FLASH BACK FRIDAY: Mary Wells Lawrence

 Mary Wells Lawrence

Mary Wells Lawrence was the master mind behind the most creative and successful advertising campaigns between the 1960s and 1980s. Two of my favorite works of hers include "The End of the Plain Plane" campaign for Braniff International Airlines and I ♥ NY.

Maybe I'm gravitated to her work because of my overall love for this American advertising time period. Whatever the case, it's empowering to know that mad men and women where dual pioneers pioneers in an industry that's worth over $592.43 billion dollars to date. 

Linda Bellos: The Change Agent

"Let's not worship power for power's sake. There are many people who do good by being quiet, loving, helpful, generous. I happen to think that is more important than powerful and loud."

Linda Bellos

I can't remember when I came across Linda Bellos, but what struck me most about her was that she seemed to have lived two life times by the age of 30. Let me explain a bit. 

1) She was born in 1950 to a Jewish woman and a Nigerian man, both of which seem worlds apart. 

2) While noted as strong political advocate and lesbian feminist, she's also a mother and grandmother, who found love as well as herself after a divorce.

3) She rejects the term "mixed race" because attempts at defining it often leads to statutes of skin color, which in essence defeats the purpose of establishing true equality.

4) She's a thoughtful business woman, who has successfully turned her passions into a consulting agency where she educates modern workforces about equality and diversity.

5) Inclusivity is her mission. Let's celebrate hidden histories of each other.

6) Her openness about her her childhood as well as personal journeys is warming in such a way that it opens the door to talk about race, culture, sex, war, oppression and spirit.

Most importantly, the shear fact that she took time to acknowledge her person, and continues to do so, is by far inspirational to me--it's genuine. 

Yuri Kochiyama

“An injury or injustice to one is an injury and injustice to all.”

Yuri Kochiyama

One of the most striking things about Yuri Kochiyama (河内山 百合)is that she was born in America and is a survivor of post Pearl Harbor Japanese-American internment camps. I can't imagine what it was like live that era of America and to survive with a voice of strength for not only her heritage, but of those of black, Latino and Native Americans. Read and listen to more about her at NPR.

WOMEN BE LIKE MAGIC: Hello World

Currently, I am in the recovery phase of Ovarian Cancer and Encephalitis. This dual disease entered my life in January 19th 2015 and since that time I have never been the same. Cancer alone is enough to swallow but my encephalitis (brain inflammation) is an ongoing battle that tests my limits each and every day. On that note the phrase "I'm not sure what I'm doing but I'm getting good at it" inspired me to write about women who have vision. Why? Since diagnosed I have been hospitalized for nearly 4 months, rehabbed for 3 and underwent 21 various chemotherapy or immunosuppressant regimens. Needless to say, some days I still don't know what I am doing, mentally or physically. The inflammation causes me to forget, stutter, wobble and succumb to cerebellum overload. But I am alive and happy to share my perspective of strong women that I've researched in times of mental strife. I just kept thinking, "If they could move mountains then I can wake up today." And so I do.

Photos: My sisters and I circa 1980s.