Photos by Brandi-Lee Doucette and friends | Twitter: @brandilee1
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It’s hard to put into words what we (38 women + Josh) accomplished yesterday. It’s hard to give expression to the strength and camaraderie we saw yesterday as we supported and suffered (yes, it was hard) on behalf of our sisters in Northern Uganda. Stiff knees, sore hamstrings, purple toes and seizing hips seem insignificant compared to what some of our sisters have endured. We are laughing and crying, because yesterday “the good guys” won for a change.
Thirty-eighty women in our world have come alive. Our Facebook newsfeed is proof of that. There is a steady stream of “likes,” notes, comments, pictures, tweets and emails flying around. Our friends and family have rallied so beautifully around this cause—there’s something about a company of women rising up to be the change that sets hearts ablaze and moves others to mobilize too.
We hope these pictures communicate some of the very big emotion of our day.
We love you more than carbo-loading before race day,
xoxo
Teen + Idelette
On Derek Sivers, being gutsy and how to start a movement.
by Tina Francis | Twitter: @teenbug
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In the last couple of weeks, I’ve had more than one person refer to me as “leader.” The l-word often induces a severe panic attack that can only be treated by taking deep cleansing breaths into a family-sized bag of Cheetos.
Apparently, I now live in a parallel universe where 65 women are willing to run a half-marathon to raise $50,000 with me.
I lay awake at night tormented by the following thoughts:
- How am I going to run 21 km?
- Are my thighs ever going to get smaller?
- How are we going to raise $50,000?
- No seriously, I think my thighs are getting bigger…
My terribly unimpressive life, that mostly involved binge-eating bread and browsing the Internet, radically transformed overnight. I’m suddenly an email-answering ninja who runs at night. How did I become this unlikely cocktail of Anderson Cooper and Lance Armstrong?
The best part? It’s contagious.
The 65 women who said yes are experiencing a similar phenomenon.
I’m witnessing first-hand, a small but significant undergroundmovement. Women are waking up from a deep slumber. Snow White and Sleeping Beauty are no longer lounging in their 300 thread-count Egyptian Cotton sheets, waiting for Prince Charming to come rescue them. They are going to tag-team with Cinderella, Belle and Jasmine to kick some serious booty.
How To Start a Movement?
I got some interesting responses when I posted the question on my Facebook Wall:
Some of my faves:
- “One compellingly worthy, passionate, adoptable idea that breeds its own momentum through people moved upon to act.” -Doug
- “Start a conversation about something that matters… and keep inviting people into that space.” -Kelley
- “Just move” -Andy
I’m pretty sure that last one was meant to be a joke but it still packs a punch. How many times have we wanted to do something but have been too paralyzed by the fear of failure to “move.” It is reminiscent of Nike’s slogan, “Just do it.”
Since all of life’s big questions are answered on Google I did a search on “How to start a movement?” That is when I found a fascinating TED talk by Derek Sivers best known for being the founder and former president of CD Baby.
You have to watch this 3-minute video. It’ short, sweet and resulted in a huge paradigm shift for me.
‘How to Start a Movement’ according to Derek Sivers:
A leader needs the guts to stand out and be ridiculed.
The first follower transforms a lone nut into a leader.
Now it’s not a lone nut, it’s not two nuts, three is a crowd, and a crowd is news.
A movement must be public.
It’s important to not just show the leader, but the followers because new followers emulate the followers, NOT the leader.
The biggest lesson– leadership is over-glorified. Yes, the shirtless guy was first, and he’ll get all the credit, but it was really the first follower that transformed the lone nut into a leader. <- This rocked my world
We’re told that we should all be leaders, but that would be really ineffective.
If you really care about starting a movement, have the courage to follow and show others how to follow.
When you find a lone nut doing something great, have the guts to be the first one to stand up and join in.
According to his definition I’m just the shirtless “lone nut” shaking my groove thang on the grass. It was only when my first follower (Idelette) joined me that I suddenly became a “leader.”
All the “new followers” emulate the followers. NOT the leader. NOT the original lone nut. NOT me.
If you’re doing something captivating, people will follow, validate and endorse you.
The large scale adoption of the “leader-follower” combo committed to one goal, idea or cause starts a movement.
That’s how a video goes viral on YouTube, a movie like Slumdog Millionaire wins 8 Academy Awards and millions of Egyptian protesters from different socio-economic and religious backgrounds demanded the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak’s powerful regime.
There was one shirtless lone nut that got the ball rolling.
I encourage you to either:
- Be that lone nut, or
- Support that lone nut and make him (her) a leader.
Joggers ‘Before & After’ + Inspiring NY Apartment + English Problems + Potato DIY Project + Rachel Platten= TGIF!
1. Joggers Before and After: Sacha Goldberger created an outdoor studio at a park near Paris and stopped joggers to ask them, if they would sprint for him, and then pose right after for his camera. Strangely enough many out of breath, joggers obliged. A week later he shot the same people at his professional studio recreating the pose from the park.
“I wanted to show the difference between our natural and brute side versus how we represent ourselves to society,” says Goldberger.
I find this series fascinating. To see the more images click: here.
2. I’m tickled pink by designer and style icon Iris Apfel’s in-your-face eclectic style. Her bold use of colour and patterns are inspiring. Her New York apartment would make a killer location for a photoshoot or music video. To see more pictures of her home click here.
3. English Problems: Here’s some YouTube goofiness for ya. My favourite is the “em-pha-sis” guy.
4. Potato Print DIY project: I love how this simple project that involves 5 potatoes and acrylic paints in rainbow colors, completely transforms a room. I’m tempted to experiment over the long weekend. For the DIY tutorial click here.
5. New York City singer-songwriter, pianist and beatboxer Rachel Platten’s album ‘Be Here’ is getting a lot of playtime on my runs. The album is full of head-bobbing music perfect for your morning commute to work.
So … my global SheLoves sisters:
- Is there a lone nut in your world that you need to be supporting?
- Are you the lone nut stalling for time, because you are afraid of putting yourself out there?
I’d love to hear your thoughts, fears and inspirations!
Dear half-marathon Bravehearts,
- I would love to hear what your friends and family have been saying to you, since you said yes.
- Are they using the word “inspiring” or “leader” to describe you?
I’d love to hear about what this experience has looked like for you!
SheLoves Half-Marathon for Living Hope
- How it all got started? Read the story: HERE
- Donate: HERE
- Facebook Event Page: HERE
______________________________________________________ About: My name is Tina. Loved ones call me: Teen. I am drawn to all that is fresh, spontaneous and creative.
Confession: Some girls dream about Manolo Blahniks or their next Hermes bag. Not me. I dream of freshly baked bread, perfectly barbecued meat & steaming bowls of Pho. My dream lover *cue Mariah Carey song* is someone who would read out a menu to me in Barry White’s baritone voice. ha.ha. Everything about food makes my toes curl. The only thing that excites me more than eating food is beautiful pictures of food.
I was born and raised in Dubai and currently live in the beautiful city of Vancouver, known for some of the best sushi in the world.
On skytrain journalism, sanitary pads and the real face of dignity.
by Tina Francis | Twitter: @teenbug
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I don’t typically brood over words like “dignity” while chomping on a piece of toast on a Thursday morning. I’m usually preoccupied with trying to make decisions like, “Can I get away with not washing my hair today?” or “How long can I sit on Facebook before I’m officially late for work?”
This week, however, was different. I came face-to-face with the stark reality that dignity is:
- A vague concept.
- A scarce commodity.
Allow me to illustrate my point by going over my week.
Monday: I spot this guy on the Skytrain. The repressed journalist in me just HAD to take a picture of his hoodie.
It’s a little hard to read in the picture because I was trying to be discreet. His hoodie says, “Chicks should come in six packs.” The infamous mudflap girl imprinted on each can. Pun intended.
The feminist in me was appalled. For the record: I’m not anti-men. I’m just pro-women.
“Was it just me, or was I being bullied, along with everyone else, into having to accept porn’s invasion into everyday life with its coarseness as the new norm?”- Lili Bee
Wednesday: I sat across from this guy…
“My parts are the best,” his T-shirt reads. TMI … but I’ll take your word for it kind sir. On closer inspection, it’s mudflap girl again! Only this time she’s on her knees. I’d like to give her the benefit of the doubt but I’m guessing she’s not changing the tires.
How does a woman living in today’s world define “dignity” when the media tells us we are most appreciated on our knees, half-dressed, preferably in front of an automobile.
Don’t believe me? Take Beyonce’s music video “Run the World” for example. Ms. Knowles is singing about female empowerment on all fours in front of a car. Look at the similarities between the T-shirt and the video.
Car? Check. Mudflap girl? Check. Girl power? I don’t think so. Talk about sending mixed signals.
I really don’t want this to sound Anti-Beyonce because I love the girl. She can sing, dance and is a successful business woman. What’s not to love? It just bothers me that the music video for a song about girl power is communicating a conflicting message.
Why aren’t there more T-shirts emblazoned with the faces of Rosa Parks, Madeleine Albright and Margaret Atwood? I’d wear that!
Thursday: As you can imagine I was feeling pretty deflated by this point. The overly sexualized imagery and language surrounding my gender was depressing.
In an effort to cheer myself up I was browsing through the Living Hope website on my lunch break. Readers who have been following SheLoves regularly know that a group of 50 women in Vancouver are running a Half-Marathon on September 25th to raise money for the Living Hope Program that aids women in northern Uganda.
Looking through the photos on the website, I saw a true picture of dignity. I saw women with deep-rooted self-worth, effortless grace, resourceful spirit, fervent courage and untainted joy.
This is the kind of “girl power” that appeals to me. I’m tired of the in-your-face, skin-baring, swearing-like-a-sailor, overly sexual, middle-finger showing, aggressive, violent, catty, condescending “girl power” the media advertises. It’s a cop-out. It’s counterfeit.
True girl power is someone who forgives the unforgivable, loves the unlovable and dares to show up for life even at the risk of getting hurt in the process.
“What should move us to action is human dignity: the inalienable dignity of the oppressed, but also the dignity of each of us. We lose dignity if we tolerate the intolerable.”- Dominique De Menil
The Intolerable: Abducted, gang-raped, infected with AIDS, left for dead, mutilated, forgotten, beaten, disfigured, shunned from society and sold as sex slaves.
“Restoring dignity” is the mandate of the Living Hope program that supports the women of northern Uganda. These women have suffered the intolerableand are rising up from the ashes, daring to rewrite their story.
That to me is real “dignity.”
Real women with real dignity
This is the glee-inducing portion of this post. The Living Hope Training Center provides vocational training and helps the women generate projects with the help of micro-finance loans.
The key to restoring their sense of dignity is training and equipping them with skill sets so they can integrate back into their communities as valued contributing members of society.
Here’s a peek into the Living Hope Training Centre in Gulu:
1. Sewing Workshops
2. Making Honey
3. I was saving the best for last, a brilliant initiative called “MAKAPADS.”
According to UNICEF, approximately 1 in 10 African girls will skip school during menstruation because they fear being ridiculed or stigmatized. Rural schools don’t usually have proper toilet facilities or water and girls can’t afford sanitary pads. Often times they have to resort to unsanitary alternatives like leaves or cloth. This is the crucial juncture where many girls drop out of school.
The Living Hope ladies in Gulu have been part of an initiative that provides affordable sanitary pads, called Makapads made mainly of papyrus reeds and almost entirely of local materials. It is exciting because, not only is this a skills development opportunity, but the ladies also get to be a part of an initiative that is giving a new generation of girls the opportunity to remain in school.
The finished product is pretty impressive if you ask me!
“Our ladies are not a drama of victimization; they are a story of empowerment that transforms formerly abducted little girls into successful businesswomen.”- Marilyn Skinner, Founder of Watoto – Living Hope
Transforming abducted girls into successful business women?!
Hello? I love that.
“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
I’ve been running to Rachel Platten’s album “Be Here”this week. It’s upbeat without being preachy. The video below is a live recording of her song “Nothing Ever Happens.” Enjoy!
“Nothing ever happens if you stay in your room
Nothing ever happens if you leave the party too soon
Never be a winner if you’re not in the game
Nothing ever happens if you always play it safe
So, make a little space and get out of your own way.”
So … my global SheLoves sisters:
- Does the portrayal of women in media affect you on a personal level?
- Any stories or anecdotes that you’d like to share in lieu of this post?
- What is your definition of dignity?
Dear SheLoves Half-Marathon Bravehearts,
- Many of you have had milestone runs this past week, how are you feeling about the Half-Marathon now? Is the end in sight?
- How are your fundraising efforts going? I’d love to hear about how you’ve been spreading awareness. Mailouts, phonecalls, meetings over coffee, email, etc?
SheLoves Half-Marathon for Living Hope
- How it all got started? Read the story: HERE
- Donate: HERE
- Facebook Event Page: HERE
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About: My name is Tina. Loved ones call me: Teen. I am drawn to all that is fresh, spontaneous and creative.
Confession: Some girls dream about Manolo Blahniks or their next Hermes bag. Not me. I dream of freshly baked bread, perfectly barbecued meat & steaming bowls of Pho. My dream lover *cue Mariah Carey song* is someone who would read out a menu to me in Barry White’s baritone voice. ha.ha. Everything about food makes my toes curl. The only thing that excites me more than eating food is beautiful pictures of food.
I was born and raised in Dubai and currently live in the beautiful city of Vancouver, known for some of the best sushi in the world.
by Tina Francis | Twitter: @teenbug
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Remember the scene in the movie Miss Congeniality when Sandra Bullock’s character announces, “I’m not gonna parade around in a swimsuit like some airhead bimbo that goes by the name Gracie Lou Freebush and all she wants is world peace?”
In a later scene she finds herself in the Q & A round of the beauty pageant, facing the exact situation she was dreading:
Stan Fields: What is the one most important thing our society needs? Gracie Hart: That would be harsher punishment for parole violators, Stan.
[crowd is silent] Gracie Hart: [plastic smile] And world peace!
[crowd cheers ecstatically]
In the final scene of the movie, Sandra Bullock comes clean with her fellow beauty pageant contestants about being an undercover FBI agent.
And then … something unexpected happens. She gets teary-eyed, fans her face with her hands (like they often do in beauty pageants) and says, “The thing is … I really do want world peace.” [crowd erupts in applause]
Heal the World?
I think a lot of us can relate to Gracie Hart’s sentiment. We hear the news, we see the headlines, we are aware that people are hurting in Haiti, Japan and Israel.
It breaks our hearts.
But here’s the problem: the enormity of the injustice in the world is overwhelming. It’s too big. It’s intangible. It’s monstrous nebulous form is hard to wrap our minds around.
Titanic Analogy
If the world and its endless problems are the sinking Titanic, then we are the panicking passengers on board the ship (of life) trying to find a piece of driftwood (i.e. job, SUV, iPhone, etc.) to hold on for dear life. We don’t make eye contact (or heart contact) with anybody because (God forbid!) we might have to share our tiny piece of driftwood. And let’s face it, that never works out in the end. R.I.P. Jack.
Here’s a couple reasons why wanting to change the world sounds cheesy and naive:
a. We don’t know how to help.
b. We have no time to help.
c. We have no money to help.
d. And there’s always some yahoo screwing over the system … so why bother?
Ergo, we fall into the trap of doing absolutely nothing.
The JFK Paradigm Shift
I love this quote by JFK! Let’s break it down … shall we?
Peace is a:
- Daily
- Weekly
- Monthly Process
Peace is:
- Gradually changing opinions,
- Slowly eroding old barriers,
- Quietly building new structures.
So the “Top Secret Formula” for World Peace is really quite simple: Little Acts of Peace + Everyone + Every day
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An Update on our “Little Act of Peace”
So for the benefit of those who missed last week’s TGIF post, here is the back story. Last week I asked our Vancouver SheLoves readers if they would join me in running a half-marathon in September in order to raise funds for the Living Hope program in Uganda.
The Living Hope program helps restore dignity to the lives of women whose faces have been mutilated by the LRA rebel soldiers who terrorize northern Uganda. Women have had their lips, ears, noses and even genital parts severed from their bodies.
Original goal: 20 Women + Half-Marathon= $20,000 for Living Hope
The amazing news is that under seven days we had 50 women sign up for the race! *doing my happy dance* It’s beyond my wildest expectations.
My original plan was to raise money for reconstructive facial surgeries for the women. In my emails back and forth with the organization, I have now learned that they are in the midst of processing over 150 surgeries.
Translation:
- 150 surgeries have already been paid for!
- 150 women get a second chance at life!
- 150 women will be rewriting their story!
You’ll have to pardon my excessive use of exclamation marks. But this is crazy exciting!!!!
Here’s where we come in…
So the immediate need for funds right now is not for reconstructive surgery. It is to provide trauma counseling, medical care and vocational training to the ladies who have undergone surgery. The surgery is one small but significant step towards restoring dignity to the mutilated women. It’s the beginning of their journey. Many of the women are HIV+ and ostracized in their own communities. They are treated like modern-day lepers.
The crucial key to restoring their sense of self-worth is training them with skill sets so that they can integrate back into their communities as contributing members of society. The funds raised through the half-marathon will be used to support ladies who have been through reconstructive surgery or undergoing surgery soon.
I love that we…
- Get to be a part of their new story …
- Get to beat our big drums and tell the world their story …
- Get to be inspired by their stories of courage and resilience …
But most of all, I love that…. Love heals all.
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Here are 5 things that made me smile this week!
Spoken word + Beet Cake + Obvious vs. Amazing + J.Crew + Ellie Goulding= TGIF
1. Spoken Word: I was watching leadership videos on Vimeo (yes, I’m a super-nerd) when I came upon the regal and radiant word-maestro Amena Brown. All my fellow half-marathon sisters, listen to this gem on full volume before you head out for a run. It will make you misty-eyed and get your heart rate up.
2. Beet Cake: Some people meditate to the sound of ocean waves crashing. I, on the otherhand, like to take deep cleansing breaths while watching cinematic HD videos of cake being crafted. “Om” Nom Nom Nom. Tip: Watch the video in full screen to experience its full glory. Make sure you catch the time-lapse sequence of semi-sweet chocolate squares melting at 0:42 mark in the video.
3. Obvious to you. Amazing to others- Derek Sivers, best known for being the founder and former president of CD Baby is the next author being positioned by Seth Godin’s publishing venture “The Domino Project.” For the launch of his new book “Anything You Want,” Derek is creating ten animated videos to accompany the chapters in the book. I found this nugget particularly enlightening. All creatives need to be reminded of this simple truth.
4. J. Crew goes to Italy: I’m sure that President and Creative Director of J.Crew, Jenna Lyons paid her dues to get to the top. But … can you imagine being paid to look for print inspiration in the rich archives of Italy?
*sospiro* (that’s “sigh” in Italian according to Google Translate.)
5. Ellie Goulding: I’m a huge fan of English sing-songwriter Ellie Goulding’s album “Bright Lights.” Fun Fact: Ellie was the only live performer at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding reception. She sang her rendition of the Elton John classic “Your Song” for the couple’s first dance. Enjoy!
So … my global SheLoves sisters:
- Have you had a “why-bother-it’s-all-so-overwhelming” moment?
- How do you overcome it?
I’d love to hear your thoughts, fears and inspirations!
Dear half-marathon Bravehearts,
- Does life look different since you’ve said “Yes”?
- What is your family’s reaction?
- Some of you have started training already! How was Week 1?
Share-share please.
For those of you who would still like to join the half-marathon: Click here
For those who would like to donate to our cause we will have information coming soon!
Love you more than perfectly popped sweet-and-salty Kettle Corn,(<- Recipe)
xoxo,
Teen
About: My name is Tina. Loved ones call me: Teen. I am drawn to all that is fresh, spontaneous and creative.
Confession: Some girls dream about Manolo Blahniks or their next Hermes bag. Not me. I dream of freshly baked bread, perfectly barbecued meat & steaming bowls of Pho. My dream lover *cue Mariah Carey song* is someone who would read out a menu to me in Barry White’s baritone voice. ha.ha. Everything about food makes my toes curl. The only thing that excites me more than eating food is beautiful pictures of food.
I was born and raised in Dubai and currently live in the beautiful city of Vancouver, known for some of the best sushi in the world.
We LOVE this brand-new video from The Girl Effect. Well done and count us in! We believe …
“Given the chance 600 million adolescent girls in developing countries can unleash the world’s greatest untapped solution to poverty. This is the Girl Effect.” –GirlEffect.org
SheLoves Half-Marathon for Living Hope
