November 2010

Enlisting • Engaging • Empowering

The Magazine

www.cupcakecampmemphis.com

Saturday, April 23, 201111:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

at theAgricenter International

Calling all bakeries, bakers and thosewho love cupcakes!!!

Cupcakemania is coming to Memphis!

with

Come to share, compete or just eat!Find out how to participate by visiting

“This marketing tool is the most effective way that I’ve found to reach our clients, and they love it that we keep in touch.”

John Hutson, Accessoreez

For more information, call today! 1-901-452-8882

Women of Style, Spirit and Success, Inc. • phone: 901-452-8882 email: mgballard@womenofsss.org • website: http://www.womenofsss.org

Contents

From the Editor ......................................................................... 7

Contributors ............................................................................... 8

Sister Sentiments ..................................................................... 12

November 2010 Women of SSSJanice Scott ............................................................................... 14By Yolanda Martin

Jimmie Leach ........................................................................... 15By Julie Wintker

Be’Trice Ronique Jenkins Donald .......................................... 16By Laqueta Perry

Tuning UpWomenHeart Champion Susan Hayne .................................. 18

Freestyle Fitness ...................................................................... 19By Laqueta Perry

Diabetes for Life is Creating Healthier Lives ........................ 20By Jae Henderson

She Read .................................................................................. 23by Yolanda Martin

Program HighlightsThe F.F.E.W. ............................................................................ 24

Our Volunteers in Lights......................................................... 26

Marketplace ............................................................................. 29

Who we are - What we do ........................................................ 30

AdvertisersCupcake Camp Memphis

Constant Contact

Bluff City Tri-Art Theatre Company

FHTM Rewards Mall

Healthy Memphis Common Table

Put It In Writing

Girl Scouts

Coffee, Cookies and Couture

True Essentials

ZamZu

Best Buy

Advertise in the January 2011 issue of Women of SSS-TheMagazine and support our programs. Call our office at901.452.8882, visit our website at www.womenofsss.org, oremail us at magazine@womenofsss.org.

Visit www.womenofsss.org/magazine to download a copyof our advertising package.

Come ThanksgivingA play by

Ruby O'Gray

Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010 at 7pm & Sunday Nov. 28, 2010 at 3pm

at the

Evergreen Theatre1705 Poplar at Belvedere

Reception following the show.

$25.00 per ticket

(Group rates are $20 per ticket when a minimum of 12 attend.)

For tickets, call 901.946.6140. Advanced ticket price of $20 through 11/22

Featuring Michael Adrian Davis, and Emma Crystal

Having dissapeared for 13 years,a woman’s surprising return to her family on Thanksgiving Day

brings confrontations, lies, and revelations.

Other members of the stellar cast include Lelia “Pat” Wooldridge, Coran Langston, Miesha Trent, Kristopher Langston, Lakeshia Miller, and Signature Co.

dance instructor Abigail Little.

Bluff City Tri-Art Theatre Company

Honor in Service and WorkHonor in Service and WorkHonor in Service and WorkHonor in Service and WorkHonor in Service and WorkOne morning, I was headed to Memphis from

Montgomery, AL and decided I needed to stop for coffee.I pulled into a Starbucks - eyes half open- and began to search aimlessly over themenu (knowing in the back of my mindthat I’d be ordering the Cafe Mocha). Allof a sudden a voice blasted out “HowARE you this morning! Welcome toStarbucks - What can I CREATE forYOU this morning!” I instantly woke upand, in spite of my thought that she hadobviously overdosed on the Expresso,found myself smiling.

When I got around to the window, Ifound the owner of the voice who wasequally as perky. I asked her if she wasalways this bright and chipper in themorning and she answered “yes!” Ibelieved her. That was over five yearsago. However, I thought about thatincident when I was recently told the voicewe now hear on the intercomb when wepull up the the window of our favoritedrive through restaurant might be a recording. This is thenew way restaurant owners are ensuring their customers aregreeted with enthusiasm. Sad - but another sign of ourgrowing detachment from core values that have passed thetest of time. What is happening to good, old fashionedservice as a key to success in business?

We live in an age where much is publicized about thethe lifestyle of successful people. However, those people,whose lives we are most exposed to, earn their living asentertainers or sports celebrities (or their spouses) and areoften portrayed as lethargic, over pampered, and evenrude. Unfortunately, as much as we are falling behindacademically as a nation, we still don’t do much to publicizethe values or outcomes of studying and/or working hard.As a friend of mine says all the time, “Everybody wants tobe, but nobody wants to become.” What messages are wereally sending? Why should it be necessary to turn on arecording to ensure your customers are pleasantly greeted?

We have a generation of young people who areentering their career with the notion that they can literallyprint up business cards, select a title and be in business. Iagree that people should no longer expect to see the oldmodel of entering a career, moving up in it over time andretiring from it. That model no longer exists. In truth,

someone embarking on their career today may switch, notonly jobs, but careers, several times over their lifetime.

However, the notion of working forsomeone else seems almost foreign tosome. People want to call their ownshots. I don’t blame them. However,whether working for someone else, orworking for yourself - the key to successis the WORK.

This month we profile threewomen who understand the value ofworking. With the average being fiveyears of existence for most businesses, thefact that these women have successfullysustained each of their businesses for over20 years is a testimony to their work ethic.More importantly, although each employsothers through their business, theythemselves are also hard at work everyday - in the trenches so to speak.

You’ll meet Janice Scott, who hasowned and operated J Nails for over 23years; Jimmie Leach, who owns and still

cooks for Melanie’s Fine Foods after 26 years in business;and Be’Trice Donald who has operated Master NeedlesTailoring and Alterations for over 25 years. Master Needlesis located in our building and everyday I see Be’Trice hard atwork. She was the motivation for this month’s focus.

We also introduce you to a wonderful new organizationteaching women and men how to live with Diabetes,highlight what our girls in The FFEW are doing, and giveyou some insight on a great organization of young womenat The University of Memphis called P.A.U.S.E.

As always, we hope you enjoy the read and findsomething meaningful in these pages.

Love, Peace and Blessings,

President and CEOWomen of Style, Spirit and Success Inc.

Contributors

Jae HendersonJae Henderson is a freelance writer living in Memphis, TN and has written for

several publications in the city and surrounding areas. She is also the Founder andPresident of Put It In Writing Professional Writing Service. The companyspecializes in “a la carte” marketing materials for businesses and individuals. Formore information on Jae’s business, visit www.putitinwriting2.com. She is also thepublisher for a new inspirational site for women www.imagoodwoman.com.

In addition to her writing endeavors, Jae is Founder and Executive Directorof College Bound, a non-profit organization that helps low-income youth andtheir parents navigate through the processes involved with college entry, includingACT/SAT testing, applications, financial aid and scholarships. Visit their website atwww.collegeboundofmemphis.org. Ms. Henderson has a B.A. in Communicationsand a Masters in English with emphasis on professional and technical writing from The University of Memphis.

Laqueta PerryLaqueta Perry, a native Memphian, is currently a freelance journalist. She enjoys

spending time with her daughter, attending concerts, reading, shopping, andtraveling. She is a proud alumni of The University of Memphis and always rootsfor the Tigers. Visit her blog at www.bealestreetchic.onsugar.com.

Tarah NeujahrTarah Neujahr was born and raised in the beautiful state of Montana, where she loves to hike,hunt and just play in the great outdoors. She also enjoys long-distance running, playing softballand frolicking in the park with her dog. When she’s not outdoors, Tarah can be found readingbooks, playing video games or napping with her cat. She also plays the flute for the Memphis-based River City Concert Band.

After earning a Bachelor’s degree in History (with a minor in Sociology) from Montana StateUniversity-Billings, Tarah and her significant other, Adam, moved to Memphis. Tarah enteredgraduate school at the University of Nebraska, commuting back and forth between Lincoln, NEand Memphis for two years. She completed her Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass

Communications, with a specialization in Marketing, Communication and Advertising in May 2010. A lot of her spare time isspent doing volunteer public relations for non-profit organizations throughout the area. She currently serves as the TrafficManager for an advertising agency in downtown Memphis.

Contributors

Julie WintkerJulie Wintker earned her degree in biochemistry from The University of Memphis

many years ago and then worked in the chemical manufacturing business for nearly thirtyyears. Her mother introduced her to cooking as a preschooler and in college shedeveloped a fascination with foods and nutrition. In this issue, she brings us the story ofone of our Women of Style, Spirit and Success and a very good friend of hers - JimmieLeach.

Yolanda MartinYolanda Martin is a native Memphian and writer, with a flair for fashion. Her senior year atNorthside High School in Memphis, she entered the Mid-Southern “Share the Dream” essaycontest and won the grand prize of a $10,000.00 scholarship. She graduated from AtlantaMetropolitan College with a degree in Philosophy in 2001, and is one semester shy ofgraduating from Georgia State University with a degree in English with concentration inAdvanced Composition and Rhetoric. Yolanda is the mother of one son (Michael) and onedaughter (Ebony) amongst whom she divides her time when she is not writing. She iscurrently working on her first book.

Karen MooreKaren Moore has over 50 theatrical productions to her producer/director/actor’s credit.

A graduate of Hendrix College with a BA in Theatre Arts and a minor in Music, Karen’s firstprofessional directorial debut was Livin’ Fat at Beale Street Repertory Company, while sheworked by day as a broadcast journalist for WREG-TV. After leaving Memphis, she directedand stage-managed theatre in Hollywood and Chicago before accompanying her husband toItaly where she continued to direct original musical productions. She also performed as anactress in nine foreign films and as an actress and recording artist on European television. Uponher return to the United States as a widow, Moore skirted the theatrical/musical community andfocused on raising her two teenage daughters.

In 2008, she produced an innovative new television show called This House is Cooking!under her company, Karen Moore Inc. Hosted by her daughter, Aryen, it is a cooking showtaped in the kitchen of a beautiful home for sale. Karen, who is also a professional real estateagent, takes the viewing audience on a tour of the house during one segment of the show. Youcan visit the show’s website at www.thishouseiscooking.com or visit www.karenmooreinc.com for more information aboutKaren and her company.

ShopShopShopShopShop,,,,, Sa Sa Sa Sa Savvvvveeeee,,,,, Suppor Suppor Suppor Suppor Support &t &t &t &t &EARNEARNEARNEARNEARN

ClicClicClicClicClick hear to leark hear to leark hear to leark hear to leark hear to learn morn morn morn morn more and sign upe and sign upe and sign upe and sign upe and sign up.....

Women of Style, Spirit and Success - The E-Magazine is published monthly anddistributed electronically to individuals in our national, permission-based e-maildatabase. We reserve the right to refuse to sell advertising space or to promote anyevent or business that we deem inappropriate for publication. All content of this e-publication, including the design, advertisements, art, photos and editorial content, aswell as the selection, coordination and arrangement of such is Copyright (c) 2008-2010, Women of Style, Spirit and Success. No portion of this e-publication may becopied or reprinted without the express written permission of the organization.

Join Our TeamWe are looking for volunteers who would like to become a part of this initiative bybringing their time and talents as journalists, copy editors, reporters, photographersand illustrators for this publication. If interested, email us atmagazine@womenofsss.org.

AboutPublisherWomen of Style, Spirit and Success, Inc.

Editor / Publication DesignerMarva G. Ballard

Contributing Writers & EditorsYolanda MartinMaria MilanKaren MooreTarah NeujahrLaqueta PerryJulie Wintker

Contributing PhotographersChristopher EzehWinston Taylor

magazine@womenofsss.org901.452.8882 | FAX 901.452.8823

tanding on CactusS

Sister Sentiments

One of my students at The University of Phoenix Online has in

her signature line, “Reach for the stars,even if you have to stand on a cactus.” The quote, bySusan Longacre, reminded me of one my grandmotherwas fond of saying “You can live in hell one day if youknow you are going to get out the next.” I’m not sure ofits origin, however it became one of my guiding principlesand kept me going many times when the struggle seemedto outweigh the dream. I used it as a mantra when, duringmy last trimester of pregnancy with my daughter, I wasalso taking the last class of my Master’s Degree program.The class was the hardest one I would take, and located in aclassroom often without air and on the fourth floor of abuilding where the elevator rarely worked. I used to reciteit as I pulled myself up the steps those afternoons. I kepttelling myself “this is hard, but it is short-lived. You’ll soonbe finished.” Trouble won’t last always.

However, as much as some of us can use quotes likethis to motivate ourselves past the bad times, many can’t seebeyond it because they can’t even see the stars, let alonereach for them. To them, their hell is permanent - the painthey feel today - they will always feel, the situation they livein today - they will always live in. There is no reason toreach for more. More doesn’t exist.

I had the good fortune to be born into a family whoseexperiences were varied, my childhood was filled withfamily members and their friends who came from all walksof life - there were doctors, nurses, educators, artists,

athletes, actors, musicians, entrepreneurs, managers,politicians, even ministers. I was surrounded by possibilitiesdaily and exposed to many others as we traveled. When Ilook back on my life, I realize that there was never a timewhen I felt I could not be anything I wanted to be as longas I worked for it. Now, more than ever, as I meet peopleevery day who can not see past where they are, do Irecognize the value of a dream. Where there are nopossibilities, there is no pursuit. There is no action - nomovement - only stagnation. When we wonder why somepeople seem apathetic with regards to seeking opportunitiesfor improvement, including those for work and education,we need to see what their experiences have taught them.Where there are no possibilities, there is no pursuit.

That’s why it is important to expose our children topossibilities and to help them not only dream, but developroadmaps and plans of pursuit. Whether it is one child ormany, we should take it upon ourselves to be in the businessof helping people see possibilities. Those of us who havestood on cactus (or lived in hell a day - or two) but haveemerged with our dreams still intact, need to share thoseexperiences with others. Be real. Be raw. Take someonelost by the hand. Throw off your DKNY jacket, plopdown your Lois Vuitton bag and take off your JimmyChoo shoes. Let your sister see the scars on the bottom ofyour feet from the pricks of the cactus you stood on. Lether know that with prayers, a plan, and the willingness to dowhat it takes, there is an Oasis on the other side of thedesert. Help her see that it is there for her as well.

Janice ScottJimmie Leach

Be’Trice Ronique Jenkins Donald

November2010

By Yolanda Martin

Janice ScottNailed Success Traits Early in Life

By age 16, Janice Scott was alicensed and practicing manicurist,having attended MemphisTechnical College, a vocationalhigh school. She would transfer 10or 15 credit hours to acosmetology program, andactually practiced cosmetology awhile before realizing her nichefor nails. She went on to gain herinstructor’s license, got married,had a baby, and worked an 11 to7 shift at Show Boat Barbequebefore her eventual hire at Fingers& Toes. This was 28 years ago.She’d go on to work forOdontorium Products, Inc. (OPI),the nail polish supplier, for whomshe would attend beauty showsand classes for a couple of years.

Mrs. Scott opened her first salon,Different Strokes, whichspecialized in hair, nail, skin, andmassage, on Winchester Road, andhas operated as many as three salonssimultaneously, another of which was in aJewish community center. She opened her firstJ–Nails spa in Brookhaven Circle. The shopmoved to 5101 Sanderlin, Suite #15, where ithas operated as a full service nail spa for thepast 14 years, delivering such services as acrylicand French manicures, and nail art. The spa alsoprovides the services of two massage therapistsand two estheticians, one of whom is a browcontourist. The other specializes in glycolic acidtreatments and permanent make-up.

“Being professional is the name of the game,”confides Mrs. Scott, who has been self-

employed for 23 ½ of her 28 years inEast Memphis. Having once juggledthree businesses, three children (twosons who are today 18 and 28 and hernow 16-year-old niece, whom she hascustody of) success has not comewithout hard work, sacrifice, andcommitment. “You can do it — WithGod, you can make it happen,.” sheadds.

Mrs. Scott, who resumes her maidenbusiness name and recently wedSheriff Clinton Gibson, a taekwondomaster, is herself mastering the nailtech biz. She is also a belt away froma black belt in taekwondo.

By Julie Wintker

Jimmie LeachJimmie LeachJimmie LeachJimmie LeachJimmie LeachA Career Based on Cooking and Commitment

Jimmie Leach – Proprietor of Melanie’s Fine FoodsHow does a mother who doesn’t really know how to cookevolve into being the chef/owner of one of the south’swell known ‘soul food’restaurants? Jimmie Leach will tellyou that it was God’s will andplan along with $800 on a creditcard and a lot of scorched neckbones!

Jimmie’s first commercialventure was baking and sellingcakes to help raise funds for herchurch in the early 1980’s. Hercakes were so popular thatsufficient funds were raised forher church, True Gospel, to buyland on Danny Thomas Blvd. andbuild a new sanctuary.

The success of her cakesstarted her thinking about startingher own bakery. There was onemajor drawback – she knewabsolutely nothing about startingand running her own business asshe was a seamstress at a drycleaners. Her original plan was toopen a dry cleaner and relegate part of the space as a smallbakery. She and her family were relentless in scouting allpossible buildings and sites for this endeavor. One brother-in-law found a wonderful restaurant that was for sale andinsisted that she see it. Indeed it was a great deal on arestaurant; but how would it be converted into a drycleaners & bakery? Her original idea now became a full-fledged restaurant which was opened in 1984 and is stillgoing strong 26 years later.

Jimmie had never considered becoming a chef and hadno formal culinary training. She opened the restaurantutilizing the cooking skills her grandmother taught her alongwith her recipe collection. We sat around the breakfast tableduring our interview laughing as she, husband Richard andbrother-in-law Henry recalled the many Mondays thatscorched neck bones were served on the lunch menu.

Slowly but most surely she learned not only to be a fantasticchef but also a business-woman.

Jimmie learned through experience saying thatconsiderable red ink has flowed inthe ledger book over the years.No matter what the financial statusof the restaurant, Jimmie hasadamantly maintained the practiceof tithing to her church. Sheknows that the success of Melanie’sFine Foods has been the result ofGod’s plan and she generouslygives back to her church, family,friends and community.There are no marketing budgets orslick colorful advertising campaignsfor Melanie’s Fine Foods. Theirpatronage grew over time viaword-of-mouth only until thatfateful day when Alton Brown ofThe Food Network fame droppedin for lunch. Melanie’s Fine Foodswas one of the restaurants featuredon The Food Network’s Feasting onAsphalt – The River Run hosted byAlton Brown. His favorites on the

lunch menu and show that day were smoked turkey legs,butter rolls and caramel cake. Since then folks have traveledfrom every state in the southeast to sample the now famousbutter rolls! The most popular menu items are oxtails, neckbones, chitlins, and butter rolls.

Today, Jimmie is turning her thoughts towardretirement. Melanie’s Fine Foods has been and will alwaysremain a family owned/operated business. It’s inevitablethat some day the chef ’s hat and ledger book will be passedalong to her daughters.

So what’s next on Jimmie’s entrepreneurial “bucket list”?Jimmie has a vast collection of recipes and would like topublish her own cookbook. Next in line is marketing herbutter rolls, perhaps on QVC or other TV avenues. Lookfor a few of Jimmie’s recipes in the upcoming Women ofStyle, Spirit and Success cookbook. Obviously there is noreal retirement on Jimmie Leach’s horizon!

Be’Trice Ronique Jenkins DonaldSees Secret to Success as Service

By Laqueta Perry

For nearly two decades Be ‘Trice Ronique JenkinsDonald has crafted and adjusted garments out of anondescript office building onPoplar Ave. Donald, proprietorof Master Needles, has been inbusiness even longer than that-since 1987. The self-taughtseamstress began sewing wayback in junior high school. Afterworking in an alteration shop fortwo years she began taking onclients in her home.

Donald said that though someclients have moved out ofMemphis, they bring theirbusiness back to her whenvisiting. “One (client) moved toSt. Croix,” Donald said. “She hasfamily here and when she comesin, she sees me.” Loyalty is anotable asset of Donald’s clients.“I have regular customers,” she said. “I havecustomers who didn’t have children and now theirchildren come to me.” Donald finds fulfillment inpleasing her customers and considers it a blessing. Forothers considering opening their own business, Donaldoffers this advice: “Your motive for going intobusiness is to render a service. When you do that themoney will come.”

She recommends starting out at home to minimizeoverhead expenses and making sure the operation willbe profitable before moving forward. “If they have apassion, they should do it,” she said.

These days Donald is exploring another passion ofhers: writing. She has published one book in aplanned five-part series. The first book is “God’sAppointed Destiny: Life a Preplanned Destiny.”

Master Needles is located at 3340 Poplar Ave,Suite 101. Master Needles II, owned by Barbara Van

Buren (a friend of Donald’s), islocated at 3486 Castleman St (offof Mt. Moriah Road).

For more information aboutDonald’s books visitwww.majesticwritings.com

Tuning Up

Susan Hayne of Cordova recently became aWomenHeart Champion after graduating from the prestigiousannual WomenHeart Science & Leadership Symposium atMayo Clinic. Hayne is one of 55 women from around thecountry – all heart disease survivors, from 27 states and theDistrict of Columbia and ages 33 to 77 – who wasselected from a nationally competitive application process

to attend the fourday symposiumand return home asa leader to educate,advocate, andsupport hercommunity on theissue of womenand heart disease –the nation’s leadingcause of death forwomen.WomenHeart: TheNational Coalitionfor Women withHeart Disease isthe nation’s leadingorganization

representing the 42 million women living with or at risk forheart disease.

“The Class of 2010 is extremely impressive,” saidLisa M. Tate, Chief Executive Officer of WomenHeart,headquartered in Washington, DC. “These 55 women areliving with a chronic disease, and yet have made aconscious decision and selfless commitment to help otherwomen live heart healthy lives and support those currentlyliving with heart disease.”

“I am extremely thankful that I am able to sharemy story and help fight heart disease in women,” saidWomenHeart Champion Hayne. “With the prevalence ofobesity and diabetes in our area, many women are at riskfor developing heart disease, and we all need to do whatwe can to reduce our risk factors. I look forward togetting started right here in Memphis to educate thecommunity and support all women in their quest to live aheart healthy life. Together, we can do it and make adifference.”

By becoming a national volunteer WomenHeartChampion Hayne becomes one of 520 inspirational womenfrom across the country to be honored with theWomenHeart Champion title. These women, the “boots on theground” in the fight against heart disease, are available tospeak to community, state and national audiences about theprevalence of heart disease in women and how it is sooften under diagnosed and mistreated. In addition,WomenHeart advocates for prevention, early and accuratediagnosis, and proper treatment of heart disease, andWomenHeart Champions run the only national communitybased, patient led network of support groups for womenliving with heart disease.

“Heart disease can be a very emotionally andphysically isolating condition for women,” said Tate. “Ournetwork of support groups enables women to have thecamaraderie and support they need to make the lifestylechanges necessary to live a heart healthy life.”

WomenHeart was founded in 1999 and the Science& Leadership Symposium at Mayo Clinic was founded asan integral part of WomenHeart in 2002.

WomenHeart: The National Coalition forWomen with Heart Disease

WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women withHeart Disease is the nation’s only patient centeredorganization serving the 42 million American women livingwith or at risk for heart disease – the leading cause of deathfor women. WomenHeart is solely devoted to advancingwomen’s heart health through advocacy, communityeducation, and the nation’s only patient support network forwomen living with heart disease. WomenHeart is both acoalition and a community of thousands of membersnationwide, including women heart patients and theirfamilies, healthcare professionals, and health advocates, allcommitted to helping women live longer, healthier lives. Tojoin or donate, visit www.womenheart.org/kit.

Susan HayneWomenHeart Champion

By day Dana Moore works in a doctor’s office. Atnight Moore has taken her lifetime love of fitness intoa venture of her own: Freestyle Fitness. “I have

always been intofitness and weightloss,” Moore said.“People call me foradvice and I am alsopassionate aboutdancing.” Sinceearly SeptemberMoore has beenteaching linedancing classes at

McFarland Community Center, 4955 Cottonwood.The classes are held from 6 – 7:30 p.m. on

Tuesdays and Thursdays. She recommends the classes

By Laqueta Perry

for people who would like to fight obesity, network,and simply find time for themselves. “It’s not all aboutfitness, it’s about socializing and meeting people,” shesaid. Music played in the workout sessions includescountry, R&B, blues, and reggae. Moore also teaches avariety of dances.

Though the classes have consisted of all women atthis point, Moore stresses the classes are open to men.She said that she would like to eventually incorporatechildren. Her goals for the business include expandingto Collierville and Cordova. Moore also doesworkshops. “I’m really excited about (FreestyleFitness),” Moore said. “I’ve had a lot of positivefeedback about my classes. It’s a lot of energy and Ienjoy it.”

For more information on Freestyle Fitness, contactMoore at freestyle1572@yahoo.com.

Freestyle Fitness

November is Diabetes Awareness month and if you orsomeone you know is a type II diabetic living in ShelbyCounty you should know about Diabetes for Life. Foundedin 2009, this FREE program is funded by a generous grantfrom The Merck Company Foundation’s Alliance to ReduceDisparities in Diabetes. Their goal is to help African-Americans with Type II diabetes understand and managethe chronic disease through education, healthy meal planningand fitness training. The grant is overseen by the regionalhealth collaborative Healthy Memphis Common Table, andexecuted by Memphis Healthy Churches. It may sound like alot of players but they are all working together to showdiabetics how to live healthier, happier, longer lives.

The need for the Diabetes for Life program has clearlybeen established. Here in Shelby County, adults diagnosedwith Type II diabetes are generally members of a minority,underserved, or low-income group. Mismanagement of thedisease often leads to leg amputations due to diabetescomplications and the rate of those for African Americansis six times higher than that of Caucasians.

Over 200 people are currently taking advantage of theDiabetes for Life program. They meet regularly fornutrition classes, exercise sessions and counseling with theircase manager. Participants like Mrs. Mary Brown are givingthe program rave reviews. Brown was diagnosed with TypeII diabetes in May of 2005 and even though she believedshe was already doing a good job of managing herdiabetes, she welcomed the opportunity to educate herselffurther.

“The one thing I plan to do for the rest of my life iseducate myself. You always need to know more about howyour body functions and how food affects your body,” saysthe 60-year old. According to Brown she follows herdoctor’s orders faithfully by monitoring her glucose levels,preparing healthy foods and exercising daily. But afterjoining Diabetes for Life, she gained an even greatersupport system and is more determined to stay on the rightcourse. “I have a different energy now. I’m using the toolsI’ve been given recently in order to continue managing thisprocess. I’m not on any medication right now and I plan tokeep it that way,” shares Brown. “The nutrition and exerciseinformation Diabetes for Life shared, impressed upon metwo more areas that I need to improve. I have made somechanges in the way I prepare meals, and I learned how toexercise anywhere using a chair. So now, when I go out oftown and I can still exercise even though I don’t have myequipment.”

Diabetes for Life organizers want to help more people likeMrs. Brown. In order to participate, you must have beendiagnosed with Type II diabetes within the last 10 years, 18years of age or older and African American. It doesn’t costa thing, but time and dedication are required. Thoseinterested, can sign up at the American Diabetes AssociationPower Project and Community Wide Enrollment EventSaturday, November 20, 2010. It will take place from 8:30a.m. to Noon at the Church Health Center Wellness, locatedat 1115 Union Ave. in Memphis, TN. For moreinformation, call 901.260.8565 or visitwww.diabetesforlifememphis.org.

Diabetes for LifeIs Creating Healthier LivesBy Jae Henderson

“The one thing I plan to do for therest of my life is educate myself. Youalways need to know more abouthow your body functions and howfood affects your body.”

~Mary Brown

http://www.healthymemphis.org

Wollstonecraft had been infuriated by Jean-JacquesRousseau’s famous argument in Emile (1762) that women

should be educated for [solely orprimarily] the pleasure of men, andshe was equally dismayed ofwomen who believed such ofthemselves.

“For, like the flowers which areplanted in too rich a soil, strengthand usefulness are sacrificed tobeauty; and the flaunting leaves, afterhaving pleased a fastidious eye, fadedisregarded on the stalk, longbefore the season when they oughtto have arrived at maturity.”

Wollstonecraft implored that thepersistence of women being nothingor little more than sex objects is ahindrance to human progress thatwould result in the deterioration ofsociety. She advocated the educationof women, who, as she pointed out,are fundamental to the nation aseducators of its children. Throughproper education, as Wollstonecraftobserves, women can be physicians,master politics, or pursue businessof “various kinds.” Wollstonecraft’smessage is relevant today,considering the media’s

romanticization of video vixens, and generally the societalproclivity to value a woman’s appearance above herintelligence, character, and integrity.

- Yolanda Martin

Mary Wollstonecraft was an 18th century British author andwomen’s rights advocate, who is considered today as one ofthe founding feministsphilosophers, though the termfeminism had not been coinedduring her lifetime. In herbook, “A Vindication of theRights of Woman,” which wasdedicated to the Frenchdiplomat Charles Maurice deTalleyrand-Périgord, andpublished in 1792,Wollstonecraft responds toeducational and politicaltheorists of the day whoshunned the education ofwomen. The book, which waswritten in the wake of theFrench Revolution, wasspecifically inspired byWollstonecraft’s reading ofTalleyrand’s 1791 report to theFrench National Assembly,which stated that womenshould only receive a domesticeducation. Talleyrand hadimplored “Let us bring upwomen, not to aspire toadvantages which theConstitution denies them, butto know and appreciate thosewhich it guarantees them.”

Wollstonecraft argues that women are deserving of the samefundamental rights as men, and criticizes the viewing ofwomen as “ornaments” to society or traded property totheir husbands, to whom they should be “companions,”according to Wollstonecraft, rather than mere wives.

She Read...A Vindication of the Rights of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft

The F.F.E.W. is our program for middle and high schoolgirls living in the Memphis area. The program. uses a girl’sinterest in the glitz and glamour of the fashion industry to:

- Increase interest in and knowledge of technology- Further positive personal development- Increase exposure to career opportunities- Build leadership skills- Build positive self image and esteem- Strengthen academic skills- Develop smart consumerism

In November, we began operating with a new curriculumwhich will be offered through six 4-week modules andone summer camp. We also added a program track forhigh school girls targeted at girls who want to have acareer in the fashion industry.

A new session (Level I A - Intro) for middle school girlsbegan on Monday, November 8, 2010. Since we wantthe girls to begin to think strategically about being able tolive out their dreams, the program began with showingthem how to develop dream boards that expressed theirfuture goals.

Upcoming Sessions

Winter Fashion Camp(Middle and High School)

Grades 6 - 9Monday through Thursday

December 27 - 30, 20108:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The F.F.E.W. Winter Fashion Camp will all beabout helping girls realize how special they are.

Some of the most dynamic women in the city willgather around the girls and share their stories andexpertise to make sure they feel good about and

care for themselves in a manner befittingthe “stars” they are.

The camp will be open to a maximum of 10 girls.Deadline for registration is Friday, Dec. 3, 2010.

January Sessions

Level I B(Intro - Middle School)

Grades 6 - 8Monday, January 3, 2011 -

Wednesday, January 26, 2011Mon. and Wed. 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Level I A(Intro - High School)

Grades 9 - 10Tuesday, January 4, 2011 -Thursday, January 27, 2011

Tues. and Thurs. 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

We will also conduct a two-session,Saturday Intensive for girls who want to

enter the program and who missedthe Level IA).

To see the entire course outline and forregistration information, please visit

the website at

www.theffew.com

P.A.U.S.E. (Professional Assertive United Sisters ofExcellence) is a Registered Student Organization on TheUniversity of Memphis Campus. It was started by SamanthaFrazier, along with nine other women about five years ago.It was created to unite the Women at The University ofMemphis off all races, creeds, and economic backgrounds.P.A.U.S.E. has grown over the years and currently has over100 paid members who are actively involved on campus.

The organization works to encourage success academically,professionally, and socially in female students by providinginformation, training, and networking opportunities.Academically, they hold study groups in the library at leasttwice a month. Professionally, they host workshops thatfocus on various topics such as Resume Writing,Interviewing Techniques, and How to Dress for Success.

Although P.A.U.S.E. is seen as a Professional Organization,P.A.U.S.E. has fun! They have movie nights and host severaldifferent events on campus. They ensure that their membersare building their professional skills while having fun andconnecting with other members.

Their Current Philanthropy is Upward Steps located aboutseven minutes from campus. Members are also offered an

P.A.U.S.EP.A.U.S.EP.A.U.S.EP.A.U.S.EP.A.U.S.E

Our Volunteers in Lights!

opportunity to increase their community service hours bygetting actively involved in their community.For more information: Visit http://pauseuofm.yolasite.comor email them at pauseuofm@gmail.comPresident: Antionette BookerVice-President: Briana Federick

Volunteer OpportunitiesPlease call our office at 901-452-8882 or email volunteer@womenofsss.org if you’d like to volunteer in any ofthese current opportunities.

We are looking for volunteers to assist as tutors with our afterschol program for girls called The F.F.E.W. (TheFuture’s Fashion Entrepreneurial Women). Tutors will be needed from 4:30 - 5:30 on Monday andWednesday, and on 2:30 - 4:00 on Tuesday and Thursday.

Our cookbook committee chairman, Christine Province, needs volunteers who will donate their favoriterecipes, test submitted recipes, and proof recipes.

Volunteer – Become a Woman of Style, Spirit and Success!

P.A.U.S.E. Volunteers pose for photo op after assisting with Divas, Darlings and Desserts. Members are (Left toRight) — Shondre Jordan, Kelicia Nelson, Ashley Raggs, Candace Peppers, Marquita Snow, Alexandra Gray, andBriana Federick (P.A.U.S.E. Vice-President).

GirlsGettingWired.orgVisit • Connect • Learn • Grow

Marketplace

www.wealthmap.org

January - March 2011

Women of Style, Spirit & Success, Inc. is a non-profit,501(c)3 organization dedicated to improving economicconditions for women and children through initiativesthat assist them with career and entrepreneurialpursuits.

Our mission is to help women and girls embrace anduse technology as a means to lead more productivelives, operate more successful businesses, and preparefor the careers of the future.

About Us

Our ProgramsThe F.F.E.W. (Future’s Fashion EntrepreneurialWomen) uses a girl’s interest in the glitz and glamour

of the fashion industry toincrease her awareness of anduse of technology andScience, Technology,Engineering and Math(STEM) career opportunities..Girls enrolled in the programdo a variety of fashion-related

projects to gain an overall sense of the industry’sconnectivity to other industries and academicdisciplines. For more information, visit the website atwww.theffew.com.

3340 Poplar AvenueSuites 330-333

Memphis, TN 38111901.452.8882

FAX 901.452.8823www.womenofsss.org

www.girlsgettingwired.orgwww.theffew.com

Women of Style, Spirit andSuccess - The Magazine ismonthly e-publication. It is the waywe connect our community as well asdisseminate information and providelinks to resources. The publication,which is distributed monthly, also

features advice on how to “tune up” and prepare yourbody, mind and spirit for the success you seek.

The Magazine

Our Wish ListProjector

ComputersFlat screen monitors

Sewing MachinesFabrics*Linings*

Knitting/crochet yarnsThread

Sewing machine needlesCrochet needles

BobbinsScissors

Straight pinsPin cushions

Magnetic pin holdersTape measuresTailoring chalk

Assorted buttonsIrons

Ironing boardsIroning board covers

Pressing hamsFlash drives

Blank DVDs / CDsCopy paper

Manilla foldersWhite three ring bindersClear plastic shoe boxes

White poster boardsThree-fold presentation boards

*So that fabrics are suitable for immediate use by thegirls in our program, we ask that you please wash or

dry clean fabrics in advance of donating.

Board of DirectorsDorothy Gourdine – Chair

Life With ClarityHampton, VA

Nyanza Y. Duplessis - Secretary/TreasurerDepartment of Community Affairs

Atlanta, GA

Julio CepedaLebonheur Children’s Hospital

Memphis, TN

Sophorn McRaeFormus Inc. Architects and Partners

Memphis, TN

Penelope WolfePenny Wolfe Creative Services

Millington, TN

StaffMarva G. Ballard - President / CEO

Kapriskie Mack - Financial Resources Developer(AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer)

Keisha Moore-Alston - The F.F.E.W. Program Resources Developer(AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer)

Marceline K. Vaughn - C.L.I.C. Campaign Resources Developer(AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer)

Julie Wintker - Volunteer Resources Developer(AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer)

Karen D. Moore - Public Relations Director

Michael Tanner - Volunteer Technical Resource Assistant

Amber Banks - Publications Assistant

Our Team

www.bestbuy.com

Sessions resume in January 2011with an emphasis on smart phones,e-readers and apps.