to die. Prior to this incident he repeatedly abused her. Fortunately, as she recovered from her physical injuries, she also gained the emotional strength to tell her story. As part of a universal ministry she has traveled around the world telling her story of survival to hundreds of women in El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Cuba and Israel. Her motto, "Be proud of who you are!" is something she communicates to audiences of women: "No matter if you are a size 2 or 20+ we are all beautiful and you need to love yourself first then everything else will fall into place." Her message to battered women is "Stay strong and don't dismiss your dreams. To be without dreams is to be without hope. To be without hope is to be without purpose." Isabel is also an enthusiastic supporter, promoter and spokeswoman, of the One in Three© campaign where she is helping to spread the word about the important work the organization is doing globally to raise awareness of violence against women and the trauma women suffer when domestic violence is part of their lives. She is also an international spokes person for the Voices Love Music tour for victims of Abuse. 1Voice2gether.Helping Others Find their "Beautiful Wonder" within To Break the Silence! Isabel Garcia is also an Aspiring Plus Model her ambition is to change the world's perception of the plus size individuals in modeling, media, and by making a difference in the community by encouraging positive body image, character, competence, and charisma for the plus size individual.

Quote of the Day

The thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take it. Roseanne Barr

Ann Richards

U.S. politician, former governor of Texas. Born Dorothy Ann Willis on September 1, 1933, in Lakeview, Texas. Known for her sharp wit, strong personality, and liberal political views, Richards fought for women’s and minority rights and worked to bring more women and minorities into power. She showed political promise in high school, excelling in debates. Her strong debating skills earned her a college scholarship, graduating from Baylor University in 1950. She went on to get a teaching certificate at the University of Texas in Austin in 1955. Richards entered politics in the 1950 as a volunteer for several Democratic gubernatorial campaigns. She later ran the successful campaign to elect Sarah Weddington—the lawyer who argued the winning side of Roe v. Wade in front of the U.S. Supreme Court—to the Texas legislature in 1972. Four years later Richards made her first bid for public office. She won a commissioner position for Travis County. She then moved from local to state government in 1982 when she won the election to become the state treasurer. She was re-elected to that post in 1986. Richards’ political profile kept rising. She was in the national spotlight for the keynote address at the 1988 National Democratic Convention. During her speech, she took a jab at George Bush, then vice president, saying “Poor George, he can’t help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth.” The remark was widely repeated in the press coverage of the event. In 1990, Richards ran for governor, pledging to increase the role of minorities and women in state government as plan of her plan for a “new Texas.” Once elected, she made good on her promise by adding African Americans and women to the Texas Rangers, a law enforcement agency. She also created the state lottery and improved the prison system. While serving as governor, Richards was appointed chairwoman of the Democratic National Convention in 1992. The convention selected Bill Clinton to run for president of the United States. Richards soon had her own election battle to worry about. George W. Bush, the son of the man she so famously insulted, ran against her in 1994 for the governorship. Richards said once that she had underestimated her opponent, dismissing him at one point as “some jerk.” She lost her re-election bid and left office in 1995. After leaving office, Richards lent her voice and her expertise to numerous liberal causes. She offered advice and counsel to other Democratic politicians. Richards also worked as an adviser and a consultant. Recently she had involved with the creation of the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders in Austin. Employing techniques especially tailored for female students with an emphasis on leadership skills, the school will open in 2007. Battling esophageal cancer for six months, Ann Richards died from complications of the disease on September 13, 2006, in Austin, Texas. She is survived by her four children from her marriage to David Richards and eight grandchildren. Shortly after her death, former president Bill Clinton escorted her casket to the Capitol where thousands came to pay their last respects to one of the greatest politicians in Texas history. Others, such as actress Lily Tomlin and newspaper columnist Liz Smith, spoke at her funeral and at her public memorial service. Courtesy of: http://www.biography.com/search/article.do?id=9457298

Quote of the Day

I have reached a point in my life where I understand the pain and the challenges; and my attitude is one of standing up with open arms to meet them all.

Myrlie Evers

Dr. Mae Jemison

Mae Jemison was born in Decatur, Alabama on October 17, 1956. She was the youngest of three children. The Jemison family moved to Chicago when Mae was only three. It was in Chicago that an uncle introduced her to the world of science. At a very early age, Mae developed interests in anthropology, archaeology, and astronomy that she pursued throughout her childhood. Mae Jemison enrolled at Stanford University at the age of 16 and in 1977 graduated with degrees in both chemical engineering and Afro-American studies. She received a Doctor of Medicine degree from Cornell University in 1981. Dr. Jemison has practiced medicine as a volunteer in a Cambodian refugee camp and as a medical officer with the Peace Corps in West Africa. She was working as a general practitioner in Los Angeles, California when NASA selected her and 14 others for astronaut training. Dr. Jemison completed her training as a mission specialist with NASA in 1988. In September of 1992, as a mission specialist aboard the Shuttle Endeavour, Mae Jemison became the first African-American woman to enter space. In 1993, Dr. Jemison resigned from NASA and founded the Jemison Group, Inc. Among her current projects are several that focus on improving healthcare in Africa and advancing technology in developing countries. Courtesy of:http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/whos_who_level2/jemison.html

Quote of the Day

Women elected Bill Clinton this time. He acknowledges it, the country acknowledges it, and the columnists acknowledge it, and when you have that kind of political clout, you can effect change and do it well. And I'm real proud to have been a part of that.

Ann Richards

Lynx Garcia (Supersize Spanishfly)

Lynx Garcia, also known as "Supersize Spanishfly", is a single mother of one, and a Latina bbw from corona, queens, New York. An activist, speaking out against size discrimination, Lynx began performing back in 1996 at social events for BBW's and BHM.s (big beautiful women and big handsome males) and began to build a solid reputation for her performances. Her singing, rapping and spoken word performances at various events in the tri state area, soon put her in demand at Big and Beautiful parties nationwide. After several years of performing and showcasing her talents, Lynx decided to take her look and sound main-stream, only to have the doors slammed shut in her face, because of her size. But she did not let this break her spirit, hurt her confidence or minimize her drive. Instead she put all of her energy into starting a public-access TV series that would not only promote her talents, but others as well. Thus she created Lynx's Lair, airing in Queens on Time Warner's QPTV, channel 56 on Tuesday nights. Lynx's Lair became a showcase for upcoming, as well as prominently known artists from all walks of life. From the pioneer B-boys and girls of Hip-Hop like, Kool Herc, Grand Master Caz, DJ Disco Wiz, and The Beat-nuts, to spoken word artists such as Joell Ortiz, Alvare (winner of the UMA Best Latin Hip-Hop Artist Award), Sano-In (of the Latin Hip-Hop connect), La Bruja, Ice T and his wife Coco,Notch, Noriega. Lynx has had them all in her Lair and has created a series that gives a voice and a platform to the artists and performers who can't get the mainstream exposure afforded to artists signed to the major corporations. The response to her show was phenomenal. In less than a year she had showcased so many artists (some who have moved on to bigger and better things) that she herself became a popular figure on the New York City entertainment scene. In fact, Lynx can't walk down the street without people running up to her to give her compliments on the program, as well as their CD's and demos. She receives hundreds of e-mails monthly from artists and fans alike as her two myspace pages are in heavy demand and her BBW community supports her every move. In 2005 Lynx caught the attention of Joey Mekkah of Black Solaris Entertainment and soon found herself on Grand Master Mele Mel's new solo album "Muscles; featured on the hot Latin hip-hop track; 'Dimelo". She is the only collaboration on the album with the legend, and describes the experience by stating; "even though Mel comes across extremely hard on stage, in reality he is the most humble person that I've ever met. To me, it's was an honor just to work with a living legend, but then to be able to actually call him a friend as well is a blessing on yet another level." In January of 2008 Lynx received the surprise of a lifetime when the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee Melle Mel came out to present Lynx with Curvesity's "You make a Difference" award. Lynx is well known and loved in the Hip Hop community. She has been embraced by artists such as Grandmaster Caz, Ice T and his wife Coco and most every single pioneer in the Hip Hop community as well as underground social conscience Mc's like Nyoil and Supa Nova Slom and has joined the Unify The Hood, Heal the Hood crusade. Fans of Lynx Garcia can hear (and download) her weekly show on "Extravagangsta radio" on Friday nights. "Extravagangsta" is #1 on the itunes network and averages roughly, about 45 to 50,000 downloads weekly with 250,000 listeners worldwide. Lynx and the crew of E.G. Radio were featured in the December issue of the Source magazine in an article about the grass roots media coverage of The Jena Six. They can also follow her exploits by checking out her blogs at [Si] TV.com. The [Si] TV website is an extension of the television network that provides entertainment based content geared toward the Hispanic and young adult markets. The website features interviews, reviews, blogs and photos as well as an on line community platform, similar to that of myspace and facebook. Lynx's blog topics vary from political and social issues to light and insightful observations based on everyday life. Lynx was also featured in a profile on Telemundo' TV/channel 47's morning show in a very dramatic and moving piece revolving around her weight issues and trying to excel in the entertainment business. The piece was so well received that Telemundo' is planning to do a follow up in the coming months because of the viewer response. Lynx Garcia and her management are currently in the development stages of a reality show pilot based around her exploits. She is an avid activist, supporting movements revolving around The Jena Six, Justice For Sean Bell,the genocide in Darfur and animal rights. Lynx hosts rallies for protesting against police brutality and Immigrants Rights. Lynx is currently writing for Blacktino.net a website dedicated to "Building Ethnic Unity" and has been recognized for her Hood Healer Series Lynx has been acknowledged for her efforts in raising awareness on the tensions that exist between the black and brown gangs of California as well as her coverage of the historical Peace Treaty by various gangs in Greensboro North Carolina and is often called upon by other media outlets for updates such as blackelectorate.com and Redding News Review and WRFG Fm radio.."Lynx Garcia has been our best resource in trying to cover the efforts of the gangs to reach a peaceful solution. That's what the community is not hearing about in the press. The gang members have to be a part of the reconciliation process in order for black and brown unity to sustain itself." Bruno GastonWRFG-FM AtlantaCo-ProducerThe Tambor"In Lynx Garcia I have found a unique blend of intellect, passion and personality. Her insight into the shared cultural, historical, and political experience and realities of 'Black' and 'Latino' peoples is invaluable. She embodies the next level of activism that marries the use of cutting edge technology with a presence on the ground, and in the streets. Lynx Garcia is a reservoir of guidance for this generation, and beyond..."Cedric MuhammadCEO/PublisherBlackElectorate.com and The Black Coffee Channel Lynx Garcia, aka Supersize Spanishfly is a living testament of beating the odds and realizing her dreams despite society's view of the overweight. Along with her beauty, talent and confidence, Lynx credits her dedication and perseverance to the support of her friends and family and her faith in God. She is currently working on expanding her Lynx's Lair cable show, and placing it as a podcast in conjunction with E.G. Radio. She also writes a new music report for "Large in Charge" magazine, and is the subject of a cover story in the premiere issue of the new online periodical; Pearadigm magazine, which features an insightful interview and a great photo spread.http://www.egradioonline.com/

Quote of the Day

Never limit yourself because of others' limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination. Mae Jemison, astronaut

Ivette Attaud-Jones

A social entrepreneur, former Fort Bragg Army wife and a 20 year survivor of domestic violence. After the loss of her infant twin daughter to domestic violence and beginning her journey to healing, she has made it her mission to speak out against domestic violence by raising awareness within the faith based community. She is also the author of Silent No More, A Woman’s Story of Surviving Domestic Abuse in the Military, soon to be published. She has also served on the Battered Women’s Justice Committee of Voices of Women Organizing Project and received a Certificate of Completion in Victim Assistance Training from the Office For Victims of Crime. Intended as an empowering support group for women to address long-term issues and the unspoken journey of healing that survivors of domestic violence face after leaving their abuser, My Life My Soul also works with the faith based community by providing them with information and strategies to help address domestic violence within their own congregations, including tools and educational activities designed to: Understand and recognize the warning signs of domestic violence and abuse, including spiritual abuse, Support members of their congregations who are seriously impacted by domestic violence, Hold abusers accountable, Create a zero tolerance environment, and Locate and work with supportive resources in the community. About My Life My Soul My Life My My Soul is a domestic violence program of the East Harlem Churches and Community Urban Center in New York. My Life My Soul focuses on raising awareness through community education projects including workshop facilitation and public speaking. The goal of My Life My Soul is to empower women through open discussions on how domestic abuse affects their lives as survivors; to explore issues not openly talked about that a woman faces after leaving her abuser; to eliminate isolation; to exchange valuable information and provide emotional support; to explore individual self-image and reinforce self-confidence. My Life My Soul is also an interactive, live internet talk-radio show that focuses on domestic violence and its impact on survivors. Callers are encouraged to call (646) 716-5556 to listen or share their experience. The show will be hosted live every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. Eastern on www.BlogTalkRadio.com/mylifemysoul.

Quote of the Day

There are no good girls gone wrong - just bad girls found out. Mae West

Tiffany Braxton

Tiffany Braxton, a native New Yorker, is driven by the motto Opportunity knocks once, but temptation will lean on the doorbell. The allure of pageantry and runway has been with her since she was a child, but it wasn't until the early 90's that Tiffany began performing in amateur fashion shows where on many occasions she was the only full-figured model.In 2007 When cast for a reality show that did not meet production she was urged to consider modeling professionally. Motivated to change the perception of the plus sized femme and armed with the support of family, friends, and people she considers mentors in the industry Tiffany began her professional career as one of the first signature models for the e-zine Belle-Noir.com. She became a fit model for a denim company, and has placed as a finalist in multiple model search competitions. Tiffany has appeared in various media outlets including The Tyra Banks Show, ABC Eyewitness News, NBC Today in New York, and she appeared in the second season of Lifetime Television's How To Look Good Naked. Tiffany was crowned Miss NYC Plus Diva 2008 where she also received accolades for her award winning poem "Why Do I Love My Curves?" Tiffany's professionalism and work ethic have parlayed her into positions as a model consultant, pageant coach, and she is honored to be a Regional Director for the Miss Black New York USA Pageant. Tiffany is currently represented by DSE Model & Talent Management and all modeling inquiries can be submitted to by email to devoe@dseventsinc.com. http://www.tiffanybraxton.com/ www.myspace.com/plusmodeltiffanybraxton

Quote of the Day

I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much. Mother Theresa, social activist

Cassandra Bromfield

Creative and passionate are words that come to mind when describing Cassandra Bromfield. Specializing in Custom Designed Wedding Gowns and Social Occasions. These one-of-a-kind pieces are simple yet elegant. Clients are women who want style, artistic flavor, and quality. Cassandra will listen, in order to interpret, and create the clients signature style. Patches of silk delicate antique laces and buttons, intricate beadwork and hand painted designs are all a part of Cassandra’s personal touch. Her gowns have been featured in Woman’s Wear Daily, Brides magazine, Essence, The New York Times, Cranes, For You Magazine, Brides Noir, Amsterdam News, and the Daily News. She has also been featured on the Fox T.V. morning show Good Day N.Y., The Maury Povich Show and listed in Jumping the Broom and Nubian Bride. Cassandra’s potpourri of ideas presents a demure soft and subtle cultural touch in her eclectic style. She strongly believes in the concept of the ceremony and she refers to her multi-cultural art book collections for inspiration along with visiting many museums. It is her fresh approach which draws a wide variety of clients including celebrities such as Desiree Underwood (wife of Blair Underwood) and Ruby Dee, legendary actress. Cassandra Bromfield’s Studio is located in Brooklyn, NY. Clients can enjoy private consultations and fittings. She is presently writes a newsletter Let’s Get Married! and two Bridal Blogs, http://www.cassandrabromfieldbridalblog.blogspot.com/ and http://www.cassandrabromfieldblogs.blogspot.com/. The focus is on tips, ideas and resources for today’s creative cultural bride.

The Collections

Patchwork Gowns Using Vibrant silks, reminiscent of family heirloom quilts

Bridal Pieces Elegant separates of silk camisoles, halters, various skirts and bridal coats

Traditional Favorite traditional shapes with a modern flair

Culturally Inspired Fashion forward shapes and styles with cultural influences using beads, shells, lace, and embroidered fabrics

http://www.cassandrabromfield.com/

http://www.cassandrabromfield.com/

Quote of the Day

In politics if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman. Margaret Thatcher, British politician

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA

When people ask Michelle Obama to describe herself, she doesn't hesitate. First and foremost, she is Malia and Sasha's mom. But before she was a mother — or a wife, lawyer, or public servant — she was Fraser and Marian Robinson's daughter. The Robinsons lived in a brick bungalow on the South Side of Chicago. Fraser was a pump operator for the Chicago Water Department, and despite being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at a young age, he hardly ever missed a day of work. Marian stayed home to raise Michelle and her brother, Craig, skillfully managing a busy household filled with love, laughter, and important life lessons. A product of Chicago public schools, Michelle studied sociology and African-American studies at Princeton University. After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1988, she joined the Chicago law firm Sidley & Austin, where she later met the man who would become the love of her life. After a few years, Michelle decided her true calling lay in encouraging people to serve their communities and their neighbors. She served as assistant commissioner of planning and development in Chicago's City Hall before becoming the founding executive director of the Chicago chapter of Public Allies, an AmeriCorps program that prepares youth for public service. In 1996, Michelle joined the University of Chicago with a vision of bringing campus and community together. As associate dean of student services, she developed the university's first community service program, and under her leadership as vice president of community and external affairs for the University of Chicago Medical Center, volunteerism skyrocketed. As First Lady, Michelle Obama looks forward to continuing her work on the issues close to her heart — supporting military families, helping working women balance career and family, and encouraging national service. Michelle and Barack Obama have two daughters: Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7. Like their mother, the girls were born on the South Side of Chicago. Courtesy of: http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/michelle_obama

Quote of the Day

If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to forment a rebellion and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation. Abigail Adams, U.S. First Lady, 1776

Gloria Steinem

Gloria Steinem travels widely as a feminist activist, organizer, writer and lecturer. Her books include the bestsellers Revolution from Within: A Book of Self-Esteem, Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions, Moving Beyond Words, and Marilyn: Norma Jean, on the life of Marilyn Monroe. She was an editor of The Reader's Companion to U.S. Women's History. Steinem co-founded New York Magazine and Ms. Magazine where she continues to serve as a consulting editor. She has been published in many magazines and newspapers here and in other countries, and is also a frequent guest commentator on radio and television. She helped to found the Women's Action Alliance, the National Women's Political Caucus, and Choice USA. She was the founding president of the Ms. Foundation for Women and helped create Take Our Daughters to Work Day. She recently co-founded the Women's Media Center and GreenStone Media. She has served on the board of trustees of Smith College, and was a member of the Beyond Racism Initiative, a comparative study of racial patterns in the U.S., South Africa, and Brazil. She has also co-produced a documentary on child abuse for HBO, and a feature film for Lifetime. Ms. Steinem has received the Penney-Missouri Journalism Award, the Front Page and Clarion awards, National Magazine awards, an Emmy Citation for excellence in television writing, the Women's Sports Journalism Award, the Lifetime Achievement in Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists, the Society of Writers Award from the United Nations, and most recently, the University of Missouri School of Journalism Award for Distinguished Service in Journalism. Other recognitions include the first Doctorate of Human Justice awarded by Simmons College, the Bill of Rights Award from the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, the National Gay Rights Advocates Award, the Liberty award of the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, the Ceres Medal from the United Nations, and a number of honorary degrees. Parenting magazine selected her for its Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995 for her work in promoting girls' self-esteem, and Biography magazine listed her as one of the 25 most influential women in America. In 1993, she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York. She has been the subject of Lifetime and ABC biographical television documentaries, and The Education of a Woman, a biography by Carolyn Heilbrun. She is currently at work on Road to the Heart: America As if Everyone Mattered, a book about her more than thirty years on the road as a feminist organizer; and with the Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College on a project to document the grassroots origins of the U.S. women's movement. Gloria Steinem is on the Advisory Board of Feminist.com. Groups Affiliated with Gloria Steinem: If you want to learn more about what Gloria is involved in (in addition to Feminist.com) - or find effective places for your own work and contribution - check out these links: www.equalitynow.org www.feminist.org www.ms.foundation.org www.msmagazine.com www.vday.org www.womensmediacenter.com Courtesy of:http://www.feminist.com/gloriasteinem/

Quote of the Day

How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes! Maya Angelou, African American poet

Frances Coralie Perkins (born Fanny Coralie Perkins, lived April 10, 1882 – May 14, 1965) was the U.S. Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945, and the first woman ever appointed to the US Cabinet. As a loyal supporter of her friend Franklin D. Roosevelt, she helped pull the labor movement into the New Deal coalition. She and Interior Secretary Harold Ickes were the only original members of Roosevelt's cabinet who remained in offices for his entire Presidency. Perkins was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Frederick W. Perkins, the owner of a stationer's business, and Susan Bean Perkins, but spent much of her childhood in Worcester.[1] She attended the Ferry Hall School in Lake Forest, Illinois before graduating from Mount Holyoke College in 1902, and from Columbia University in 1910 with a master's degree in sociology. In between, she held a variety of teaching positions and volunteered at settlement houses, including Hull House. In 1910 she come to state wide prominence as head of the New York Consumers League, in which position she lobbied with vigor for better working hours and conditions. The next year, she witnessed the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, a pivotal event in her life. In 1913 Frances Perkins married Paul Caldwell Wilson. She kept her maiden name, defending in court her right to do so. Prior to going to Washington, Perkins held various positions in New York State government. In 1918, Perkins accepted Governor Al Smith's offer to join the New York State Industrial Commission, becoming its first ever female member. She became chairwoman of the commission in 1926. In 1929, the new governor, Franklin D. Roosevelt, appointed Perkins the state's industrial commissioner. Having earned the cooperation and respect of various political factions, Perkins ably helped put New York in the forefront of progressive reform. She expanded factory investigations, reduced the workweek for women to 48 hours and championed minimum wage and unemployment insurance laws. In 1933, Roosevelt appointed Perkins as Secretary of the Department of Labor, a position she held for twelve years, longer than any other Secretary of Labor and making her the first woman to hold a cabinet position in the United States (thus becoming the first woman to enter the presidential line of succession). She and Harold L. Ickes were the only two secretaries to hold their posts throughout the entire FDR presidency. President Roosevelt almost always supported the goals and programs of Secretary Perkins. In an administration filled with compromise, the President's support for the agenda of Frances Perkins was unusually constant. Frances Perkins wearing a veil after the death of President RooseveltAs Secretary of Labor, Perkins played a key role writing New Deal legislation, including minimum-wage laws. However, her most important contribution came in 1934 as chairwoman of the President's Committee on Economic Security. In this post, she was involved in all aspects of the reports and hearings that ultimately resulted in the Social Security Act of 1935. In 1939, she came under fire from some members of Congress for refusing to deport the communist head of the west coast International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Harry Bridges. Bridges was ultimately vindicated by the Supreme Court. Al Smith, a machine politician from the old school, was an early social reformer with whom Frances Perkins made common cause. At Smith's funeral in 1944 two of his former Tammany Hall political cronies were overheard to speculate on why Smith had become a social crusader. One of them summed the matter up this way: "I'll tell you. Al Smith read a book. That book was a person, and her name was Frances Perkins. She told him all these things, and he believed her." Following the end of her tenure as Secretary of Labor in 1945, Perkins was asked by President Harry Truman to serve on the United States Civil Service Commission, which she did until 1952, when her husband died and she resigned from federal service. During this period, she also published a memoir of her time in FDR's administration called The Roosevelt I Knew, which offered a sympathetic view of the president. Following her government service career, Perkins remained active as a teacher and lecturer at the New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University until her death in 1965, aged 83. The headquarters building of the United States Department of Labor in Washington, DC is named in her honor. Courtesy of:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frances_Perkins

Quote of the Day

Some of us are becoming the men we wanted to marry. Gloria Steinem, feminist

T. Gabrielle Barnes

The race is not given to the swift nor the strong, but to the one who endureth to the end. T. Gabrielle Barnes who is affectionately known by her friends as the “event planning diva” is fully prepared to endure until the end. This 31 year old entrepreneur understands that she is fearfully and wonderfully made and refuses to waste a second of this precious life, by not living up to her full potential. Gabrielle has always had a knack for coordinating events for friends and family. It wasn’t until she was planning one of the most memorable days of her life, that she realized event planning was more than just a hobby, it was her calling. That moment was the crux of her ambitions and determination. Never one to shy away from hard work or “paying dues”, she began at the bottom and has worked her way to the top. Gabrielle went from volunteering for 2 years as an event assistant to starting her own event planning firm. Gabrielle is the creative director for Blissful Elegance Events as well as the event director for Aneuhaus Entertainment. Ms. Barnes has recently joined forces with Victim 2 Victorious – a private group of local women business owners that help bring awareness about domestic violence to local communities in NYC; celebrate survivors; produce signature events and donate funds to non-profit organizations who struggle to end domestic violence through community awareness, changing policy and support victims and survivors. Her most recent endeavor is Divas in the City (DITC), a social and professional networking organization for todays do it all woman…the Diva. DITC provides women with outlets to connect online through their “virtual club house” and in person through an array of entertaining, educating and empowering events. Divas in the City offers numerous components, and with so many women’s organizations sprouting up they continually strive to be the best and not classified as just another “one-size-fits-all” network. Watch out world, This Diva is destined for greatness and fully committed to building her “Diva Empire”. Gabrielle currently resides in Brooklyn, NY.

Quote of the Day

Some of us are becoming the men we wanted to marry. Gloria Steinem, feminist

Chamein Canton

entered this world big from the beginning. I weighed in a few ounces shy of nine pounds and then I spent the rest of my life trying to live down a tiny three lettered word 'big'. I hated being the big girl. At one point in my life I had so much black in my closet I thought I'd hear the voice of James Earl Jones as Darth Vader at any minute. Despite the fact that the average woman in the United States wears a size 14, finding fashionable clothing was like searching for a fountain in the desert. Many of the clothes available were unattractive to say the least. It was like the world said well you're fat anyway so here are some elastic waistbands and shapeless tents, cover up. Looking back now I realize my body was smoking back then but the fact was I was bigger than most of the girls I went to high school with, even though I had a nice body. However I thought at 5'8 I was supposed to be 115 pounds despite the fact I was the second to shortest woman in my family. I spent so much of my teenage years hating my body and feeling bad about myself that I didn't know I was beautiful. We live in a country where bigger is generally better. People don't usually want a small raise for their hard work, they want a big raise. When it's time to buy a home or do some improvements most people go bigger. I've never heard Pat Sajak say let's spin the slim wheel and contestants don't generally shout "Little Money!" when they spin the wheel. Yet the pursuit of the 'ideal thin' body remained a focus for me. Then my life changed. I was diagnosed with uterine cancer at 23 years old. I underwent six years of chemo, biopsies and more surgical procedures than I'd like to remember. To top everything off I was a divorced working mother and sole parental supporter of my sons, so I spent many days going from chemo in the morning straight to work with a supply of, Compazine, airsickness bags, crackers, ginger ale and a very understanding boss. I can't tell you how many days I spent lying on the bathroom floor green with nausea wondering how on earth anyone could want to make themselves sick just so they won't gain weight. For the first time in my life I wasn't focused on losing something, I was focused on gaining. I wanted more minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years to spend with my children. I was desperate to see my toddler sons grow up and to make it to my 30th birthday. It took a diagnosis of cancer to make me realize what truly counted in life and it wasn't size; it's love. However through chemo I met couples going through the depths of illness together and the love they showed one another touched me in the deepest part of my soul. It was a real testament to for better or for worse. It was then I decided to forget my obsession with size. As a result of cancer I lost a lot. In 1995 I had a hysterectomy after battling the disease in my uterus for years. Yet in a strange way I'm thankful for the lesson having a catastrophic disease taught me. I gained a new respect for life, refocused my life and I followed my dream to become a wedding planner. Still I wanted to bring the insight I learned to my clients so I made it my mission to communicate to brides to be that losing weight was not the key to happiness or being a beautiful bride. The key to feeling and looking beautiful begins with self love; a love that includes body acceptance, setting realistic goals for your body and living a healthy lifestyle, which is how Down That Aisle In Style A Wedding Guide For Full Figured Women, my first foray into writing for full figured women, was born so to speak. I was tired of listening to women berate themselves as second class brides for not being an ideal size, although I understood where they were coming from. Up until about 10 years ago the bridal industry was the last bastion of size discrimination with most brides over a size 12 feeling as if they'd be exiled to ugly gown island and had to do the walk of shame to the back of the bridal salon to find their size. During the research stage of the book I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis I went into a state of denial. MS has no cure and I just could not and would not deal with it. So I went on to live my life. I worked full-time and pursued my business on the weekends. Whenever a symptom appeared I would just ignore it. Then in 1998 a major episode left me in a wheelchair for several months and I was forced to deal with MS head on. Being in the wheelchair gave me time to redirect my energy again. I was out of the wheelchair within six months and ready to take on the world. I also felt that I could be a better mother and set an example on how to find triumph in difficult situations. To my surprise and delight I was named MS Mother of The Year in 2002 four years after my initial diagnosis as a result of an essay my sons wrote about me. Down That Aisle In Style was nominated for Foreword’s Book of the Year 2007 and although I didn’t win I had the chance to bring full figured brides to the fore on The Insider/Entertainment Tonight, Get Married with David Tutera, NBC Today in New York and Eyewitness News Sunday Morning, Once the bridal book was out I decided to do more to take plus sizes from co-starring roles in romance novels to center stage. My novels feature full figured female characters as the object of desire and not just the jolly chubby friend. In Not His Type I stepped into an arena where skinny women generally rule, that of professional sports. Most high profile athletes are expected to date models, actresses, beauty queens and thin women in general as they are held out as the standard of beauty. I decided to flip the script (a saying courtesy of my twin 21 year old sons) and have a high profile baseball player fall for an average plus size woman, hence the title Not His Type. In April of 2008 I was honored to receive the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award for Best African American romance. In June Genesis released Bliss Inc. all about the May-Indian Summer romance between a full figured workaholic wedding planner and the brother of the groom. The More Things Change December 2008 Follow Up to Not His Type. Things aren’t so easy when Cathy and Marcus head down the aisle. I'm thankful to say that I've been cancer free for almost 14 years and I've been able to live successfully with multiple sclerosis for the past 13 years. It's not easy but I embrace every day. I’m thankful for life and the opportunities I’ve had. I only hope that through my fiction I’m able to pay it forward to make a better day for real women of all sizes and shapes. Chamein Canton Achievements Cancer survivor (Uterine) 14 years Living with Multiple Sclerosis 13 years MS Mother of The Year 2002 Not His Type Romantic Times Book Reviewers Choice Award winner for Best African American Romance Literary Agent Contributing wedding writer for Wedding Dresses magazine Columnist for Venus Divas and Elegant Plus Current special occasions editor for More Beautiful Magazine