Imagine a computer program where you could place your hands on the screen and immediately receive positive feedback: You are loving. You are a great friend. You are a wonderful painter, writer, actor, student or teacher.  You are strong and healthy and perfectly beautiful just the way you are.

Now imagine the opposite.

Sega and Japanese makeup giant, Shiseido have teamed up to create a new game for Nintendo DS called The Beauty Project, perhaps more suitably called the Feel Ugly Project. The game aims to “rate [women’s] looks and suggest repairs.” The partaker scans her face with the accompanying face scanner (tell me that doesn’t sound scary…) and receives judgment on its parameters, going so far as to have her hair follicles closely examined electronically (gross). Her face is then judged as cool, active, cute or feminine and allotted make-up tips toward improving her appearance. She is left with an image of her current face beside a photo of her face with suggested improvements.

Granted, the categories (cool, active, cute and feminine) are all positive.  But categorically judging our faces does little to promote well-being or positivity. Who wants to look at her face and say, “Gee, my face is athletic looking today!” My suspicion is that young girls who are already battling insecurities will be drawn to the game, seeking self enhancement and validation. She will not find either of these things here.

Sega spokeswoman Rei Sugiyama explains that “the user can have a variety of make-up tips for different occasions….find colors that are good on you but you never realized before.” What Sega is failing to recognize is how many women will look to the game for beauty tips, yet leave feeling judged and inadequate.

Curious whether others felt as I do about the potential dangers posed by this game, I asked Jessica Leidner, clinical therapist at Loma Linda Behavioral Medicine Center, her thoughts. “We must seriously question and challenge a ‘game’ which is training young women to literally transform their faces, flaws, and physical appearances to a prescribed societal ideal.” Excellent point.

Beauty is objective and should not be judged or manipulated through the guise of a game.  In a world already overrun with negative media influences and portrayals of beauty, the woman playing this game looks into her computer screen and watches as her face is dissected  and measured. (Blech.)

One of the top Google search headings reads: “Beauty Project: The Game You Should Buy for Your Girlfriend.” A note to you guys out there – buying your girlfriend a product that judges her face in this way is no more supportive than buying her a broom and mop for Valentine’s Day. Tell her she is beautiful for who she is, no “repairs” required.  Support her interests and abilities rather than what type of lipstick she should or shouldn’t wear. Yes, we want to feel beautiful, but that doesn’t come from having our faces analyzed in this way. A “game” designed for such critique is the last thing she or our world needs.

The Beauty Project will launch in November. Needless to say, it hasn’t made my Christmas list.

Sources: CNet News, Saga, Jessica Leidner, MA, MFTI

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Excitement surged as I made my way to the newly restored Orpheum Theatre in downtown LA. After much anticipation, I was finally going to see my favorite band, Goldfrapp. Known for their phenomenal stage presence and visual theatrics, there was no doubt in my mind that they were going to put on one hell of a show. Plus, I had center orchestra seats! The night could not be more perfect…or so I thought.

Before we hit the theater, my guest and I decided to grab a drink next door. When I bellied up to the bar, I realized that I had forgotten my driver’s license in my other purse. Lesson number one: Never leave home without checking your clutch for your ID.

Brushing the disappointment aside as I carefully examined my tickets, I noticed that they were balcony level. They weren’t center orchestra! How did I not realize this before? I had been scammed by the Ebay salesman! Lesson number two: Upon arrival of tickets, make sure you get exactly what you purchased.

At this point, I felt foolish, but I wasn’t going to let it ruin my night. Once we got inside, I was amazed by the spacious orchestra and large balcony (where my seats were). Turns out the balcony seats weren’t too shabby. The view of the stage was great, and the setting was reminiscent of a vaudeville theatre.

As concert goers slowly trickled into the dimly lit area, a staff member walked over to our seats. “Oh no! Now what?” I thought to myself. After looking at our tickets, he informed us that our tickets were duplicates, and that he was going to have to speak to his manager. Apparently Mr. Ebay had scammed me and another buyer, selling us both the same seats. Lesson three: Beware of sketchy, online scalpers. Buy your tickets from a reliable source.

Ten minutes later, he returned and told us that we could stay but the other people who had been duped had to repurchase their tickets. My guest and I were able to stay because we arrived in advance. Lesson four: Always get to your destination early to avoid getting the boot.

With the ticket issue resolved, it was finally time to hear the electro hippie chic sounds of Goldfrapp. The distinctively mellow instrumentals coupled with the soothing voice of Alison Goldfrapp were well worth the wait. The six piece band was accompanied with a harpist, which made for a folksy and sensual performance.

Although their latest album, Seventh Tree, is a self described “sensual counterpoint to the glitterball glamour of their last album,” the band did not disappoint. However, they did play some of their up tempo dance hits like  “Satin Chic” and “Oh La La,” which complimented the ever-changing colored backdrops and bright lighting. By the end of the show, everyone was out of their seats rocking out to sounds of Goldfrapp. Despite the incoveniences, it turned out to be an unforgettable night.

That Girl Says: Love it! Awesome tunes and a beautiful location; what more could you ask for? “Legit tickets and a cocktail,” you say? No way. I wouldn’t have changed this night for the world. Makes for a good story, don’t you think?

Check out Goldfrapp at http://www.myspace.com/goldfrapp

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Reuniting Disturbia’s dynamic duo of director, D.J. Caruso and star, Shia LaBeouf, Eagle Eye descends on multiplexes for audiences to enjoy.  LaBeouf plays Jerry Shaw, a troubled kid who returns home after the mysterious death of his twin brother to find he is being framed for terrorism.  Jerry encounters Rachel Holloman (Michelle Monaghan), who, like Jerry, has been thrown into a world of terror by a phone call from an unknown woman.  The voice on the phone pushes these two strangers into a series of dangerous events using the technology of everyday life to track and control their movements.

As the drama escalates, Rachel and Jerry become fugitives who must obey the commands of the phone calls or sacrifice their lives and those of their families.  Racing against the clock and with federal agents in pursuit, the two must work together to discover what is happening and why, before it is too late.

Eagle Eye is a thriller in the true sense of the word, a wild ride from start to finish and with strong performances from LaBeouf, Monaghan and Billy Bob Thornton (Agent Tom Morgan), there is never a dull moment.  Yet in the midst of car chases and impressive special effects, there is a thought-provoking story that can’t help but cause fear in audiences.

These days, everyone has a computer, a cell phone, credit cards, even social networking accounts and it is truly frightening to watch a depiction of how these personal technologies could possibly be used against us.  While the events that take place in the film are far from believable, they serve as top-notch entertainment and beg questions that are well worth exploring.

That Girl says: Love It!  Eagle Eye is a terrifying thriller that will not only keep you on the edge of your seat, but encourage you to examine the line between protection and privacy and explore the dangers of artificial intelligence in a world where technology is evolving at a possibly catastrophic rate.

Release Date:  September 26th, 2008 Wide
Running Time:  118 minutes
Rated:  PG-13
Company:  Dreamworks SKG
Cast: Shia LaBeouf – Jerry Shaw
Michelle Monaghan – Rachel Holloman
Rosario Dawson – Zoe Perez
Michael Chiklis – Defense Secretary Callister
Anthony Mackie – Major William Bowman
Billy Bob Thornton – Agent Thomas Morgan
Director:  D.J. Caruso
Official Site:  www.eagleeyemovie.com

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Shawn Pelofsky, a vivacious Leo who craves the limelight and shares a profile with Barbara Streisand, has recently declared she is going “balls to the wall.”  Since graduating USC with a theater degree, she has dedicated the last eleven years to comedy and is finally quitting her day job. Since comedy (especially stand-up) can be a difficult niche for a woman to carve out, Pelofsky learned to develop a thick skin.

When you think of successful comedians, she points out, names that immediately come to mind are those of men: Dane Cook, Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld.  There’s a stereotype that women comics only talk about their periods or how they hate men.  Pelofsky admitted, “Sometimes I get to the stage after a set of men all night…and people role their eyes, like ‘Who let her in? What’s a woman doing in here?’ and you feel it. You feel it from the audience and you feel it from the other comics.”

Rather than letting these feelings discourage her, she uses them as challenges to make her a better performer.  At certain clubs she is frequently billed in what she calls “the vagina spot,” because it’s usually the only slot to feature a woman.  This is the opening act, and the most difficult, because she’s warming up the crowd.  “I’m not scared,” she says, “You can put me in any venue and people aren’t going to get to me because I’m a pro.  I have to work through an audience. They’ve had no drinks, they just sat down, they battled traffic, you might as well hit them over the head with a mallet…So you’ve got to calm the people down.”

Sometimes they laugh and sometimes they don’t, but she keeps her attitude positive.  “You can always work more, you can always be better, you can always be funnier, you can always be stronger,” Pelofsky says.

Dedicating herself again and again to this philosophy she has performed as much as possible, even while balancing a day job.  “I was getting up at six in the morning, working till 5:30…I would then go straight to a gig, maybe drive to Santa Barbara that night, perform, come back, sleep three hours or so, get up, do it again, and on the weekends I was going away and performing as well.” That’s not even mentioning the challenges of maintaining relationships and friendships as well.

Most impressive is that even with her busy schedule, Pelofsky still wants to “give back.” She has gone on multiple tours to entertain our troops in Japan, Korea, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Kosovo.  Agreeing on a whim, she jokes, “It’s so hard to meet someone in Los Angeles.” But on a serious note says it turned out to be “the most rewarding experience I have ever faced.”

Now that Pelofsky is doing comedy full-time she has several projects in the works.  She has a packed schedule of live performances and is developing a screenplay entitled, “Think Pink,” which documents the trials and tribulations of Mary Kay sales reps. She also dreams of one day having her own talk show.  Her path is not an easy one, but through perseverance she has made it her own.  “I hope I can inspire other women to pursue a career in comedy because we need more of them.”

Want to know more about Shawn Pelofsky?

Check her out at: www.hahachick.com and www.myspace.com/hahachick

Up-Coming Performances:
The Comedy Store: Most Saturday nights
Pretty Funny Women at the Hollywood Improv: October 15th

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If you’ve ever fallen victim to a “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot,” there are two reasons why seeing 9 to 5: The Musical is better than fulfilling your dreams of kidnapping and hog-tying him to the ceiling. 1) You save yourself from any legal complications by letting the female characters do just that, and 2) you are guaranteed a good time watching them do it with a full chorus of singers and dancers backing them up.

Based on the 1980 film starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton, the musical tells the story of three women fighting to gain respect in the male-dominated workforce.  In the musical rendition, Patricia Resnick’s script comes alive with a score by Miss Dollywood, of course (Dolly Parton).

Filling Fonda, Tomlin, and Parton’s shoes is a formidable task, but the musical’s cast holds their own.  Allison Janney stars as Violet Newstead, a snarky supervisor who consistently gets passed up for promotions by younger men.  Megan Hilty plays Doralee Rhodes, a sexy secretary whose blonde hair, big boobs, and country accent overshadow her intelligence.  And, Stephanie J. Block transforms into Judy Bernly, the mousy newcomer who struggles to get back on her feet when her husband dumps her for a younger woman. The three office-mates come together to stir up the pot in their workplace.

Violet, Doralee, and Judy scheme to kidnap their über-sexist boss (Marc Kudisch) and take over the company after a particularly bad day at the office.  But when their plan goes awry, the three women must devise a way to cover their tracks while keeping things running smoothly.

Janney’s deadpan delivery fits her character to a tee, and her rendition of “One of the Boys” is superb.  Hilty oozes sexuality, but the vulnerability she shows in the “Backwoods Barbie” number will remind you that even the pretty ones struggle.  Block is ideal as the timid divorcee, and when you hear her vocals explode in “Get Out and Stay Out,” the ode to independence aimed at her ex, you marvel at the restraint she has shown thus far.

Alongside the phenomenal leads is a memorable supporting cast.  Kudisch is the boss you love to hate, and his over-the-top effusions make his misogynistic diatribes as amusing as they can be.  Also notable is Kathy Fitzgerald as Roz, the office spy who secretly has the hots for her boss.

Though none of the film’s actors appear in the musical adaptation, they can be proud that 9 to 5: The Musical is as thoroughly entertaining and politically biting as the original.

That Girl Says: Love it!  Gender discrimination is still highly relevant to today’s society, and we need to talk about the glass ceiling in order to eliminate it.  Why not break the ice with a highly rousing musical production?

Performances: Tuesday-Sunday, Sept. 9th-Oct. 19th, 2008 at the Ahmanson Theatre at the Music Center
Additional information and ticket sales: http://www.centertheatregroup.org
Running time: 2 ½ hours with a 15-minute intermission
Directed by: Joe Mantello
Music and Lyrics by: Dolly Parton
Book by: Patricia Resnick
Starring: Allison Janney, Stephanie J. Block, and Megan Hilty

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The Alexandria Hotel in the heart of downtown Los Angeles is historic and majestic. It is here, on a set made of chalk, we learn that Jeff Chalk has gone missing. Catapulted into near stardom at the local high school since his disappearance, four young women pull the audience into their world as they come to terms with the impact of this mystery in their small town of Clear Creek. The play is biting and cynical in its telling, while at the heart of the story two of the girls pine for the missing boy. They lash out at each other and their friends as they deal with the stress and fear that descends like a black cloud over their lives, touching and changing everything.

After viewing this suspenseful production, IATG had the pleasure of speaking with up-and-coming playwright, Joshua Conkel. Twenty-seven years old and from a small town in the northwest reminiscent of Clear Creek, Conkel has thrown himself into the New York City culture and banded together with a theater company called The Management. “The Chalk Boy” has been running in New York City and Los Angeles’s Company of Angels, simultaneously. Though Conkel is experienced as a director and as an actor, “The Chalk Boy” is the first show he’s written that they’ve produced. He says he wrote the piece because he was “frustrated by the lack of interesting plays and roles available for queers, weirdos, and other outcasts.”

This show is chalk full of all of the above. Conkel’s style of quick paced modern teen slang does much to reveal the myriad uncertainties and vulnerabilities that lie beneath the fragile teenage psyche. We asked him why he would choose to write from the perspective of teenage women (and write it so accurately!). He explained that he grew up in a time when media was inundated with teenage girl pop culture, and he enjoys reminding his audiences of the “throw-aways” of pop culture or, as he puts it, “the garbage from the cultural consciousness.”

What’s next for Joshua Conkel? Aside from moving forward with The Management’s 2009 season, he has other projects in the works. He hopes to perform his one-man show “The Invisible Boy Says Goodbye” in living rooms across Manhattan and Brooklyn as well to launch a new web series, entitled Chris and Chris are Heinous Bitches. You can keep updated on Conkel’s projects, as well as keep up-to-date on his latest rants and obsessions by checking out his blog: www.tarhearted.typepad.com.

That Girl says: Love it! Definitely check out this show. Aside from getting to poke around a scary haunted hotel, it is great to be reminded that theater can happen everywhere and anywhere. Though “The Chalk Boy” is classified as a dark comedy, its message reminds us that while girls are often mean to each other, we also have the choice to be kind.

Dates: September 4- October 12, 2008
Shows: Thursday- Saturday at 8pm, Sundays 7pm
Venue: The Alexandria Hotel 501 South Spring Street, Third Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Tickets: $15 can be purchased on-line or at the box office. Group Sales, please call: (323) 883-1717
For additional information: www.companyofangelstheater.org and www.mangaementcompany.org

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“I immediately thought death. I was freaking out,” says Diem Brown. This was the 26-year-old cancer survivor’s initial reaction when the doctor told her she had stage 2 ovarian cancer, a form of cancer that affects 13.3 of every 100,000 American women, only 3.4% of whom are between the ages of 20 and 34. “I’m healthy! And young! I didn’t believe it could happen to me,” she says. She soon made the decision that nothing, not even cancer would hold her back. She wouldn’t let it interrupt her life.

To say this young woman is vivacious is as much of an understatement as the word cancer is daunting. Diem’s enthusiasm, her zest for life and her considerate heart surpass even her outter beauty (which she has a lot of!). She had been selected for MTV’s show,  Fresh Meat: The Real World/Road Rules prior to her diagnosis. The show involved crazy stunts, jumping from planes and other push-yourself to the limits competitions. Diem was determined to partake and so convinced her doctor to postpone full treatment until after the show. This meant that her treatment would be even longer and more rigorous. “But,” she says, “worth it.”

Brown kept her cancer diagnosis to herself while shooting. “I didn’t want to be known as that sick girl,” she says. She had what she explains many cancer patients possess — an intense desire to go out and do everything possible, explaining, “Everything crazy in life, I wanted to do it now.” Her illness did eventually slip out to fellow cast members and viewers. As a result she was once referred to as “that cancer girl on MTV.” She doesn’t take offense to this. Rather, she embraces it. “If I can show people that they can get through cancer, I’m proud of it. I want to be a medium between those with cancer and others.”

Diem lives her life by this mantra, having started the Live for Challenge Foundation. The foundation was designed to help cancer patients attain whatever they might need. A quality wig, for example, might cost $2,000. Diem created a registry, similar to those used by brides and moms-to-be, only the requests made are for items that will make life and recovery more livable.

Diem says that cancer changed her life for the better. She took part in “Stand Up for Cancer,” which aired on the major public television networks recently and raised over $100 million for cancer research. She is concerned about the drastic measures of treatment. “Chemo,” she explains, “is like putting a nuclear bomb to an ant hill.” Through research she believes that less invasive, more tolerable forms of treatment and yes, a cure, to cancer are in the foreseeable future.

Diem is fully committed to this work and also hopes to one day host a “Katie Couric type show.” She laughs as she says this, but with her charm and depth of character, it seems only a matter of time before she indeed has one.

“I’m thankful to God that I had cancer,” she says, now more than two years into remission.  She says the experience shined a light on all the “little problems,” and has allowed her to fight and win. “Everyone has some sort of cancer in their life; something they have to overcome.” And each one, she says, can be overcome.

For additional information visit www.ovariancancer.org and The Live for Challenge foundation.

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The Duchess stepped out of the 18th Century and into theaters this weekend.  The film stars Keira Knightley as Georgiana Spencer or as history would come to know her, The Duchess of Devonshire.  The Duchess, referred to informally by her friends as “G,” was the original “It Girl,” a truly modern woman living in a patriarchal time.  She became a celebrity through her extravagant political and personal life and was a trend-setter for women of her day.

Like her direct descendant, Princess Diana, the Duchess of Devonshire is an icon of glamour and sophistication and adored by her country.  The only person whom she seemingly could not satisfy was her husband, the Duke (Ralph Fiennes), who insisted she produce a male heir.

Despite her power and popularity, she is forced into a love triangle when her husband takes a mistress. The betrayal is heightened by the fact that this mistress is a dear friend.  Meanwhile, the Duchess falls in love with an ambitious politician who shares her desire to inspire change in England, but when she attempts to follow her heart, the resulting controversy becomes the gossip of London.

I should start by saying that I am usually not a fan of period pieces.  I tend to find them dull and they rarely hold my attention.  That said, you can only imagine my surprise when I actually enjoyed this one.  Whereas many films set during this era can be hard for modern audiences to relate to and can lose viewers amidst a detailed history lesson in complex dialects, The Duchess is about as modern as they come.  Knightly is perfectly suited for this role and, while I doubt she is looking at an Oscar nomination for her performance, it is certainly one that should not to be missed.

The film depicts a character and a story that the modern woman can easily empathize with and find relatable.  We take pity on the Duchess and her situation, yet we respect her for her strength, wit and confidence.  Noticing the differences of today’s modern society and the depiction of the historical one in the film, viewers will be thankful for the strides women have made since then.

Beyond the true depiction of female empowerment, this film is worth seeing if for no better reason than the fashion.  Costume Designer, Michael O’Conner, does a superb job of recreating these looks for the screen  and the lavish costumes are truly astonishing.  I would venture to say this film is looking at several award nominations for costume design as we enter into academy season.

That Girl says: Like It! The Duchess tells the story of an extraordinary woman who rose to fame by pursuing her passions and challenging the status quo despite scandal and social standards.  This premise, in addition to strong performances and impressive costume design make this film the first must see of award season.

Release Date:  September 19th, 2008 Limited
Running Time:  110 minutes
Rated:  PG-13
Company:  Paramount Vantage
Cast: Keira Knightley – Georgiana, The Duchess of Devonshire
Ralph Fiennes – Duke of Devonshire
Charlotte Rampling – Lady Spencer
Dominic Cooper – Charles Grey
Hayley Atwell – Bess Foster
Director:  Saul Dibb
Official Site:  www.theduchessmovie.com

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Dear Readers,

Just over a decade ago, I read a magazine article about a young woman suffering from an intense eating disorder. As I read her thoughts and journal entries I thought, “Oh my god, this is me.” It was the first clue to myself that I, too, had a serious problem. At the bottom of the article was a list of resources, most prominently, the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA). “If you or a loved one needs help,” it read, “you aren’t alone.” I picked up the phone and called NEDA’s help line. The woman who answered was the first to hear me utter the words, “I think I have an eating disorder.” Now years of meaningful life and recovery later, I had the privilege of attending NEDA’s annual conference in Austin, Texas, on behalf of IATG.

The impact NEDA has had on my life is far from unique. The non-profit organization has helped over 50,000 individuals attain treatment. They receive over 50 million hits on their website each year. They envision a world completely free of eating disorders. NEDA’s conference is unlike any other, assisting families and all those affected by anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder. This year, nearly 500 clinicians, parents, family, friends, survivors and health care educators attended the event entitled, Break the Silence: Tools for Help, Hope and Healing.

I met women who’ve recently begun recovery and those who have maintained it for 30-plus years; a college professor who lost a beloved student at the hands of anorexia; a specialty book publisher and bulimia survivor who created the first ever help hotline in the late 70’s; a father of an eating disorder survivor who has dedicated his life to activism. “We were afraid we would lose her,” he told me. “We are just so grateful; we have to give back.” Healthy-size supermodel, Emme (pictured), an ambassador on the NEDA board made several appearances, expressing her love for the work NEDA partakes in. A multitude of treatment providers, counselors and teachers who are at the heart of implementing such crucial treatment shared their insight and wisdom as well.

Like one huge, loving family, the NEDA conference attendees bonded together, united by their common goals. “It’s one of the kindest atmospheres I’ve ever been in,” noted a therapist from Seattle. (If only every crowd of women radiated so positively…)

The only downfall of the conference was my inability to meet everybody, or attend everything. Every person I came across had a remarkable story to share. Every seminar offered inspiration, resources and helpful tools.

The last event I experienced was a one-woman show, entitled “The Thin Line.” The 30-minute play, written by Cathy Plourde, illuminated what it feels like to suffer from an eating disorder in a very human way. Tears stung at my eyes as I recalled my past struggles and, more importantly, reflected on my healthy life now — working with remarkable women as an editor for IATG and as a nutritional therapist, helping others who struggled as I did. Much of my recovery is thanks to people and organizations like NEDA. The conference was an affirmation of my own healing and a source of inspiration to do more, to reach out more, to talk more, to help more, to listen more and to give more.

Susie Roman, NEDA’s Program Coordinator, tells girls to “see the change you can make in whatever community you can. You can have a voice,” she explains, “and you can make a difference.” Susie is right. On behalf of IATG, I encourage you to utilize your gifts toward dreaming big and helping others. By using our gifts to help others, we, in a sense, become those help hot-lines ourselves, creating bridges for those who struggle.

Thank you, Readers and thank you, NEDA!

Love & health,

August

If you or a loved one is suffering from an eating disorder, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Visit www.nationaleatingdisorders.org or call NEDA’s help hotline at 1-800-931-2237.

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One of the perks of my job is that I often have meetings or lunches set up for me with people I have never met and, despite the cliche fears surrounding blind dates, I have yet to be disappointed. On this particular occasion I had a lunch scheduled with a girl named, Courtney who had lost her mom to cancer and at 22 years old, responded to this devastating situation by starting and running her own non-profit. Seeing as our company is dedicated to finding these kinds of gems in female form, she was a prime candidate for I am That Girl. So one of our girls contacted her and set up a lunch for us to meet, talk and hopefully find a way to mutually support one another.

As our company gets bigger and more people are interested in partnering with us, we have gratefully had the opportunity to become very selective. We decided from the onset that no matter how “successful” we became that we had a bigger mission of maintaining out integrity and that of the people we chose to work with. Going into my lunch with Courtney at Toast (one of my favorite restaurants on 3rd street) I realized that I actually knew very little about her.

So we did the awkward “don’t know what each other looks like, so talk on your cell phone and wave your arms until you find one another” dance. Immediately what struck me was she was gorgeous and not in the typical way. You know how Santa’s eyes kind of sparkle? Or they always did in my dreams anyway. That’s a bit what she reminded me of. It was as though she had a light turned on from within like the dancing flames inside a jack-o-lantern on a dark Halloween night. And all of this was before I ever had the chance to hear her life story.

In summary she lost her mother to cancer. It originated as breast cancer and though it only affects a few percentages of people, the chemo therapy induced leukemia. She talked about her “fashionista” mom and the two years she spend fighting for her life, struggling to be at her graduation even though doctors strongly tried to discourage her. The whole time she was talking, I had a frog sublet a spot in my throat and my eye lid dams kept threatening to break from the pressure of my welling up tears. I kept envisioning my own mother and how similarly we were best friends. I tried to imagine what I would do and how I would react if anything every happened to her and even the thought now sends my heart into a tailspin.

Now I could harp on the horrific circumstances Courtney fell under; losing her mother, her best friend, her greatest role model and real life angel, but she is no victim and to cast her in that light would be a travesty. It is this warrior-like mentality, unwavering will and courageous heart I want to highlight because it is that light I see glowing irrepressibly from her eyes and the glow that radiates around Courtney that took my breath away. Because if we live by the circumstances we are given, the cards we are dealt, then we are constantly at the whim of something, someone else. It’s in SPITE of her circumstances that Courtney has now selflessly dedicated her life to others who face similar situations.

Our I am That Girl DREAM TEAM recently attended a big event Courtney put on and we did a big interview with her after. One of the girls asked for any suggestions on how to angle the story; I said, “It’s easy; paint her as the strong, beautiful warrior of a woman that she is. She overcame the hardest thing she’ll most likely ever face, but by losing her mom, she found her courage and in doing so is an inspiration to anyone graced by her presence. After all her motto is, ‘Live Life (period).’”

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