F E AT U R E S
– BUSINESS GIRL TALK OP-ED PROJECT
L’OREAL IN S.T.E.M. Cover courtesy of www.photos.com
Janine Bush of J. Allen Matchmaking
CUPID’S HELPER 5 EDITOR’S LETTER 16 YEAH I DID 27 MONEY WITH MICHELLE
Photo courtesy of www.photos.com
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ISSUE 17 FEBRUARY 2013
Published by The Lioness Group. Founder, Natasha Clark.
Editor-in-Chief Katelyn Gendron Copy Editor Jeanne Wroblewski Art Director Leonardo Pilares Director of Photography Denise Smith Columnists Crystal Senter Brown Brenda’s Child Erin Corriveau Kristina Chapell Michelle Perry Higgins Contributing Writers Lamara Hunter Emily Thurlow Jennifer Sawyer
Š2013 Lioness Magazine is the first online magazine geared toward female entrepreneurs. We deliver sharp and compelling information on a variety of topics that are relevant to female entrepreneurs and professionals. Our mission is to elevate, educate and support female professionals. We celebrate the unique challenges and achievements of women in business. We believe women are multi-dimensional creations who flourish, personally and professionally, when they take time to nurture their spirits.
welcome to
A serendipitous match is rare in the digital age
editor’s letter Katelyn Gendron
The month of February – and the relentless barrage of television and Internet advertising promoting Valentine’s Day – reminds us that we’re either in or out of love. There’s no escaping allure of Cupid’s arrow as we struggle to achieve some type of balance between our professional and social lives. You’d think the Internet would make dating easier because such websites promote myriad potential partners. Sure, they’re plenty of fish out there but who has time to go fishing when we’re so committed to our professions? In this month’s cover story, Janine Bush of J. Allen Matchmaking provides us with some myth busters surrounding online dating and how professional women can find a rewarding relationship by putting themselves out there. I can tell you from personal experience that I was a huge skeptic of matchmakers and the online dating scene. I wanted to meet my soul mate serendipitously and have an amazing story to tell my children about how I accidentally bumped into their father at a coffee shop and spilled a hot latte all over him. I consider those working professionals who actually have such a tale to tell as lucky ones, however, I don’t discredit those such as myself who needed a little help finding their partner. We live in a digital age and it’s taking up more and more of our time, time that otherwise would have been spent out in the world meeting our potential mate. We can’t be ashamed of needing a little help in the love department and we should welcome professional matchmakers or matchmaking sites into the fold. Why not? The only thing we have to lose is our membership to the Lonely Hearts Club. Here’s to hoping Cupid hits you by next February!
Katelyn LIONESS FEBRUARY 2013
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Photo courtesy of www.photos.com
EVEN CUPID CAN USE A LITTLE HELP By Paige Cerulli
The dating scene for single professional women can be difficult: Men are often intimidated by a professional woman’s status, and the pool of men to choose from is also limited. Janine Bush of J. Allen Matchmaking, founded her business to specifically focus on providing matchmaking services for Boston area professionals. Bush was not new to the matchmaking business, and has been a headhunter for more than 10 years.
“I’ve always been introducing people since high school, and some friends I introduced in high school are still married today,” Bush said. She worked for a national headhunting and recruiting firm for about five years, but after the birth of her daughter, Bush began to work out of her house.
Seeing a need in the Boston area for matchmaking services focused on business professionals, Bush started her own firm in 2006. Going into business independently allowed her to tailor and shape her firm as she personally wished. She carried over her previous clients, which gave her a business pool from which to start. J. Allen Matchmaking now provides premiere, boutique matchmaking services in Boston. In first branching out with her own business, Bush states that cash flow was a
major concern. “I didn’t take a loan out, so any time I made money I put it right back into the business, which, when you’re selfemployed, is stressful. You’re taking a risk and in a way, you’re worried that you’re going to waste your money,” she said.
Bush has a Bachelor’s degree in business, but largely credits her success to the fact that she’s organized, driven, and disciplined. She runs the business singlehandedly, and any clients interact directly with her – one of the qualities that makes her business so unique. “When it’s just myself who’d doing this job, I have a personal stake in the reputation. I’m not an employee who comes home at the end of the day and who doesn’t care what happens. I become friends with clients, which is different from a nationwide firm – nationwide firms lose the value. The whole point of my business is for me to get to know someone and be able to work with them,” she said.
Janine Bush of J. Allen Matchmaking
Janine’s advice for professional single women still in search of their soul mate? “Have the courage to approach someone. I think people are hiding behind keyboards and telephones, so people have really lost social skills. No one knows how to actually approach someone in a coffee shop. When you’re face-to-face, it’s like you forget how to talk. Put yourself out there more.” More information on J. Allen Matchmaking can be found at www.jallenmatch.com.
Because of the one-on-one interaction involved, Bush only accepts 15 clients per year, a limit that allows her to maintain personal relationships with each client. She begins the process by asking clients what they are looking for in a mate, but as she gets to know them and as the clients date people, most of them fine-tune what they’re looking for. “It’s progress, not per-
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Photo courtesy of www.photos.com
Because I am a girl …
Girls in developing countries face overwhelming odds from the moment they are born – they are more likely to be malnourished, forced into early marriage, subjected to violence, trafficked, or sold. Often denied access to education and healthcare, girls languish behind their male counterparts.
But internationally acclaimed singer Kate Nash, through her exciting new partnership with Plan, wants to change all that. Plan International USA is part of the Plan International Federation, a global organization that works side by side with communities in 50 developing countries to end the cycle of poverty for children and their families.
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Nash knows that improving girls’ lives has a ripple effect – when a girl is educated, nourished, and protected, she shares her knowledge and skills with her family and community, and can forever change her own future and the future of her country.
“I’m so happy to be a part of this campaign; it feels like the perfect charity for me to join forces with. I love empowering women and girls and being able to do this in developing countries in parts of the world I have never been to is so exciting,” Nash said. “I can’t wait to help give girls the opportunities they deserve and see them realize their full potential.”
Because I am a Girl is Plan's global initiative that creates sustainable projects in developing countries to give girls access to clean water, food, healthcare, education, and protection from violence and exploitation. By 2016, Because I am a Girl will reach:
• 4 million girls directly through girl-focused programs; • 40 million girls and boys through gender equality education and transformative programs; and • 400 million girls through working with country governments to ensure equal access to education, healthcare, and opportunity.
Singer and Songwriter Kate Nash joins Plan's
Because I am a Girl Initiative as Global Ambassador. (Plan International USA)
IN MA RCH Kate Nash will embark on an 11-date North American tour to coincide with the release of her new album ‘GIRL TALK.’ The tour will begin in Boston, making stops across the Midwest and Canada, then returning for a grand finale in New York City. Because I am a Girl will be along for the ride, partnering with Kate while she spreads the word about the transformative power of investing in girls. For information about Kate’s upcoming tour, please visit www.myignorantyouth.com or www.pledgemusic.com/katenash.
Photo courtesy of www.photos.com
NO RTH AMERICAN TO UR DATES Mar 12: Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall Mar 13: Montreal, QC – Cabaret Mile End Mar 15: Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern Mar 16: Detroit, MI – Magic Bag Mar 17: Grand Rapids, MI – Pyramid Scheme Mar 18: Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle Mar 20: Columbus, OH – Basement Mar 21: Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Smalls Mar 23: Washington, DC – Black Cat Mar 24: Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s Mar 26: New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
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Bettyvision launches allowing women to dream out loud Launched on Feb. 14, Bettyvision, www.bettyvision.com, is a free online vision board community providing women of all ages the tools and resources needed to identify, explore and, most important, be supported in the pursuit their dreams.
“I am overjoyed by the opportunity to give women the chance to dream big. I’ve always loved setting intentions and watching aspirations come to life – especially with the support of amazing girlfriends,” said Julie Thorne Engels, Bettyvision founder and CEO.
In response to the question, who is Betty? Thorne Engels responds, “Betty is a woman who believes in her own awesome abilities and those of others. She’s smart, funny and perhaps a tad sassy. She’s your mom, your daughter, your sister … Betty is every woman!”
If Facebook asks what are you doing right now, then Bettyvision asks women where do you want to be next year or five years from now. But, Bettyvision does not stop at simply identifying the dream. The plat-
Photo courtesy of www.photos.com
CUPID’S HELPER
form allows a woman to set goals, reach milestones and even find a mentor.
On the platform, women can create a vision board for any passion or life event including applying to college, opening a new business, planning a wedding, or a dream vacation after retirement. The seeds of Bettyvision were planted in January 1995, when Thorne Engels started hosting vision board workshops with a small group of women in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. Thorne Engels designed the workshops to be an extremely fun and personal real-world gathering of women to work together to awaken their inner dreamer.
Almost 20 years and many, many workshops later, Thorne Engels realized women of all ages need encouragement and support for their dreams and social media provides the ability to reach thousands of women allowing for the greatest potential for individual as well as social change. – PR Newswire
fection,” Bush explained. “You’re progressing towards who you ultimately want to be with, but it’s progress because with each date you learn more about yourself.”
For today’s professionals, dating can be challenging. According to Bush, the Internet, which is often viewed as an asset to dating, can be misleading: “I think people assume there are so many other people out there because they see these huge lists in online dating. But dating can be very difficult for professional women for a few reasons. Depending on how much they make, men can be intimidated.”
Age range can create another obstacle in dating. “Men tend to date younger once they’re divorced; they tend to start over in life,” she said. As a result, many matchmaking services have stopped taking on women as colleagues because finding a match for them is difficult. Instead, these companies are taking on men as clients.
Such obstacles proved to Bush that there was very much a need for a company like J. Allen Matchmaking, which takes on both male and female professionals as clients. Bush urges entrepreneurs to pull from their unique qualities to satisfy a need when establishing a business. “I knew there was no one in the Boston area who does what I do – the companies are nationwide databases, and J. Allen Matchmaking is personalized and with a local focus. Make sure that there’s something that’s going to be different about you that makes people want to work with you. Make sure that you are the only one – you have to do something to differentiate yourself,” she said. Now in its sixth year, J. Allen Matchmaking is a successful business that keeps Bush busy. It’s also a testament to her perseverance. Bush says that the satisfaction of accomplishing what she’s set out to do is a huge reward for the time and effort invested in her business.
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Wade, recognized as Massachusetts small business person of the year
Doreen Wade
Photo courtesy of PR Newswire
Black History Month brings recognition to so many people but it often forgets to look at our everyday citizens who work tirelessly and silently in their communities to make a change. Well in the small suburbs of Boston is a woman making history in her own right. In recognition of small businesspersons, who perform extraordinary deeds daily for their communities and their business world, Doreen Wade has received nomination by the Small Business Administration.
Wade has lead N.E. Informer Newsmagazine to develop partnerships with renown specialists throughout the United States, delivering news and information to uplift, educate and inform citizens of the community.
Wade, a driving force, works tirelessly in raising the public’s awareness on missing children and adults. She sits on various boards, around the country. For example, she serves on a California board that raises awareness on the use of the “N” word through United Voices of Color Community. Wade has spent many years as a surrogate single parent to her niece, Lisa and nephew, Ralph Wade. This event caused her to get involved, right out of college, working to help youths in Cambridge, Mass., her hometown as a mentor and advocate in collaboration with the Cambridge School System and Police Department.
“Being an advocate, for the youth, was a great opportunity which guided me to where I am today. These youth helped me understand the importance of knowledge,”
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Wade said. “I’ve watched children in many communities, including my own in Cambridge, build confidence and grow through sharing the news and information they needed to find scholarships, write resumes and more information not many people take the time to relay. Doing this business helps me teach so many no matter where they come from or what they need, the resources are there to give them.”
Wade has a strong commitment to uplift, educate and inform around the nation through its N.E. Informer Newsmagazine, which supports organizations, foundations and businesses that help others improve their lives through education, literacy, help and more.
“It may sound simple, but it hasn’t been for me,” Wade maintains. “It has been a struggle being a black woman with this type of business. Everyone wants to know if you make money; that’s what they base working with you on. Small business is not looked on as a good risk. If they can’t make money from you they don’t care about your cause. This also goes for churches, government agencies, businesses in your community and people who preach to assist until you knock on their doors.” This spring, Wade’s nomination will either be a winning situation or a loss but, as she said, just being given the honor of being nominated and knowledge of knowing her work has value is a win for her and her company. – PR Newswire
Purina ONE launches True Nature of Cats with a leashtrained cat at Fashion Week. Photo courtesy of PRNewsFoto/Purina ONE
Vivienne Tam NYC Fashion Week 2013. Photo courtesy of PRNewsFoto/Validas
(L) Christian Siriano and Payless ShoeSource have teamed up in a bold move to bring immediate shopper access to affordable runway fashion with the Feb. 18 availability in thousands of Payless stores nationwide (available now on Payless.com) of the LeToile – a direct-from-the-runway style featured in Siriano's show at New York Fashion Week, priced at just $30. Photo courtesy of PRNewsFoto/Payless ShoeSource
Vivienne Tam's Love! SaveLoveGive Dress on the Runway at NYC Fashion Week 2013. Photo courtesy of PRNewsFoto/Validas
“The Reality of FASHION The Reality of AIDS” presented by Beautiful Planning Marketing & PR and EFFY Jewelry, successfully took place on Feb. 9. Reality stars braved the blizzard to walk the runway to raise awareness and funds for AIDS. The featured designer for the evening was Dominique Auxilly , who featured stunning couture pieces. The event was hosted by former America's Next Top Model star and MTV Host Kim Stolz and was created and produced by BPMPR CEO Monique Tatum. Each piece from the show will be auctioned off to the public within one month with a hefty portion of the proceeds being donated to Broadway Cares. Photo courtesy of PRNewsFoto/Beautiful Planning Marketing & PR, Keith Claytor
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Photo courtesy of www.photos.com
Forget resolutions. It’s all about vision. – Yeah I Did –
Did you notice how resolutions were all the buzz in January? Pay attention to how many people you hear talking about resolutions this month. You’ll find that talk of resolutions dies down as the excitement about the New Year fades and people fall back into old patterns. Do you ever wonder why that happens? Why are we so excited about change one minute and back to the same old routine the next?
The quote, “Where there is no vision, the people perish,” is taken from Proverbs 29:18 of the King James Version of the Bible. Vision has always been important yet most people don’t have a vision for their lives. A different way of saying it is that people are lacking a big goal. Without a big goal for your life it’s very easy to forget about small resolutions. Without vision, there’s nothing to keep you excited – there’s nothing motivating you to see the task through. Think about these two resolutions:
Resolution: I’m going to get out of debt in 2013.
Resolution with vision: I’m going to get out of debt in 2013 because in the next three years I see myself as a homeowner with enough cash flow to maintain my house and travel twice a year.
The resolution with vision is more powerful. If you’re tempted to quit, the vision of being a homeowner with enough cash flow to maintain your house and travel twice a year will keep you motivated.
If you’re looking for change this year, take the following steps to get you on track to leading the life of your dreams: • Get a Vision: If you don’t have a vision for your life for the next five years, get one! Take a few minutes right now and imagine how you want your life to be. Write it down in as much detail as possible.
• Do an Alignment Check: Now that you have your vision, it’s time to see if the things you spend your time on now, will help make your vision a reality. Assess your activities and eliminate the things you’re doing that are not in alignment with your goals. For example: If you’re taking art classes three times a week but your vision is to run a marathon, you’re out of alignment. • Prioritize: What are the three things you should focus on this year to get you closer to your vision? • Take Action: Use your three priorities to create daily practices that will help you reach your goal. • Keep Your Vision Alive: Make note cards with your vision on them and post the cards in places where you will see them every day. Remember, the life you envision for yourself is within your reach!
Erin Corriveau is the Marketing Manager for Reliable Temps Inc., a full service staffing firm founded in 1989 with offices in Agawam, Easthampton and Greenfield, Mass. An avid writer, Erin has primarily worked in community and public relations adding Environmental Compliance Services, MassMutual Financial Group and Baystate Health among her previous employers. Visit www.reliabletemps.com.
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YEAR OF THE SNAKE:
Tradition says a snake in the house means the family will never starve
Tradition suggests that placing a pine twig branch to represent the snake at a family’s front door on the Eve of the New Year meant the family would never starve, but this quaint tradition won’t be what protects the family’s wellbeing. After the traditional foods have been served, the red paper lanterns are taken down and the firecrackers have all been set off, Asian-Americans may want to take a cue from the snake’s valuable wisdom and resolve to start planning to protect their families’ financial futures.
“The lunar year is a great time to resolve to get our financial houses in order and to put in place financial strategies that can help protect our families’ financial futures,” said Wonhong Lee, director, Multicultural Market Development, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual) “Simply resolving to get started is sometimes the most important step.” 4 Protection Pointers To help get the process started, here are some considerations to help AsianAmerican families get started with their 2013 planning for financial wellbeing:
Protect your hard-earned income. As you build your professional career in the U.S., your most valuable asset is your ability to earn a salary. Yet, if you were to become too sick or hurt to work, even for a few months, you and those who depend on you could be severely affected.
Protect your family. You, and your parents before you, have worked hard for a comfortable life, one with a promising future, but if you were to die, your family’s future may not be so bright. Would your children be able to attend college? Would your spouse be able to stay in the family home?
Protect your retirement. Undeniably, life in the U.S. is different than for your ancestors.
As you age, you often are not able to move in with your adult children, when you need help caring for yourselves. Paying for that care could drain your retirement assets quickly, endangering your quality of life and potentially causing you to run out of income too soon.
Protect your legacy. One of the reasons your ancestors came to the U.S. was to provide more opportunity for you and your children. One of the most important values for Asian-Americans in the U.S. as well as for Asians across the world, is to provide the best education possible to their children. Make sure you can pass this traditional value on to your children, and their children, by leaving an inheritance to the next generation.
“These four protection pointers can be rounded out with one good piece of advice,” said Amy Chen, director, Multicultural Market Development, MassMutual. “Building a comprehensive financial strategy can be a difficult job, so make sure to find a trusted financial professional, backed by a financially sound, time-tested company, to help navigate the 4 Protection Pointers and start working on your 2013.”
MassMutual will have a festive and traditional presence during Lunar New Year 2013 with ads in major Chinese and Korean media, as well as “Making of” videos — in both Chinese and Korean — depicting the cultural significance of the ads that capture the spirit of celebrating the Lunar New Year. Additionally, MassMutual’s financial services professionals will be presenting Asian-American clients across the country with a 2013 calendar that gives an in-language New Year’s greeting.
For more information on financial services strategies to help prepare your financial future, visit massmutual.com/multicultural/chinese or massmutual.com/multicultural/korean.
Photo courtesy of www.photos.com
Lunar New Year is a time of renewed hopes for millions of people across the world, and as they ring in 2013’s year of the snake, reunions and gatherings are an ideal time to resolve to prepare for the future of loved ones.
– PR Newswire
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The Op-Ed project: A unique opportunity By Paige Cerulli
Would you be surprised to learn that only 10 percent to 20 percent of all newspaper opinion pieces today are written by women? Or that 87 percent of all Wikipedia contributors, 85 percent of Hollywood producers, and 83 percent of Congress members are male? Those eyeopening statistics are from the website of the Op-Ed Project, an organization created in 2008 with the goal of expanding the diversity of the voices which influence our society.
On Feb. 15, female students from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Mass., and from the Leadership Institute for Political and Public Impact (LIPPI) had the chance to participate in a special Op-Ed Project workshop at the Willits-Hallowell Conference Center of Mount Holyoke College. The opportunity arose from the partnership between The Women’s Fund and The Weissman Center for Leadership at Mount Holyoke.
LIPPI, a part of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, seeks to create a more equitable society by training women to become civic leaders, to impact policy at local, state, and national levels, and to hold elected positions. LIPPI gives women the skills they will need to become leaders by educating them about areas such as the legislative process, campaign management, fundraising, board participation, and running for office.
Julie Kumble, director of Grants and Programs at The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, states, “Across the board, women hold only about 20 percent of leadership positions, but we make up 50 percent of the population. This is true in pretty much every profession; we’re stuck at 20 percent. I think that people tend to invite people into positions who look and act like themselves. It’s just part of human nature, so we need to keep communicating the importance of striving for diversity.”
Such is the goal of the Op-Ed Project. Through programs run across the United States, the Op-Ed Project seeks to train people, especially women, who are under-represented in the media. The Project provides training and connections to encourage women to take on leadership positions and to increase their media presence.
Kumble attended the Op-Ed Project last spring as an individual. “I thought it was fantastic and wanted it to be available for our LIPPI members,” says Kumble. The Women’s Fund collaborates with the Weissman Center for Leadership at Mount Holyoke College, which encourages and prepares students to hold leadership positions. When Kumble saw that the college’s calendar included the OpEd Project, she “asked if there would be a way to make the Op-Ed Project available for LIPPI participants, and through the generosity of
the Weissman Center, that came about.”
Kumble hopes that LIPPI participants will gain skills from the Op-Ed Project that they can use as they’re advancing in their political or professional careers. “Politically, you need to have the skill to put forth an opinion, defend it, be aware of other arguments, and articulate it strongly. You need to have your name and opinion out there as a leader,” she says.
According to Kumble, increasing women’s influence in political and media outlets isn’t as difficult as a glance at the statistics makes it appear. “Research has shown that there’s a threshold of critical mass where, if you get women into 30 percent of the leadership positions around a decision-making table, such as a board of directors or an editorial board, it creates a tipping point where systemic and institutional changes begin to happen. A critical mass of 30 percent women actually shifts the dialogue and promotes policies and decisions that reflect the concerns of 50 percent of the population – women.”
“This partnership between the Weissman Center at Mount Holyoke and the Women’s Center of Western Massachusetts is great example of institutions coming together to create synergy and make opportunities for a wider audience. It’s a really wonderful partnership and we’re proud to be a part of it,” Kumble states.
Educate yourself before starting the path to a new career
If you’re looking to start a career – whether it's because you’re just beginning your journey as a working adult or because you're ready for a change in life – you should know that the process is much larger than just getting a degree and looking for a job.
A career involves knowing your interests in a particular industry or area, knowing what to expect as far as compensation and responsibility and researching what tools and knowledge you will need to be an asset for companies in that industry. It’s wise to begin your pursuit by educating yourself on what careers are in demand and what skills you need to enter those careers.
“Job seekers and students seeking a degree to build their skills need to take control of their careers,” says Abby Kohut, a human resources executive, recruiter and author of “Absolutely Abby’s 101 Job Search Secrets.” “They need to understand the connection between their education and a meaningful career by becoming more informed about where their interests lie, what jobs are in demand and what education is needed to gain the skills that today's employers demand.”
Here are few simple steps that can help get you started:
1. Understand your interests – Some colleges and universities offer prospective and current students complimentary self-assessment options to help determine careers that fit their interests. For example, University of Phoenix offers Phoenix Career Services, a comprehensive suite of tools and services specifically designed to help prospective and current students make informed decisions regarding their career paths and educational needs. And the Career Interest Profiler helps students to identify professional interests in several areas, allowing them to plan ahead for paths of study.
2. Understand employer needs – Knowing what jobs will keep your interest going strong is a good start, but it’s also important to learn what employers need from workers in that field so you can take the right college courses and learn the appropriate skills. You also should learn what jobs are in demand in your field of interest, so you can assess whether your career of choice offers room to enter and grow. University of Phoenix’s Job Market Research Tool helps potential and existing students learn the demand and typical salary information in the current market.
3. Understand educational needs – Starting a new career often involves the need to return to school for a new degree so you can be more competitive when entering the job mar-
ket. My Career Plan is a personalized roadmap that University of Phoenix students incorporate into their academic journey so they are developing the competencies that employers are seeking in the workforce today. And career preparation tools provide students with resume, cover letter and interview development services so they can put the best foot forward while job searching.
4. Understand your financial responsibilities – Schools will provide information on financial obligations and options, helping potential students determine if starting or going back to school is a viable option at the moment. Having a clear picture of the total cost and anticipated timing for paying off a college expense can help you set a budget as you pursue your new career goals. University of Phoenix, for instance, offers a complimentary Financial Plan designed to help prospective students estimate tuition and fees for their entire degree program and build a personal plan for how they will pay for it.
A new career is an exciting opportunity, and can provide a new look on life from income to social connections and even where you live. Just be sure to educate yourself before you jump into schooling so you can prepare yourself for the perfect career. – BPT
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Pay it forward: The next generation of women who are changing the world
MAKERS, a multi-platform initiative that celebrates trailblazing women provides a resource to hear many inspiring and previously untold stories. Photo courtesy of BPT
The roles and perceptions of women have greatly evolved over the last 50 years. From homemaker to executive, women have fought for their voice and advanced tremendously – altering virtually every aspect of American culture. In 2013, the women of the past continue to pay it forward and emerging leaders take the reins. MAKERS, a multi-platform initiative that celebrates trailblazing women provides a resource to hear many inspiring and previously untold stories. Presented by Simple facial skincare and created in partnership with AOL and PBS, the site now has the first three of six stories of Next MAKERS, incredible women who have made a remarkable impact on a local level and help comprise a new generation of game changers.
Col. Jill Chambers, Olivia Joy Stinson, Anna Rodriguez, Reshma Saujani, Emily May and Lydia Cincore-Templeton were selected from a six-week nationwide search for extraordinary women. The stories of Stinson, CincoreTempleton and Chambers are now featured alongside Supreme Court Justices, Secretaries of State, CEOs, athletes, activists and entertainers on the site. Rodriguez, Saujani and May’s videos premiered in January. In addition to sharing their stories, the women received a $10,000 grant from Simple facial skincare so they can continue to follow their dreams and do great work in their communities.
Stinson, a resident of Charlotte, N.C., plans to use the grant money to expand PEN Pals Book Club & Support Group, an organization she started five years ago at age 14 to provide support and motivation for children of incarcerated parents. The Charlotte-based organization has grown to include 25 volunteers and serves nearly 4,000 children and more than 700 adults in the southeast region of the US.
“Olivia Stinson is only 19 but she has already had more of an impact on her community than many people do in their entire lives,” said Marlo Thomas, MAKER and actress. “Over the past five years PEN Pals has grown from a book club into a full-on support group that serve kids as young as 5, and she hopes
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to take it into more communities and eventually nationwide. I have no doubt that with her vision, grit, and dedication she'll get it there.”
Next MAKERS is one piece of the evolving collection of women's stories on MAKERS.com, which currently features more than 160 groundbreaking women, including Sheryl Sandberg, Hillary Clinton and Diane Von Furstenberg. The initiative will continue to grow, adding new stories to the site on a weekly basis.
“I’m inspired daily by the stories of courageous women making a positive difference around the world and believe that by speaking up and sharing our experiences we’ll motivate one another and generations to come,” said Lydia Cincore-Templeton of Los Angeles, Calif., Next MAKER and president and CEO of Children Youth and Family Collaborative (CYFC), an academic and social development organization in Los Angeles that currently serves more than 4,000 foster kids. “I started CYFC after my work with orphans of the HutuTutsi conflict in Rwanda. It illuminated the critical need children have for community support in order to survive and succeed.” Fellow Next MAKER, Chambers, of Washington, D.C., is using her grant money to further her work with veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS). Chambers, widely recognized as the first person in the history of the U.S. Military to develop a successful, sustainable strategy to reduce the crippling stigma associated with mental health challenges in a warrior culture, would like to follow the outcome of those she supports. According to Chambers, “Part of the plan is for veterans to receive non-pharmaceutical tools to aid in their PTS Challenges. I’ll then follow their progress and after six months, have them help me pay it forward to those they know who could also benefit.” “These women are being recognized for their leadership, vision, courage and ingenuity and we're honored to bring to life their previously untold stories that will inspire the next generation of trailblazers,” said Dyllan McGee, MAKERS founder and executive producer. – BPT
In the Sony Pictures’ film “Eat, Pray, Love,” Liz (Julia Roberts) finds herself after taking a yearlong journey through Italy, India and Bali. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures
Abandon boring vacation and go on a spiritual quest raveling can change your life and awaken your soul. Transforming boring vacations into holistic holidays can cultivate the body and the mind, whether adventuring solo or journeying as a group. Travel doesn’t have to constitute another boring vacation,” said Max Karimbeik, a travel professional, spiritual journeyer and author of the new book, “Vacations for the Soul.”
“Whether adventuring solo or journeying as a group, you can learn how to swap a mundane vacation for a holistic holiday that cultivates the body, mind, and spirit alike,” he said. “An allinclusive vacation package can be a great way for a couple to rekindle their relationship.”
Each chapter focuses on a particular type of holistic or spiritual treat and outlines the benefits of taking one. The book shows how the positive psychological effects of spiritual retreats and holistic vacations last long after the physical journey is over.
While the book offers a thorough examination of this alternate art of trekking, this guide is still short enough for those who don't wish to spend hours poring over a travel guide.
“I wrote ‘Vacations for the Soul’ to share the many inner and outer journeys that I’ve taken through the world. I passionately believe that everyone deserves to travel and to take meaningful trips that will develop a person’s spiritual resources even while exposing them to the realities of how others live in the world,” said Karimbeik runs a travel club that focuses on this unique form of adventuring.
The travel that Karimbeik describes is quite different that the one being sold on cruise ships and all-inclusive resort packages. He doesn’t confine his advice to any one region of the world but instead shows readers how to cultivate the mentality that is the hallmark of a holistic holiday.
“Traveling brings you closer to reality and to the world and connects you with your source. Why? Because people who travel to new places are usually in the present moment, not the past or
the future,” Karimbeik writes. “Traveling is like meditation.” Karimbeik is honest about the stressful aspects of travel, from getting lost to not initially understanding the language or culture of your host country. Yet those stressful factors are also what can make travel spiritually transforming.
He explains several types of holistic travel such as health vacations focused on restoring the full powers of the body as well as volunteer vacations where travelers donate their time and skills to communities in need. He also shows how vacation can be undertaken as a means for self-improvement or even as a way to heal from a traumatic experience. This alternate form of travel can also be a way for young couples or established married partners to recharge their batteries and renew their interest in one another, enhancing their relationship in an unlikely way. For more information, go www.VacationsforTheSoulBook.com.
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L’Oréal wants more women in S.T.E.M.
L’Oreal USA announced the official launch of www.forgirlsinscience.org, a website designed to inspire and empower girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (S.T.E.M).
Featuring everything from videos of women scientists on the job, a career personality quiz, facts on famous women in S.T.E.M., career opportunities in S.T.E.M. fields to summer and weekend camps, and much more – the website serves up science, technology, engineering and math in a way that is engaging, interactive and, yes, cool.
“At L’Oreal USA, we are all about science,” said Rebecca Caruso, EVP, Corporate Communications and External Affairs. “Ours is a company that is heavily committed to science. It’s part of our DNA and, we know that it can turn the impossible into the possible a dream into reality, and reinvent the future. We also know the depressing statistics about women in science and have been working to change them, first through our For Women In Science program and now
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through For Girls In Science. We are on the cusp of making science come alive for young girls in a compelling and relevant way.”
The website, www.forgirlsinscience.org, was developed following a series of focus groups with girls ages 13 to 18, exploring their perceptions about S.T.E.M. The focus groups validated that many young girls are passionate about science, technology, engineering and math but often fall off the path to pursuing careers in S.T.E.M. because they dont see role models they can relate to or experience science in ways that are compelling to them.
The goal of the For Girls In Science website is to foster a much-needed community for young girls to see scientists that they want to emulate, to learn about careers that may interest them, to help them explore and connect with others with similar interests in science, technology, engineering and math. L’Oreal USA also wanted to create a website where budding scientists can learn about S.T.E.M. in a fun and interactive way. It is a place where girls can be inspired by amazing
women who have dreamed, created and invented before them.
Throughout L’Oreal’s 100-plus year history, science and research have been integral parts of the company. For the past 14 years, the L’Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science program has been recognizing accomplished women scientists around the globe.
In 2003, L’Oreal USA launched the L’Oreal USA Fellowships For Women In Science program. Entering its 10th year, L’Oreal USA annually recognizes and rewards five U.S.based women researchers with Fellowships to be put towards their postdoctoral research. Looking to the future, L’Oreal USA wanted to build upon that program by reaching and encouraging the next generation of young girls. Thus, the For Girls In Science website www.forgirlsinscience.org was born.
For more information on the L’Oreal USA For Girls In Science program, visit its website: http://www.forgirlsinscience.org, visit us on Facebook.com/forgirlsinscience, or on Twitter @ForGirlsinSci.
Photo courtesy of www.photos.com
Time to put your budget on a diet – Money with Michelle –
If your jeans are getting tighter as your wallet gets thinner, it’s time to turn things around, according to noted East Bay financial advisor Michelle Perry Higgins.
“The principles behind dieting and budgeting are very similar,” she says. “Both take discipline, planning and an investment of time and energy. It’s understandable that you might become discouraged at times, but if you remain committed you can reap huge rewards.”
Establishing and maintaining a budget are important for everyone, Michelle says, but this is especially true for women. “In order for a woman to be truly independent, she has to have money of her own,” she says. “If you stick to a reasonable budget plan for even a few months, you might be surprised at how much money you can save. Money gives you the power and the freedom to make choices.”
Michelle also emphasizes the importance of finding the budget system, similar to a diet plan, that works for you. “Some people are great with computers, while others work bet-
ter with hand-written record-keeping,” she says. “The point is that in order for the budget to work, it has to fit your lifestyle. Find the budget that suits you and stick with it.”
If you need external motivation, Michelle advises seeking out help from a professional. “Just as a personal trainer or nutritionist can help you reach your goals faster and better, an accountant or financial advisor can help you tremendously with your budgeting,” she says. “The results you get are generally worth the money you spend.”
In order for the budget to work, Ms Higgins says that the plan has to be regularly weighed against the results it produces. “Your budget needs to be monitored daily, weekly and monthly to keep you on track,” she says. “You might fall off the plan for a day or two, but regular reviewing will help you keep to the routine.”
She also suggests that staying on course might be easier if you shift the way you think about money. “If you think of money as a luxury rather than a resource, you could be tempted to spend far more than what is real-
ly necessary,” she says. “We’ve all done that from time to time, but when it’s an regular occurrence, that’s when it becomes a real problem.” Michelle advocates thinking of money and savings as the keys to freedom. “When you find a treasure, you use the keys to protect its value and keep it safely hidden,” she says. “Treat your money the same way and it will return dividends.”
Michelle also wants you to be realistic with your approach to budgeting. “With dieting, it is important to plan to i clude foods you like so you won’t be tempted to binge. Planning a realistic budget is similar.” She recommends that you make sure your spending plan includes entertainment, dining out and shopping. “As long as you place a limit on how much you treat yourself and how often, you will still be able to meet your financial goals.”
However, Michelle cautions against looking for a fast fix. “Don’t expect to see huge savings right away. Just like with dieting, good budgeting produces results over time. Be patient, and focus on the end result: your good financial health.”
Michelle Perry Higgins is a financial planner and principal of California Financial Advisors in San Ramon, Calif. Higgins specializes in wealth management, and has built a successful practice advising executive professionals into retirement. Her passion for financial management has helped hundreds of individuals better understand investing and financial planning. For more information, please visit www.calfinad.com.
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