ISSUE 5 • SUMMER 2017
WELLNESS WARRIORS: MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS Sandy Fowler
A PASSION FOR BUSINESS, A LOVE FOR LIFE!
SUMMER STYLE
# BodyPositive
CYSTIC FIBROSIS Morgan Yoney
Love Your Body
LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA Tammi Hanak
ATIYA ABDELMALIK Nurse, Author, and Inspirational Speaker
ROCK YOUR LIFE!
ALICIA KOZAKIEWICZ Kidnapping Survivor, Actress, and Motivational Speaker
COVER STORIES Alicia Kozakiewicz: A Survivor Evening the Odds
Dr. Shellie Hipsky.............................................................................. 8
Grace & Living: An Interview with Atiya Abdelmalik
Dr. Shellie Hipsky............................................................................ 62
LIVING A Model of Service with More to Give
Jen Forsyth.................................................................................... 13
Rev. Nettie Jorinda Bullitt: Helping Others Live in Abundance
Dr. Shellie Hipsky............................................................................ 17
Society Spotlight
Kelly Frost...................................................................................... 20
BUSINESS Becoming Successful Takes Hard Work, Staying Successful Takes Planning Melanie Colusci............................................................................. 26
Being Visible in a Busy Marketplace
Darieth Chisolm............................................................................. 29
Leadership Lesson Series—Part 2: Inner Driven Leadership
Diane Lazarowicz............................................................................ 33
Sisters in Style
Dr. Shellie Hipsky............................................................................ 37
BOOKS, ART, MUSIC & FILM The Monster at the End of Your Book
Cori Wamsley................................................................................ 41
World Heritage Cultural Center: Making Cultural Connections to Embrace Diversity
Cori Wamsley................................................................................ 45
Mara Rago: Images of Souls and Everything in Between
Jen Forsyth.................................................................................... 47
When Someone You Know is Living in a Dementia Community: Words to Say and Things to Do
Rachel Wonderlin........................................................................... 49
BOOK REVIEW: The Inheritance
Jen Forsyth.................................................................................... 51
SUMMER 2017
CONTENTS
COVER NOTES: Photography by Mara Rago; Styled by Julie Shields; Makeup by Kourtney Leech; Hair by Selina Pernatozzi ATIYA: The Power Romper, Kiya Tomlin, Uptown Sweats; belt & earrings, Kiya Tomlin; necklace, Renee Piatt Collection; shoes, Christian Louboutin DR. SHELLIE: Calvin Klein dress from Macy’s, Ross Park Mall; shoes & necklace, The Style Exchange
Photo: Mara Rago
ALICIA: Eli Tahari dress from Larrimor’s
Alicia Kozakiewicz and Dr. Shellie Hipsky share a giggle about taping the TV Show Inspiring Lives with Dr. Shellie. Credits: Styled by Julie Shields and HMUA by Selina Pernatozzi and Kourtmey Leech
FOOD & TRAVEL Passport to Inspiration: Coral Gables, Florida
After Lymphoma, One Survivor Finds Inspiration through Exercise, Health, and Dance
PROFILE: Chef Carlos La Cruz
Jennifer “Teach Me How to Dougie” LaFace Founds Charity: I Carry My Sister’s Heart
Saving Food Saves Lives: 412 Food Rescue
FASHION & BEAUTY DESIGNER PROFILE: Brian David Thompson
Kim Adley....................................................... 54
Cori Wamsley................................................. 58 Rachel Weaver LaBar....................................... 60
RESTAURANT REVIEW: Jimmy Wan’s
Sabrina Phillips................................................ 62
HEALTH & WELLNESS Morgan’s Message: Support and Staying Positive
Dr. Shellie Hipsky............................................. 68
Love Your Body!
Alice Beckett-Rumberger.................................. 69
One More Step, One More Rep: Thriving with an Invisible Illness
Cori Wamsley................................................. 71
4
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Jen Forsyth..................................................... 73
Dr. Shellie Hipsky............................................. 75
Samantha Barna............................................. 79
Ready-To-Wear Fashion Flair for Little People
Dr. Shellie Hipsky............................................. 86
Unexpected Parallels: Iris Van Herpen’s Designs Come to Pittsburgh
Samantha Barna............................................. 90
What’s in Your Bag?
Teri Lynn Woodruf........................................... 94
Just Jackie: Pretty in Petals
Jackie Capatolla............................................. 97
A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Photo: Ray Feather
Greetings! This issue is near and dear to my heart. It focuses on surviving and thriving, especially in the area of health and wellness. I have been blessed to be able to interview many hundreds of people over the years on TV, radio, in my 10+ books, and for Inspiring Lives Magazine. I will never forget the first time that I interviewed someone. On my television show Inspiring Lives with Dr. Shellie, Alicia Kozakiewicz told me her harrowing story of surviving a brutal cyber kidnapping at 13 years old. It was then that I realized that she was not a “victim” of trauma, rape, and kidnapping. In fact, Alicia is a true “survivor.” Now she is a grown woman who is a married actress and model. She has worked tirelessly to help other survivors and missing children and to teach this generation about cyber safety. Yet, she has come into her own as a woman ready to shine a light on her talents beyond her tragic childhood story. I am so proud to consider her my “little sister” and to share this interview with my readers of Inspiring Lives Magazine. You will find so many incredible stories in this issue. The Wellness Warriors highlights incredible ladies who will not let their medical diagnoses drag them down! Read how Tammi Hanak conquered her cancer and goes on to be a fitness expert. Brave, young Morgan Yoney with cystic fibrosis gained new lungs thanks to her second lung transplant. Jennifer LaFace has danced her way into the hearts of over 10 million people to celebrate her sister’s chemo treatments. And cover girl Atyia Abdelmalik discusses kidney disease, heart disease, and diabetes with grace and from a personal and nurse’s perspective. Dr. Sandy Fowler flexes her muscles in CrossFit class and is a great mother, despite multiple sclerosis (MS). Having an inspiring story about MS was an extremely important message for us at Inspiring Lives Magazine. Vice President of Operations, the amazing Kelly Frost, was diagnosed with MS during the creation of our Health and Wellness issue. The whole team and all of our readers stand with her as she begins this journey with her “magazine family” and her biological family. We love you, Kelly Frost, and we are cheering for you! Another important focus was being proud of being healthy no matter what size is on the tag on your jeans. Alice Beckett-Rumberger of TheraFusion spearheaded the #BodyPositive movement with Inspiring Lives Magazine. It was not easy to pose in a bathing suit in this issue without Photoshop, but the ladies in Alice’s “Love Your Body” article were brave and bold and went for it together in their ModCloth suits! We hope you will love this issue as much as we enjoyed creating it for you. We would love to see your #BodyPositive images of you loving the body you have. We only have one body and one life to live so GO FOR IT! Hugs,
Dr. Shellie Hipsky SUMMER 2017
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. SHELLIE HIPSKY s.hipsky@inspiringlivesmagazine.com
VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS KELLY FROST
CREATIVE DIRECTOR CHRISTINE M. SCOTT
k.frost@inspiringlivesmagazine.com
creative@inspiringlivesmagazine.com
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
LEAD STYLIST
CORI NICOLE SMITH WAMSLEY
TERI WOODRUFF
editorial@inspiringlivesmagazine.com
styling@inspiringlivesmagazine.com
STAFF WRITER
STAFF EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER
JEN FORSYTH
RAY FEATHER
j.forsyth@inspiringlivesmagazine.com
CIRCULATION TEAM KENNETH ASKEW & ABIGAIL ASKEW
SUMMER COVER TEAM
Mara Rago • Julie Shields Selina Pernatozzi • Kourtney Leech
circulation@inspiringlivesmagazine.com
ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
c.ellek@inspiringlivesmagazine.com
Dr. Shellie Hipsky • Jen Forsyth • Kelly Frost Melanie Colusci • Darieth Chisolm • Diane Lazarowicz Cori Wamsley • Rachel Wonderlin • Kim Adley Rachel Weaver LaBar • Sabrina Phillips Alice Beckett-Rumberger • Samantha Barna Teri Lynn Woodruff • Jackie Capatolla
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATORS
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
RACHEL DAYOUB
r.dayoub@inspiringlivesmagazine.com
CINDY ELLEK
SAMANTHA BARNA
social@inspiringlivesmagazine.com
RACHEL DAYOUB
r.dayoub@inspiringlivesmagazine.com
Kim Adley • Jose G. Alban • Michael Anthony Clare Ascani • Gerald Bauer • Christopher Eusebio Ray Feather • Katie Ging Photography • Brian Hanna Jennifer LaFace • Ben McMillen • Damian Lynch Erik McKay • Karen Lubinski-Martin Jean Baptiste Mondino • Kellie O’ Laughlin Jose Pagan • Mara Rago • James Ray Larry Rippel • Dennis Rodriguez • Natalie Smith Sonja Svihla • Ryan Smas
www.InspiringLivesMagazine.com Copyright © 2017 Inspiring Lives, LLC, Inspiring Lives International Publishing, Inc. Contact Inspiring Lives International Publishing, Inc. at advertising@inspiringlivesmagazine.com. Reprints and back issues available on request. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in articles or books. Although every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this magazine is correct at the time of going to press, the authors have written from their own view point and therefore all information is personal opinion. The information is not shared in a professional capacity and does not constitute as professional advice for your own situation. Please consult an expert if that is what you require. The authors and publisher assume no liability to any party as a result of the contents of this magazine.
LIVING IN THIS SECTION: Alicia Kozakiewicz: A Survivor Evening the Odds Dr. Shellie Hipsky.................................................. 8
A Model of Service with More to Give
Jen Forsyth........................................................ 13
Rev. Nettie Jorinda Bullitt: Helping Others Live in Abundance
Dr. Shellie Hipsky................................................ 17
Society Spotlight
Kelly Frost.......................................................... 20
“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” —Eleanor Roosevelt
ALICIA KOZAKIEWICZ: A Survivor Evening the Odds
By Dr. Shellie Hipsky • Photography by Mara Rago • Makeup by Kourtney Leech • Hair by Selina Pernatozzi • Styled by Julie Shields
I interviewed you on my TV show Inspiring Lives with Dr. Shellie, on Empowering Women Radio, and for my best-selling book trilogy Common Threads. Your story has been told multiple times in a variety of formats. Can you describe our connection and why you feel Inspiring Lives Magazine is the right place to tell your life story? I met you, Dr. Shellie, while working on the “What Makes Me Feel Safe” poster contest for National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Your assistance was instrumental in making the project a success. Your media platforms uniquely highlight women who are working to create a better world. I am honored to be among them. It is not uncommon for the media to focus on negative news, and your focus on the positive is refreshing. A decade ago, you were only 13 when you were abducted outside your home by a 38-year-old man from Virginia you met in a Yahoo chat room. Can you describe what you experienced? I was groomed and lured from my home by an internet predator who kidnapped me and held me captive, chained by the neck in his basement dungeon. For nearly a week I was starved, raped, beaten, and brutally tortured. He shared my degradation live over streaming video. Miraculously, I was rescued, as a viewer was able to recognize the little girl in this horrendous video as the face on my National Center for Missing and Exploited Children missing person poster. Following this tip, the FBI stormed the home where I was being held captive 8
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and cut the chain from around my neck and set me free. I am so incredibly blessed! What was it liked to be rescued and to see your mom and dad again when you thought you were going to be murdered? My family’s love sustained me throughout my ordeal. I knew that they were searching for me, would never give up, and would move Heaven and Earth to find me. Nevertheless, I was a terrified little girl fighting for my life and afraid that I would never see my family again. The FBI shared that it was a million-to-one shot that I would be recovered safely, as I was in the hands of a vicious predator, but I received a miracle, I was rescued. Thanks to the kindness of law enforcement, my family and I were reunited in a small airport in Virginia, which allowed us to have a moment of privacy. No words can adequately express the joy I felt when I saw my family again for the first time. If you were to speak to my father about this moment, he would talk about the hug that we shared. In that moment, we knew that the ordeal was over and that I was safe. How were you treated by the media following your ordeal? Your peers? The media was hugely instrumental in my recovery, as they had shared my image and information nationally. I am grateful that the media focused on my story while I was missing; however, following my recovery, some members of the media engaged in victim-blaming. As a result, many of the same people who had tied yellow
I share the following safety tips on my website www. aliciaproject.org: Any child or teen can become the victim of an internet predator. Predators do not discriminate based on gender, ethnicity, education, socioeconomic status, income, or religion. It can happen. It does happen. It is happening. Teach your child or teen to never share private or identifying information, such as his or her name, address, school, etc., with a person online that is not known or trusted in real life. A predator can use this information to groom and/or locate your child or teen. • Strengthen the privacy settings on all social networking sites and ensure that these settings remain unchanged after updates. Social networking sites often publish posts as “public” based on the default settings. • Disable Geotagging on all mobile devices, as it has the ability to automatically pinpoint and disclose your child’s or teen’s location. This option can usually be found under “Settings” on most devices. You can also contact your service provider or device manufacturer. • Discuss the dangers of “checking in.” Various applications allow your child or teen to share his or her exact current location on social media sites. • Remind your child or teen to choose an online handle, username, or screen name carefully. Much can be inferred from how your child or teen represents himself or herself online, which can prompt a predator’s initial contact.
ribbons around neighborhood trees to welcome me home had followed suit. Sadly, this type of “re-victimization” occurs all too often in cases of sexual assault and exploitation. This should never happen, most especially when a child is the victim. As I say in my presentations, if you cannot offer love, support, and kindness—then just keep your distance—this includes commenting online. Today, I have an excellent working relationship with the media and have been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, BBC, ABC, CBC, Discovery Channel, A&E, and many more. We work hand-in-hand to educate the public and raise awareness of missing persons cases and human trafficking. What can parents do to protect their children from cyber predators? 10
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• Monitor your child’s or teen’s activity on the computer and on all mobile devices. This includes desktops, laptops, tablet computers, cell phones, and all handheld and video game devices with online connectivity. Numerous parental monitoring options are available online or through your service provider. Please, do not feel that you are “spying” on your child or teen. You are the parent. This is your responsibility. • Know the passwords on all devices used by your child or teen. Check them regularly. • If you suspect your child or teen is being cyberbullied, be supportive, get the facts, and if necessary, contact the school or law enforcement. Conversely, teach your child or teen about the negative consequences for those who cyberbully. • Many children and teens engage in sexting. This is the sharing of explicit texts/photos between phones or other devices. Sending and/or receiving nude pictures of minors is considered child pornography. As a result, there may be
both emotional and legal consequences for you and your child or teen. • Educate yourself on the mobile applications that your child or teen is using. Ask for an explanation and a demonstration. • Maintain loving, open, and respectful lines of communication with your child or teen while setting enforceable rules for online safety. Assure your child or teen that he or she can always come to you for help in an uncomfortable or potentially dangerous situation. If you think your child or teen is being groomed, harassed, threatened, or exploited online, you should immediately report this activity to your local law enforcement and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Cybertipline. What is The Alicia Project and Alicia’s Law? Following my rescue and a period of healing, I realized that any child could fall victim to an internet predator and that many children were engaging in dangerous behaviors online. Internet safety was not yet being taught in schools, and parents did not have the tools to educate or protect their children. At the age of 14, I created The Alicia Project and began sharing the story of my ordeal in schools as a means to educate other children. I soon found myself speaking to parents, teachers, law enforcement, conferences, and corporations and on many media platforms. Coming full circle, I have had the honor of training the FBI on the processes of abduction, survival, recovery, and aftermath. We all must work together to keep children safe from predators online and off. Sharing my story has been hugely helpful in my healing process by giving this traumatic experience a greater purpose. I know that my effort has saved lives, and my goal has always been that if I can save one life, one person from going through what I have, then it is entirely worth it. Alicia’s Law, my namesake, funds the Internet Crimes Against Children task forces (ICAC) by creating a dedicated revenue stream state-by-state. These funds provide training, boots on the ground, equipment, etc. to enable law enforcement to protect and rescue children. I am proud to say that Alicia’s Law has passed in 11 states, and together with the National Association to Protect Children (www.protect.org), we are diligently working to secure its passage in all 50 states.
How did you fall in love and learn to trust after what you went through? I am often asked by audiences and the media, “How can you trust others after something like this happens?” After a traumatic experience, it is not uncommon for a survivor to view the world as a dark place. I have learned that although there is evil in this world, many good people are also fighting against it daily. You must first learn to trust your ability to make good decisions. As it pertains to romantic relationships, it can be extraordinarily difficult to trust others openly after a sexually traumatic experience. Earning trust can be a gradual process, and it is perfectly okay to take it slowly. A worthy partner will allow you that time. I am jubilant to share that I was lucky to find not only the man of my dreams, but a partner who supports them. We will celebrate our first wedding anniversary in July. What are you doing for work currently? And describe how you are stepping into the acting and modeling world. This past July, I graduated with a master’s in forensic psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology (Chicago, Ill.). My education has given me insight beyond experience, which I have been able to use to aid survivors in their recovery process. Ironically, better understanding my own recovery process has allowed me to realize and be comfortable with the fact that I have goals beyond my mission. I have recently acknowledged that I have both a mission and a passion. Through motivational speaking and television appearances, I have discovered my passion for both film and television acting. Recently, I have decided to pursue this new path. It is not necessarily for me to rebrand myself, but rather I view this as an opportunity to expand myself, to incorporate the woman I might have been with the woman I have become. I love to move people emotionally. I love to entertain, to make people laugh, ponder, cry, and feel pride and to motivate them. I have started taking steps on this new journey, and I love every minute of it! n
“It can happen. It does happen.”
To schedule an Alicia Project presentation or a motivational presentation: www.aliciaproject.org/contact. Follow Alicia Kozakiewicz on: • Facebook: www.facebook.com/aliciaproject • Instagram: @itsaliciakozak • Twitter: @itsaliciakozak
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Photo: Michael Anthony
A MODEL OF SERVICE
with More to Give By Jen Forsyth
H
elping others can be one of the best creative outlets in the universe. Jesse Solomon wasn’t sure at first where her talents and creativity would lead her, but it seems everything she touches benefits others. As director of programs for The Woodlands (Wexford, Pa.), Solomon is charged with helping push forward the mission of the facility, which is located in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh. That mission is “to enrich the lives of children and adults with disability and chronic illness,” a mission she truly sees as her passion. There are other aspects to Solomon’s life as well. She is a co-founder of the 412 Project, a photography-based creative outlet, as well as a part-time model to help out some of her friends. Nothing she does is without creativity or heart, and it goes back to her upbringing. Solomon grew up in Pittsburgh and graduated from Mount Lebanon High School. Not really sure what she wanted for a career, she attended community college. She started out as an art major and waited tables on the side. While the money was good, the job was uninspiring. “I knew I wanted to go to college, but I wasn’t ready yet,” Solomon remembers. “So I ended up going to AmeriCorps NCCC [National Community Civilian Corps.]. It’s all service, but NCCC is just for 18–24-year-olds. You take 10 months off from
kids and adults with disabilities. The only way I knew how to do that was to go to school to become a special education teacher.” Solomon received her degree from Slippery Rock University (Slippery Rock, Pa.) and then found a job as an autism support teacher in Mount Lebanon School District. She soon realized that wasn’t her intended path in life. “I was very happy, but I realized it wasn’t going to get me to my end goal of having my own nonprofit. So I went back to school outside of the education route. Most people want to get their master’s or doctorate in education to make more money. I got it outside of education because I wanted to do something other than being a teacher because if you don’t get a job in the fall, you don’t have a job. So you’re subbing or bartending, etc. I was getting year-to-year contracts, so I never had job security.” Solomon returned to Slippery Rock and earned her master’s degree in adaptive physical activity and disability research. She was ready to do more with her students: working with their minds and their bodies, as well. She could now adapt any kind of physical activity to an individual’s needs. Unfortunately, no jobs existed for Solomon at the time she earned her degree, so she accepted a teaching position in North Carolina, until a call from The Woodlands came. She was more than ready for that call. “I had a phone interview for two hours with the executive director,” Solomon remembers. “I remember it was the end of January; it was freezing cold. We had
“I was very happy, but I realized it wasn’t going to get me to my end goal…” your life, you pile in a 15-passenger van, and every six weeks, you go to a different city and do different service projects.” Solomon spent her time with NCCC helping with disaster relief, hurricanes, cleaning up neighborhoods and schools, coordinating environmental projects and facilitating neighborhood safety. However one particular experience at a camp in Missouri inspired her life’s direction upon her return to Pittsburgh. “It was an all-accessible facility for children and adults with special needs and disabilities,” Solomon explained, “and I knew that’s what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I wanted to run my own camp for
an ice storm that night. I ended up getting in my car and driving eight hours that night and showing up on their doorstep Saturday morning, saying ‘you met me on the phone yesterday, and I just wanted to come and tell you that my competition for this job are all of my classmates.’ We all had graduated. None of us had jobs. We were all applying for it. I said, ‘I want this job, but my classmates are amazing, and they are just as talented. They are just as knowledgeable, but I don’t think they are as passionate. But no matter who you decide on, the organization and what you guys do means so much to me. I want to make sure you make the right choice, even if it isn't me.’” SUMMER 2017
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LIVING “I said, ‘I’ll be perfectly fine getting back into my car and going back to my teaching job in North Carolina because I do love it, and I was teaching special ed down there. But I want to make sure that you don’t say, ‘I wonder if Jesse would have ever worked out.’ So I had a six-hour interview, and then I left with the job.” It’s been a perfect fit since 2012. Solomon is part of the strategic planning team for The Woodlands. The campus contains campgrounds, ziplines, and other activities for both children and adults of all disabilities. They offer after-school activities, weekend retreats, and summer camps. The campus can also be used as respite care for families. Solomon is comfortable in her new leadership position and has opened up new opportunities by networking and getting to know other business leaders in the community. She gravitated toward the creative realm and magazines for the most assistance, having been an arts major in a former life. Now that she is settled in her career, her own creative vibes have
resurfaced, and she has found projects that are fulfilling, while still managing to help others. “I started taking pictures, and I got contacted by RAW, a grass-roots art gallery. They wanted to display some of my pictures, so that was a big confidence booster, because I’m like ‘Oh my pictures, who wants to see my pictures?’” The opportunity thrust Solomon back into the study of photography, which she hadn’t studied since her community college days. From there, she formed a small community of local photographers on Instagram. She met with them and would learn from them. She then found another group called Steel City Grammers, as in “Instagram,” who would meet up and take pictures together. From those friendships, the 412 Project was born. For the 412 Project, everyday photographers make empty places in Pittsburgh more beautiful with their photos. Their first project was the abandoned Welcome Kiosk outside Gateway Center in Downtown Pittsburgh. Members of the 412 Project received permission to occupy it with pictures from local photog-
raphers and hashtag the result with #412Project. The project would then pick 20 photos to display as a contest, and if it was successful, they would hold more rounds. It was a huge hit, so much so that the owner of the space, who was allowing The 412 Project to use it for free, replaced them in favor of paying renters. The project continues in other spaces, and Solomon is proud of what she has developed. “It was like we were cultivating this underground community of artists that didn’t ever consider themselves artists. Now most of them, when they come to our events, have bought cameras, they’re selling their photography on Etsy, they’re making art out of their photos, and it’s really been cool.” Another way Solomon has used her creative outlet—and helped her friends out yet again—is by modeling. “When you hang out with a bunch of photographers,” Solomon said, “they usually get sick of taking pictures of buildings, and they want to start taking pictures of people. So I kind of fell into modeling to help a lot of these artists build their portfolio. They
didn’t necessarily want to purchase somebody to model for a couple hours, and they really didn’t have experience doing that. So because I was their peer taking pictures, they felt a little more comfortable with me being their model because when you work with a professional model, it can be intimidating if you’ve never taken someone’s picture. As people started publishing my photos, then people started seeking me out.” Solomon’s life theme is one of service, no matter what she is doing. It runs true to a motif she has always stuck to, finding your who and your why. “I have taken a lot of different avenues to get there. For me it’s taking a good look in the mirror really, and seeing who you are, what your talents are, what your weaknesses are, and really taking stock of what you have to give. It’s looking at what you are doing, and it’s really just a math equation of what you have left. After you get done with you job, and your family, and your friends, do you have more to give? And I always had so much more left to give!” n
REV. NETTIE JORINDA BULLITT:
Helping Others Live in Abundance
R
everend Nettie Jorinda—or “Jo” to me—is a powerhouse internationally, supporting women through her words and deeds. I was amazed when she and I were connecting during her trip to Africa, how she went in there and took care of business with elegance and grace. She is a beautiful woman determined to make an impact on the world with her wisdom and caring heart. Nettie Jo is a United Methodist pastor who formerly served in the military. She started Daughters of Deborah in Leadership Ministry, LLC, last year, but because she was an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer, she has started small with her ministry. She describes her ministry’s goal as the ability to “… coach women and girls through projects to help them fulfill God’s plans for their lives and understand what an abundant life looks like. I was inspired by the Gospel of John 10:10, which says, ‘I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly.’ I plan on raising up armies of women and girls to recover God's plans and help them live in abundance.” She defines an abundant life depending on the person or group she is working with. As a life coach, she guides people through the process of defining and articulating the goals for their lives. Nettie Jo works with group members
Photo: Ray Feather, Makeup: Kourtney Leech
By Dr. Shellie Hipsky
Rev. Nettie Jo Bullitt individually to help them understand their goals and help them see how their role relates to the goals of the group and also works with the entire group, facilitating the process of bringing the group goals to fruition. This way, they will learn how to set and achieve all their life goals. She has taken several steps to solidify her ministry, both at home and abroad. She participated in the Women’s March this year in Washington, D.C. “to support the issues facing women today because they define what an abundant life looks like and feels like to women physically, spiritually, and emotionally.” When I sat down with her, Nettie Jo and I discussed how happy I was that she stood with us that day. My entire family and I participated in the Pittsburgh Women’s March. She and I both agreed that was an important event for women and feminism globally. Also in the states, she is holding the first Spiritual Retreat Immersion at Mt. Alvernia, a convent in Millvale, Pa., July 13–16, 2017, for women business owners and entrepreneurs and girls to have a respite that will refresh or renew them. Interested readers can visit her website www. bullittlifecoach.org for more information. Also, Nettie Jo attends a women’s conference in South Africa annually. She just came back from her fifth one, and it has helped her expand her thoughts and progress with her ministry. She went to Ghana in December and January by herself to connect with women and girls who are working with women and children. We had a great conversation about the parallels between the Daughters of Deborah that she spearheads and the Global Sisterhood that I lead. “They are very similar— while my armies of women and girls will recover God's plans for their lives, yours is not only recovering, but also
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LIVING
enhancing and partnering.” The Global Sisterhood collected and sent 350 pounds of books for the library last year. In Ghana, Nettie Jo worked to help the children get the books and to support our Global Sisterhood connection in beginning a daycare. It is on Nettie Jo’s heart to help provide clean water, along with books, knowledge, and empowerment. Nettie Jo explained, “I worked with New Sun Rising in Millvale as part of AmeriCorps VISTA this year, so I learned about a cool project: someone developed ‘The Book,’ which is a book of paper that can filter water. Each little sheet of paper cleans gallons of water. Clean water, healthy food, and being safe are so valuable and vital.”
In our conversation, I told Nettie Jo about interviewing Aissata Camara and Mariama Camara of the There is No Limit Foundation on my television show, Inspiring Lives with Dr. Shellie. The sisters talked about the water coming out of the spigot. I felt squeamish on camera simply hearing them say, “There are worms in our water.” It was disturbing to me as an American—most of us grew up with good, clean water. You just turn on the tap. “Yes, we take it for granted,” Nettie Jo said. “The first time I saw that level of poverty was in Honduras on a mission trip. Women and girls went out every day with buckets and whatever would hold water, looking for water. It was amazing. We shouldn’t have to live that way, so I knew I had to help.” So for all of these huge issues abroad—books, water, etc.—Nettie Jo recommends that we “be proactive. We can partner, but we have to be informed. So we gather information in person—not from TV—and collaborate about what we can do.” One major way we are already working toward helping the women and children of Africa is through partnerships like that between the Daughters of Deborah and the Global Sisterhood. n
PROFILE
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412-725-3345 DIONNE MALUSH, KELLER WILLIAMS
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ith more than 6,500 real estate agents in the Pittsburgh area, what can one agent possibly do to be different? As a professional graphic designer, Dionne Malush married the two industries together to create a unique experience for home sellers by using her creative ability to reach thousands through print and social media. Malush is also passionate about teaching others to succeed by first believing in themselves, so she created a monthly mastermind group with local business owners to collaborate on how to reach the next level in their personal and professional lives. Plus, she literally wrote the book on real estate in Pittsburgh. She has also created a detailed pricing strategy to help home sellers get the most money that they can. Now, Malush is creating a success manual for Realtors to achieve even more. Malush sells 70 homes each year on average, while the average Pittsburgh agent sells about 20. She's definitely not just another real estate agent.
724-554-3514 | 724-941-9400 x317 DIONNEMALUSH.COM FACEBOOK.COM/DIONNEREALTOR
SOCIETY SPOTLIGHT By Kelly Frost
EMPOWERING WOMEN IN BUSINESS
Photo: Gerald Bauer
Empowering Women in Business-Inspiring Lives Magazine’s mission and vision is to provide opportunities for networking, professional development, and personal growth. At our core, we support and inspire women to express themselves authentically through the work that they do while linking passion to purpose. We also strive to provide the tools, knowledge, and network to help women lead, start and grown their business in a way that integrates core feminine values like connection, collaboration, inspiration, and motivation. The Empowering Women Events are our chance to honor those women who have exuded all of these aspects in business and in their lives.
Left to right: Kevin Askew, Rachel Dayoub, Kelly Frost, David Frost, Cindy Ellek 20
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Nicole Manns
Photo: Gerald Bauer
Photo: Gerald Butler
Soleil Meade
Joy Bufalini
Photo: Gerald Bauer
Marci Radcliffe
Becky Auer
Diane Lazarowicz
Photo: Gerald Bauer
Christina Dickerson
Lynn Banaszak
Photo: Gerald Bauer
April Fisher accepting for Amy Taylor
Photo: Gerald Bauer
Photo: Gerald Bauer
Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Photo: Gerald Bauer
Left to right: Jacquelene Julianna Troiani, Leesa Miscevich Kassler, Berlin Miscevich, Jenny Lou
Photo: Gerald Bauer
Photo: Gerald Bauer
Photo: Damian Lynch
EMPOWERING WOMEN IN BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS
Left to right: Vanessa Dodds, Cori Wamsley, Melanie Fitzpatrick, Linda Knouse, Gabrielle Smith Noyé, Cindy Ellek, Kim Cooper, Julie Shields, Kim Adley. Front: Joy Bufalini, Ashley Strand SUMMER 2017
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Photo: Gerald Bauer
SOCIETY SPOTLIGHT
Left to right: Becky Auer, Lana Neumeyer, Dr. Shellie Hipsky, Marci Radcliffe, Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Photo: Gerald Bauer
Left to right: Sepi Miller, Melissa Lakhadani, Annaie Tamburro, Ana Harterner, Bita Mascara, Sumi Naik
Left to right: Valerie Lerch, Alice Beckett-Rumberger, Leigh Solomon Pugliano, Mary Beth Kratsas 22
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SOCIETY SPOTLIGHT LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY—MAN & WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Photo: Damian Lynch
Every year the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society runs a friendly fundraising competition across the US in which participants vie for the title of Man & Woman of the Year. Candidates raise funds for blood cancer research in honor of local children who are blood cancer survivors, the Boy & Girl of the Year-because everyone wins when cancer loses. The titles are awarded to the men and women in each community who raise the most funds during the ten-week campaign; the top local fundraisers in the country also win the national titles. You can aid in their efforts by donating to or joining their campaigns not someday, but today. What can YOU do in 10 weeks?
Left to right: Jaxon, Boy of the Year, and his mother Erin
Photo: Damian Lynch
Photo: Damian Lynch
Left to right: The candidates for Man & Woman of the Year
Left to right: Jayme Butcher, John D. Goetz
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SOCIETY SPOTLIGHT
MIXERS & SHAKERS
Left to right: Megan Kovacs, Alan Shuckrow, Kellie Laraba, and Gretchen Moore
Photo: Ray Feather
Left to right: Beth Shari, Valerie Lerch, Kelly Frost, Dr. Shellie Hipsky, and Cindy Ellek
Photo: Ray Feather
Photo: Ray Feather
The Airport Chamber hosted their annual Mixers and Shakers this year and our own Cindy Ellek was our guest bartender representing the non profit The Global Sisterhood 501(c)(3). She created the “Inspire-tini.” It was an incredible night of networking, charity, and fun!
Left to right: Joy Miller, Derrick Martin, Clarence Dozier, Jerrell Smith, Talisa Morton
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SOCIETY SPOTLIGHT
GLASS SLIPPER BALL
Photo: Ray Feather
The success of the Glass Slipper Ball and the women behind it, are what have made a larger vision possible. The saying, “We are all born angels with one wing, but by locking arms we can fly!” is so true.
Photo: Ray Feather
Photo: Ray Feather
Left to right: Beth Shari, Jen Forsyth, Cindy Ellek, Valerie Lerch, Kelly Frost, Sally Power, Dr. Shellie Hipsky, Rachel Dayoub
Jessica, Rachel Dayoub, Dr. Shellie Hipsky
Sally Power, Founder of Treasure House Fashions
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SOCIETY SPOTLIGHT
PITTSBURGH’S PREMIER EXPO AND FASHION SHOW
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Photo: James Ray
Photo: James Ray
Photo: James Ray
Pittsburgh’s Premier Women’s Show and Expo promoted fashion and beauty, health and wellness, and empowerment for women. It included featured speakers throughout the day, including keynote speaker Dr. Shellie Hipsky. The event showcased top designers in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area. It was hosted by Shawna Solomon of Exotic Hush and Valerie Lerch of Posh Events.
BUSINESS IN THIS SECTION: Becoming Successful Takes Hard Work, Staying Successful Takes Planning
Melanie Colusci................................................. 26
Being Visible in a Busy Marketplace
Darieth Chisolm................................................. 29
Leadership Lesson Series—Part 2: Inner Driven Leadership
Diane Lazarowicz................................................ 33
Sisters in Style
Dr. Shellie Hipsky................................................ 37
“Sustaining a successful business is a hell of a lot of work, and staying hungry is half the battle.” —Wendy Tan White
BECOMING SUCCESSFUL
Takes Hard Work, Staying Successful Takes Planning by Melanie Colusci
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he reality is that becoming a successful business owner takes hard work. That means hours and hours dedicated to researching, planning, and building your vision. And whether it takes months or years, at some point, your vision becomes reality, and you truly find success. Of course, everyone measures success differently, but once your business takes off, new challenges emerge. That’s why planning is critical for ongoing business success. Most business owners recognize the importance of planning but feel there just isn’t time. However, once you reach a certain level of success, you need to consider and plan for certain variables. These are the unforeseen factors that can come out of nowhere and derail the business you worked so hard to build. Things like changes with the economy, taxes, your health, or a vital employee can be outside of your control and could make maintaining and growing your business difficult. If you haven’t already addressed these often-overlooked planning areas, consider these potential challenges: SUCCESSION PLANNING Most people don’t focus on the “what-ifs” that could disrupt business but planning for these can literally save your business. What’s your plan if you get divorced, become disabled, or lose a professional license? Or, if you have a business partner, what happens if he or she leaves, passes away, or gets divorced? RETIREMENT PLANNING If you’re like many people, your business IS your retirement, so you re-invest your profits back into the business. There are unique challenges that business owners face with this retirement strategy. Planning now can help you identify the best way to address your particular situation.
EMPLOYEE PLANNING Many businesses thrive because of one or more key employee(s) whose skills, business knowledge, and dedication are vital for ongoing success. Protecting your business before losing your most important employee can make a world of difference for long-term success. ESTATE PLANNING Often, business owners think estate planning is only for the very wealthy. But, if the majority of your assets and net worth are tied to the business, then it’s critical to have a plan in place in case something happens to you, especially if you’re married or have children or one or more business partners. Now that you know more about these potential business pitfalls, including them in your longterm planning can help with ongoing business success. After working so hard to build up your business, don’t leave the future to chance. Set aside time quarterly for ongoing planning that grows and protects your business vision. In addition, develop strategies to address those financial planning areas that may be out of your control. n * The information in this material is not intended as specific investment or planning advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Registered Representative of, and Securities and Investment Advisory services are offered through Hornor, Townsend & Kent, Inc., (HTK), Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC, 130 Springside Drive, Suite 100, Akron, Ohio 44333. 330.668.9065. Bridger Financial Group and other listed entities are independent of HTK. HTK does not provide legal and tax advice. Always consult a qualified tax advisor regarding your personal tax situation and a qualified legal professional for your personal estate planning situation.
Photo: Michael Ray Photography
BUSINESS
BEING VISIBLE IN A BUSY MARKETPLACE By Darieth Chisolm
LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE It may be tempting to hide, play small, stay out of the spotlight and not speak up, but this will get you nowhere. You not only limit your exposure, you also limit your own potential. When you choose to shine, really bring
Photo: Erik McKay
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ost women entrepreneurs are somewhat obsessed with the questions “How do I become more visible?” “Will people recognize my difference?” and “How can I shine in the marketplace?” Creating a successful business demands that you find many ways to be more visible and viable. That means communicating your core message across everything that you do—visually, verbally, in print, and online. The journey to becoming more visible is really special; however, it can also be intimidating. For a long time in building my company, discovering my unique brand was my biggest blind spot, primarily because my name and face were connected to the 10 and 11 o’clock news at WPXI in Pittsburgh for over 20 years. After I quit to launch my businesses, I felt lost, at times with no vision for them, and I definitely compared myself to others. I must admit, visibility is really more of a journey of self-discovery than doing Facebook lives and fancy photo shoots. Visibility is, first, an inside job. For most women, it doesn’t happen overnight but through a process of peeling back the layers and exposing you, at your core level. To help you design the life and business you can feel empowered by, I’m sharing what I have learned along my own journey and some steps I help my coaching clients through to become more visible in the crowded marketplace and attract their ideal clients and customers.
Darieth Chisolm that inner glow to life. Then, you attract others who are drawn to your light. Personal development is key to this. Doing the internal work to silence the voice that sings doubt, worry, and fear in your ear is crucial to you pulling the curtains back and stepping onto the stage to shine. Spending time reading, praying, meditating, and journaling are all steps for you to discover your true confident self. BRING PEOPLE INTO YOUR WORLD If you’re struggling to share your a unique message that truly represents who you are and what you have to offer, look at what you’re doing during the week and on the weekends, and think about how you can bring it all into your business. You don’t always have to post and tweet about your product or service. Every once in a while, show folks what you’re cooking for dinner, the new pair of shoes you
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BUSINESS bought or family photos from vacation. Being visible is not about being perfect first; it’s about being authentic. TAKE A LOOK IN THE MIRROR You don’t have to wait until you whiten your teeth or lose 20 pounds for you to be more visible. You just need to be the best that you are right now. Hair and makeup, wardrobe, and jewelry are essential parts of how we present ourselves through videos, broadcasts, graphics, and social posts—and they are important to marketing, but you don’t have to spend a ton of money to look good. Having clarity on what works for you will streamline your shopping process and give you greater confidence in your look. I also recommend choosing wardrobe stylists, as well as hair and make-up experts, especially for events and photo shoots. Find someone you feel comfortable with who can help you present the best version of yourself. My hope is that you’ll have an easier time becoming more visible on your way to being iconic and identifiable. All in all, the most important part of being visible is to remember that you are one of a kind. No one in the
COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS IN FUNDRAISING SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 | 1-5 PM Olivia’s Banquet Facility | Kennedy Twp., PA presented by
AUTUS
AUTUS collective
Energize your fundraising while connecting with fellow nonprofit and industry leaders at this half-day workshop and mixer! LEARN. REFRESH. CONNECT.
For details & registration, visit AutusWay.com.
history of the world has ever been you. So step out, shine bright, fail forward, be vulnerable, take risks, make mistakes, and most importantly, make yourself proud by just being you. n
Darieth Chisolm is a visibility and media coaching specialist who helps women design the life and business of their dreams, conveying their brand, message, and mission to the world. Chisolm is an Emmy Award-winning television personality, former NBC News Anchor, entrepreneur, author, speaker, and business coach who is also a Top 10 Trailblazer in Communications by Walker’s Legacy and a top video podcast show host for Hustle & Heart TV with Darieth Chisolm. Hustle & Heart TV was a Top 10 Finalist for the 2015 Podcast Awards for Best Video Podcast and was ranked #1 on iTunes for over two months with subscribers and viewers in several different countries. www. DariethChisolm.com
LEADERSHIP LESSONS SERIES—Part 2:
Inner Driven Leadership By Diane Lazarowicz
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
When I am wrong, do I avoid admitting it or attempt to convince others that I am not wrong? (Trust & Honesty) Am I sensitive to the needs of others? (Empathy) When someone is dragging out the details of their story, do I become frustrated and wish they would move it along? (Patience) When someone is talking to me, do I think about my response while they are talking? (Active Listening) If debating an issue, have I already decided the outcome before the other person completes their sentence? (Open-Mindedness)
How many of these questions did you answer “Yes” to? If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, some attention is needed to these critical social skills. Trust & Honesty: Without trust, it will be difficult to have a healthy relationship. Leaders with the ability to build trust are honest and genuinely interested in people. They allow others to express feelings freely without fear of being judged. A few ways to build trust include doing what you say you are going to do, being present, and admitting when you are wrong. Some leaders struggle with admitting their mistakes and either deny the mistake or attempt to convince you it really was not how it appeared. Remember that trust and respect cannot occur if a leader is not honest about their own short-comings. After all, perfection does not exist; we all make mistakes. Also note that once trust is broken, it is very difficult to regain. Photo: Clare Ascani Photography
I
n part one of this three-part series on Inner Driven Leadership, we took the first step toward becoming inner driven leaders by discussing Personal Competence. We determined our top five core values, which gave us a deeper understanding into what we deem important. Next, we developed our personal mission statement, which guided us toward recognizing our purpose. And, last, we became authentic leaders by aligning our core values with our personal mission. In part two of this series, we will discuss Inner Driven Leadership from a social perspective. Social Competence involves exploring how well we are in tune with people and their thoughts and feeling. We will examine some of the critical social skills that make up our social competence. In addition, we will look at how these social skills play out with our ability to mentor others and inspire teams. When our social skills are at their peak, an environment exists to build strong, genuine relationships. So, let us begin our social awareness journey by determining where we stand with these critical social skills. Ask yourself the following questions:
Empathy: When a leader is empathetic, they have the ability to see a situation from the other person’s perspective. Understanding another’s perspective strengthens your ability to build trust and rapport. To work on developing your empathetic skills, ask yourself how you would feel if you were in their situation. Try to really submerge yourself in their experience. Though it is not possible to completely understand how someone else feels by putting yourself in their shoes, you will still gain a deeper perspective.
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BUSINESS Patience: This is a critical social skill I often struggle with as a leader. Here are a few things I do to become more patient. First, I slow down. Simple as it sounds, it really helps me to be more patient. When running from one thing to another, I feel stressed. And, for me, when I am stressed, I am certainly not patient. To help myself slow down, I apply deep breathing techniques, meditation, and yoga. All of these have worked well. In addition to slowing down, I have improved my time-management habits. When I do not leave enough time to complete tasks and I am rushed, impatience is sure to follow. By improving how I budget my time, I have achieved a level of calmness that has improved my ability to be patient. Active Listening: You have to work at being an active listener, and no, it is not easy. Often, we are distracted by our never-ending to-do list, multi-tasking, and our access to technology. However, when we do not apply the focus required to listen to others, we can appear disinterested and aloof, creating a communication disconnect. Ways to improve this disconnect are to put effort into focusing on the person who is speaking and the words they are actually saying. That means we should not be thinking about our response or interrupting them when something triggers us. In addition, make strong eye contact, paraphrase, and ask questions that do not require a “yes” or “no” response. Like they say, we have one mouth and two ears for a reason. Open-Mindedness: One of the most frequent critical social skills I work with leaders on is their ability to be open-minded. Often, leaders have achieved success because of their ability to have great ideas and implement them effectively. However, this strength can impede their ability to be open-minded, resulting in them shutting down the ideas of others. Are you truly open-minded? Ask yourself these questions: 1. Do I usually find flaws in others’ ideas? 2. After hearing others’ ideas, do I usually move forward with my idea? 3. Do I determine very quickly that others’ ideas are not good? If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, you may want to further explore your ability to be open-minded.
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This is not to say that every idea presented has merit. It means validating another’s new ideas, approaches, and creativity. Stifling the ideas of others on a continuous basis leads them to withdraw and stop presenting their ideas at all. Leaders who remain open and encourage free flowing ideas engage, motivate, and inspire others to grow and develop as future leaders. For leaders who want to measure their social communication skills, I recommend taking a DiSC Assessment. The DiSC model of human behavior is based on the 1928 work of psychologist Dr. William Marston, who identified four dimensions of behavior that make up the DiSC model. This assessment is the leading assessment tool used by over 40 million people worldwide to help improve communication, work productivity, sales, and teamwork. Not only will you learn more about yourself as a leader, but you will also gain insight into the behaviors of others. In addition to the social skills listed above, another critical skill of inner driven leaders is the ability to mentor others. As a mentor, it is your role to guide, counsel, and support. Very often, leaders think they are doing a great job at mentoring when, in fact, that may not be the case. At one of my leadership workshops, we explored a “mentoring vs. doing” exercise in a group setting. With a cardboard shoe and lace, used to teach children how to tie their shoes, I engaged two willing participants to demonstrate mentoring for us. The leader began by explaining what should be done with the lace and the cardboard shoe. Unfortunately, the mentee became frustrated by the lack of clear verbal direction and struggled to complete the task. In an attempt to help, the leader reached for the shoe, and began putting the lace into the holes. Yes, this was a great teaching moment, indeed. Interestingly, the leader did not even realize she was now completing the task and no longer mentoring. Upon discussion, the leader reported feeling challenged to give clear directions and admitted it was easier to “just do it.” The leader viewed the entire experience as a definite “ah-ha” moment. Remember, the role of a mentor is to guide, counsel, and support, NOT take over and do. Mentoring requires all of the social skills discussed above. So, when you are in a mentoring situation, be patient and take the time to be clear with your directions. Here are three questions to ask the mentee to keep you both on track:
1. What are you working on right now? 2. What are your next steps? 3. How can I help? In addition to mentoring, all of the social skills discussed thus far are necessary to build and lead a strong team. Teams thrive when all of these social skills are applied along with rewarding team members and offering sincere praise on a regular basis. This concludes the second part of our leadership series on the Social Competencies of Inner Driven Leadership. In this section, we explored the social skills necessary to be an inner driven leader. Furthermore, we learned about the DiSC assessment as an excellent tool to help develop social awareness. In addition, we evaluated our mentoring abilities and learned the difference between mentoring and doing. And last, we examined how all of these social skills are effective when inspiring and motivating a team. The third part in the three-part series about Inner Driven Leadership will discuss the Behavioral Competency component of Inner Driven Leadership:. Here we
will discuss the Inner Driven Leadership behaviors of goal setting, long-range planning, and life-long learning. If you are one who does not set goals or struggles to break them down into manageable tasks, this is “your” section. Here, you will get a descriptive action plan to achieve your goals. You won’t want to miss this! n
Diane Lazarowicz is a communication and leadership expert who helps women trust their inner voice to achieve their goals. She has over thirty-five years of professional business experience and is a Suma Cum Laude graduate of Robert Morris University (Moon, Pa.). As a life-learner, she is also a graduate of the Referral Institute (Houston, Pa.) and the Dale Carnegie Skills for Success program (New York, NY). In addition, Lazarowicz serves on the board of directors for the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce and is co-chair of the membership committee. She is also a volunteer and advocate of the Choices youth program. www.TopPerformanceResults.com
SISTERS IN STYLE: Jackee Ging of Style Truck with Bernie Rupcich, Kim DiMarco of Magnolia on Main
W
hen these fabulous ladies of style join together, there is no stopping them from delivering the latest fashions and premier customer service! How do they do it? By bringing the fashion and service to you. Bernie Rupcich and Kim DiMarco of Magnolia on Main and Jackee Ging of Style Truck are visionary women entrepreneurs who are onto something big with their boutiques on wheels. The ladies cater to women on the go by bringing the latest styles and accessories to their customers at street festivals, non-profit fundraisers, scheduled pop-up shops and private parties. Traveling fashion begins by keeping in touch with the latest fashions from New York and Las Vegas and bringing those unique pieces to you in their customized traveling boutiques. Rupcich and DiMarco are experienced fashion retailers who started their business Magnolia on Main in 2016. They personalize your shopping experience by providing styling advice that makes each customer look and feel their very best. Magnolia on Main also carries home decor by local artisans. Upon walking into Magnolia and Main, you’ll be amazed by the transformation of a shuttle van into a warm, rustic boutique complete with a dressing room. Whether shopping for an outfit to wear to work or on the weekend or for a unique gift for the home, Magnolia on Main is the place to shop. Ging handles all things fashion in her Style Truck since she opened her doors in 2013 with the tagline “Have fashion, will travel!” I was delighted to shop there during La Pomponnée’s Get Dolled Up fashion show at Bella Serra which raised funds for the Dress for Success charity. Style Truck provides a unique shopping experience by bringing high quality, stylish yet affordable women’s clothing and accessories to your home, business, or event. In a world where the retail experience isn’t always enjoyable, Style Truck makes you feel like you’re shopping in your fashionable friend’s closet. “Customers become friends, and you want to hang out there.” Having traveled a lot in the past, Ging understands the needs of women on the go. “Women today want quality, customer service, fashion, and unique finds, and they can find all of that in Style Truck.”
Photo: Katie Ging Photography
By Dr. Shellie Hipsky
Bernie Rupcich, Kim DiMarco, and Jackee Ging. In fact, Style Truck has become so good at its unique shopping experience that it was awarded the 2015 Style Week Pittsburgh's Boutique of the Year honor. Though both trucks are completely individual businesses, what separates them from so many businesses is a spirit of sisterhood, not competition. Ging explained, “I love being around other fashion trucks because we all share a love of this city and enjoy being part of making it fashionable. And there is enough to go around. If I know that Magnolia on Main has the perfect necklace to complement an outfit from my truck, then I will suggest that my customer stop there next. Bernie and Kim do the same for me.” This kind of commitment to helping each other is something I love to see among women business owners. During the holidays, Style Truck can be found in a hut in Market Square for the Holiday Market. Style Truck was part of the inaugural market and has participated the past five years selling winter accessories. Aside from events, the fashion trucks are available for home parties and fundraisers. If you want to make your event unique or need an idea for a different type of fundraiser, book a fashion truck. These fashion-on-the-go businesses are flourishing! DiMarco credits their reciprocity, in part. “Building each other’s businesses in turn helps our own. It helps grow the industry itself.” Instead of being competitors, all three women say they have become more like sisters instead. n • Magnolia On Main can be found at magnoliaonmain.net. • The Style Truck can be found at mystyletruck.com. SUMMER 2017
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BOOKS, ART, MUSIC & FILM IN THIS SECTION: The Monster at the End of Your Book
Cori Wamsley.................................................... 41
World Heritage Cultural Center: Making Cultural Connections to Embrace Diversity Cori Wamsley.................................................... 45
Mara Rago: Images of Souls and Everything in Between
Jen Forsyth........................................................ 47
When Someone You Know is Living in a Dementia Community: Words to Say and Things to Do
Rachel Wonderlin............................................... 49
BOOK REVIEW: The Inheritance
Jen Forsyth........................................................ 51
“Creativity is contagious. Pass it on.” —Albert Einstein
The Monster at the End of Your Book By Cori Wamsley
M
y parents saved all the books I had as a child, so I have the pleasure of reading them to my own children. One of those books is a Sesame Street one: The Monster at the End of this Book. It’s an adorable story about Grover panicking about the monster and doing anything he can to prevent the reader from getting to the end of the book. He builds walls, ties the pages together, and tries other various ways to prevent the inevitable. When you get to the end of the book, though, you find out that the monster at the end of the book is your own lovable, furry pal Grover. When I read this book to the girls recently, I couldn’t help but see a parallel between Grover’s conundrum and the fear that so many writers have about the end of their own book journeys. “What if no one reads it?” “What if people laugh or complain?” “What if readers realize I don’t know what I’m talking about?” “What if I’m a terrible writer?” And more and more… But what if you’re getting in your own way? Let’s ask about the positive possibilities.
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BOOKS “What if my book helps someone overcome what they didn’t think they could?” “What if I love writing?” “What if my book inspires someone to do as I did?” “What if I spark change?” “What if I see a positive change in my career because I really am an expert?” Why let yourself get wrapped up in worrying about the outcome when you can’t predict it before you’ve even started writing? Better yet, why not take steps in the right direction to ensure a positive outcome? You’re in control! So let’s see what you can do. 1) Practice writing. No one sits down and pens a novel without a little practice first, not even geniuses. It takes time to hone your words and feel comfortable developing a work of any length. When you’re starting out, work on shorter articles, essays, blogs, etc., even if they are pieces that no one sees except you. If you’re nervous about writing a book, getting used to writing, especially in your genre and for your specific audience, will help you feel more comfortable. 2) Educate yourself. Take a class, read a book, or do some online courses where you can learn how to write. Having a solid background in how to develop your work will help you feel more confident if you already have the skills to do it, and if you don’t, it will teach you the skills you need. Please make sure that you are looking at materials developed by someone reputable, so you can get the most from your time. 3) Get feedback on smaller pieces. Show your essays, blogs, etc. to someone you trust who will give you honest critique. Writing can expose nerves, but remember that the people you trust to give critique are trying to help you, so appreciate everything they tell you. Don’t make excuses or think they “just don’t get it.” Remember that your readers won’t get it either, so you want to know what you can fix in advance. Learn, and improve. 4) Talk to your audience about their interests. Find out what they really want to know about your topic. When you write to answer those questions or address those pain points, your readers will be more likely to keep reading and recommending your text to others. This means book sales! 42
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5) Work with a coach. If your budget allows, work with a writing coach who can help you write your book. They can guide you through the creative process and suggest approaches or topics to address that you may not have thought about before. They are also great for helping you get over writer’s block, discussing ideas that you’re considering, and keeping you on track with your goals. 6) Work with an editor. Though many writers consider editors to be the devil incarnate (I promise that we aren’t!), editors will help polish your completed book so you can present the best work possible to the public. Not only do they check for missing or misspelled words, but they can also check for ambiguity or something that doesn’t make sense. Depending on the type of edit you request, your editor may move text around to improve flow, as well. Always discuss expectations up front when you hire an editor, so you know what you are getting. Even if you only incorporate some of these steps into your book writing journey, you will improve the chances of a positive outcome for your book. Have a little confidence in yourself and your abilities! Don’t glue all the pages together and build walls before you even know what will happen. Keep a positive outlook so you don’t sabotage your efforts before you start, and the monster at the end of your book could be a crowd of adoring fans. If you would like more writing and editing tips, please follow my blog at www.coriwamsley.com/blog and sign up for my emails. I also offer an eCourse, Put Your Passion to Paper, that teaches experts, coaches, and those with inspiring stories how to write a book. Find out more at https://goo.gl/f Y2tP1. n Cori Wamsley is a book editor, writing coach, author, and speaker and the editor of Inspiring Lives Magazine. coriwamsley.com
Photo: Erik McKay
Photo: 24-Hour Woman
WORLD HERITAGE CULTURAL CENTER:
Making Cultural Connections to Embrace Diversity By Cori Wamsley Sattie Persaud came to the United States from Suriname with the hopes of gaining a college education. As it turned out, she had much to teach us herself. Persaud broke the cycle of seven generations of women married at or before the age of thirteen. She went on to become the first in her family to make it past the third grade, and then the first to drive and attend college, completing a B.A. in accounting from Pace University and a degree in screenwriting from the New York Film Academy. She has written two screenplays and is presently working on her first novel, while managing a day job as treasury man-
ager for the United Technologies Corporation. She has an impressive resume that spans multinational corporations such as IBM, UBS, and Lehman Brothers. Embracing her roots, though, led her to found the World Heritage Cultural Center (WHCC). “The Universe gave me a chance to fulfill my dream of getting an education, something no one can take away from me,” she began. “Witnessing your most intimate dream come true is the most beautiful feeling. Because I wanted to give back to the Universe, I thought about what
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I value at my core. It’s family. So I started the WHCC to share my overwhelming love for my fellow humans.” This overwhelming love led her to present international culture on a global platform. It may be difficult to understand how someone growing up in a small, low-technology nation could feel so connected to all of humanity, but Persaud explained that Suriname is culturally diverse itself. Immigrants came from India, like Persaud’s family, and many other countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa to settle there. But they didn’t keep their traditions to themselves. When one family celebrated a holiday, their neighbors celebrated with them, no matter their cultural background. They put differences aside and enjoyed arts, food, music, dance, and more. “My parents taught us that love extends beyond the walls of your home,” she said. “We’re all one family, one human race. Diversity is strength.” From her childhood exposure to the best that other cultures offer, Persaud learned that different is beautiful, and she wanted others to experience this same love of cultures—other’s as well as their own. In the last century, we have truly become a global world. Humans migrate, immigrate, and escape to lands far from where they were raised. They care for their own families away from others who may celebrate the same heritage. Over generations, this can leave people lost without knowing their roots. The lines blur between cultures as we race to embrace other challenges in our lives. Persaud wants to remind us that our history is important. It makes us who we are. “I began WHCC because I want to help people define their roots,” Persaud said. “Frequently, those born outside their native land feel lost in a sea of different cultures and backgrounds. Having a personal cultural identity, as well as an understanding of other cultures, is Sattie Persaud important. My own cultural identity shaped who I am.” WHCC started sharing the beauty of other cultures with its first World of Colors Concert in 2009, which featured 23 countries and was broadcast to 160 countries. Since then, WHCC has also hosted the Global Beats Stage in the National Geographic Travel Show. This travel show is now independent of National Geographic and is one of the largest travel shows in the world. Today, Persaud proudly works with over 300 cultural groups in the United States alone through WHCC. She is passionate about connecting people with their heritage and exposing them to different cultures worldwide, and her efforts have already led to more than 75 events in major U.S. cities, impacting over 900,000 attendees. 46
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“We’re all one family, one human race. Diversity is strength.” To make its mission even more accessible, WHCC will launch its official online magazine in 2017 and is working with over one hundred consulates and embassies in the United States. WHCC also presents a Global Appreciation Award annually to those making a positive impact through knowledge and charity in the world. Visit www.mywhcc.org/ awards for more information. Additionally, over the next 5 years WHCC plans to create the first physical base for operations and events in Brewster, New York, to share and teach world cultures. Persaud spoke excitedly about the planned building. “We already agreed to purchase the land for $200,000 and received approval from the town for a 30,000 square foot building with a budget of $6 million. We are moving mountains to raise the initial $200,000 to finalize the land purchase.” The WHCC facility will have a sound studio, green screen studio, ballroom, indoor theater, outdoor theater, classrooms, world library, cultural boutique, café, and a kitchen set with its own unique cooking show. It will be the perfect venue—a common ground—to expose people to other cultures through the arts, providing in-person cultural connections. “You can watch documentaries and read about other cultures, which is wonderful,” Persaud said. “But seeing the dance in person, tasting the food, and meeting people from other cultures makes it powerful and real for you. It’s deeper. It’s humbling.” What is Persaud’s vision for the future? She wants to create WHCC chapters or centers across the United States and worldwide. Her eye is on the broadest impact possible. Current board of directors members are Sattie Persaud; Jim Luce, writer for the Huffington Post and the Daily Kos and founder of Orphans International Worldwide; Jyonti Soni, founder of Flavors by Jyoti Soni; Victor Cruz, actor, writer, and producer, founder of Victor Cruz Entertainment; Christine M. Scott, founder of Clever Crow Consulting and Design, co-publisher and creative director of Nosetouch Press, creative director of Inspiring Lives Magazine; Bill Piccirillo, The Piccirillo Group at Keller Williams, vice-chair board member; and Soma Syed, Soma Syed & Associates. WHCC also has an honorable advisory board. To find out more about WHCC or to help them reach their goals with a donation, you may visit their website at www.mywhcc.org or email Sattie Persaud directly at info@ mywhcc.org. n
Photo: Mara Rago
MARA RAGO
IMAGES OF SOULS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
By Jen Forsyth
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ne of Pittsburgh’s premier photographers is an amazing example of God-given talent who, one day, relied on her faith and took the plunge. Oh, and a random guy asked her to do a nude photo shoot. “Some guy asked me to pose for him,” Mara Rago remembers. “I didn’t know this guy from Adam, and I told him ‘yeah.’” “He came to my house. We went up into my attic in our big old Victorian house, and he said, ‘This place is so cool. I would love to use this as a studio.’ I only went nude from the waist up because I wasn’t going to take off all my clothes for this guy. The experience of doing that was so cool and so different. I thought about how he loved my studio, and I said, ‘I’m going to try this.’” Armed with an old camera of her own, Rago invited friends up to her attic for a photo shoot. The results
yielded her high compliments. However, the photo shoots were just for fun until her former girlfriend suggested she was getting too clingy. Those words prompted Rago to get out and take a photography class at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts under the late Richard Hearst. She soon discovered she was in love with the art, especially darkroom photos. Soon after, Rago began spending much of her time in the darkroom. Then an opportunity opened up in Hearst’s class to submit pieces to the Three Rivers Arts Festival. This was in the early 90s, and Rago had been fortunate enough to score the photos of a lifetime. “I had three pictures of [Former President] Bill Clinton in Pittsburgh at the Air Force Base. I was really far away when he was talking. Then as he was leaving, they said, ‘Nobody can leave until the President has left the hangar,’ so we were stuck in there. Then I looked over,
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ART and I saw the President edging his way over to the door. I ran to the door and stood there as he approached. No one was really paying attention because they were over where he had been. He walked over to me and said, ‘Hi, I’m Bill Clinton.’” A star-struck Rago barely remembered the camera around her neck. Thankfully she did before the Secret Service stepped in, and those shots got accepted into the Arts Festival. From then on, she charged people to do professional headshots. She learned the ropes of studio lighting, and then it was time to let go for more. “When I was in the attic, I was working for the Allegheny County Recorder of Deeds Office,” Rago reveals. “It was a nice cushy job, but I didn’t want to be that person in the lunchroom saying, ‘I have five years until I retire.’ They’re wishing their life away! Then I went to Sedona, Ariz. and saw a channeler, a psychic. I said ‘What am I doing? What should I do?’ He said, ‘May 1. That’s when you have to do whatever you need to do. You need to do it May 1.’ It was March. And I remember going back in and telling my boss ‘I’m giving you my notice.’” As crazy as it may have been to leave a job that could have guaranteed Rago a great pension and other benefits
for life, she was leaving that May 1st and becoming a professional photographer. She didn’t have money saved up, she didn’t have a business plan, but she was going to follow her passion and do what she loved. That passion has grown into a flourishing business that consists of florals, nudes, families, and magazines. Her work is featured in several shows and exhibits, and she has also made several calendars distributed nationally and internationally. No matter what her subject, Rago picks them and works with them for very simple reasons. “I love to photograph people…and souls,” she explained. “The title of my first show was Living Souls. It all ties into that, like the quote on my website: ‘The soul of the subject, the soul in between, and the soul of myself…these three combined create my art.’ I believe that’s what happens, because I don’t have any premeditated ideas when I’m doing a shoot, and I never did.” “With my art, people would say, ‘What are you going to take? What are we going to do today?’ And I say, ‘I have no clue.” Rather, Rago prefers that her subjects move naturally and have the art happen on its own. Self-taught. Passionate. Talented. There is no need to question her results. For more on Mara Rago Photography, go to mararago.com. n
Words to Say and Things to Do By Rachel Wonderlin
I
have always loved working with older adults, and when I learned about dementia care in my Psychology of Aging class in college, I was intrigued. The brain is a fascinating organ, and it amazed me how much could change in the brain of someone who has dementia. As I learned more, I knew I wanted to work in dementia care full-time. I graduated with my master’s in gerontology from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro in 2013 and started a job with Brookdale Senior Living as a dementia care program manager. I learned quickly that so many families have loved ones who have dementia—but nowhere to turn for answers. I was asked a lot of the same questions. My book addresses all these questions and more, even ones that families never thought to ask me until it was too late. I want people to understand dementia, be able to communicate with their loved ones who have it, and be able to deal with their stress and guilt in an uplifting, kind way. The ideal living dementia care community is full of life and engagement. It’s a place that allows residents to engage with others and their environment on their own terms: for example, residents have access to baby dolls, realistic-looking stuffed animals, workstations with tools that look and feel as real as possible, desks to “work” at, and other things they recognize. The care staff is engaging and knowledgeable about dementia care. Music is playing everywhere throughout the community, and residents have a wide array of activities to do throughout the day. Caregivers need more information about dementia care, dementia communication, and dementia living situations. One of the things I see most often is when some families “guilt-trip” other families for moving their loved ones into a home. You’ll often hear people say, “Mom said never to move her into a home, so I just have to take care of her at my house.” This is really unfortunate. If
Photo: Erik McKay
WHEN SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS LIVING IN A DEMENTIA COMMUNITY:
your mother knew how bad her dementia would get, she never would have put that stress on you. Caregivers need to recognize that, sometimes, community care living is the best-case scenario for a loved one. My book is relatable and easy to understand. I tell two stories per chapter, and all of my stories are true. I teach caregivers how to better communicate with people who have dementia, how to choose a living situation for a loved one with dementia, and if they choose a care community, I talk about the ifs, whens, whys, hows, and whats of community care. When Someone You Know is Living in a Dementia Community: Words to Say and Things to Do is the only book on the market about care community living for this specific population—and that’s an important topic that shouldn’t be missed. n Photo: 24-Hour Woman
BOOKS
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BOOK REVIEW
Kapsambelis’ THE INHERITANCE: On Shared Genes and Hope for a Lingering, Deadly Disease By Jen Forsyth
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lzheimer’s disease robs people of their memories, fine motor skills, and eventually, their lives. Galen “Moe” DeMoe first exhibited the symptoms with flashes of temper and odd behavior, which intensified over time. He was diagnosed in 1973 at age 43, hospitalized five years later, and never returned home. He died in 1989, when he was only 59. Sadly, that wasn’t the last that the family would deal with this debilitating disease. The DeMoes carry a rare genetic mutation that leads to early onset Alzheimer’s. Many of us associate Alzheimer’s with the elderly; after age 65, your risk of developing the disease doubles every five years. However, those who have had concussions or head injuries or those with Down syndrome are higher risk, as well as women. And it can strike at any age. Mt. Lebanon, Pa., author Niki Kapsambelis elegantly captures the North Dakota family’s plight in her book The Inheritance. Of Moe and Gail DeMoe’s six children, five carried the mutation—Brian, Lori, and Doug died from complications from Alzheimer’s, while Dean and Jamie are still leading active lives. Only Karla tested negative for the mutation and is now a fierce advocate for her family. Now, Dean’s children, Jamie, and several family members visit Pittsburgh, Pa.’s University of Pittsburgh Medical Center at least once a year to participate in drug trials for the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer’s Network (DIAN) as part of research for a cure for Alzheimer’s. The drug trial is testing removal of amyloid—pieces of protein that eventually build up to form plaque between brain cells. Kapsambelis explained that “doctors and researchers think amyloid is the first domino that falls,” so they want to know if stopping amyloid before a patient has symptoms will stop tau—tangles—from forming inside dying cells. Researchers hope to study the effects of amyloid and tau on the brain years before symptoms appear and stop the disease’s progress. Looking at both amyloid and tau in a living patient helps researchers better understand the disease process and develop drug therapies that target each stage of that process.
The DeMoes and Kapsambelis—a freelance writer, reporter, mom, and hockey coach—crossed paths when she was on a freelance project at the University of Pittsburgh in 2009. Brian, the oldest brother, died in late 2010, which catalyzed Kapsambelis to begin writing. “If I was going to do this project in a serious way, I had to get started. I didn’t know how to get a book published, and I was really intimidated by that. I was also raising my kids and working.” Kapsambelis sought the advice of a friend who had been published. He taught her how to write a book proposal. With the DeMoes’ approval, Kapsambelis signed with a literary agent, and the proposal was purchased by Simon & Schuster. This was the beginning of five years packed with travel to several states for hundreds of interviews and conferences—as well as weddings and funerals— phone interviews, and several drafts and rewrites. Kapsambelis said, “This experience taught me to look deeper at who I’m talking to and who that individual is as a person.” She had never formed such close relationships with her subjects before. “Basically they became part of my family and I became part of theirs. I think it will change not only the way I interview people, but the way I look at people. The Inheritance is available wherever books are sold. n
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FOOD & TRAVEL IN THIS SECTION: Passport to Inspiration: Coral Gables, Florida
Kim Adley.......................................................... 54
PROFILE: Chef Carlos La Cruz
Cori Wamsley.................................................... 58
Saving Food Saves Lives: 412 Food Rescue
Rachel Weaver LaBar.......................................... 60
RESTAURANT REVIEW: Jimmy Wan’s
Sabrina Phillips................................................... 62
“One must travel, to learn.” —Mark Twain
L VA I R
L VA RI
RIVAL • AR AR
Photo: Ray Feather
RIVAL • AR AR
CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA By Kim Adley • Photography by Kim Adley
A SISTERLY SOJOURN I was not blessed with sisters. Instead, however, I had the blessing and experience of being raised with two brothers. My recollections of childhood travel always seem to find me stuck between them in the back seat of my mom’s Rambler station wagon with one elbowing me and the other pulling my hair. We were usually taking them to camp or some other boy-oriented adventure. Our house, too, seemed inundated with their Hot Wheels track, matchbox cars, and LEGOs. Oh, I did have my little stash of girly things. I fondly remember my Barbie Dream House, which GI Joe seemed to keep showing up at uninvited. Eventually my enterprising older brother, now a successful businessman, sold the doll house, lock, stock and barrel, at a backyard carnival one hot summer day while I was at the pool. Alas, where was a sister when you needed her? I realized early in my life that “sisters” were not going to be found in my bloodline and that to find the kind of sisterly companionship I so desired, I would have to cultivate and nurture those relationships outside my family in the form of “GIRLFRIENDS! AKA: The Sisters I Choose.” I’m happy to tell you that I became very good at making friends and have been blessed with many “sisters” in my life. This Passport to Inspiration column is dedicated to ALL of the sisters who have travelled with me both literally and figuratively. They have shined their lights on me many a dark day and helped to make the good times even brighter. Earlier this year, during the dark days of winter, I travelled to Cape Coral, Fla., on a sisterly sojourn with my girlfriend Gail. Together we escaped the winter blues
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for a sun-and-fun girls’ getaway. Florida never disappoints, and our trip to Cape Coral was loaded with all the things girlfriends need: beaches, shopping, dining, entertainment, pool bar happy hours, and great weather. Cape Coral is located on the Gulf of Mexico and is home to our beautiful destination, The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village. This amazing resort was a quick 13 miles from the Ft. Myers airport and was an expansive complex surrounded by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Caloosahatchee River, and Tarpon Point Marina. The hotel is 19 floors of luxurious two-bedroom suites with full kitchens that feature breathtaking views at all angles. After a day of travelling, we opted for an early dinner at Pinchers Crab Shack located in the resort and started our quest for relaxation, enjoying the nightly entertainment at the Nauti Mermaid Dockside Bar and Grill. A mellow acoustic group played while we watched the sun go down with our festive group of “new” friends. This fun mix of hotel guests and locals had gathered for the nightly “Happy Hour Sunset Celebration.” Every night, as the sun sinks into the horizon, onlookers hoot and holler and ring bells. Then everyone gets a shot of a tropical cocktail to celebrate this wonderful gift of nature and Earth’s predictable rotation. With the last beam of sunlight, we took our wine glasses and sat by the fire pit to make plans for the weekend. Day 1…a success. Bright and early the next morning, we headed to the nearby Rotary Park Environmental Center and The Tom Allen Memorial Butterfly Garden for the free tour and lecture offered several mornings a week. This charming butterfly house is a sanctuary for local butterfly species where visitors can observe all four stages of butterfly life. Once the butterflies hatch and mature, they are released into the wild by dedicated volunteers.
IF YOU GO: • Westin Cape Coral at Marina Village, www.westincapecoral.com • Nauti Mermaid Dockside Bar and Grill, www.thenautibar.com • Tom Allen Memorial Butterfly Garden, www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org • Rotary Park Environmental Center, www.capecoral.net • The Boat House Tiki Bar and Grill, www.theboathouseusa.com • Marker 92 Waterfront Bar and Bistro, www.marker92.com
A volunteer directed us to the nearest beach at the Cape Coral Yacht Club. It was there we found the truest reason for our pilgrimage: a place to sink our toes in the sand and bake in the sun for the afternoon. The Yacht Club and its beach sit along the Caloosahatchee River and was built in the 1950s. It is family friendly with a clean white sand beach, fishing dock, community pool, picnic pavilion, bathhouse facilities, and a festive tiki-hut-themed restaurant called The Boat House. The Boat House features live entertainment and options to dine inside or out and can be reached by land and water. We returned to the resort for a quiet dinner that evening at the elegant Marker 92 Restaurant, followed by live music in the resort bar and dancing till our feet could take no more. Day 2…a success. Our goal on day 3 was to do some local shopping and get massages because sisterly sojourns are all about a little self-indulgence. Great little shops selling local art 56
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• The Lobster Lady, www.lobsterladyseafood.com • The Looke of Cape Coral, facebook.com/TheLookeofCapeCoral • Flip Flops Consignment Shop Florida, facebook.com/flipflopsfl • Nervous Nellie’s, www.nervousnellies.net • Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, www.bbmpah.com
and beach wear were abundant along the promenade of our hotel. My favorite was The Looke of Cape Coral: Champagne Boutique, owned by 2 sisters. Their motto, “Have a drink, buy a dress” is brilliant marketing, if I do say so myself. The champagne was flowing and the spirits were high in this sweet boutique filled with unique clothing and accessories. The fitting rooms featured a “champagne shelf ” so you can try on clothes. I found a great bathing suit cover up, and my bag had the sweetest little surprise treats inside as well. My other favorite shopping find of the day was a small female-owned consignment shop in downtown Cape Coral, Flip Flops Consignment Shop. This charming boutique was filled with an interesting collection of “nearly new” designer clothing and purses. I found the most beautiful Ralph Lauren Sweater and scarf for
a fraction of the cost and Gail walked off with a sweet leather jacket. After a delicious lunch at Cape Coral’s premier seafood market and bistro, The Lobster Lady, we were off for our massages. We found two appointments at the local Massage Envy and were not disappointed. I literally floated out of mine. Day 3…a success. Our last full day, we decided on “adventure” and caught the morning water taxi from our hotel that travels 9 miles through the Gulf of Mexico to Fort Myers Beach. This service was an amenity of our resort and included a roundtrip cruise from the dock at the Nauti Mermaid to the dock at Nervous Nellie’s, in Fort Myers Beach. This fun beach town was filled with colorful souvenir shops, local breweries, and varied dining options. We walked along the main street just one short block and hit the beach. It was there we ate breakfast in a small Greek diner overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Eggs never tasted so good. The area was truly family friendly, and there were many out walking, riding bikes, and fishing on the Fort Myers Pier. We found our perfect spot on the beach and once again indulged in the extremely important “sandy toes therapy.” The afternoon passed quickly, and soon it was time to catch our water taxi back to the resort. The afternoon ride surprised us with local wildlife. A large pelican stowed away on our boat, and dolphins followed us most of the way home. It was an unexpected treat to see them swimming alongside us. Dinner was a quick stop for surf and turf. I opted for the seasonal Florida delicacy of chilled stone crabs while Gail had filet mi-
gnon. We didn’t linger over our meal, though, for we were off to the Barbara Mann Center for the Performing Arts to see comedic legend Billy Crystal live. The show was full of laughs and nostalgia and was the perfect finale to our getaway weekend. Day 4…a success. Re-entry into reality from a sisterly sojourn is never easy…but it is certainly more palpable with a friend. We travelled back safely with many memories to keep us smiling for a long time. I can’t say enough about the value of taking time for a change of scenery with your “sisters.” Gail and I ran into other ladies travelling together everywhere we went in Cape Coral. It was wonderful to see so many enjoying the company of friends. The sojourn doesn’t have to be far or expensive. Maybe there is a little town just a few hours away calling your “sisters” to gather. The most important thing is that you take the time to do it and nurture those important friendships in your life. So, grab your “Sisters: the family you choose,” and plan a sisterly sojourn. It’s good for your heart and your soul. You’ll be so glad you did! n Kim Adley is the owner and tour designer of Passport to Pittsburgh, LLC, a custom tour design company for Pittsburgh and beyond (www.passporttopittsburgh.com). She is also the 22-year sole proprietor of Characters By Kim, a professional storytelling business in western Pennsylvania (www.charactersbykim.com).
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PROFILE:
CARLOS LA CRUZ By Cori Wamsley • Photography by Dennis Rodriguez
Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, Chef Carlos La Cruz sought to preserve the regional recipes of his homeland, as well as other Latin American countries, and is developing a series of books that feature these recipes, starting with Bitacora Gastronomica de Venezuela I. For this book and its follow-up, he has recovered over 300 traditional Venezuelan recipes, which have been lost for two or three generations in some cases. The recipe for cachapas is among those featured. To recover the recipes, La Cruz spent 8 years meeting with people in small towns throughout Venezuela, including his own grandmothers, Carme Maria Rosa de La Cruz and Rosalia Herrera. “It wasn’t easy,” he said,
“but it was worth it to preserve this wonderful part of our culture.” Bitacora Gastronomica de Venezuela II will be released in September 2017 at heydayavertising.com, and Bitacora Gastronomica de Colombia will follow in December. La Cruz is a restaurant consultant, award-winning TV chef, restaurant and club openings specialist, food columnist, cookbook author, and contributing writer for more than 20 publications. He will be honored with an excellence award at the Latin Community Awards 2017 this fall. La Cruz is a service director at Green Fig and The Green Room 42 in the YOTEL NYC. n
greenfignyc.com
REGIONAL FAVORITE:
CACHAPAS Cachapas are thick pancakes made from maize (sweetcorn) and topped with margarine, a slab of queso de mano (hand cheese), a pork chop, and some chicarron (fried pork rinds) and washed down with a cold Polarcita (beer). Cachapas are an integral part of Venezuela’s culinary history, and their origin dates back to pre-Colombian times, when the indigenous population would grind corn with stone pestles and cook it cachapa-style on clay budares (flat griddle plates). When I was young, cachapas could only be found in my home state—Bolivar—and were only made by locals in stalls on the side of the road on the way to la Gran Sabana. One of my fondest memories of my birth country is when my mother, sister, and I would take a Sunday road trip that always included cachapas. These trips were a treat. When we moved to the States, cachapas were one of the Venezuelan foods I missed the most. Today, it’s easy to find cachapas everywhere in Venezuela, but the ones made in Bolivar are still the “originals.” INGREDIENTS 1 cup of corn meal, I use the South American one, P.A.N. brand 1 heaping tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt
1 cup soy milk 1 can organic sweetcorn 1/2 onion 2 cloves garlic Pinch of chili flakes Small handful chopped parsley Oil Salt and pepper PREPARATION Heat a little oil in a pan. Finely chop the onion, and add it to the pan. Season, add the chili flakes, and allow the flakes to soften for a few minutes. Mince the garlic—I prefer to do it by hand so there’s no waste! Add to pan, and cook for a few minutes. Drain the sweetcorn, add to pan, and allow to heat through before tossing in the parsley and mixing thoroughly. In a large bowl, mix the corn meal, baking powder, and salt. Pour in the soy milk slowly until you get the correct consistency—thicker than a normal pancake batter but still pourable. Lastly, mix in the sweetcorn mixture, ensuring it is evenly dispersed throughout the batter. Wipe the pan clean, heat a little more oil, and ladle or pour in the mixture for 1–2 cachapas. Wait until it starts to bubble slightly, and then turn over for a minute or so until the other side is cooked. Serve with natural yogurt mixed with vanilla, honey, and berries. SUMMER 2017
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Photo: Larry Rippel
SAVING FOOD TO SAVE LIVES 412 FOOD RESCUE By Rachel Weaver LaBar A little over two years ago, two women had one plan for eradicating food waste and hunger in their hometown. Pittsburghers Leah Lizarondo and Gisele Fetterman are co-founders of 412 Food Rescue, an organization whose short history belies the tremendous impact it’s had on Western Pennsylvania and beyond. “We didn’t expect to reach 1 million pounds of food last year,” says Lizarondo, who serves as the organization’s CEO. “We have over 1,000 volunteers. I think we set our goal at 250. We just didn’t know how many people would be so willing to step up.” 60
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The nonprofit, which launched informally in 2015 and officially with funding in 2016, connects organizations in need with wholesalers, retailers, universities, and others who have food that would otherwise go to waste. Their dedicated volunteers, known as “Food Rescue Heroes,” transport food from one place to the other. The simple solution to a serious problem got its start when both women were working in their own lives and communities to address the issues of nutrition and food waste. Lizarondo’s search for a better way to eat began in an attempt to manage her fibromyalgia, a journey she wrote about on her popular blog.
“I started writing about all the healthy food trends— chia seeds and quinoa and all that stuff,” she says. “I was always interested in how I could translate this to households that don’t have the capacity to get chia seeds, raw cocoa powder, or things that a lot of health food writers write about. As that happened, I became even more interested in the other side of it, which was the fact that I’m so privileged to have a smoothie in the morning, which is something so simple, but there are so many out there who don’t even know where their next meal is coming from. “It wasn’t an overnight thing. It was a slow progression. It was really understanding that as other people deal with health issues, they don’t have the capacity to even have a meal. How can I keep on talking about something that affects a small percentage of our population when there are so many in need? That’s when I really decided how I wanted to focus my career and my life.” She joined the board of Just Harvest, a nonprofit addressing hunger in Allegheny County through a focus on public policy and community food access. She also met Fetterman, who was working at Braddock’s Free Store, a shop she launched in 2012 that receives surplus and donated goods and redistributes them to neighbors in need. The only currency accepted is hugs. Fetterman, wife of Braddock Mayor John Fetterman, grew up in Brazil and had great difficulty rationalizing the rampant waste she saw once she came to America. “In my country, people literally die from hunger,” she says. “There are children with no shoes on their feet. I was shocked to see the food wasted here. It was painful to watch people throw perfectly good food into a dumpster because it was easy or convenient.” Her mother, Ester Resende, left the country for a better life in America when Gisele was 8 and her brother was 11. She left behind a successful career and became a house cleaner and coat check girl in America. “It took all the courage in the world,” Fetterman says. “She didn’t know anyone. She spoke no English. It definitely inspired me a great deal.” The family settled in Queens and Fetterman and her brother learned English by watching Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. All of their furniture came from the curb, which instilled in her a great appreciation for reusing items rather than throwing them away. At the Free Store, Fetterman was partnering with a few stores to make sure food that would otherwise be wasted was given to people who could use it. When Lizarondo learned of this, she started asking how they could reach more people and stores. “That brought to light really the biggest problem we have: No one is able to collect the food that is surplus from grocery stores every single day,” says Lizarondo. “If someone is willing to pick it up, it won’t go to waste.
“We’ve been able to take a small idea and grow it into something only because of the volunteers we have. The city is so supportive.” That’s really the premise. If this is happening in one wholesaler, can you imagine what is happening at the 200 grocery stores in the region? That’s how the premise of 412 Food Rescue started.” Today, the organization works with 225 food retailers and 250 nonprofit partners. In 2016, it launched an app to help streamline the process for volunteers called the Food Rescue Hero app. There also are plans to pilot the program across the country. After NPR did a story on the organization in February, staff received over 200 inquiries from other cities interested in starting programs of their own. “Our job now is to identify the top five cities from all those who have the best capacity to take on a project like this,” Lizarondo says. “That’s very exciting for us. It’s always been our goal for the technology to become something that will allow other cities to replicate what we’re doing here in Pittsburgh.” “The goal was to one day have a 212 Food Rescue and a 724 Food Rescue and create an app any city could implement,” says Fetterman, who now serves on the organization’s advisory board. “We’ve been able to take a small idea and grow it into something only because of the volunteers we have. The city is so supportive.” Both ladies make it a priority to teach their children about the work they are doing and how their own actions can impact the world around them. Lizarondo and husband Bill Shannon are parents to Arto, 12; Rio, 10; and Rex, 4. “When I was doing the rescues every day, they would come with me,” she says. “They see the food itself and the work that I’m doing. They’re definitely helping spread awareness about it.” Fetterman and her husband also have three children, Karl, 8; Grace, 5; and August, 3. “I want my children to be very aware,” she says. “I want them to recognize they are in a unique place in a world that is much bigger than they are.” n
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RESTAURANT REVIEW JIMMY WAN’S • CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, PA By Sabrina Phillips • Photos by Jimmy Wan’s If you are in the Cranberry Township, Pa., area looking for the perfect place for a date night, Jimmy Wan’s has something for everyone! Their menu includes sushi, dim sum, and traditional Asian meals. They even have a full gluten-free menu and many vegetarian/vegan options. You can’t go wrong with this restaurant! My perfect meal would start with a light, refreshing cucumber Sakitini (made with Kettle One vodka and sake). For an appetizer, the fried chive dumplings, the famous Godzilla roll made with salmon and cream cheese, or the seaweed salad are delicious starters! The sashimi ceviche is always fresh and also makes a perfect appetizer. Jimmy Wan’s large portions make them shareable (though you will probably want to eat them all yourself!). My all-time favorite entrée is the black pepper shrimp and scallops. The sauce has just enough kick, and everything is always cooked and seasoned to perfection, with a great veggie-to-seafood ratio. Did I mention the portions are HUGE? After all that amazing food, remember that you don’t want to miss out on dessert! I just can’t decide which I love more—the fudge brownie or the tiramisu, both of which come from the amazing Oakmont Bakery.
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As if the food and drinks aren’t great enough, the restaurant is beautiful, and the staff is very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. Usually you will also see the dapper gentleman Jimmy Wan himself making his way through the dining room to greet customers and make sure everything is up to par. You can’t ask for a much better date night! Location: Cranberry Township, Pa. Price Range: $11 to $30 Attire: Casual-Dressy jimmywans.com
HEALTH & WELLNESS IN THIS SECTION: Grace & Living: An Interview with Atiya Abdelmalik
Dr. Shellie Hipsky................................................ 64
Morgan's Message: Support and Staying Positive
Morgan Yoney.................................................... 68
Love Your Body!
Alice Beckett-Rumberger..................................... 69
One More Step, One More Rep: Thriving with an Invisible Illness
Cori Wamsley.................................................... 71
After Lymphoma, One Survivor Finds Inspiration through Exercise, Health, and Dance Jen Forsyth........................................................ 73
Jennifer “Teach Me How to Dougie” LaFace Founds Charity: I Carry My Sister’s Heart
Dr. Shellie Hipsky................................................ 75
“The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it.” —C.C. Scott
GRACE & LIVING
An Interview with Atiya Abdelmalik By Dr. Shellie Hipsky • Photography by Mara Rago • Makeup by Kourtney Leech • Hair by Selina Pernatozzi • Styled by Julie Shields
For more than 20 years, Atiya Abdel-
malik, a dynamic, inspirational speaker, has promoted health, wellness, service,
and hope. She is a registered nurse who
inspires women worldwide with her personal story of triumph over illness and
loss, which is detailed in her upcoming
book, A Life Worth Saving: A Nurse’s Journey from Sickness to Healing.
Our editor-in-chief, Dr. Shellie Hipsky,
sat with Abdelmalik to discuss her
strength through difficult times in her life and how she is uplifting and inspiring others to live life to its fullest. 64
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What profound experience had the most impact on your life? If you live long enough, you're going to experience some things, and some people go through challenges and hardships and tragedies, and you have different paths to take, right? You can either say, “I'm going to ball up and hide from the world. I'm going to stop living, because the pain of living is greater than the beauty of living,” or you can say, “I was never promised a pain free existence.” I have a choice to say that my story, the journey that I'm going through is not for me alone. Maybe somebody else needs to know what it looks like on the other side of grace, what it looks like on the other side of pain, what it looks like to rise back up after you've fallen over and over and over again. I have experienced painful moments: life threatening illnesses and the loss of my son, which are the most devastating experiences of my life. Then I watched my parents lose their son. All of this loss can take you into a deep, dark place, and I made a commitment that I would do what they can no longer do, and that's live, and that is what inspires me to keep getting up over and over again, to keep moving, to make sure that I am a living example of what it means to not just survive. I'm not trying to just survive this pain. I'm trying to thrive in spite of it, and I'm trying to use what I've gone through to help somebody keep moving through what they're going through.
How does a mother pick herself up after such a tragedy? How do you go on, and how do you continue to give back instead of getting frustrated and angered? The first thing is that I'm human, so I feel all those things. Eight years later, I still get frustrated. I still get angry. Today I felt guilt. I still get overwhelmed with grief. I remember years ago, a woman asked me, “When did you get over the loss of your son?” I used to hold people hostage for their response or their ignorance or just not knowing, because losing a child is something you can't articulate. No one can experience what that feels like unless they've gone through it. That's how deep that pain is. So I used to wonder what is wrong with people. Who gets over the loss of their child? But by the time she asked me this, I had already realized that I can't expect people to understand, especially if they have not journeyed that path, so I need to extend grace. So my response to her was a question. I said, “Can you tell me what about my life caused you to think that I had gotten over the loss?” She said, “Because when I'm around you and I watch you love on people and laugh and smile and deposit into others like nobody's business, I can't imagine being able to do that after losing a child.” And I said to her, “That's grace.” Those thorns are in me every single day, and my faith has been so strong that no one has to convince me that something higher is pushing me forward and holding me. The people around me are the most love filled and peace filled people on the face of the earth. The title of my book is A Life Worth Saving. Every single day, I fight for my life. So what she saw in me was someone who decided not to give up, but I have to fight every day to move through. Not everybody gets over everything, so sometimes I have a little attitude with people who say, “You need to get over it. He died eight years ago. Why are you still crying?” We have to change the dialogue and the message. We're telling people that they have no right to continue feeling the way they feel. It’s often said that the depth of your love equals the depth of the pain. I don't know a greater love than a love of bringing another human being into the world. So I lost the greatest love, and I won't get over it, but through the grace of God, I'm moving through it.
My book is about grace. It is about having grace for myself, being able to forgive myself, because you feel like you failed. You failed raising a child. You failed saving a child. You feel this unforgiveness. And “grace” is the ultimate in forgiveness. It means that I love you, regardless, that I will forgive you over and over again. If we had a mindset of grace, we would have so much more love in the world. What would you say to the mother of an angel? To a mother who lost a child like you did? I would say the same thing that my girlfriend's patient said to her. When I was balled up in a corner and I didn't want to live or forgive, and I was in the deepest darkest place, my girlfriend's patient was dying. She was not old. But she was driving the car for her two children, in Pittsburgh, when they were on a newspaper route. They were in the back seat. Someone hit her and took off the back of the car and killed her only two children. After that, she was dying a long, spiritual death. That spiritual decay debilitated her physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally. My girlfriend said to her, “I don't know how to help my girlfriend. How do you help someone who lost their child? I can't even wrap my head around that. I don't know what to say,” and the woman said to her, “Tell your girlfriend to just to keep living.” Keep living. When I'm in my deepest, darkest place, I say to myself, I have to honor this existence because my son is no longer able to do that. The highest honor you can give your son or your daughter or your loved one, is to say, “I'm going to ride this out. I'm going to make you proud, because, darn it, if you are smiling down at me, I'm going to give you something to smile about!”
“Every single day, I fight for my life.”
Atiya, you said the word “grace” multiple times today. Can you talk a little more about “grace”?
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Oh, Atiya, those are beautiful, beautiful words of wisdom. Please tell me about your serious health issues and how you coped with them. Back in 1999, I was diagnosed with a very severe kidney disease called “focal glomerular sclerosis,” and my doctor told me that within five years, I would be on dialysis and a transplant list. I had two treatment options. I'm a nurse, so I knew the side effects very well. I was worried about the medication, but I chose what I thought was the lesser of the two evils. Fast forward, I started taking the medication. I ended up in an intensive care unit fighting for my
How would you describe your life journey? The first sentence of one of the chapters in my book starts off with, “The journey isn't a straight line.” It is crooked. It has detours. It has windy paths. It's filled with mountains, and mountains have experiences, and deep valley experiences, but it's a path worth taking. That journey cultivated the best part of who I am. It has cul-
Photo: Karen Lubinski-Martin
life, and I was diagnosed with steroid induced diabetes on top of the kidney disease! Diabetes ravages your organs. It attacks your kidneys and mine were already compromised by kidney disease, so it didn’t look good. It was just one diagnosis after the next. The next thing was high blood pressure. So I was really looking at my end. And, again, I held a great pity party. It lasted for a minute, and then I realized that I really had the power to save my life. And even if I don't, I'm going to die trying. I'm not going to sit here and allow the diseases to take over. I completed the Dr. Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease. That program didn't just change my life—it literally saved my life. The program is a non-invasive medical treatment that has been proven to reverse heart disease. It's about your lifestyle. When you talk about well-being, it's what I'm eating, how much I am exercising, stress management, and something that has the most incredible healing power—social connectedness. When people survive heart attacks or they survive major surgery, the folks who have support at home, the folks who have people visiting them, the folks who are going to strong knit families, those people live longer. So there's incredible healing power in being connected to people. In 1999 they gave me five years. Now it's 2017, and my kidney function is better. I have progressive, aggressive diseases, and I'm healthier today. I even look like a different person. I look like I've tapped into the fountain of youth. In older pictures of me, you saw the sickness. So it really is lifestyle. We don't give ourselves enough power to change our lives. I know changing behavior is hard, but you can by internalizing just how much power you have to make different decisions and how those different decisions create different outcomes. It is not a perfect science for me, but I go by this 80/20 rule: 80 percent of the time, I'm doing what I need to do because my lifestyle is my medicine. It's my drug. 20 percent of the time, I eat what I want to eat and drink what I want to drink. That formula has basically saved my life, and it has allowed me to live a healthier life, despite living with these conditions for 18 years.
tivated strength. It has cultivated that grace that I keep talking about. I don't take breath for granted. When I wake up, I'm happy, for the most part. I don't feel good every day. Those 18 years of conditions are in my body. They're real. They hurt me sometimes. I don't feel great. I have been doubly blessed because of the blessings, the beauty. I don't expect perfection in the journey. I can't expect it, because every time I turn around, there's something else. There's a loss. There's a condition. There's a family issue. There's trauma in the world, but now it's not expecting it. I just ask for grace to move through it. My motto is “A life worth saving,” and so is yours. I want every single person reading Inspiring Lives Magazine to truly believe that, no matter what, their lives are worth saving. n
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MORGAN'S MESSAGE: Support and Staying Positive By Morgan Yoney
L
Photo: Ben McMillen
iving with cystic fibrosis is normal to me. I grew up taking medicines and doing breathing treatments, so I didn't know any other way of life until my transplant. Waiting for my second lung transplant was the hardest thing I ever did in my life. I struggled both mentally and physically. Honestly, I didn't think I was going to make it to my transplant. The support I received was amazing! I never knew so many people cared for me. Organizations and people I had never even met—like some of the women in the Global Sisterhood—helped to spread the word internationally about the importance of transplants and how I needed my second double O+ lung transplant. Dan Burda and Steven Perrine at Studio Raw (Pittsburgh, Pa.) were incredibly supportive, and they continue to be, as I now need a kidney transplant. They helped with multiple shirt sales, spaghetti dinners, news articles, blanket drives, prayers, and getting monetary donations. The Birthday Bash where we celebrated successful transplants and raised money for cystic fibrosis was amazing! If you’re looking for an easy way to help people on the transplant list, sign up to become an organ donor. That one simple act can save a life. Help to #EndTheWait for a person who is in need. After all I’ve been through, you might think I couldn’t feel “body positive,” but I do. My body has been through some awful things. I have literally been on the brink of death; I have survived through it all. The human body can do amazing things, and that is always a positive thing for me to think about. So many other people deal with diseases and illnesses that can almost crush our spirits. What I want everyone to know is that, no matter what situation you are in, never give 68
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up. Always find the good in any situation, and you will do better than if you are being negative. n For more information about cystic fibrosis, please visit www.cff.org.
#BodyPositve Models: Stacie Lawerence, Michalene Cerqua, PamHughes, Dr. Shellie Hipsky, Alice Beckett-Rumberger, Ginger Landino Pillar, Leigh Solomon Pugliano, Lindsay Wilson
LOVE YOUR BODY!
By Alice Beckett-Rumberger • Photography by Jose G. Alban • Makeup by Christina Fundy • Swimsuits by ModCloth
M
y friends and I watched the indie film Embrace, produced by Tara Brumfitt about women and their body images. I laughed and cried, and the documentary really made me think! As a physical therapist, I look at bodies and movement all day. Evaluations and treatment plans that I interpret daily improve biomechanics and body function. As a “health” care professional, I am trained to understand health—by the numbers—blood pressure, sugars, cholesterol, strength, flexibility, height, weight, and BMI. A woman is so much more than her numbers. She is a daughter, sister, mother, and a friend. We work, and we are caregivers. When we have a moment to slow down and think about ourselves, it should be positive! We are doers! But the reality is, according to the film, 90% of us rate ourselves as “body dissatisfied.” Where does that come from? What can we do about how we view ourselves? The answer is certainly not simple. In fact, as I was preparing and researching content for this article, I was forced to reflect on my own views about myself! Because
we wanted to add a photo to this piece, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Shellie Hipsky and I considered asking friends who were body confident to be in our shoot...in bathing suits! Of course, Hipsky told me with a smile that I would be featured too! I have to admit I took a pause. To be completely honest, I was not 100% confident. Most people who know me probably find that hard to believe. In public, I confidently work out in only a sports bra and leggings. I try to maintain balance in a hectic and blessed life (while raising my seven children). I work out and eat extremely healthy. From an intellectual point of view, I grasp the idea that no one “body” is perfect. Body function is not based on perfection but, rather, it is a balance of flexibly, strength, and cardiovascular health to be able to perform at our peak in any given activity. Science tells us that humans have three basic body types: ectomorphs who have a thinner body frame, endomorphs who have a larger body frame, and mesomorphs who are somewhere in-between. Women also tend to
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
Alice Beckett-Rumberger and Julia Erikson
accumulate fat in two different zones, the apple shape around the waistline or the pear shape around the hips. In fact, according the American Medical Association, the waist-to-hip ratio is a more powerful predictor of heart disease than Body Mass Index. With so many factors influencing the shape of our bodies, it would be impossible to be “perfect”! Health is a much more important focus than the appearance of our bodies. Being able to enjoy life and activities without fatigue, shortness of breath, or body aches and
pains should be our goal. Current media does influence our perception of ourselves and what we should look like, and yet, those images are changing. “Companies like Modcloth use models with diverse body types to advertise the clothing. Because of this, Modcloth provided these fabulous bathing suits for this article’s main image.” I have even seen interviews
with Victoria Secret models who admit to special exercise plans and diets to prepare for the annual fashion show! Body images and what the perfect body looks like has changed over the decades. The reality is there are no perfect bodies. Our bodies were designed to be functional, to move, to eat, to enjoy life. As a physical therapist, the perfect trifecta of physical body health is good flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular endurance. I had the opportunity to sit down with my #bodycrush Julia Erikson, a principle dancer with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Ballet dancers require endurance, flexibility, and strength. Being the principle dancer, Erikson performs in front of thousands of ballet patrons each season. I asked Julia what it means to be body confident. She told me that even as a dancer it is hard. She says it helps her perspective that she views the body as a tool and not the enemy. She further says the ballet is art, and there is beauty in all bodies being different. Julia advises that we need to have a softness to live and find balance. Make a promise to yourself to know your health numbers—good blood pressure, good sugars, and good weight for you. But most of all, be kind to yourself. You are exceptional. If you want to get leaner, stronger, more flexible, do it for you. Be authentic, and be you because a real woman is one of the most powerful forms of inspiration! n
ONE MORE STEP, ONE MORE REP: Thriving with an Invisible Illness By Cori Wamsley
quit. “Sometimes just stretching would wear me out. Soon, though, I could do the simpler exercises, and I began to work my way up.” Nearly a year later, Fowler had pulled herself out of depression and was making huge strides in class. An active mother of three—a 14-year-old girl and 10-year-old boy/girl twins—today, Fowler focuses on living a healthy lifestyle and works to balance the disease with a life she enjoys. “Chronic diseases like MS are unpredictable,” Fowler explained. “You never know when you will have a flareup, so you have to know your triggers and listen to your body’s warning signs.” For example, she knows that wearing herself out in the morning can lead to a bad flare-up. Then her children won’t get the attention she wants to give them when they get home from school. Being retired has allowed her to rest as needed to prevent bigger flareups, which are harder to bounce back from.
Photo: Kellie O’ Laughlin | kellycolleenphotography.com
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andy Fowler is a former elementary school and middle school principal and a professor at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, Pa, who taught methods courses to future math and science teachers. But her career came to an abrupt halt when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) seven years ago. When she first quit her job, three years after her initial diagnosis, she knew that she had to slow down and believed that minimizing her activity would help keep her from having flare-ups. But she couldn’t make decisions, plan, or organize because of the MS, and combined with her hesitation to do physical activities, all this made her tired and depressed. The less she did, the darker her world became. “I would drop off kids and then sleep all day. I never felt good.” Soon, though, the light came back into her life. “I got up from my nap one day and looked at Facebook,” Fowler said. “The owner and coach of a local CrossFit gym, Crossfit TPA, whose website boasts “Coaching Community & Accomplishing Goals,” posted that she was offering a women’s class focused on getting your life back through CrossFit.” Fowler knew she had to do something to turn her life around, so she asked the owner, Tammy Friedt, if this was something that might help her. Tammy, who was familiar with Sandy’s condition, encouraged Fowler to join the class—a high-intensity combo of sports and exercise (a strength and conditioning program) that would prove challenging. Although the disease had slowed down this life-long athlete, she knew she couldn’t let it rob her of something that brought her so much joy. She prepared herself for this new challenge. The change from working full-time in a job she loved—which stressed her body—to being retired meant that she had to redefine how she lived her life so she could recover some of her abilities, which she lost prior to and soon after her official diagnosis. A big part of the redefining process was her participation in CrossFit. The CrossFit class, brazenly named “Primal MeltDown,” met three times a week. For the first 3–4 months, Fowler would only go to one or two classes a week and come home from class to sleep, but she didn’t
Sandy Fowler
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HEALTH & WELLNESS Since she began CrossFit, Fowler has also resumed running, a little at a time. So how does she avoid the flare-ups her doctors warned her about? “I’ve learned to listen to my body, as well as my doctors. Remaining inactive isn’t healthy either.” One way she keeps her body in check is by using ice and working out in front of fans to stay cool—overheating can lead to a mild to moderate flare-up. “Finding a way to live with MS has been tough, and it’s different for everyone, but if I slow down when I sense that I’ve had enough, I can make this work. It’s about balance.” Fowler worked up to biking 150 miles for the Pennsylvania Keystone Chapter of the National MS Society “Escape to the Lake” bike ride in 2014, one push of the pedal at a time. She knows that less movement leads you into a cycle of decreasing ability to move and has no intention of leading her life from the sidelines. “If you listen to your body while you push yourself to the next level, then you will know when to stop. And each time you try, you will make it a little further.” Fowler credits CrossFit for giving her the boost she needed to make a change. “Because of what it’s done for my stamina and health, I’ve become a better person and better mom. You can’t place a value on that.” And she said that she’s never been stronger in her life. “My children will see that I didn’t give up, and taking care of myself helps me take better care of them.” Fowler explained that the CrossFit lifestyle extends beyond the gym. Her children do CrossFit, as well, and the family follows CrossFit TPA’s suggestion of eating clean with a focus on whole foods and balanced meals. When I asked if her children “embrace” the clean eating that she encourages, Sandy laughed, “They don’t have a choice. However enjoying ice cream at the local creamery is often a weekly treat. Mexican food, prepared as Paleo as possible, is a favorite meal, too, so we accommodate each other. My children will say, ‘If I hear “gluten free” or “Paleo” one more time, I am going to scream.’” Participating in MS fundraisers is part of Fowler’s and her children’s lives. She bikes, runs, or volunteers for everything she can, and her family and friends participate in the annual Walk MS & Bike MS events, as well. Fowler has also become a part of MS Run the US: an annual MS fundraiser—where runners volunteer to run a marathon a week from Los Angeles to New York. Fowler helps coordinate and support the Medina, Ohio, to Brookville, Pa., segment near her hometown for the non-profit. “Just being involved in the MS Society and helping raise funds through various organizations has been a gift,” she said. “Being diagnosed with a chronic illness has been 72
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difficult, but I discovered that I have a great support system—my friends, colleagues, and family, and I can help support others, too.” Over the years since her diagnosis, Fowler has met so many people with invisible, and not so invisible, illnesses. She encourages others to be compassionate, because you never know who is battling something silently. “I have watched friends, colleagues, and elementary students fight cancer and other diseases with remarkable courage and grace. Their memories inspire me to work harder each day and live to be the best that I can be. So what would Fowler tell someone who’s just been diagnosed? “You are better than your MS! You can do more than anyone tells you that you can do. Achieve one more thing each day, no matter how small. One more step, one more rep, one more move toward your goal of being the best ‘you’ that you can be! “I know what it feels like to not move, to let my MS take over, to feel like my life was over. It was hard to take one more step, so hard to get off the couch because my body hurt and I was so tired. I lived in a cognitive fog that was unbearable. I had to choose to do more to feel better. “It’s hard to conquer a chronic illness alone, so find someone who inspires you to keep going and achieve more. Ask for help, let that person encourage you, and appreciate the help. Every step forward will make your life better. Though you may get tired, you will be able to push yourself a little further the next time. And you will never look back! n
MS attacks the central nervous system and causes depression, fatigue, coordination and cognitive difficulties, and other issues. For more information about MS and fundraising efforts, please visit The National MS Society’s website: www.nationalmssociety.org. The MS Run the US fundraiser [www.msruntheus.com] is a unique event that connects distance runners in a segmented relay run across America that covers over 3,000 miles of roads stretching from Los Angeles, Calif.,to New York, N.Y. To donate to the Medina, Ohio, to Brookville, Pa., Community Segment of MS Run the US, please visit www. firstgiving.com/Npo/34593/Donation?designId=34689.
AFTER LYMPHOMA, ONE SURVIVOR FINDS INSPIRATION THROUGH EXERCISE, HEALTH, AND DANCE By Jen Forsyth
Photo: Sonja Svihla Photography
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ever did I imagine when I was just 22 years old I would suddenly find myself too sick to walk without the help of my mother holding my arm. Yet that was my reality following my first chemotherapy.” Although Tammi Hanak had been healthy her whole life, she suddenly found herself concerned with simply surviving. “Finding myself in a position where I had to be dependent was so sad for me. That carefree, ‘my whole life is in front of me,’ ‘the world is my oyster’ kind of feeling was gone.” Hanak was diagnosed with Stage III Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. She was in the midst of finishing college and planning her wedding. All of a sudden, her life was in danger. Fortunately, treatment did work, and Hanak’s cancer went into remission. She was also able to complete her student teacher qualifications, graduate college, get married, and welcome a beautiful baby girl named Marissa with her new husband. But being in survival mode and going through this experience changed her. She wasn’t the same Tammi she was before cancer. “When everything was finally fine, and life had normalized, I thought, ‘What happened to me?’” Hanak remembered. “’Who is this new person?’ The hardest thing at 22 was feeling that ‘the old Tammi is gone now.’ I struggled to discover who I had become, and I wondered what I should do next.” Facing depression and PTSD from her medical ordeal, Hanak engaged in therapy and medication when needed, but her saving grace ended up being exercise. After she moved past the cancer and her daughter was still a toddler, she realized that she needed a hobby. “That’s when I started dancing, and dancing became my life for the next several years. It moved from social dancing in Pittsburgh into the competitive realm, which I loved. I always wanted to be a competitive dancer. It was wonderful!” On a whim and thanks to a friend’s suggestion, she started taking pole dancing classes. This led her to
Tammi Hanak teaching at Darieth Chisolm’s Fullbody Fitness. This form of dance and exercise launched Hanak’s career to a whole new level. Chisolm—a former news anchor turned respected entrepreneur, as well as a contributor for Inspiring Lives Magazine—mentored her toward obtaining over 13 certifications in fitness!
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HEALTH & WELLNESS Hanak spent the past five years as a personal health wellness coach, a calling that has spilled over into her job as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the Peters Township School District, just south of Pittsburgh, Pa. She hosts a children’s cooking television show called “Snack Scene at 3:15” at the elementary school and spreads the word of healthy eating among her students. Another place Hanak is using her healthy influence is to help others suffering from cancer. 2017 marks the 20th anniversary of her cancer diagnosis and remission, and this year, the Western PA and West Virginia Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society nominated Hanak as one of their 2017 Men/Women of the year candidates. As one of the 11 candidates chosen, Hanak had to raise one dollar to earn each vote in her individual campaign. From March 9–May 20, Hanak held a series of fundraisers to reach her initial goal of $20,000, to commemorate 20 years of health. Her team easily surpassed that mark and had their eye on the $50,000 mark, at which point Hanak would have the honor to sponsor and name a specific research grant after a close friend
who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and died, all within 2011. So what have the past two decades taught Hanak? “My life’s purpose is to help people to be inspired to live their joy, to find hobbies that bring out their passion. Also, I teach that within health is happiness. You are shortchanging yourself if you can’t do all the things you love and aspire to achieve just because you’re not healthy enough or not fit enough.” Hanak lives to inspire people through her survivor story and her focus on health and fitness. Her wake-up call in her early 20s was the drive behind her motivation and desire to be fit all these years later. While her passion for exercise has evolved over time because of interests in different genres of fitness, as well as the changes in her own physical strength and stamina, Hanak said it all comes back to this: “Once, all I prayed for was to be healthy and be able to exercise. But I couldn’t. Now, I teach, train, and inspire…Because I can!” n
JENNIFER “TEACH ME HOW TO DOUGIE” LAFACE FOUNDS CHARITY: I CARRY MY SISTER’S HEART By Dr. Shellie Hipsky
LaFace recently launched her own non-profit charity, aptly named “I Carry My Sister’s Heart.” Her foundation will support families that are dealing with cancer because it affects the whole family. When parents are sick, the children sometimes feel lost, alone, and sad. Parents feel the stress of having a sick child in a profoundly deep way. I Carry My Sister’s Heart will support both parents and children to lift their spirits so they don’t feel so alone. In August, LaFace is doing a mission trip to Honduras to support the medical staff and cancer patients. Her goal is to dance with the children! She knows it will be life changing and is grateful for this opportunity. I inquired about Jennifer LaFace what caregivers and her sister, Colleen. should do to help loved ones with health issues. LaFace responded, “Be supportive and understanding, and most of all, just be there for them! Learn everything about the illness they have. Realize that sometimes they need a rest from their work to refresh themselves. Kindness goes a long way. I will never forget the support the hospice nurses showed our family in the last few days we had with my sister. I am grateful for their honesty and hugs.” For other women with serious health issues, she wants them to “be proactive. This is your body, and you need to do what’s best for you. You are beautiful, and you are not alone! Don’t be afraid to ask for help, let people in to support you–that is a gift to them. Get up, and do a little dance!” n Photo: Jennifer LaFace
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f you use any social media or watch The Ellen DeGeneres Show or YouTube videos, it’s a pretty sure bet that you are one of the over 10 million people who has watched Jennifer LaFace dance! Surprisingly, her moves were only intended to put a smile on one special person’s face. “Dance was a big part of our lives,” LaFace said. “When Colleen and I were growing up, we loved to dance. We could not afford lessons so we had our own ‘class.’ We would make up dances and pretended we were dancing for an audience.” Even as an adult, “Colleen was known to bust out in dance no matter where she was or who was around. She didn’t care!” So when LaFace’s sister had chemo appointments—she was diagnosed with Stage 4 endometrioid ovarian cancer in July of 2014—LaFace would dance for her on video and upload it to YouTube to share joy through the difficult times. “I sent my first video to my sister before she went into surgery. She told her husband ‘This is how we are going to deal with this. WE ARE GOING TO DANCE OUR WAY THROUGH IT!’ Who doesn’t love a dance party? We danced our way through her cancer journey.” The most viewed dance for her sister was to the song “Teach Me How to Dougie.” When LaFace first went viral, she said she “went through all the emotions. And I instantly thought of my kids, thinking they would be embarrassed by it. I cried, laughed, then just embraced it. I would have done anything to make my sister smile during such a difficult time.” LaFace explained what made her sister so special. “She had the lovely gift of making strangers feel like they were her long lost friend after chatting with them for only a few minutes! She loved learning and was a huge advocate for people going back to school. She had a beautiful smile and the brightest eyes. Whatever she put her mind to, she learned it and mastered it!” She loved a good book, wine, and being with her friends and family. Colleen was 46 years young when she passed. She was one of a kind. LaFace looked up to her all her life. “I still do a little shimmy or full-blown dance every day for my sister. It makes me feel close to her and at ease with myself!”
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PEACE, LOVE & ZEN HOLISTIC WELLNESS CENTER: Salt Therapy and More By Jen Forsyth Peace, Love & Zen Holistic Wellness Center, a 100% Veteran owned company, has a philosophy of Get Well, Be Well, Stay Well. Our goal is to provide a sanctuary where members of the community can destress while receiving state-of-the-art natural therapy. Our mission is to empower individuals to initiate, expand, and maintain their physical and spiritual wellness through education and guidance from our experienced and caring staff. Our Himalayan salt cave is crafted of thousands of pounds of Himalayan salt, which is the oldest and purest form and contains 84 trace minerals that our body needs. For centuries, Europeans have sat in natural salt caves to help relieve respiratory, circulatory and skin ailments, along with stress. The secret of healing in the salt cave is simple. The air is intensively saturated with negative ions along with many minerals. By breathing in these elements, the body gets in balance and begins to heal itself. During a 45-minute session, you relax in zero-gravity chairs while being immersed in sounds of the sea. Breathing in the salt air will foster good sleep, alleviate symptoms of allergies and asthma, relieve hypertension and stress, and even cure hangovers. However we make no medical claims.
The salt cave is something like an oasis of fresh air in the heavily polluted environment in which we live. Halotherapy (salt therapy) is a 100% natural, safe, and drug free treatment. It provides effective long term relief, and it can be used as a complementary treatment to prescribed medications or as a sole treatment. Halotherapy works exceedingly well for children. Peace, Love & Zen offers a variety of other services, including acupuncture, massage therapy, amethyst bed (Biomat), full-spectrum infrared sauna, jade massage bed, Platinum Energy Systems foot detox, Pyro-Energen Machine, spiritual path coaching, psychic medium services, and astrology. There are also events/classes held in the Himalayan salt cave every month. Special pricing of $15 is offered to military, veterans, senior citizens, and children for the salt cave, infrared sauna, and jade massage bed. We are happy to customize discounted packages for customers who wish to utilize several modalities. Mention this article when booking to receive $15 off your first service. n
6023 Broad St. Pittsburgh, PA 15206 Located in East Liberty
412-661-0777 • PEACELOVEANDZEN.COM
FASHION & BEAUTY IN THIS SECTION: DESIGNER PROFILE: Brian David Thompson
Samantha Barna................................................ 79
Ready-To-Wear Fashion Flair for Little People
Dr. Shellie Hipsky................................................ 86
Unexpected Parallels: Iris Van Herpen’s Designs Come to Pittsburgh
Samantha Barna................................................ 90
What’s in Your Bag?
Teri Lynn Woodruff............................................. 94
Just Jackie: Pretty in Petals
Photo: Jose Pagan Photography Swimsuit: Obsessed with Curves Boutique Model: Kashonda Geiger
Jackie Capatolla................................................ 97
“And now, I’m just trying to change the world one sequin at a time.” —Lady Gaga
Model: Joanna Wentling
DESIGNER PROFILE
Brian David THOMPSON by Samantha Barna • Photography by James Ray • Hair: Emily from Izzazu Salon and Spa; Makeup: Bernadette from Izzazu Salon and Spa • Location: Peace, Love, and Zen
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rian David Thompson is the designer of the gorgeous gowns featured in this spread and the owner of Brian David Designs. With an eye toward vintage glamour, he creates stunning custom clothing intended to fit and flatter every client. Thompson, a Pittsburgh native, has been sewing for nearly his entire life. He explained, “I really don’t remember a time when I didn’t know that sewing had to be my life occupation. Most kids think when they are growing up, ‘I want to be a fireman’ or ‘I want to be a police officer.’ For me it was always, ‘I want to sew.’ ‘I want to make pretty dresses.’” His lifelong passion certainly shines through in his elegant designs. Specializing in expertly crafted formalwear, Thompson strives to create, “vintage inspired clothing for the modern day woman.” He is inspired by the designs of the past, the grandeur of John Galliano’s work for Dior, and even the fabric he uses. “I look at a piece of fabric, and it says to me, ‘Yes, I’m meant to be a skirt,’ or ‘I’m meant to be a suit.’ I love what Michelangelo said, ‘Every block of stone has a statue inside it, and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it,’ ” he related. Mass production of fashion has left many consumers frustrated with sizing and plagued by fit issues. Thompson shared that most of his clients come to him seeking custom-made garments because they simply aren’t satisfied with the fit of store-bought clothing. Thompson works diligently to ensure that clients are satisfied through exceptional attention to detail and a collaborative design process. He explained that he first advises clients to shop for garments in stores. For example a bride should go to bridal salons and try on gowns to get an idea of which styles will flatter her body type. Next, clients come to Thompson for a consultation. He listens to their preferences and looks at photos of dresses—he welcomes SUMMER 2017
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mixing and matching, often combining the preferred silhouettes, necklines, sleeve styles, and materials of several gowns into one design perfect for his client. He creates a sketch, takes measurements, and constructs a mock-up version of his design. Then the client returns for a fitting to try on the mock-up. This version helps clients to visualize what the garment will look like on their body and allows them to change aspects of the design as they wish. Thompson makes necessary adjustments based on input from the client, adjusts the pattern accordingly, and then cuts the dress out of the fabric intended for the final design. The dress is then partially assembled and fitted on the client for a second time. Additional adjustments and customizations are made as the client desires before it is completed. Thompson gives clients ample input throughout the process, “Every time you have it on, you have a chance to refine things as you go along so it’s exactly what you had in your mind,” he stated. While formalwear and gowns are Thompson’s focus, he has a diverse skillset learned from his years of sewing and work in costume studios. He has helped to create multiple pieces for Broadway shows, such as Beautiful and Anything Goes. He is also experienced in corset making and is a firm believer that proper undergarments are essential for any outfit. His favorite design? His younger sister’s wedding gown, which featured three interchangeable skirt options for the ceremony, reception, and even a simple underskirt for comfort after the festivities. For more of Brian David Designs, please visit www.youtube.com/user/BrianDavidDesigns or follow Brian on Instagram @briandaviddesigns. n
Model: Dr. Shellie Hipsky 80
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Model: Divauna Taravella
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Model: Divauna Taravella
Model: Malori Bailes
Model: Joanna Wentling
READY-TO-WEAR FASHION FLAIR for LITTLE PEOPLE By Dr. Shellie Hipsky • Photo Creative Direction by Natalie Smith • Photography by Christopher Eusebio • Modeled by Jennifer Stillman Crumly • Styled by William Burt • Hair & Makeup by Vanessa Cartier
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here is a lack of ready-to-wear clothing designed for little people. Kathy Woods explained to Inspiring Lives Magazine that, “as a little girl, I witnessed the challenges my mother faced because she had to alter all of my clothes. As an adult, those challenges continued with expensive trips to the tailor. My frustration led me to the idea of creating the Kathy D. Woods collection, and the rest is fashion history!” Woods is the first fashion designer to ever create a ready-to-wear clothing line for little people. In 2012, she became the innovator who showed little people that they matter in both the fashion industry and on the runway when she introduced the Kathy D. Woods collection at the Little People National Conference Fashion Show. The industry and little people everywhere have been buzzing about it ever since. Kathy D. Woods is an on-line women’s clothing company showcasing fashions expressly designed for adult little people. The fashion house is passionate about providing beautiful and high quality ready-to-wear clothing that is affordable, of exquisite taste, and perfectly proportioned.
The company offers excellent fit for a variety of body types. Smart, chic, and always relevant, the Kathy D. Woods collection embodies modern concepts for the empowered woman. Woods explained that the number one challenge is fit. “When we purchase clothes from a department store, we have to have them altered. Often, the garments become distorted and nothing like the original design.” That is why the focus for the Kathy D. Woods collection is to give customers the proper fit with a collection that is elegant, chic and modern. She explained her ideal customer: “I’m designing for women ages 25-45, who want to invest in quality clothing with impeccable fit, style, and timeless appeal.” Rebecca Cokley, one of her many fashion clients, stated, “When I initially tried something from Kathy’s clothing line, it was the first time I put on something and said ‘This is me. I don’t need to alter it. I don’t need to move that hemline or make sure to wear a belt (back gap is all too common in jeans).’ I love supporting a business that is owned by a member of my community.” n
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UNEXPECTED PARALLELS: Iris Van Herpen’s Designs Come to Pittsburgh By Samantha Barna
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Photo: Photo courtesy of: Jean Baptiste Mondino and Iris van Herpen
ittsburgh might not be the most likely venue for a couture fashion exhibition, but the city harbors an unlikely connection to the work of Dutch designer Iris Van Herpen. The Carnegie Museum of Art served as the easternmost stop of the first North American tour of Van Herpen’s work. Iris Van Herpen: Transforming Fashion, on view from February 4 to May 1, had a relevance to Pittsburgh’s past, present, and future which was certainly not lost on exhibition attendees. Van Herpen is no ordinary designer, and Pittsburgh is far from a typical city. When visitors first entered the exhibition space, they were confronted with a trio of dresses from Van Herpen’s 2009 Refinery Smoke collection. Constructed of woven metal gauze with a distinctly industrial look, the dresses quite literally embodied the sinister beauty of smoke.
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As anyone who lived through Pittsburgh’s industrial past can attest, smoke was a large part of daily life here for many years. Due to its steel production and heavy reliance on coal, the city was engulfed in smoke so thick that streetlights were turned on at midday during the 1940s. Although industry caused smoke, it also supported innumerable families and allowed the city to grow. The Iris van Herpen, “Hybrid Holism,” Dress, July 2012 3-D-printed UV-curable polymer ornate swirls of the RefinIn collaboration with Julia Koerner and ery Smoke dresses perfectly Materialise, High Museum of Art, Supported by the Friends of Iris van Herpen, 2015.170 captured the dual nature of Photo by Bart Oomes, No 6 Studios smoke, appearing equal parts beautiful and foreboding. Innovation and technology are a large part of both Van Herpen’s creative process and Pittsburgh’s revitalization. In an industry that thrives on novelty and creativity, much of Van Herpen’s incredible success can be attributed to her willingness to experiment with technology to set her designs apart. She frequently makes use of 3D printing, and her Crystallization (2010) collection marked the first time that a 3D printed garment had ever been sent down the runway. Even when her designs are constructed with more traditional materials, technology serves as a source of inspiration for the designer. Her 2009 Radiation Invasion collection envisions what it might look like if the radiation constantly surrounding us from our technological devices were visible on the body. The Voltage collection of 2010 was inspired by Tesla coils and the dynamic power of electricity. Van Herpen even explores neuroscience and biology in her Synesthesia (2010) and Biopiracy (2014) collections. As Pittsburgh establishes itself as a technology hub, it served as a perfect setting for such a cutting-edge exhibition. As a rising star in robotics, healthcare, and technology, as well as the home of offices for companies
Iris van Herpen, “Hybrid Holism,” Dress, July 2012, Metallic coated stripes, tulle, and cotton, Collection of the designer, Photo by Bart Oomes, No 6 Studios
Iris van Herpen, “Biopiracy,” Dress, March 2014, 3-D-printed thermoplastic polyurethane 92A-1 with silicon coating, In collaboration with Julia Koerner and Materialise Collection of Phoenix Museum of Art, Gift of Arizona Costume Institute, Photo by Bart Oomes, No 6 Studios
Iris van Herpen, “Capriole,” Ensemble, July 2011, In collaboration with Isaie Bloch and Materialise, 3-D-printed polyamide, Groninger Museum, 2012.0209, Photo by Bart Oomes, No 6 Studios
Iris van Herpen, “Hacking Infinity,” Shoes, 2015, In collaboration with Noritaka Tatehana and 3D Systems Laser-cut cow leather, 3-D printed photopolymer, and stereolithography resin, Collection of the designer, Photograph ©NORITAKA TATEHANA
Iris van Herpen, “Magnetic Motion,” Dress, September 2014, 3-D-printed transparent photopolymer and stereolithography resin, High Museum of Art, Purchase with funds from the Decorative Arts Acquisition Trust and through prior acquisitions, 2015.82 Photo by Bart Oomes, No 6 Studios
Iris van Herpen, “Radiation Invasion, Dress,” September 2009, Faux leather, gold foil, cotton, and tulle, Groninger Museum, 2012.0201, Photo by Bart Oomes, No 6 Studios
like Google, Apple, and Uber, Pittsburgh also understands the importance of constant innovation. Another key element of Van Herpen’s work is also mirrored in the ‘new’ Pittsburgh—collaboration. Van Herpen’s work is characterized by her willingness to collaborate with others to create her larger-than-life designs. These partnerships are nearly always forged with those outside of the traditional realm of fashion. For her 2013 Wilderness Embodied collection, one of the artists she collaborated with was Dutch artist Jólan van der Wiel. They worked together and utilized the attractive and repulsive properties of magnets to “grow” a textured, flexible, material with a unique topography and an appearance evocative of algae. Van Herpen has collaborated with Canadian architect and artist Philip Beesley on numerous collections, including Voltage (2013), Wilderness Embodied (2013), Magnetic Motion (2014), and Hacking Infinity (2015). This propensity for collaboration likely resonated with many in Pittsburgh’s creative community, in which artists, designers, photographers, and other creatives fre-
Iris van Herpen, “Chemical Crows,” Dress, Collar, January 2008, Ribs of children’s umbrellas and cow leather, Groninger Museum, 2012.0192.a-b, Photo by Bart Oomes, No 6 Studios
quently join forces across disciplines to execute large-scale projects. Some of Van Herpen’s most innovative work was placed near the end of the exhibition. Here, visitors marveled at an icy looking, 3D-printed dress from her 2014 Magnetic Motion collection. In an interview playing during the exhibition, the designer admits that this particular dress was satisfying to create because the 3D printing company initially told her that it wasn’t possible to print the dress in a clear material. Van Herpen persisted and was delighted to receive the call that the dress had been made. The designer’s unyielding perseverance likely struck a chord with exhibition attendees from this Rust Belt city, which had to reinvent itself after a collapse in industry. Interestingly enough, one of the final dresses in the exhibition was made from steel. From the 2015 Hacking Infinity collection, the dress bursts outward in a circular fanlike shape from its center and is made from an unusual technique of weaving ultra-fine stainless steel fiber. Steel, something inherently industrial, given a new purpose through skill and creativity…doesn’t that sound familiar? n Iris van Herpen, “Refinery Smoke,” Dress, July 2008, Untreated woven metal gauze and cow leather, Groninger Museum, 2012.0196, Photo by Bart Oomes, No 6 Studios
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BUSINESS PROFILE
PGH STYLE & GLAM
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orn and raised in Pittsburgh, Jamyce Patterson worked as an office manager in a prominent healthcare company for over 10 years, before she realized that her love was in fashion. Overcoming diversity, being the only African American woman in her office, she started her entrepreneur career as a designer and stylist for her online fashion boutique. Although she gained national recognition for her unique pieces, she found it hard to transition on a local level. In speaking with other entrepreneurs, Patterson realized that other Pittsburgh businesses also had difficulty in promoting their wares locally. In assisting small businesses, as well as her own fashion company, she created PGH Fashion Fridays that produced several Friday night events that gave many struggling entrepreneurs and artists an opportunity to attract new customers. Soon after, she expanded her brand and renamed her company “PGH Style & Glam” a fashion and beauty production company that specializes in jaw dropping events, TV shows, model management and fashion and beauty services. PGH Style & Glam provides a platform where fashion and beauty entrepreneurs, models, and artists can build bigger brands, promote their businesses and network with potential clients and media. Patterson has worked with hundreds of local and nationally recognized designers, models and businesses to engage Pittsburgh’s emerging fashion scene with new and exciting events and shows. In her success, Patterson has been featured in numerous magazines, newspaper articles, and radio and TV interviews and has connected with over 5000 social media support-
ers. Currently, PGH Style & Glam is working on several upcoming productions, including their first Annual Glam Week PGH, fashion charity gala, and a modeling TV show that will air in the fall of 2018. With numerous sold-out events, PGH Style & Glam will produce their biggest and boldest production yet, called Glam Week PGH ’17, from July 27th to July 30th. Glam Week PGH ’17 is a 4-day event filled with make overs, beauty stations, a modeling competition, glam workshops, fashion showcases, performances and so much more. Glam Week PGH ’17 will spotlight award winning designers and entrepreneurs, amazing models and artists, and a host of local celebrities. This spectacular line up is all about the glamour! July 27th - Kickoff Network Mixer July 28th - Glam Model PGH Competition July 29th - Glam Beauty Expo July 30th - Fashion Showcase: Fierce The Runway ‘17 Believing in giving back, Patterson will sponsor an Annual PGH Style & Glam Charity Ball this October at the Pittsburgh Center For The Arts. This star-studded event will feature local designers and artists, politicians, supporters, and national organizations. A portion of the proceeds will go toward women’s and children’s needs in the immediate Pittsburgh area. For details on these events and more, please check out their website at www.pghstyleandglam.com.
PGHSTYLEANDGLAM.COM
WHAT’S IN YOUR BAG? Styled by Teri Lynn Woodruff, Creative Transformations • Photos by Ryan Smas, B Squared Photo Hot summer days are perfect for taking a break from your everyday routine! Heading to the beach or the pool? Be sure to check out this season’s trends from sexy swimwear to beauty products that will keep you looking flawless this summer. 1. SUNDAZED
Scarlet underwire bra-sized push-up halter bikini top & bottom $78 (www.macys.com)
2. VERA BRADLEY
Vera Bradley straw beach tote in navy chevron $68 • Matching straw beach wristlet $48 (www.verabradley.com)
3. NATURAL EARTH
“And so the adventure begins” water bottle $30 • “Do more of what makes you happy” water bottle $30 (www.altardstate.com)
4. KENNETH COLE
Macrame push-up one-piece swimsuit $107 (www.kennethcole.com)
5. CLARKS
Brinkley Bree flip-flops $45 (www.clarks.com)
6. ORIGINS 24-HOUR ANTI-AGING KIT
Plantscription™ SPF 25 power anti-aging cream, youth-renewing power nightcream, anti-aging cleanser, and anti-aging treatment lotion $109 (www.origins.com)
7. KATE LANDRY
Striped large brim sun hat $30 (www.dillards.com)
8. MIU MIU
Eau de Parfum with fresh elegant floral notes of lily of the valley, akigalawood, sandalwood $90 (www.sephora.com)
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Photo: Brian Hanna/Photos On Call
JUST JACKIE Pretty In Petals By Jackie Capatolla
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loral is the new black! This little black dress has some flirty floral print added to it—petals in full bloom. What better way to stay fresh this summer than with florals?
GET THE LOOK Hairstyle: Retro and timeless. I wanted to pair this look with something unique—a modern day with vintage appeal. My bumper bang is fun and funky. All the hair in the fringe is wound forward with a double placement toward the forehead. She has a deep side part, and the sides are swept back with a peek-a-boo braid to make the vintage look more modern. I rolled and secured the hair with pins. A soft fridge curl signature piece adds extra effect. Products used: Powder Play dry shampoo to create some volume at the crown, texturizing paste to mold and form the sides and back. The look was set with thermal setting spray. Makeup: Soft feminine look. Natural beauty with a warm, nude combination. This makeup look calls for timeless beauty. A beautiful look begins with preparing your skin first. That can mean a few different steps—moisturizer, primer, concealer, and foundation, followed by highlighter and contouring. These steps help give your look a wonderful complete fresh, dewy glow. Lips: Just Jackie’s Tame matte finish, sold at Jacqueline’s Eyes: Golden bronze and highlighter Cheeks: Mauve with a touch of rose Brows: Brush-on brow in medium soft brown Petals are not just meant for vases! Dress up your look with some beautiful florals. Be confident, be feminine, and be you. Whatever you do, be flirty and fabulous!
Until next time, live your dreams! n Model: Jenny Lou Photography: Ray Feather Photography @rfsphoto Fashions: Jackee Ging, Style Truck, mystyletruck.com Hair and Makeup: Jackie Capatolla, Jacqueline’s House of Beauty Spa and Salon, www.jacquelinessalonandspa.com
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izzazu.com izzazublowouts.com
Downtown 301 Fifth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412. 325. 1600
Wexford 100 Village Club Drive Wexford, PA 15090 724. 933. 0100
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