Pink Chair Storytellers :: The Advocacy Issue 2025
“I WAS DRUNK MORE HOURS EACH DAY THAN I WAS SOBER; I WAS 20 YEARS OLD AND BEGGING FOR MY EASY WAY OUT...”
Christine Hill
Business Operations Manager
New England Medical Group Partners
What is your job at NEMG?
As the Business Operations Manager, I’m involved in each aspect of treatment, which allows me to serve as one of the many bridges connecting our six programs, our teams, our partners, and the broader community. I have the opportunity to assist in the creation and maintenance of, what I consider to be, the most important programs a treatment center can offer: Family Services, Alumni Services, and Community Engagement.
Why did you choose to work in recovery?
In 2015, I lost my brother, my very best friend, to a fatal overdose. The following year was the darkest year of my life, a roller coaster through hell. I was drunk more hours each day than I was sober; I was 20 years old and BEGGING for MY easy way out. I quickly realized that attempting to fill the internal void, externally, was only adding layers of bricks to the walls I had been building around me my whole life. In 2016, I decided to stop drinking and steer the wheel of my life down a new path, I fell into an entry position at a drug and alcohol detox in Weymouth where I began my career in behavioral health treatment. I found solace in being able to provide love, empathy, compassion, and support to those who need it most; to be able to share my story: “I am here because I never want your sister/loved ones to feel how I feel without my brother”.
At what point did you realize that working in recovery was your calling?
Immediately when I walked into the doors of that detox that I realized I was exactly where I was meant to be. It was within my ability to genuinely connect with the clients in the depths of addiction who had nothing but the shirt on their back, no money, no home, no family support, no faith, no trust! That feeling I got holding space for someone who needs it the most, to love a stranger through the darkest and hardest of their days, THAT is when I realized that being an advocate for human beings is my calling.
in the grips of addiction. Learning to see the human behind the pain that causes addiction, learning to love that human unconditionally, with strong boundaries, that is how I advocate for all humans to treat each other.
What do you love most about your job?
Integrating the holistic healing modalities, that bring me peace, into clinical care—it’s where my passion truly comes alive. I love that I get to show up authentically and hold space for others to feel seen, heard, and supported. I am grateful for the opportunity to advocate, not just for our clients, but for the
I strongly believe that every human is in recovery from something in their lives, so yes, I have much experience learning how to love myself throughout this journey of recovery from a life of hell. I have quite a few friends who are in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, and I have friends and family who remain
Christine and her brother, James
Special Needs Planning
Storyteller Cheryl Chan (The Advocacy Issue 2022, “I Will Use My Rage for Him”) shared the story of creating Nicky’s law, a registry of names of caregivers who have committed acts of substantiated abuse which have resulted in serious physical injury or serious emotional injury for adults served by the Department of Developmental Services. Nicky's Law was signed into law by Governor Baker on March 3, 2020. At that time, DDS was funding and operating day habilitation programs for people with developmental disabilities. In 2022, MassHealth took over the funding and operation of day habilitation programs. Because of the language in the original Nicky's Law bill, MassHealth was not covered under the abuser registry mandate.
Since 2022, the Arc of Massachusetts and the disability community has introduced bills in each legislative session, to have MassHealth funded and operated day habilitation programs also covered under Nicky’s Law, closing the loophole. On June 10, 2025, Cheryl testified before the Joint Committee on Children, Family and Persons With Disabilities.
“I know the details of Nicky’s story are hard to hear,” she said. “It’s even harder for me to keep recounting what happened to my precious, helpless son. But we must all be reminded that the true sacrifices we make are those of human beings. Those can no longer be up for debate.”
Recommendations to fit your skin care routine from skin care expert Lisa Hébert
The Bill was reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means on June 25, just 2 weeks after the public hearing, in a shocking, nearly unheard of speed.
“Typically, these bills will sit in a committee for months; they may even not get any further than the committee review process,” Cheryl told us.
The impact of personal stories cannot be measured in the legislative process.
“These stories serve as critical reminders that we are talking about people. This bill is not about services and supports; this bill is about souls,” Cheryl said.
Visit www.TheArcofMass.org and CherylRyanChan.com for continued updates on Nicky’s Law.
it Simple, Sister!)
I AM A MINIMALIST (MOSTLY BECAUSE I HAVE MINIMAL TIME & ENERGY!)
Our hero products: Soft Dual-Action Cleanser Rise Up Vitamin C Serum Renew Serum
WHAT’S YOUR
SKiNSTYLE?
MORE IS MORE! FACE TIME=ME TIME. I ENJOY MY NIGHTLY FACIAL ROUTINE!
PCS joined NEXTonSCENE Media’s 10th Anniversary fashion show, benefitting Kristie Raymond’s HumanKind Casting (Kristie is a 2025 Pink Chair Advocate! Pg. 46).
NEXTonSCENE Media’s founder and CEO Jackie Zuk’s runway featured designers Candice Wu, ChicNiCity, Happy Lillyput,The Northshore, Intuition Kicks, Pattee Silver Designs, Nice Girls Label, and Touchstone Crystal by Swarovski with Renee Fleming. The event was hosted by Melissa Eannuzzo from Hot 96.9 FM. Congratulations, Jackie!
Photos: Vail Fucci & Rebecca C Photography
Where’s the Pink Chair?
Filmmaker Beth Lane brings award-winning documentary to Hingham for PCS screening
The event was presented by Norwell Family Dentistry
PCS Storyteller Beth Lane (“Would You Hide Me?” The Advocacy Issue, 2022) brought her family’s legacy to the world on film in “UnBroken,” winning numerous international film festival awards and landing in the top 10 on its Netflix debut.
The World Premiere of “UnBroken” was on October 8th, 2023—one day after the terrorist organization Hamas attacked Israel. The film was released on Netflix on April 23, 2025—Holocaust Remembrance Day, Yom HaShoah. “UnBroken” tells the story of the Weber siblings, including Beth’s mother, and their escape from the Nazis with help from an elderly German couple.
On April 29th, PCS filled a theater at Patriot Cinemas at Hingham Shipyard for a private screening. Beth sat in the Pink Chair following the film answering questions from the audience. The screening was sponsored by Norwell Family Dentistry, Congregation Sha’aray Shalom, Congregation Sharat Hayam, Duxbury for All, and South Shore Community Action
ADV ATES
We don’t just handle divorce We help you rebuild your life. Any divorce and custody case brings about a lot of change, but these transitions aren’t the end; they’re the start of a new chapter. Our team combines fierce legal strategy with empathy that stems from first-hand experience to help you take back your power and design a stronger future. We provide fearless advocacy with forward momentum because everything good comes from breaking free sfrom your comfort zone.
Council, and the film is made possible by the Weber Family Arts Foundation (www. weberfamilyarts.org).
Watch the documentary that Film Threat calls “...a profound dissertation on Jewish heritage and history ... a universal reminder to each and every one of us on what it means to be human and the journeys we all take in life.” “UnBroken” is on Netflix.
Recommendations to fit your skin care routine from skin care expert Lisa Hébert
Karen Wong
DESERVES TO FEEL GUA SHA, CUPPING, REIKI, MEDITATION. IT ALL RESONATES!
photos:
Co-Founders
Marci Goldberg Bracken
Bridget Ryan Snell
Chief Marketing Officer
Marci Goldberg Bracken
Chief Editor
Bridget Ryan Snell
Associate Editor
Laura Bissell
Contributors
Sam Correia
Kim Miles
Stephanie C. Olsen
Candy O’Terry
Jaya Pandey
Marie Romilus
Cover photo
Stephanie C. Olsen
Storyteller Portraits
Stephanie C. Olsen
Bridget Ryan Snell
Design
Bridget Ryan Snell
Copyright 2025. The Pink Chair logo is a trademarked property of The Waiting Room Media, LLC. Pink Chair Storytellers Magazine is published 4 times per year in print and online at www.pinkchairstorytellers.com. Combined digital and print advertising opportunities, as well as sponsored content opportunities, are available. Rates are available upon request by emailing marci@pinkchairstorytellers.com or by calling 617.939.6193. Editorial guidelines can be found at PinkChairStorytellers.com. Submissions can be sent to bridget@pinkchairstorytellers.com. Subscribe at PinkChairStorytellers.com/subscribe.
Advisory Board and Consultants
Barb Chan
Patricia Norins Clapp
Lahaja Furaha
Alisha Kelly
Sales
Marci Goldberg Bracken
ISSN 2833-4787
PINK CHAIR
STORYTELLERS
FROM BRIDGET
A friend of mine announced recently that he has a new approach to conversations with friends and strangers. He had pointed out that it felt counterintuitive for him to have political discussions with those he knows will agree or share his convictions. And in the past few years, the water cooler has been abandoned because of, arguably, social media comment sections. Even elementary debate that once defined the office is rare to find. Now, he says, he goes into conversations with those across the aisle and he’s actively listening, passively agreeing, maybe minor discord. What matters most, he told me, is truly listening so we can find that common denominator. “Listen,” he assured me, “Nearly all of us agree on the goal.” He was talking about agreeing that everyone is taken care of, that our communities aren’t suffering. I can imagine that these conversations almost always end with “Well, as long as everyone is taken care of, right?”
That’s something.
Am I naive? Is it silly for me to believe we’ll throw our arms around each other and break into song? I suppose.
But that’s going to be my new approach because I want to hear from those who don’t think like me and find that common thread that ends the conversation on a good note. The endings are what stick with us. Like a good story.
In the four volumes we’ve published, it’s The Advocacy Issue that lights a fire under me. We have spotlighted women who have taken on the missions to fight poverty and homelessness, period poverty, and provide support for youth in the foster care system and court system. Grandparents who are now raising their young grandchildren and Desi moms raising special needs kids now have communities to thrive. In this issue, we have more stories from women in Massachusetts who saw need in our communities and put their skills to work to find a solution. Maybe because something happened in their life, maybe because they see a future that needs confident leaders, maybe because they know that the darkness can take over quickly if someone doesn’t shine a light their way. Our Storytellers were asked for help, and they said, “I will help.”
Each year, our Advocacy Honors spotlight the woman you tell us about. All of our advocates are peer-nominated or introduced to us by a past or future Storyteller. If you would like to nominate someone who has made a difference in your life or in your community, please let me know! Make an introduction first via email bridget@pinkchairstorytellers.com or to Marci marci@ pinkchairstorytellers.com.
I know I’m not supposed to have a favorite issue of Pink Chair Storytellers, but the Advocacy Issue holds a special place in my heart. It’s different for me. The Advocacy Issue lifts me up. It gives me faith in the good in the world. It makes me want to be a better person, DO more for the world.
In Jewish teachings, Tikkun Olam תיקון עולם is defined as any activity that improves the world, bringing it closer to the harmonious state for which it was created.
All human activities are opportunities to fulfill this mission, and every human being can be involved in tikkun olam—child or adult, student or entrepreneur, industrialist or artist, caregiver or salesperson, political activist or environmentalist, or just another one of us struggling to keep afloat. If you’re curious about Jewish teachings, visit Chabad.org, which is considered a comprehensive resource online for information and education.
This is a lesson, a way of life, that has been taught to me for as long as I can remember. It has been ingrained in me. While I KNOW this lesson, the people on these pages LIVE AND BREATHE Tikum Olam.
When you say it out loud, it makes sense. It seems simple. Activities that improve the world. Why wouldn’t we want to improve the world? Make the world a better place for everyone? I obviously do not have the answer to that question, but in a world that seems to have so much conflict it seems simple to have a mission of making it easier for everyone. Don’t we all deserve that? An easy and enjoyable life.
The women in these pages leave no person behind, and that is an incredible mission. Thank you to our 2025 Pink Chair Advocates, thank you for sharing your stories, for the work you do, and for the love you give.
Thank you for practicing Tikkun Olam.
CHAIR
Shiricka Brown, Monet Wright & Naika
Vincent
More Than Words
Empowering system-involved and homeless youth to take charge of their lives.
Keisha Greaves
Girls Chronically Rock
Fighting for accessibility and keeping it all fashionable
Jen Newberg
It’s Lifey
Offering supportive communities during life’s transitions.
Kirsten Oberoi
South Shore Children’s Chorus
Teaching youth to find their voice through music.
Lisa Ponte LP Vibes
Bringing light to the dark places.
Kathy Picard
Changing how and when victims of child abuse can bring their abusers to justice.
Kristie Raymond
HumanKind
Challenging the big brands to be truly inclusive.
THE ADVOCACY ISS U E 2025
JUSTAMOMENT
JOANIE LAWLOR’S SIMPLE BEAUTY
Sam Correia
Queer Tarot
“Maybe you’re a seasoned tarot reader, or maybe you’ve only heard of the Death card. I think you’ll enjoy this interview with Boston-based tarot reader Sam Valentine.”
Jaya Pandey
I See India Differently Now
“I spent my time interacting with watchmen, cooks, drivers, vegetable vendors, and other household helpers.”
Kim Miles
I’ll Leave You with This... “True story: I went in to go replace some perfume and somehow ended up in the fake lashes aisle and couldn’t find my way back to the perfumes.”
48 Candy and Missy. Always.
Candy O’Terry
Melissa’s Story
“We took a selfie that day, even though she hated the oxygen tube in her nose, and she made me pinky swear that I would honor her wishes. But the state of the world changed all that a year later. On April 26, 2020, just six weeks into the pandemic, Missy died.”
54 THE FLIP Doreen Lang
“It was a moment I’ll never forget. My body simply said “no more.” Doctors couldn’t pinpoint a clear diagnosis, but I knew this wasn’t just physical. This was emotional, mental, and spiritual depletion.”
ZOOM WITH A VIEW
58
Book Reviews
Janet and Joanne offer powerful books for adults and teens who strive to be advocates.
Twins JANET BIBEAU and JOANNE BIBEAU are from indie bookstore, Storybook Cove in Hanover, Massachusetts, founded by Janet. She is the organized one, the quieter one, and the worrier. She is also a lifelong book lover. Joanne is the louder/more talkative one, the scattered one, the more laid back one, also a lifelong book lover. They bring you book recomendations inspired by each issue’s theme of identity, advocacy, power, and connection. StorybookCove.com
SAM CORREIA is the Community Engagement Librarian at the Duxbury Free Library and the newest columnist for PCS They are passionate about community care, collective liberation, and radical hope for the future. They are the creator and Project Director of the South Shore LGBTQ Oral History Archive and co-organizer of the Queer Collective of MA/RI. They give you personal reflections and history of the community on the South Shore of Massachusetts.
KIM MILES is the Founder and CEO of the production company, Miles in Heels Productions. She is a highly soughtafter keynote and TEDx speaker, emcee, creative collaborator, and event strategist. Kim brings readers a refreshing pallet cleanser of humor at the end of each issue of PCS. She makes readers laugh
about menopause, chin hair, and all the things women don’t talk about enough. MilesinHeels.com
CANDY O’TERRY A regular contributor to PCS magazine, Candy O’Terry is the host of the award-winning podcast and radio series, “The Story Behind Her Success.” In 2024, she was inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame. candyoterry.com
STEPHANIE C. OLSEN is a Certified Professional and Craftsman Photographer. Her 30-year career has spanned from family portraits and weddings to commercial clients, including Talbots and Wahlburgers. Each issue of PCS brings includes portraits of our Storytellers from her studio in Rockland, Massachusetts. StephanieOlsen.com
JAYA PANDEY is a special needs parent and community builder. She and her husband, Ashish, are raising sons Ajey and Anand. Her youngest son, Anand, has Autism. Jaya is passionate about writing, cooking, music, traveling, and connecting people. She uses Sarees as a medium to talk about social causes, disability, and life as an immigrant woman and a special needs mother.
MomLovesAnand.blogspot.com.
EXPERIENCED: Depression, Anxiety, Grief, Relationship Issues, Life Transitions
APPOINTMENTS: Children, Teens, Adults through Seniors
CONVENIENT: In-person and Telehealth Sessions
CARING: Speak with our Practice Administrator for personal service
CHAMPION SPONSOR
MISSION SPONSORS
IMPACT SPONSORS
LEFT TO RIGHT: KIRSTEN, KRISTIE, SHI, MONET, NAIKA, JEN, LISA. NOT SHOWN: KEISHA & KATHY
HER BECAUSE SHE SAID “I WILL!”
THEIR MISSION: SHOW SYSTEM-INVOLVED YOUTH HOW TO ACHIEVE STABILITY AND OPPORTUNITY
NAIKA VINCENT MONET WRIGHT
SHIRICKA “SHI” BROWN
Portraits: Stephanie C. Olsen Hair and Makeup: Marie Derbes
The three women we spoke with at More Than Words were introduced to us through founder Jodi Rosenbaum. Our conversation with Shiricka “Shi” Brown, Monet Wright, and Naika Vincent was filled with laughter and joy and talk of successes in their mission. The hope they exude is contagious. One doesn’t often feel that after discussing homelessness, foster care, barriers to education, and the court system. Monet and Naika are alumni and after some time, felt safe to share some of their stories. Shi is the big sister that we all want; you ask her for help and she shows up, not just with words, but with fierce energy and action.
Our conversation starts here:
Shi, how did you become involved with More Than Words?
Shi: I’m originally from New Jersey. I worked in health care for 13 years doing a mixture of case management. I felt a little stifled being in the healthcare industry, feeling I couldn’t support clientele in ways that I felt were useful and helpful because of all the rules and policies. I was looking for a change, for an organization where I could use my skill set and support people without so many restrictions. I searched for employment for an extensive time because I wasn’t willing to go to just any job. If I was going to make a transition, it had to feel right, to the right place. I saw a posting about More Than Words and instantly fell in love. I’ve been here for almost four years.
I wish more people could make the decision to do something they love and not settle.
Working with young adults in the transitional ages of 16 to 24. Young adults who’ve had a lot of systems that railroaded them, worked against them. I like being able to support them and help them move their lives forward. I’ve witnessed firsthand how systems can derail individuals, creating one obstacle after another. I think about the challenges and I know that you can’t do that without a community, without support, without people who believe in you. That really resonated with me. It’s always been a cornerstone of my life. My mom taught me that volunteerism and giving back to the community is very important. [The first Black woman Congressperson] Shirley Chisolm, “Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.”
Monet, you’re an alumna, correct?
Monet: I came with mental health issues in my background, so there were a lot of resources that
were provided in my life throughout that time. I went to a special needs school that didn’t have a lot of resources for the BIPOC, but especially for people with disabilities. My family wanted me to go to college, but around my senior year having all those mental health issues, I didn’t know where I was going. I didn’t know how long I would stay in college. I didn’t know if college was for me. I didn’t know what I wanted to do. So, I got connected with More Than Words. I was a troubled kid, always getting into something. I think it was more because I didn’t have the right guidance. My time at More Than Words was, I want to say, “rocky.” I did end up doing the whole Roxbury Community College thing. But Covid hit and everything started to crumble. I completed the program, but if I’m going to be honest, I don’t feel I grasped as much as I could have. I needed that extra support. So, after I finished the program I came back for a second time.
I’m gonna just say it: Last year I went through homelessness and my brother passed away from sickle cell. It was almost the breaking point for me. I lost a bit of myself. Especially with my sexuality and realizing that I am a trans woman. I’m in my 20s but I felt like I was a teen again. So, connecting with career services at More Than Words stopped me from jumping off that edge. I was there and I just felt coming back and being involved with this community, this family, saved me from a lot of heartbreak. Two months in and I’m absorbing everything that I didn’t get to absorb the first time ... Another game changer was my case manager saying, “Dang, Monet, I remember you when you was a pain in my butt!” For them to see me now and saying “Oh, Monet knows how to problem solve, she knows how to handle things!”
To get that validation, that’s exciting. Naika, what brought you to More Than Words?
Naika: Honestly, it’s a little bit fuzzy. It was 2020, the pandemic was going on, and I had just graduated high school. The plan was to go to a four year college,
but that just didn’t feel right. I was also dealing with a lot of mental health challenges as well. So, I decided to go to community college instead, but that didn’t feel right either, I was done with school ... more mental health problems came to the surface. I was just so out of balance. My mental health has been getting in the way of me progressing in life. Someone told me about More Than Words. I’m a big reader. I love books, and one of my dreams at that moment was to work at a bookstore. So I started working at [the bookstore] More Than Words. My time there was what I needed ... to pay bills and to get out of my mind ... I’m very grateful. But then I had to take a break. I outgrew More Than Words and I say that because working there allowed me to realize that I can do whatever I want. I’ve always wanted to work at a bookstore. I work at a bookstore. I wanted to make more friends, I made friends. I started writing more. I realized I kind of always had this entrepreneurial spirit in me. So, More Than Words helped me pay monthly bills to be at that school and now, I am a licensed aesthetician. That was really awesome. I wanted to start my own skincare business. So, I launched my skincare line in May.
I’ve heard people say “invest in yourself,” but I didn’t know what that meant. But I put myself out there and I am doing the thing that I’ve been dreaming about. It feels surreal. I say I grew out of More Than Words because I see so much more for myself now.
To outgrow them means they did their job. Tell me about the moment you thought, “Yep, I’m right where I’m supposed to be.” Have you had that moment?
Shi: Something that has always resonated with me is that we have this high bar of expectations because we know that young adults can reach it. We don’t lower that bar. I think this has been a safe space where you can make those mistakes, you can make those errors. You can have times where you need to pivot and you can always re-engage. You can always come back. You are given the space and opportunity to find your footing and reset if needed. There is a sense of security here that is not lip service. More Than Words; what it says, it does!
Our model is built that way so that young adults still have that support. Sometimes we’re the only support they may have at that moment. We want to make sure that we’re not just another system that is lowering the bar for them, right?
As the Associate Director of Youth Development, there are times I have to hold young adults accountable, but it’s collaborative. We’re not doing anything for them without them being present, having choice and autonomy in what that support looks like and how we can support them with making progress.
Monet, do you remember the moment that someone asked, “How can I help?” and they meant it?
Monet: Yeah, actually. And it’s something that stays on my mind on replay. The goal for me is to blossom in the entertainment business, but also stay true to myself and be an advocate for mental health and being a change within my community. I need to get on stage, speak my piece— because I have a lot to say. I have a story to tell, and I feel my story will help a lot of people. Wake a lot of people up. Let everybody know that they’re not alone.
I was a wild, a wild person. I lower the bar for myself because I feel I don’t have the talent or I’m not capable, even though I know I am. All the verbal abuse that was poured into my brain when I was younger, some of that stuck. So, being able to finally say, “I’m a person that has mental health issues, I’m not ashamed of it.” That is something I just thank them for. They spark something in me to be more confident. Now I’m on stage, not having no shame, you know what I’m saying? That really helped me get my story out. So I’ll always be grateful for that.
I appreciate you sharing this.
Naika: When More Than Words said, “After you graduate, we’ll still be in contact with you” I was like, “Okay, whatever. They all say that.” Honestly, More Than Words is probably the first that has shown up for me. They literally helped me get other jobs that aren’t associated with them. They helped me pay for school. Every single time I needed something they showed up. Actually engaging, actually caring. People make a lot of empty promises. I’ve definitely had people tell me that they’re going to do this for me. They want to help. But, they’ve never proven. They’ve never actually done those things for me.
What’s your proudest moment as an advocate, Shi?
Shi: Seeing a young person advocating for themselves. When I was a Youth Development Manager, I worked with a young adult who really struggled with their self worth and feeling they weren’t being heard or seen. We had a lot of conversations, a lot of meetings about what it is that they wanted. Sometimes, it was just being in the room to give them that extra support and encouragement. But really, seeing a young person go from that to months later, calling their own meeting with their DCF team, leading the meeting, speaking to what they want, speaking to what’s going on with them—I think those are some of my proudest moments. Even outside of work, seeing when others are really stepping into their own power, stepping into their own empowerment, and knowing that I got to
work alongside them. And that might be part of me having big sister syndrome. I’m also the eldest child.
You’re helping them not need you anymore.
Shi: Yeah, I love that. Even my siblings, they’re all doing great things: A doctor, COO, etc. I love seeing people younger than me surpass even my vision, my goals, and live out their dreams. That’s the whole point, right? The generation behind us, they’re the ones who are going to lead and take charge. Their successes are our successes. That gives me so much joy.
Shi, we need more, more people like you. Monet, how about you?
Monet: Here I always get a little emotional. I was very naive and gullible. I didn’t know my own worth. I needed people to be in the room, you know, speaking for me because I couldn’t speak for myself. I didn’t realize I had a voice and when I spoke, I couldn’t get it across. I saw people younger than me or the same age as me saying what they want, not letting anybody tell them what they need or what they don’t need. It took me until a year ago to stand on my own. Now, I am in rooms with people that advocate for themselves because it gives them power and it gives me strength.
Naika, You’re an entrepreneur. You own a skincare line. Do you ever say that to yourself out loud?
Naika: It’s definitely still surreal. I’ve never been called that before. An advocate.
How does it feel when I say that?
Naika: So, I would say you’re a liar. You’re lying to me. You’re lying to my face, to be honest.
Is there anything factually incorrect that I just said?
Naika: No. It’s just funny that you said that. And I don’t know why it’s still sitting with me. The question you asked about becoming an advocate. Honestly, when I hear that word, I think of having to speak for others and having to stand in the folds when they can’t speak for themselves. And then seeing them being able to speak for themselves and not need you. It just really lands with me. That’s the best part of being an advocate. It’s just sticking with me now. It’s ruminating in my head. It just never occurred to me that that’s what I am.
BE THE CATALYST
Inspired? You can help. Right now.
At More Than Words, youth ages 16-24 who are in fostercare, experiencing homeless, out-of-school, or in the court system, learn to run an online and retail bookstore while also getting full wrap-around supports to tackle the barriers from our state systems and take charge of their lives. They operate a fleet of five trucks to source 4 million books and 725,000 items of pre-loved clothing; manage an inventory of 160,000 books; run two retail bookstores, a new thrift clothing store, and a mobile bookstore; generate 30% of the funding needed to sustain MTW programs. You can match their energy and impact. Here’s how:
#1 SHOP WITH PURPOSE
Buy gifts that give back. Every purchase from their youth-run bookstores and thrift shop directly supports their education, job training, and leadership development. Visit us in-store or online to find books, clothing, and unique gifts
Host a pop-up shop at your workplace or event
Rent their bookstore for your next training, party or fundraiser
#2 DONATE GOODS OR FUNDS
Fuel their mission. Your donations help stock their shelves and sustain their programs.
Books & Clothing: Gently used items become inventory for their youth-run businesses
Financial Gifts: Match the revenue their youth earn to double their impact
Monthly Giving: Become a sustaining donor and invest in long-term change
#3 VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME & TALENT
Work side-by-side with youth. Mentorship and community support are key to their success.
Join them in-store or at events alongside their youth or lending your professional skills
Become a brand ambassador and share MTW store links on social media to amplify their reach with a social media campaign!
Organize a corporate volunteer day with your team
The entire conversation with Shi, Monet, and Naika can be read online at PinkChairStorytellers.com.
(Yes, to answer your question: her home is as awesome and blingy as the background shows)
HER MISSION: BE A [FASHIONABLE] VOICE FOR THOSE LIVING WITH
GREAVES chronic ILLNESS
Portrait: Bridget Snell
Keisha Greaves is chronically fashionable, impatient, entrepreneurial, creative, and ill with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. The ruthless neuromuscular disease hit her at the age of 24 and has taken her motion bit by bit. But not her moxie. The fashion world continues to be the inspiration she needs to conquer her life and advocate for her community. A trip to her home—a Cambridge loft that hits the senses like a Jackson Pollock in pink and bling, and where cortisol goes to rest—was meant to see her as a girl with MD who lives “like everyone else.” But who I found is an incredibly creative woman who knows how to live like no one else.
How did Girls Chronically Rock get started?
I identify as someone who has a physical disability. I am wheelchair-bound. I live with a disability called limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. And I’ve always had a passion for fashion, so growing up I always knew I wanted to be a fashion designer and entrepreneur. I studied fashion design and merchandising at Framingham State University.
I grew up watching my mom sew. She always sewed my clothes, so I think I probably took after her. Growing up, I looked up to designers such as Betsey Johnson, Tommy Hilfiger, and Kimora Lee Simmons, particularly during her Baby Phat stage, and I would love to work with them to this day, especially Betsey.
I graduated from Framingham State in 2007, and then took about a year off before starting graduate school. I wanted to get a master’s degree in business. It was at Cambridge College while working on my master’s when I started to get really bizarre symptoms in my body: my leg would just give out on me; I couldn’t get myself back up; my leg was like a dead weight, or I would extend my arm out to the cabinet and it wouldn’t extend. But the whole time I’m thinking maybe I just need to lose weight. I need to exercise. I’ve never been the exercise type. As it kept on happening, my mom and sister said, “This is something. Maybe it’s something in the feet because you keep falling and we can’t even get you back up. Something’s weird.”
So, we go to Tufts Medical in Boston to meet with two orthopedic doctors. They asked me to raise my right leg, but it would not extend as it should. And that was the first time I noticed that. And then, yeah, they just kind of both looked at each other, puzzled, and said, “This is neuromuscular.” Meanwhile, I’m still thinking I need to lose weight and it’s not even that serious. Just going on about my life.
The neurologist at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge did several tests, like MRI, EKG, EMG, and most interesting of all was the muscle biopsy where they took a piece of muscle from my right leg.
I will always remember that day I got the phone call when she said, “Keisha, you have muscular dystrophy.” And I’m like, what is she talking about? I’d never heard of it. Nobody in my family seemed to have it. I thought she called the wrong patient. “I don’t have muscular dystrophy.” At this point I was still doing me. I’m driving, in my early 20s, working. I was traveling to different stores, Nordstrom’s, Macy’s doing merchandizing things that I love. So I’m like, what is she talking about? But I knew that deep down there was some kind of truth to it, because as soon as I hung up, I totally shut down.
But then, like most of us, I run to Google. And as we know,
sometimes the internet is not always the best. But I always believe in it, too. I’m reading “no cure,” “no treatment.” As it progresses, some people don’t get past their 40s and 50s. I thought, this can’t be me. I totally just still shut down.
I didn’t tell many people. The only reason my family knew was because my mom corresponded with my aunts, but it wasn’t something that I was open about. Not like I am now. I continued to work and just kind of put it to the side. The only treatment is physical therapy. So that’s what I started doing. Then my physical therapist at the time suggested I use a cane. So I started to do that, and even when I went to work, my employers would say, “Oh, Keisha, what’s wrong?” And I would say, “I sprained my ankle” or “I was in a car accident” because it sounded better than saying, “I have muscular dystrophy.” So it was kind of like whatever came to mind, not realizing, they’re going to wonder at some point why my sprained ankle isn’t getting better. But it just sounded better at that moment.
Every time I went to follow up, I was thinking she was going to say, “Keisha, you know, we got your test results mixed up. You don’t have muscular dystrophy, I do apologize.” That’s what I was thinking was going to happen every time I went for a follow-up. As time went on, I’m like, what will my future hold? What’s going to happen? I always wanted to be a fashion designer. Own my own business. So after coming out of my shell a little bit, my friends suggested I start a blog to share my story, share your symptoms. And I’m just like, “No way. I don’t have muscular dystrophy!” Still in that denial phase. But I remember that day as I started opening my laptop and typing things out loud and expressing everything, just like how I am with you now—it took that moment to say, “I have muscular dystrophy.”
That’s crazy. Never mind what the doctors were saying, it took typing to say it out loud. I was blogging on Tumblr at the time, and I posted it on Facebook—I don’t even think I proofread it or anything. I was just like, Boom! Here it is. I remember just getting such great feedback and people were like, “I heard of this!” And “My cousin has this” or “My cousin has MS,” similar stories. Some people were shocked, “Oh my God, I just saw you and I just spoke to you. And I had no idea!” At that time, looking at me, you couldn’t really tell.
The acceptance definitely took some time. I started blogging, coming out of my shell, and social media, I must say, was a huge help. I connected with other people like myself that had a disability, muscular dystrophy, Black women. Just hashtagging #disabilityawareness #musculardystrophy I’ve connected with a whole world of people, and I’m just like, I’m not the only one out here. That helped me because at the end of the day, yes, I may get the support of
family and friends, but there’s nothing like talking to somebody who knows and gets what it’s like living with a disability every day, that struggle.
Then I was like, “It’s time to put my fashion degree to use!” Why not? I always thought things happen for a reason. Why not create something to help inspire and motivate others in the disability community? I love wearing graphic t-shirts. I love cutting up my t-shirts, painting them. I knew I wanted to call my business something with the word “chronic” in it, for chronic illnesses, but I didn’t know how I wanted to put it all together. I was lying in bed one night. That’s when most of my ideas come to mind—as it does for most creative types—and it kind of just came to me. Girls Chronically Rock. It flowed with me. It sounded empowering, motivated. And I ran with it from there. I started off with Etsy and sales were good, but after some time I realized this is not just a side hustle for me. This is like my life. I live and breathe working for myself; I only have to ask and answer to Keisha. I reached out to my friend who’s good with building websites. I launched in 2017. That same year, I registered as an LLC.
As time went on, adaptive fashion became huge. A lot of people don’t realize getting dressed on a daily basis is a struggle. And that’s even with caregivers. It can be exhausting. To have something accommodating with the t-shirt—a magnetic snap to make it easier to open on the shoulders or Velcro coming down on the side.
So I have regular t-shirts, but also adaptive t-shirts where there’s Velcro coming down along the left side to make it easier to open and close. I also created adaptive swimwear with the hooks on the shoulder to make it easier for someone to put it on and take it off. I know for myself, prior to the pandemic, I was going to aquatic therapy, and when I’m in the water, I feel like a mermaid because I can do things in the water that I can’t do on land. So it feels so good.
I still live and breathe fashion, of course, but I feel like Girls Chronically Rock is so much more now than clothing. It is a movement. I’m bringing awareness to the disability community, awareness about adaptive fashion.
If you had asked me a few years back, “Keisha, do you see yourself doing speaking engagements or being on a podcast?”
I’d be like, “No way. I’m telling people I have a sprained ankle or [was in] a car accident.” I couldn’t even fathom that at that time. But now, I go to the State House advocating for rights, housing, Medicaid, caregivers. Maybe this is my purpose now.
I just love when I get messages from others in the community saying “Thank you for speaking up!” I was too scared to do that once. I’m not going to be scared anymore. Businesses and people need to be held accountable. So, yes, I’m still in fashion, but it’s a whole different avenue with Girls Chronically Rock. I do speaking engagements at pharmaceutical companies, universities, and I love it because I get to share my story ... But I know my purpose and I can express it through my fashion. There’s so much under the Girls Chronically Rock umbrella. I’m
proud of what it has become. I’m glad people know about it. I love my supporters. I love connecting with other people in the disability community on social media because, we’re all one. We’re stronger together.
When I start making money like the Kardashians, then that’s when I know, “All right, Keisha, you made it!” But until then, I’m just taking it each day at a time. And if it stays as a small business, I’m okay with that. At the end of the day, it’s just me running this business while having a disability. So some days, I don’t know what the body wants to do, you know? I can’t tell the muscular dystrophy to come back later. This has control over me, not the other way around, but I just take it day by day ... I’m a homebody. I like to be alone. I’m a neat freak. I’m a Virgo, and I have OCD, so I like things in a particular way. So it’s definitely a challenge. I’ll be lying if I sat here and said, “Oh yeah, I got it all under control now.” No. I’m still learning each and every day how to deal with the caregivers, how to run a business, how the body’s going to feel.
What is the biggest challenge for you with your advocacy? How do you get them to include and adapt their brand to the needs of your community?
I feel that because we all have different disabilities, we all have different strengths and weaknesses. Whether it’s a fashion company or pharmaceutical company I’m speaking with, I’ll give them examples, like, I wouldn’t be able to open this door, but someone else with MD might have the strength. Another may be able to push that button, but I cannot because of the limitations of my limbs. Same thing with fashion. It might be easy for some with MD, or MS, or lupus to put a shirt on, but I struggle and I need assistance to get dressed and shower every day. So I like to bring in other people with my disability to show them.
My friend, Nyree, was born with this. I still learn from her to this day how to navigate and accessible driving. Whereas, my other friend has a different type of muscular dystrophy and she brushes her hair herself. I would need assistance, like helping me with my elbow if I want to apply mascara. So I like to bring others in because we all have our different strengths and weaknesses. I just like to hear different people’s stories so they can identify how to be inclusive to all and at different levels. And it’s like things that I feel I totally took for granted when I was an able-bodied person. I fully acknowledge that. Sometimes I grieve the person I once was. An able-bodied, running up and down the stairs in high school to the fifth floor, coming home on weekends with laundry and groceries. I used to play softball when I was younger. You never know what’s going on in your body, and you never know what someone’s dealing with. This has definitely opened my eyes–my family and friends’ eyes ... People I hang out with and family, they now know the expectations of traveling and going out. And I appreciate that, because it’s exhausting just having a disability. And then to find
out someplace I want to go isn’t accessible.
Where does your patience come from?
That is one thing I’m not. I do not have patience. It all depends on the day. And my caregivers know because they’re with me all the time. They can see when I get agitated. But patience is definitely a work in progress for me. Don’t let the face fool you. And I’m one of those types; if I want something I want it done yesterday and I’ve always been that way, even from the time I was in school. I don’t know if that’s the Virgo in me. So imagine having no patience with a disability. Having a support group helps with my patience. I’m chair on the board for the Commission for Persons with Disabilities of Cambridge. Just being on the board has helped me learn to vibe with others.
Did you immediately go for the community that you’re in or did it find you? You mentioned social media.
I remember one connection on social that stood out to me is Jillian Mercado. She also has muscular dystrophy. And she’s a fashion model in a wheelchair and Hispanic. And when I saw that, I was like, “Look at her!” That definitely motivated me. You know, she’s big time. Just seeing her in her wheelchair, a woman of color, and her fashion doing her thing. And I’m like, oh, I love that. So she’s also one of those that always stands out to me. I don’t know if she knows that, but I hope one day she will. She’s dope. And to have the same muscular dystrophy as me was even better. She gets it.
And then I joined different support groups on social media, where I’ve connected with other individuals living with limbgirdle muscular dystrophy. Prior to the pandemic, I went to a limb-girdle muscular dystrophy conference in Chicago, and it was so nice to be among all my people. Different doctors were there, researchers, and that totally helped as well because we may have chatted on social media and then it was so nice for us to see each other in person. I just love when I have a question or my caregivers are getting on my nerves or I have a doctor question, I love that I can go to them like, “I had this problem with my caregiver. Do you guys experience this?”
I love to have that support because, like I said, at the end of the day, they get it. They’re living with it every day. They’re dealing with the caregivers, dealing with insurance, etc. So it can be exhausting. So that’s why I love to turn to them. I just posted on my group the other day asking a question about a doctor, and I’m on a group chat with my two friends that I met through the Muscular Dystrophy Association. I love it because they get it. Probably more than a doctor.
What about outside of your community? What do you want me to know about MD?
There’s like a stigma with some people with disabilities. Like,
we’re just at home, we can’t get out of bed. I tell people, We’re just like everyone else. We love fashion. We like to date, we like to go out, have fun, have a drink with our friends, travel with our family members. We just may need certain accommodations. Some of us out here, we’re doing our thing. We’re big time. There’s so many I look up to as inspiration, as content creators, models, fashion models that have been in Tommy Hilfiger campaigns. So, you know, we’re out here doing our thing. I love watching my TV shows. I’m always on TikTok. I love to watch TikTok. Funny videos. I know when I’m feeling down or depressed, I go to TikTok, and that just puts me in a whole different mood. So it’s like, we’re just like everyone else. And we’re here—and we’re here to stay.
BE THE CATALYST
Inspired? You can help. Right now.
#1 GET FASHIONABLE
Buy Girls Chronically Rock T-shirts, swimwear, accessories, adaptive wear, and merch created by Keisha. All products combine style with messages that empower. Add products from Keisha’s partner organization Partner’s Youth of Disabilities, who will get the proceeds from that purchase.
#2 LEARN
Start with Keisha’s web site GirlsChronicallyRock.com where there are resources to get educated about living with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. Then, continue reading about how an able-bodied person (fashionable or not) can be an ally to the MD community at MDA.org
#3 DONATE
Donate in honor of Keisha to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, where Keisha was a National Ambassador as well as Massachusetts Ambassador. MDA is the #1 voluntary health organization in the country for people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and over 300 other neuromuscular conditions. Donations go to accelerating research, advancing care, and advocating support and inclusion of families living with neuromuscular disease. MDA.org
HER MISSION: OFFER SUPPORTIVE COMUNITIES DURING
JEN NEWBERG life’s TRANSITIONS
Portrait: Stephanie C. Olsen Hair and Makeup: Marie Derbes
Jen Newberg knows three things for sure: Grief has no manual, life has no playbook, and people need people who get it. Jen Newberg gets it Last year she became a widow. She needed to meet other widows her age because she has a million questions about life after loss, and her friends (grief allies, she calls them) couldn’t answer them. So, she built a retreat, and her people came to her. She built a circle of support and found a way to allow her loss to live within it while she heals.
Our conversation starts here:
I love circles of support, which is part of your mission, and your reminder “there’s no playbook for life.” The company name, It’s Lifey, is perfect.
I heard the phrase “Life Gets Lifey,” and it stuck —because it’s true. Life isn’t linear, there’s no handbook for navigating life’s twists and turns. It’s why my company is called It’s Lifey. Every day brings new challenges and having a supportive community is essential. But it’s not about having people around you—it’s about being supported by people who get it. People who have been through what you’re facing or are in it with you now. That’s what I’m committed to building: Strong, meaningful communities for those who need them most.
How did you come to realize the need for community?
I met my husband, Jack, 12 years ago on Match. com— So yes, dating sites can work! As a second marriage for us both, we both knew what we wanted, and were married within two years. I actually proposed to him!
We had a blended family—his two kids and my daughter—and shared lots of joyful moments. We truly lived life to the fullest. One of the things I loved most about Jack was his incredible community of friends all over the world. Their constant presence, especially through his WhatsApp group, became a part of our life together. Blending families isn’t easy! I often wished I had access to other moms who
understood the complexities of step-parenting. It was a time I deeply needed community.
Another defining moment was when I got sober four years ago. I’m an alcoholic in active recovery, and my recovery community has been essential to my healing.
Whether in family, friendship, or sobriety, one thing has always been clear to me: we need people around us—people who understand and walk with us through it all.
I’m sorry to hear of the loss of Jack. Do you mind shariing what happened?
Of course not. I tell my story all the time to fulfill my mission to help others. In 2023, my parents gifted us a trip to Greece—something deeply meaningful. Travel had been a big part of Jack’s and my life, so we spent a year planning the perfect getaway.
After a magical evening in Mykonos, Jack woke me at 4 a.m. and said, “I think I’m having a heart attack.” We were on a remote island in the off-season, with no 911. The hotel owner helped with CPR—my dad was on the phone walking us through it—but Jack passed away before medics arrived.
What followed was chaos: police, the U.S. embassy, funeral logistics, and calling his family— all while trying to figure out how to tell our three kids. I flew home alone. It was the hardest ten hours of my life.
His funeral drew over 750 people—a reflection of how loved he was. But I was suddenly a widow with three grieving kids and five of Jack’s businesses to manage. It was unthinkable. In November, I went on a solo wellness retreat in Costa Rica to recharge. It helped—but I felt out of place among a much younger crowd.
On the flight home, I thought retreats for
widows. Within six weeks, the first one was planned and sold out. That retreat became the start of It’s Lifey—short for Life Gets Lifey. I filed for my LLC, built a brand, and launched a business rooted in healing, connection, and community.
How has the It’s Lifey journey been so far?
In the early months of It’s Lifey, I had about 19 ideas— from corporate programs to an app connecting people through shared life transitions. But the mission was always clear: to create safe, supportive communities for people navigating change—divorce, recovery, career shifts, empty nesting, and more.
A calm, grounded woman told me, “You need to focus.” At the time, I had just launched my first widow’s retreat, and she invited me to lead a support group at the Common Street Spiritual Center in Natick. I said yes.
So, I chose to focus on two things: the retreat and my first support circle. That decision grounded me. This work has become a lifeline—something meaningful I can pour into. I now spend hours each week talking with widows, often being the first person, they’ve truly opened up to.
I’m still shaping what It’s Lifey will become—LLC, nonprofit, or both—but I know the retreats will continue, and growing the circles of support is where my heart is. I also know I want to create a network of other “Lifers” who can bring this mission to their communities and their people, whether those are widows or people going through other life transitions. That’s the future.
Tell me about your first Circle of Support?
I started my first Circle of Support in Natick. My measure of success? The women staying after the meeting, chatting in the hallway. That was my goal—to create a space where they didn’t feel alone. By the end of week one, we had a group text. By week two, one woman said it was the only thing she looked forward to all week. Heartbreaking—but exactly why I’m doing this: to connect people with others who truly get it. By the third meeting, there were tears, laughter, and real gratitude. I’ve been experimenting with different formats—writing prompts, open sharing—and learning what works. Not everything lands (like the idea of everyone sharing their story each week), but that’s part of the process.
This is all new to me. I’ve always worked full-time but never started a business. And yet, I believe this is the greatest gift Jack left me: the time and means to figure out what It’s Lifey can become. It’s a tribute to him—he
believed deeply in the power of community, too.
I know there are other communities out there—but there’s only one me. I bring honesty and a “tell-it-likeit-is” approach that people seem to appreciate. Because while others might say, “It’s going to be okay,” I’ll be honest with you: it’s not. But you won’t have to go through it alone.
For someone like me who is not part of the community you’ve built, what can I do or say?
When I came home from Greece, my house looked like a flower shop. The gesture was kind, but what really helped were gift cards and meals—because with three kids, I couldn’t think about cooking.
One woman told me her friend still texts her twice a week, even months later, just to say, “You got this.” That kind of steady support means more than flowers ever could. I shared this on the Grief and Happiness podcast, encouraging “grief allies” to keep showing up in small, consistent ways.
The truth is that most grieving people don’t know what they need. The flood of support fades quickly—not out of neglect, but because life moves on. What matters is the friend who texts, brings coffee, or helps hang a picture.
A few months after Jack died, I rented a dumpster, invited friends over, and cleaned out my house with music blasting. It was messy, cathartic, and even a little fun. Another friend helped me decorate with new furniture—small but healing steps forward.
If you want to help someone grieving, don’t ask— just offer something specific. The little things mean everything.
Is there an element to your business that does a circle of support for grief allies?
Not yet.
Yet
I’m focused on building circles of support for widows and firmly believe support groups should never only be online. We’re wired for real human connection—you need people. The pandemic showed us that clearly. My retreats will always be in shared homes because there’s something special about sharing meals and space that can’t be replicated.
Community is central—from blended families to recovery groups to friends near and far. What stands out to me is how vital connection is.
I’ve been researching what former Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy calls the loneliness epidemic— loneliness can harm your health as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. That idea sticks with me.
Most people have a community in everyday life— family, friends, groups. But during tough transitions, loneliness hits hardest, and that’s when community matters most.
Your “get it” community.
Right. That’s when you need people who truly understand—because no one can fully grasp what it’s like to lose a husband. I was the first of my friends to get divorced and suddenly became the “expert,” with people reaching out just to talk. People need to feel seen, heard, and empowered.
When someone shares, “I wake up replaying how my husband died,” and others say, “Me, too,” that’s all the connection you need.
Community doesn’t have to be big—it can be one person who “gets it.” Whether it’s one-on-one or a group, it’s equally powerful.
I’ve noticed many widows turn to Facebook groups— there are dozens with thousands of members. While online support can help, I want to get people off their phones and into real, in-person communities.
I’m an introvert too, so I understand the challenge of stepping out. That’s why my retreats start with a simple interest form, followed by a chat or coffee to build trust. Some women only come because a friend or family member brings them, and that’s okay.
This has been a journey—like in recovery, it’s one day at a time. I’ve learned to focus on doing one thing well before moving on.
Is there a parallel there with processing grief? You can’t move forward until you’ve really focused on one part of it.
There’s no single way to grieve. I didn’t cry much for ten months and thought something was wrong with me. Then on Jack’s birthday, the tears came—and haven’t really stopped since.
Grief doesn’t disappear; your life grows around it. Imagine two circles: grief starts big and life small, then grief slowly shrinks as life expands. Eventually, they settle—grief remains, but life goes on.
I feel grateful that It’s Lifey has helped me build life around my grief. Helping others helps me heal too.
It’s been a year since Jack passed. I don’t have all the answers, but if I can help people find their people, I’ll be forever grateful.
BE THE CATALYST
Inspired? You can help. Right now.
#1 GET AWAY
Join an It’s Lifey Retreat for a deeply personal, uplifting, and rejuvenating weekend designed for people dealing with loss. Check for Fall retreats that are still in development but info is coming soon! Visit ItsLifey.com to see upcoming retreats and other events
#2 GET IN THE CIRCLE
Join a Circle of Support. While the Spring session has ended, there will be 4-5 more across Massachusetts in the Fall, joining 8-10 widows and widowers who will share their experience, strength, and hope while building friendships to last a lifetime. In 2026, Circles will expand to include other life transitions. Visit ItsLifey.com to see Fall 2025 locations.
#3 PARTNER
“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” Henry Ford. Throughout my career, I’ve seen the power of partnership in all its forms—between a publicist and a reporter, a brand and its consumer, two brands joining forces, or a nonprofit and a funder. One thing has always stood out: being in it together is far more powerful than going it alone
If you’re interested in collaborating, or becoming a “Lifer” so you can host Circles of Support or retreats in your community, email jennifer@itslifey.com.
KIRSTEN OBEROI
HER MISSION: GIVE YOUTH A VOICE
always in SONG
Portrait: Stephanie C. Olsen Hair and Makeup: Marie Derbes
Kirsten Oberoi spoke so lovingly and passionately about the students in her chorus and the way they grow from the first class to the finale concert, we got a little teary. As she spoke, she seemed to get lost in a memory, reliving moments with her students. She describes her style as collaborative; trusting in these collaborations to lead each student to self-agency, no matter their age. We wondered, when did we forget that kids need to participate in the choices we make for them? And how do we remind everyone that these life lessons can come from teachers in community arts?
Our conversation begins here:
Tell me about using music to build self-agency.
I started teaching music and I realized where I felt the most joy was teaching choral singing in order to do something more, connecting with kids and giving them a space. Because kids are amazing! Watching them grow and become comfortable with the sound of their own voice is amazing. These days, all the teens (and adults!) have a pocket device where they can “communicate” and “socialize” behind a keyboard. They aren’t actually practicing the art of speaking, the art of hearing their own voice, the art of becoming comfortable with the sound and feeling of their own words leaving their mouths. Singing in a room full of people is such a valuable experience and an experience where you need to be able to trust people around you. An experience where you actually want to speak out more and you want to advocate for yourself more. You want to ask questions.
School culture teaches us: don’t show anybody if you got a good grade on your math test, because that’s rude. And: don’t show anybody if you got a bad grade on your math test, because that’s shameful. In chorus, you have to make mistakes out loud. There is no other way to make mistakes here. And I think there’s a freedom in that. There’s something that unlocks inside of you. The culture in the classroom doesn’t have to be “You did bad and you did good,” but instead “You got that part of it, I got this part of it and we’re working together to do better next time.” I started to ask myself what can
I do intentionally to build that culture? What can I do intentionally to center my mission, to center the mission of the organization around that kind of growth–accepting my voice, myself, and building intrinsic confidence? What I discovered is that the building of that intrinsic confidence actually makes the end product better and more relatable to audience members and to people who watch our videos or look at our photos online. Audience members are so often moved by the confidence that our students exude, and that is an intentional outcome.
Your methods build more authenticity.
I think it fights this culture of failure. How are we going to raise the next generation to not be afraid of failure? You have to talk about it, it can’t be scary, and they have to realize that there’s truly no consequence here. There’s actually no consequence to singing a wrong note in a chorus rehearsal—it’s a learning process and it has to be done in order to grow and learn. So now, you’ve made a mistake in front of other people. And I tell my kids all the time, not a single person died in this experience of wrong-note-singing. You’re fine, actually. Better than fine—you’ve experienced something and learned from it. The choruses at South Shore Children’s Chorus are all audition-free. So I have kids in my teen choirs that come in with no singing experience at all and some that are I’m-in-all-four-choirs-at-my-school.
I am a professional helper. It’s my job to answer the questions. I am ready to help solve any of your problems.
But your job is to ask. If you tell me, “Oh yeah, I totally understand” when you actually don’t, that doesn’t help anyone in the room. You have to advocate for your own understanding. Sudents shy away from asking for help. My expectation is that you work to understand the concepts that we are learning. My expectation is that you understand because you don’t allow yourself not to understand. You are important enough to understand what’s going on in this room, and I’m more than happy to help you. So many kids pretend to understand concepts in classrooms when they don’t—-I call it the culture of “should.” I should know this, so I’m going to pretend that I do. From a teaching perspective, it can be frustrating when the teenager says, “I don’t understand this thing.” In your head you say, “I have explained this six ways to Sunday. My head is going to explode because I have no idea why you don’t understand this.” And then, you know, your gut feeling as a teacher is to ask, “Did you not listen the first 45 times that I explained this?” But if we shame a request for help ever, regardless of the environment, then they don’t ask again. So as a teacher, you have to just get over it. Quite frankly, you just have to get over your own frustrations and you have to just say, “You know what? I’m so glad that you asked.” And then down the line when you have built trust with the student you can review the situation with them. “I answered this several times before, did you not understand it because you weren’t paying attention? Or did you not understand it because of the way that I explained it?”
Do you wish you were taught this way?
I grew up in a musical household, and I knew more than everybody in my choir already, just because of my being brought up that way and having that experience. So it isn’t really that I wish I was taught this way. Really, it’s me looking around at arts education and seeing a model that hasn’t changed in too many years. We’re still using the same model that we’ve used for 30, 40, 50 years. And it doesn’t work anymore. Those in arts education can be so quick to point fingers about why arts education is undersupported—it’s the fault of phones, and it’s the fault of sports, and it’s the fault of parenting—it’s the fault of anything except the fact that we haven’t truly changed our model to adapt to the students in front of us. We need to make our art, including the logistics, relevant to what’s happening today.
I think what makes SSCC unique and popular in the community is that we are attempting to revolutionize the how of teaching and relationships with students. How are we approaching students? How are we teaching them self-advocacy? What lessons are we teaching and how are they feeling engaged? Note that none of this relevancy comes with a particular song choice or genre. It comes from how they relate to it.
We have to think deeply about how we approach teaching leadership in a music classroom. Oftentimes, the students that have taken piano lessons for their whole lives are automatically
given leadership positions because of their prior experience. What about the kid who works hard, but couldn’t afford piano lessons? Operating this way doesn’t promote diversity. It doesn’t promote accessibility. I don’t actually name leaders in my ensemble. I just say if you’re a senior, you’re a junior, and you’ve been around, congratulations! You’re a leader. You’re both responsible for your own experience. You’re a leader of your own experience and of the culture we are building together.
What a life lesson.
Kids have to be empowered to have choices and to recognize how many choices they have. I actually don’t think kids today recognize that they have a choice, and that’s the fault of the adults who have set up that world around them. It’s a combo of overcommunication, society, perfectionism, and helicopter parenting. When I was in the seventh grade, I had a really hard history teacher. I got a C– on a test, so I had to go after school to see him and average out all of my grades to see how it affected my final grade. And my mom was not cool with C minuses. So I went and I added up all my grades. I realized that if I got an A on the next test, it would even out to a B+ average, which was appropriate in my Mom’s eyes. I worked hard and got an A on that next test. My mom never knew about that C– because I could fix it on my own. I could fix it, I was empowered, I can fix this problem, which is my own.
Now? A kid gets a grade on a test, and as soon as a teacher enters the grade their parent gets an immediate email notification. Before the kid even knows that they have that grade because they’re not allowed to have their phone in school, the parent has already emailed the teacher. We’ve actually created a system that makes them powerless to solve their own problems. So, of course kids feel disempowered. Creating a space where they can say, “Hey, this is my choice, and it’s my choice to advocate for myself, my choice to solve my own problems, and it’s my choice to be a leader of my own experience.” is imperative. I think that kind of empowerment is what’s going to change the next generation; it’s going to help them.
How do the kids react? Do they know what to do?
Sometimes—no—a lot of the time, they don’t. I will say, I’ve been doing this long enough now that the nice thing is that the culture in the room is set. So, if next fall, let’s say I have 60 kids in my ensemble. At least 45 to 50 of them will probably be returning from the previous season. So they already sort of know the deal. It makes it easier for the new students to assimilate.
I think the staff builds this same culture really well at the appropriate age level. You don’t work with kindergarten through second graders the same way that you work with seventh or 12th graders. Same with the third through sixth grade teachers. I have an amazing teaching team. Kelly Graeber and Liz Schorr
are the Artistic Team Leaders at SSCC. I am grateful to have them, because they are constantly teaching me and challenging me in my own leadership to grow and think from varying perspectives. There’s a middle ground between being soft and being regimented and that’s what we’re trying to find when we’re building our culture at each age group, and the goal is a moving target. We are always looking at what we’re doing, going through and changing and growing—something that I think makes our organization very unique.
I see a ton of joy in all of the kids’ faces.
The secret is that the joy comes from actually doing less. With each group, we rehearse only three songs in a five-month period. Because we are doing less music, we have time for other things. I can take rehearsal time for that socialization. I can take rehearsal time for that community building. What makes us special is that even seemingly simple decisions are made with intention; we wear t-shirts and jeans for our concerts because it is an equalizer. It is an intentional choice to be inclusive.
The most joyful moment at SSCC?
I am a big believer in surprise and authentic joy. During last year’s summer program, we lost power for most of the week and we couldn’t use the entire building we had rented. We had to move the concert, and move hundreds of people, move different rooms, and everything felt chaotic. Our finale was going to be “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield. I had this thought, “What if I got to the lyrics, ‘release your inhibitions’ and then I blew teal confetti at the children—a surprise.” Nobody knew it was going to happen.
The day before the concert, we had to rent a moving truck and move all of our equipment. I bought these two confetti cannons, and they were just sitting in my car. I looked at my staff a couple hours before the concert and said, “I know this week has been long, but I have this idea.”
If you open up the home page of my website, you’ll actually see a video in slowmotion of all the kids and staff just jumping up and down in this teal confetti rain. They’re leaping for joy as they’re singing and they’re looking up, grabbing for it, teary eyed. In that moment of wonder I thought they might not even sing, they might be so confused as to what was going on. But I’d rather give them this memory of joy, this memory of wonder, this memory of singing in this confetti than have a “perfect” performance. To me, that’s what it’s about, right?
It was one of the best moments of my teaching career. It was just healing. Because I had to trust—I couldn’t see my admin on the other side and so I just conducted, and the confetti came and it was just so beautiful.
After the concert, I received so many emails and texts from parents with stories of being in the grocery store, and
“Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield just came on the radio and their kid is dancing up and down the aisle. Whenever that song comes on, the students from camp are going to have this memory of when they were in chorus and it rained confetti. And that joy is going to come back to them over and over and over again. And whether or not they decide to be musicians in life, whether or not they decide to keep singing, they’re not going to walk away from chorus saying, “I hated it.” They’re not going to walk away from chorus saying it was a bad experience. They’re going to walk away with this memory of unexpected wonder and joy. Later in life when they have kids and their kid comes home and asks, “What should I choose for my music elective?” Maybe, just maybe, that will say, “You know what I loved when I was your age?” They might even navigate to YouTube and find that video and they’ll show their kid. I think that’s how we move art forward. We create these core memories of joy through art with people that they can then share.
BE THE CATALYST
Inspired? You can help. Right now.
#1 SING
Singing is a vital part of the human experience, and every child deserves to learn how to use their unique voice. Register for a program during the school year or in the summer. School year programs are for ages K-12, and there is an adult (18+) choir weekend experience every June.
#2 SEND A KID TO CHORUS
Donate to the student scholarship fund. The South Shore Children’s Chorus provided $40,000 in tuition assistance for last year’s youth programming. No child has ever been turned away from programming due to inability to pay.
#3 Volunteer
Help out at concerts, fundraising events, and more. Additionally, SSCC is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Should you be interested in joining our Community Engagement Committee or Board of Directors, please email boardpres@sscchorus.org
LIGHT LISA PONTE
HER MISSION: TO BRING WHERE THERE IS DARKNESS.
Portrait: Stephanie C. Olsen Hair and Makeup: Marie Derbes
Trigger warning: This essay includes discussion of attempted suicide. Please take care while reading. If you or a loved one are experiencing emotional distress or thoughts of suicide, there is help. Call, text, or chat 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Editor’s note: The Trump administration has ended funding for the LGBTQIA+ specialized support, known as “option 3” on the 988 hotline, beginning in July 2025. All callers can call 988 for help, but callers needing specialized support can connect with counselors at The Trevor Project 24/7 by texting START to 678-678. A trained counselor will message you privately. If you want to speak to a counselor over the phone, call 866-488-7386.
Told by Lisa Ponte
I was 47 when I finally gathered the strength to tell the truth—the whole truth. Not the watered-down version I’d rehearsed over the years, but the real, messy, painful story. The one shaped by relentless bullying, depression, a toxic relationship, and a suicide attempt that I kept buried in the shadows of shame. For decades, I lived with that story sealed tightly inside me, behind smiles, achievements, and distractions. I thought silence was strength. But silence became my prison.
Growing up, I was the girl who looked like she had it all together. A cheerleader, a popular boyfriend and I seemed happy on the outside. I came from a typical family: an older sister, a younger brother, and parents who did their best with what they knew. But in our home, we didn’t talk about pain or the fact that my dad was a functioning alcoholic. Emotions were either ignored or pushed aside. Vulnerability wasn’t something we showed—it was something we avoided.
My world began to unravel in seventh grade. That’s when the bullying started. And not just casual teasing—the kind you might brush off—but brutal, targeted abuse by a group of older girls. For five long years, they made my life unbearable.
School wasn’t safe. Neither was walking home or attending a football game. I remember once being followed down
the hallway, their voices slicing through the air, calling me vile names. I remember the sting of humiliation, the racing heartbeat, the cold sweat of fear. I remember a car driving past me while girls were screaming out the sunroof “c*nt” as if I were nothing and pretending to swerve the car at me like they were going to hit me.
But that wasn’t the only source of my pain. I was trapped in an emotionally and physically abusive relationship with a boy a year older, someone they all adored. I lost my innocence at 13, long before I understood what sex really meant. He cheated. He lied. He fractured my arm. I stayed, not because I wanted to, but because I didn’t know how to leave. I thought his attention meant love. I thought being chosen—by anyone—was enough.
It wasn’t.
My breaking point came during my freshman year. I felt invisible, suffocated by secrets, consumed by shame. I was terrified of being judged by my family, especially my parents, whose beliefs about sex and emotional expression made it impossible to open up. So I turned inward—too far inward.
One morning, I put on a pink blouse, curled my hair, and packed a bottle of pills in my bag. I walked out the door like everything was fine. But inside, I was saying goodbye. I didn’t know much about how to end my
life, but I knew taking enough pills might do the job. I swallowed all of them. Choking to get the last one down as my heart raced with anxiousness. I remember the regret hitting almost instantly. I confided in a friend, who told a teacher. I was rushed to the hospital, where I was greeted by upset parents and a father crying as I vomited black charcoal.
That moment was supposed to be the beginning of healing. But healing never came—not really. I was evaluated, sent home, and told to see a therapist. It lasted one session. My parents didn’t believe in therapy. Instead, we confronted the bully directly. My sister ended up in a fight and got suspended. And then… life went on. Or at least, it looked like it did. But inside, I was still that scared girl—quiet, unsure, craving love and safety.
Decades passed. I got married, had children, tried to build a beautiful life. But the wounds were still there, festering under the surface. I struggled to find my voice in my marriage. Arguments left me shaken and small. I walked on eggshells, afraid to upset my husband, afraid of being yelled at, criticized, misunderstood. One night, after a delayed flight, I called him from the airport,
asking for a ride. His rage over something so small made me feel like a child again—worthless, afraid. I broke down crying and knew something had to change.
We chose to stay together—but we didn’t pretend anymore. We got help. Real help. Counseling, communication, hard truths. My husband worked on his anger. I worked on my self-worth. It wasn’t easy. Healing never is. But for the first time, I stopped abandoning myself. I began choosing myself.
Yoga, meditation, therapy, affirmations—they became lifelines. I joined a 40-day yoga program, not realizing how transformative it would be. I learned how to breathe through my pain. How to feel it instead of running from it. I became certified in yoga and started spending time in silence, in movement, in reflection. Slowly, I reclaimed my voice.
The turning point came in the form of a gift—an unexpected set of affirmation cards from my mother-inlaw. At first, I didn’t know what to do with them. But each morning, I pulled a card. Just one sentence. One reminder that I was worthy, that I was enough. Those tiny cards helped me rewire years of negative self-talk. They taught me how to show up for myself.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, I saw the fear and loneliness in others’ eyes—and I recognized it. I’d lived it. That’s when I created LP Vibes, a business born from pain but rooted in purpose. My first product was a deck of affirmation cards, written from the heart with beautiful images of my own photography. My mission was simple: to bring light where there had once been darkness. To be the support system I once needed. To help others find the voice I had once lost.
Now, every time someone tells me that a card helped them through a hard day, a breakup, a diagnosis, or a loss—I feel something I never thought I would: peace.
I won’t pretend I’ve figured it all out. Healing is a lifelong process. But I no longer hide my story in the shadows. I wear it proudly, scars and all. Because I am proof that we can break cycles. That we can turn pain into purpose. And that we are never truly alone—even in our darkest moments.
Today’s affirmation? “Fear is a FeelingConfront your fears or bow to them, the choice is yours.”
BE THE CATALYST
Inspired? You can help. Right now.
#1 BE POSITIVE
Gift Lisa’s Affirmation Card Decks for Teens/Adults, Affirmation Cards for Children, or her Stacked with Love jewelry for yourself and those who need them (so, all of your friends and loved ones!)
#2 FILL A BACKPACK
Help Lisa fill 10,000 backpacks with her affirmation cards for children and teens in Massachusetts. Lisa partnered with School on Wheels of Massachusetts (SOWMA), a nonprofit that provides school supplies, backpacks, and mentorship to children affected by homelessness, during a time when mental health support is more crucial than ever. We believe that small acts of kindness—like an uplifting affirmation—can make a big difference.
#3 LEARN
According to the CDC, suicide is a leading cause of death in the U.S. and a public health problem. Learn about those at highest risk and the resources Massachusetts has to combat this health crisis.
CDC.gov/suicide
#4 HELP
The Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention (MSCP) is a broad-based inclusive alliance to prevent suicide and has 11 Regional Coalitions in the Berkshires, Pioneer Valley, Central MA, Metrowest, Northeast, Greater Boston, Plymouth, Bristol County, Cape and Islands, and the Montachusett Task Force. The goals of the coalition are to “support and develop effective suicide prevention initiatives through leadership and advocacy, promote collaboration among organizations, develop and recommend policy and promote research and development.”
MSCPNow.com to learn how to help prevent suicide.
KATHY PICARD
HER MISSION: CHANGE HOW AND WHEN VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE CAN BRING THEIR ABUSERS TO
JUSTICE
Portrait: Bridget Snell
TRIGGER WARNING: This conversation discusses childhood sexual abuse. Please take care while reading.
At 28 years old, Kathy Picard finally began to talk about the sexual abuse she kept secret since age seven. But the betrayal she exposed, followed by the bravery she found to tell the truth, was met with “it’s too late to do anything” and more dismissive legalese. In full fight mode, this survivor was not going back into silence. Kathy learned advocacy on the ground, on the phone, with her pen, her voice, and her story. And helped change the statute of limitations so that she and others can find some semblance of justice. Kathy’s advocacy has been recognized and awarded by local, state, and federal government and international agencies. Her memoir “My Life with My Idiot Family” and her children’s book,” I love you so much that…” is a resource for parents and community leaders.
Our conversation begins here:
Tell me about being a survivor turned advocate.
I’ve been talking about this for about 23 years now, and I am not alone. I share my story to help myself and others, letting them know that it’s okay to tell. It’s not their fault. You can get through it, possibly, but you have to get rid of that ugliness in your stomach, and you have to talk about it.
Statistics show one in every four girls will experience sexual abuse before their 18th birthday, and one in every six boys before their 18th birthday. I think there are more because a lot of it goes unreported. And 93% know their abuser. It’s not a stranger. And shame on the people who don’t want to listen. As a survivor, we need to find only those in your circle who believe you, who trust you, who want to help you. There are a lot of ignorant, stubborn people out there who would say, “My child would tell me.” That’s not always the case. Maybe the abuser is in their home, or they don’t want to get punished, or they don’t want to get hit for telling. So many wait until they’re older and out of the home to tell. Then they can talk about it. But sometimes they never tell their story, never let it go. Because, “Why talk about it now? It happened a long time ago.” Or, “It only happened once.” But that trauma stays with you.
I told my grandmother when I was nine years old but she was so afraid of my abuser she told me to keep quiet and don’t talk about “stuff like that.” Then at age 28, I did talk to my Aunt Judi but she was also afraid of my abuser and told me not to talk about it, and that she would take care of it.
Were you able to press charges against your abuser? Did the state?
Back when I started my advocacy work in 2002 the statute of limitations had expired in Massachusetts. So, I didn’t have any legal recourse at the time. So I called
1-800-Dial A Lawyer to get legal advice from an attorney. The attorney told me the statute of limitations had expired so there’s nothing I could do about it. Just to verify I called back and spoke to another attorney who told me the same thing.
I didn’t know what else to do so I called my representatives and senators at the State House in Boston. I was trying to explain to these people that I was sexually abused as a child and thinking of suing my abuser. I didn’t understand how there could be a time frame on something like this. During one of these phone calls I was told that at any one time there are over 6,000 bills that have been filed and changing the statute of limitations was not one of them. Then this particular aide told me to stop calling because I was bothering him. I was pissed. And I told him. “You need to do something about it, do your job, I’m a taxpayer.” I told him the time frame for a sexual abuse survivor to sue their abuser needs to be either eliminated or extended. That’s pretty much when my advocacy work started.
There are criminal and civil cases. Usually criminal cases mean jail time and registering as a sex offender. The people I was working with helped to change the statute of limitations on criminal cases and on September 21, 2006 we changed the law which allowed people up to the age of 43 to sue their abuser in court. But I was older than 43 so this new law didn’t apply to me. That’s when I started to fight to change the statute of limitations on civil cases. Civil cases are all about monetary compensation. We passed a new law on June 26, 2014. This new law allowed a person up to their 53rd birthday to sue their abuser in court. I had my trial on November 4, 2015.
How have you passed on your message?
I talk at schools and universities to students and staff. I’ve given talks at our police academy, hospitals, and daycare centers. I’ve talked with men and women at correctional facilities and their staff. I talk about my experiences as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and how those
experiences have affected my life both as a child and as an adult. There are long-term effects of this kind of abuse. I have learned to deal with my PTSD. But I also think it’s important to let them know one can still live a happy, healthy life. Counseling has helped me and sharing my story helps me.
To a younger audience, I wrote a children’s book, “I Love You So Much That…” in 2021 and a bilingual Spanish/English version came out in print in 2023. It’s life lessons and a resource so that the parents can read this to their kids. And the kids love it because my dog Abby is featured in the book. She even signs the books with her paw. Life lessons like, “I love you so much that I ask you to eat your vegetables. Why should you be healthy?” And “I love you so much that I ask you to do your chores so you can see how much you can do.” But I think the important pages read… “I love you so much that… I want you to be safe so much that I don’t want you to go with or talk to people you don’t know. Why? Because a stranger could never take care of you or love you as much as I do.”
And, “I love you, and I want you to be safe so much that I want you to keep your private parts private. Why? Because private means we don’t show or share them with other people. Is there a time when it’s okay for someone to see your private parts?” Some schools —it
still aggravates me—have told me, “If you take this page out, we will allow you to come into our school and read.” I think teaching the kids safety at their level is important. I think my children’s book is a way to start.
What has been the feedback?
Most of the feedback regarding my advocacy work has been positive. As ugly as sexual abuse is, it has to be discussed in the open and what better person to pass on the message than someone who has lived through it. It gives me legitimacy when I talk with people. They realize what I had to deal with and it gives them hope and courage to face their own struggles and journey. They ask questions and I give them honest answers. That is a very powerful exchange. They figure if I can do it, so can they. If I can live through what I did and come out the other side whole and positive, I think that gives them hope.
But there are people who have told me not to speak publicly about sexual abuse. That it should only be spoken about within the family behind closed doors. In other words, stifled and ignored. Over the years I’ve tried to reach those types and I’m not sure they want to hear what I have to say.
As for the talks, I had to get my message out there. Besides my speaking engagements I’ve written two books. An adult book which chronicles my life from childhood to the present entitled “Life with My Idiot Family” and a children’s book called “I Love You So Much That…” which offers life lessons to help kids stay safe and to know they are loved.
It’s been really good. A lot of people have bought it for baby showers. In fact, one person told me they got three of my books. I’ve read it at Lupa Zoo in Ludlow, Massachusetts, during story time. I’ve been selling a lot of the books at craft fairs as well.
I love what I do. It’s very emotional when occasions happen such as the most recent. My husband and I were at a restaurant and this little boy was there smiling at me. He said, “You came to my school. You read the book to me!” He’s seven years old and he gave me not one hug, but two hugs. I went back to this classroom before the school year ended. There were 23 kids and they all came over and gave me a hug. I stayed for an hour. That’s what makes what I do so great.
What are you working on now?
Presenting at Stoneybrook Stabilization Treatment Center in Ludlow for the “Family Recovery” Program every last Friday of the month. Sharing my story to the
men in the program. Going to craft fairs selling my books, sharing my story on various podcast. Doing anything and everywhere I can to raise awareness of childhood sexual abuse.
I work with Enough Abuse on their prevention package in Massachusetts to help pass bills into law to better protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation. I’m also working with Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe Program sharing their mission of helping children to be safe. And I am reaching out to more schools and daycare centers to read my children’s book and educate their staff.
Who do you work and partner with?
My Massachusetts Reps and senators. And Enough Abuse (formerly Massachusetts Citizens for Children). They are wonderful. They truly get it. And Massachusetts Children’s Alliance and Childhelp. My husband, Gary, and I wrote the book “My Life With My Idiot Family: A True Story of Survival, Courage and Justice over Childhood Sexual Abuse.” Gary did a lot of the writing and he said it was hard for him because he didn’t know the details of the abuse. We cried. We cried a lot. It took us five years to write it … I never had anybody ever in my life ask, “Are you okay?” A simple question like that to a survivor is important. My Audible Producer called up and he says, “Kathy, I have two questions for you: How do you pronounce your last name? And “Are you okay?” Nobody’s ever asked me.
Calling you a “survivor” doesn’t seem enough! Advocate is powerful to me. What else?
Survivor. Educational speaker. Law changer. Advocate.
All true.
A friend calls me Wonder Woman, she got me a Wonder Woman pin. The Boston Globe did a story on me and said, “We’re going to call her the bishop.” … You know, it’s not about the awards, but I have won a lot of awards that I’m proud of, and I guess that’s validating for me. People need to see, well, what did you do? You went to college? No. You got all these awards? Yes. I even got letters. Two letters from two presidents. I love doing what I do. But some people don’t get it. They’re never going to get it. But don’t put me down or don’t welcome me into your audience. You don’t know if there are people—daycare workers, teachers, coaches who want to hear this.
The point is your message, right? And it’s an uncomfortable thing to talk about. Nobody wants to talk about it. But we have to. I am so grateful to you for all your work. I’m grateful that you felt comfortable and safe discussing all of this with me. I have no problem talking to anybody. I’m always here for them. I’ve always been here. And it’s amazing how many people feel that sense to share with me and listen to me.
BE THE CATALYST
Inspired? You can help. Right now.
#1 LEARN
Read Kathy’s story to understand childhood abuse: KathyPicard.com and her Children’s book “I Love You So Much That…” to help children understand how to report
Read Survivor stories to know you’re not alone: EnoughAbuse.org
Hear Kathy’s Story as told in her book “Life with my Idiot Family” on Audible, or order the book directly from Kathy at Kathychildadvocate@gmail.com
#2 GET INVOLVED
Learn about the ENOUGH ABUSE Campaign in your state EnoughAbuse.org
Learn about the Children’s Justice Campaign, whose mission is “to utilize the rule of law and common sense public policy to uphold the dignity and protection of all children while holding those who harm children fully accountable under both criminal and civil law.
Pledge to Prevent® at PledgeToPrevent.info
Be One with Courage® at Massachusetts Children’s Alliance and browse the trainings for professionals, community education, and legislative Action MAChildrensAlliance.org
HER MISSION: CHALLENGE BIG BRANDS TO SEE CLEARLY AND
Portrait: Stephanie C. Olsen Hair and Makeup: Marie Derbes
Kristie Raymond knows talent, she knows influence, and she knows how creative minds work when they tell us a story about their brand. It’s seemingly counterintuitive, but authenticity—in images, videos, print ads, commercials, reels, social media—takes a team to create. Kristie recognized that authenticity continually excluded the very real and present disability community.
Our conversation starts here:
You’re challenging the fashion industry and that seems so enormous to me.
It is enormous. We are mainly asking people who are able-bodied, because those are the people who are in the creative rooms-—who are the creative directors, art directors, and producers—we’re asking them to think outside of themselves, which is a really hard thing to do, for anybody.
But in the creative space, I’m challenging those individuals to be creative and come up with unique approaches and perspectives every time. I’m sort of saying, “Hey, let’s extend that a little further. Let’s widen that lens just a little bit more. And in so much as you’ve got this great concept, how do we really sort of truly reflect the landscape of humankind in that creative brief and decision?” Where does it fit and how does it look? And I think it also has to do with valuing the disability community and seeing who they are as a customer or as a consumer base for any product or service or brand.
What is it that took so long, do you think?
I think there’s a lot of education that’s involved here and again, there’s a lot of presuppositions and judgments made about individuals—just perhaps how people look. Everybody does it. People do it to everybody all the time. As able-bodied people, we’re making presuppositions about people’s ability based on how we see them present themselves. What we are trying to say is, look a little beyond that.
As much as we want to say, “Great, we’re having these discussions” it’s still less than 2% of any advertising, any mainstream representative from the
disability community. And yet the disability community is over 24% of our population. And I think that brands and businesses can understand that population a bit better and spend some time to understand their value and what that community can bring to their business. It’s a big conversation.
When we talk about it, we certainly talk about the impact it can have on their bottom line for dollars and cents in sales, but we also talk about the impact that it has as a company that is seen for seeing people. If you’re making an effort it will be known. It will, I think, benefit one’s reputation. “I can see them being in this bowling alley advertisement” right? Because young teens with disabilities want the same things that able-bodied people want. We’re all human and we get down to that nugget of we are all human and different vessels of bodies and different ways that our bodies move around. I think the disability community has been screaming and jumping up and down and trying to get attention for so long. For me [as someone in the industry] to say, “I see you, but I’m expecting you to come to me,” That’s rude. I mean, that’s just uneducated. I’m just going to sit here and wait for all these people with disabilities to come to me and be part of my modeling agency? No! I’m going to go where you are because you’ve never been invited, and you’ve never had opportunities presented to you that are really real. So, when I go out, I go to the yearly meetings for The Arc, I go to the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Conference, and I say, “I’m here for you. I want to create this talent pool that represents you.” Without a talent pool, we will never have inclusive casting and production. As I talk about inclusive casting, I get a lot of clients who are really ready to be on board. The problem is there’s not a talent pool, right? So therein lies the circle that we’re trying to close. And by doing our photo clinics called Beauty Has No Limits! and providing that low-cost opportunity to get photos that could be matched
up against any traditional model being presented for work. To me, that is how we build it. We use the same standards and expectations. Each person is unique and different. So I think that by providing the opportunity, you sort of turn on the light of interest and then are able to represent these individuals for real work. The ultimate goal is to build a talent pool so that it is the size of a traditional talent pool. A modeling agency may have 200 or 300 people on their roster and I’m excited to say I have over 40, but I’d like to see those numbers go up. The spectrum of disabilities is pretty big as well as the ages in which we see these disabilities.
You have your work cut out for you. It seems to me you become part of the business model of these brands as well as the advocate and agent for the models. You’re wearing a lot of hats. What’s the story behind the beginnings of HumanKind?
I was working with the Hasbro toy company. I went internal there as a photo producer in 2015. I think one of the reasons they brought me on was that I had been a freelance vendor doing casting for them under my production company, Viewfinder Productions. But the fact is, all the brands are working in silos, right? All the little teams are basically picking the same kids. They’re picking the same children on the boxes. So if you had a product that was talking to girls ages seven to ten, I’m seeing the same girls over and over across the brands. I don’t think diversity was really part of the conversation, but the lack of it was extremely visible. When you step back and you’re looking at it from the photo studio perspective, we’re like, “Oh, we just saw this kid last week for another client, another brand.” You lose that real grasp on identity as far as your brand is concerned.
I’ve worked alongside a brand, Baby Alive, that really embraces all abilities. And it was there that I connected with an organization that supported representation in the media, and we did a photoshoot. A model that we do now is a photo clinic and video clinic, and we brought in individuals, children with disabilities from around the community here in New England. And Hasbro hosted a huge clinic for two days. And it was amazing. And, you know, the kiddos get to walk the runway, the red carpet, and get photos and video to take home. It was really a great experience. More than that, though, was that the brand picked children to book for print and video and a commercial and they really stood by it. They used a young girl who’s in a wheelchair with cerebral palsy. It was so fantastic—and her response when she’s getting booked and she sees herself on the package. And I have to be honest, when it went so well with Baby Alive,
I really thought the other brands within the umbrella would jump on board.
I’ve worked for myself for so long that whenever I wanted to do something, I just did it. I don’t have to go up the chain of command—I am the chain of command. I think 2020 was a painful year and a really eye-opening year for a lot of people. During that time, I just thought, I already see the model. I already see what can happen. And I don’t want to be limited. I want to take this concept and this idea and go for it. So that’s when I left, in January of 2021, and launched HumanKind. I know the road I’m on because I’ve opened a modeling agency and a production company and casting in the past. I’ve done it all in the past, so I know the job. But it’s so unique because you’re bringing in individuals that have never been a part of the industry before. I’m educating them as well.
If I’m going to send someone on a photo shoot, I want them to be educated about what to expect and what’s expected of them, and what’s going to happen. It’s pretty serious. I’m on a shoot right now and there are going to be 12 people here from a client to make the photo look right. And that’s not even counting the prop stylist, the wardrobe stylist, hair and makeup, the talent—it’s a lot that comes into play. Photo and video hold the power to change how we see each other. I think that if we can come together in ways that provide authentic storytelling, those are the connections. I think sometimes when we see someone with a disability, we feel maybe disconnected from them, right? You may not necessarily feel that you have the same kind of connection. Maybe because they’re a little different from you. But when you see them doing the same thing in a photo or a video, you’re like, “Oh, they’re just like me.” I’m looking to stir the pot and make that happen.
How is this challenge being received by brand agencies?
I definitely think everybody seems very positive when I first bring it up. Then I think it’s a matter of, “How does this fit for us? How does this fit our brand?” Is this authentic storytelling, or does it look like we’re really checking a box to make sure we’re diverse or inclusive?” I think that it’s challenging them to perhaps really be creative. Sometimes I feel the creativity is a little lackluster. Because, as I said, there’s not a single person on any of those creative teams with a disability and to ask them to put someone in front of the camera that doesn’t necessarily look like them, requires a lot of thinking. I think that’s kind of where the stage is right now.
There are some clients that are all over it. Staples. We do a ton of work with them, especially a lot of their B2B, they do an amazing series of photo shoots. One of the shots was at a school. So, of course, we had a group of kids in front of the teacher, and we were able to authentically be inclusive there because many classrooms today are fully equipped. We don’t have separate classrooms. If it’s not real, if it’s an inauthentic representation of that community, you will know it, and then the backlash will begin. Bad stock photography is always something that popped into my algorithm a lot. Unfortunately, somebody might be trying to be inclusive, to really represent the disability community, but if they’re going to go to a stock house and if they’re not educated, they’re just going to pick a random image, and those images are not vetted to be real. Is this how a person in a wheelchair would approach the situation?
Typically they are able-bodied people in wheelchairs in this stock photograph. And that unfortunately continues the misrepresentation of what people who are disabled look like.
There are nuances and little innuendos that come into play that cause the massive production monster. I feel that you are better off when you stop for a moment and perhaps think things through. This industry runs at 150 miles an hour; we rarely stop. Take a breath and sit with it and find those places. I go and I put myself in places where the disability community is because I want them to see me, that I am there for them. I want to be in the rooms and at those places where those creatives are and be conscientious about my postings and what we’re saying in our social media and how we’re trying to educate.
I think there is some fear from less able-bodied folks. “What if I do it wrong and right?” But the fact is, everyone that I’ve met and spoken to, I have to ask, in a very humble way, “I’m hoping that you might be able to guide me so that my actions can be reflective of the right approach.” That’s important—I don’t want to speak for them.
What you’re doing is wonderful. But I’m sad that something like this should be normal, but is not.
Oh, it should be normal. It should have been done a long time ago. But as a society, things are moving along. I love it when clients are inclusive and ready to be so. But I also really feel and see confidence skyrocketing in the disability community, from the individuals that are coming through our program and our clinics and participating in our photo shoots and our fashion shows. Some people are seeing themselves as beautiful for the first time. And that’s powerful. It’s a powerful feeling.
BE THE CATALYST
Inspired? You can help. Right now.
#1 START A CONVERSATION WITH KRISTIE
Every body matters. Every body has a story. Talk to Kristie about your casting and production needs. Scan the QR code to connect.
#2 ATTEND A WORKSHOP
Through HumanKind’s Beauty Has No Limits! Photo Clinics, we develop and support talent that accurately and authentically represents the disability community. The images from the clinics are professional and portfolio worthy! Get on the waitlist at WeAreHumanKind.com
#3 LISTEN
Learn to listen and be inclusive of the disability community. Listen to these podcasts: Babson College: “From Problems to Possibilities: Brand Love Representation”
#12minconvos with Engel Jones: “Breaking Down Barriers”
College Unbound’s We CU Stories Unbound: Episode 4 “Disability Justice and Representation”
Next On Scene: “Bridging the Gap for Individuals with Disabilities”
#4 VOLUNTEER
Please volunteer for Beauty Has No Limits photo clinics, volunteer to assist backstage for our fashion shows (New England Fashion Week, Boston Fashion Week, RI Fashion Week, CT Fashion Week, etc)
Please consider volunteering for any event that focuses on the inclusion of the disability community. We have to put ourselves in their communities if we want to reduce the barriers and bring people together.
Melissa’s Story
I’ve spent my career interviewing women from every walk of life, first with the creation of Magic 106.7’s Exceptional Women show and now, through my podcast and radio series, “The Story Behind Her Success.” Nearly 1,000 women have shared their stories with me and these wise women teach us what really matters. Their stories are lessons in courage, perseverance, grace, kindness and grit. Writing for this outstanding women’s magazine has been such an honor for me. These pages give us inspiration, confirming our belief that if she can do it, I can do it.
Here’s something I know for sure:
We all have a story to tell.
Sit beside someone dealing with death and they’ll tell you they don’t want to be forgotten. As our light begins to flicker, we want our lives, our stories to be remembered. Five years ago, the COVID pandemic shut down the world and not only those dying of the virus, but countless others died alone due to restrictions in hospitals, nursing homes, and hospices.
So many stories, never heard. So many final wishes, never fulfilled. That’s what happened to my lifelong friend, Melissa. She died alone during the pandemic.
Missy was beautiful and imperfect, strong and vulnerable, all at the same time. I have a favor to ask: Will you take a moment to pour yourself a cup of tea or a glass of wine and savor her story? Everyone deserves a few minutes to be remembered.
We met at 13, during the summer before high school began and remained the best of friends through every season of our lives. She was a talented musician who played the piano and the viola and let me tell you, she didn’t have a mean bone in her body. We were part of a close friend group throughout high school and although it was no surprise to us that
A selfie with Candy’s bestie, Missy in May, 2019; Missy’s Boston College graduation picture taken in May, 1993
Melissa was voted Miss Newington, Connecticut at 18, we were very surprised when she got married at 19 to a 30-yearold man. They had two sons together and lived in a great big house. While we were taking finals and going to keg parties in college, Missy was changing diapers and driving a station wagon, living the life of an upscale suburban mom.
On the outside, her life looked pretty perfect. What we didn’t know was that Melissa was a victim of domestic violence and sexual abuse. She finally escaped her marriage, almost losing her life in the process. Melissa bravely took charge of her next chapter, returning to college for her undergraduate degree in her late 20s, and then earned her graduate degree in social work. Her focus? You guessed it: domestic violence & sexual abuse. This work fed Missy’s soul. She found her purpose. In helping others, Missy healed some of her own wounds.
At the top of her game, an aggressive breast cancer diagnosis stopped Missy in her tracks. She endured years of treatment, but her cancer was relentless and she was given six months to a year to live. Our daily phone calls turned into regular trips from Boston to Newington just to spend precious time together. Very often, her pain medications were so strong, she’d fall asleep during my visits, but on a beautiful spring day, she brightened up and asked me to take her for a ride through our hometown.
We put the windows down and turned the radio up, singing our favorite songs. That was the day Melissa shared her three dying wishes with me:
1. Hold my hand while I die
2. Have a funeral with my favorite hymns, readings, and prayers
3. Create a fund for women in crisis
We took a selfie that day, even though she hated the oxygen tube in her nose, and she made me pinky swear that I would honor her wishes. But the state of the world changed all that a year later. On April 26, 2020, just six weeks into the pandemic, Missy died. I desperately tried to be by her side, but the hospice wouldn’t allow it and my forever friend died alone, in the middle of the night, with no hand to hold.
Although every detail of Missy’s funeral had been laid out in advance, there was no funeral, just a brief blessing at her grave with her sons and I standing six feet apart, with N95 masks on.
Trust me when I tell you that I’m a promise keeper. For the last 5 years, Melissa’s three dying wishes have weighed heavily on my heart. A few months ago, on Melissa’s anniversary, I organized a Memorial Mass at our parish
Candy O
Terry
church where many friends came together to celebrate her life. On that day, the Sweet Melissa Fund was launched to provide emergency financial assistance to women in crisis.
I think you’ll agree that friendship among women is a sisterhood… a bond that never dies.
I can’t turn back the hands of time and hold Melissa’s hand while she dies, but I can fulfill her dying wish to hold the hands of women in crisis, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. Why? Because Sweet Melissa asked me to.
Thank you for reading Missy’s story, and for remembering a life well lived.
XOXO
BE THE CATALYST
Inspired? You can help. Right now.
#1
DONATE
Send your check directly to: Newington Human Services 200 Garfield Street, Newington, CT 06111 Attention: Carol Labrecque. Include “Sweet Melissa Fund” in the memo OR Venmo me @radiogirl57. Note “Sweet Melissa Fund.” I’ll collect the funds and send them to Newington Human Services
Sam Correia
Queer Tarot
Maybe your experience with tarot is pulling a card from a friend’s deck at a sleepover, both of you pouring over the guidebook to see if that particular card means that your crush will like you back. Or maybe you’ve had your cards read for you by a tarot reader whose shop you passed while you were taking a day trip to Salem. Maybe you’re a seasoned tarot reader, or maybe you’ve only heard of the Death card. No matter what your relationship to tarot is, I think you’ll enjoy this interview with Boston-based tarot reader (and fellow librarian) Sam Valentine.
I first heard Sam Valentine speak when they were working for the History Project, Boston’s LGBTQ archive. Sam was doing a virtual presentation in 2022 on “The Magic of Queer Tarot: LGBTQ+ Imagery & Imagination in the Cards.” Though now she works for the Public Library of Brookline, Sam is still a practiced tarot reader. We chatted on a Friday morning in May about queer tarot - what it means, how to build your practice, and what tarot can mean for you. As Cassandra Snow says in their book “Queering the Tarot,” “Queering, then, means taking what our society has given us and finding our own way, outside of society’s limits.”
Sam C: How long have you been interested in tarot, and how do you view your tarot practice?
Sam V: So I’ve been practicing tarot for, I would say 7 or 8 years as a personal practice. I started out reading tarot just for myself, and then for close friends. And it has expanded to reading for clients, people I know and people I don’t. And it’s evolved over time. I would say my practice is based in entertainment. I think tarot is a great storytelling tool, and I use a lot of levity and fun to engage with it. That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t bring deep messages; I believe that tarot is a tool that can be a fun and playful way to engage with yourself in deeper ways, which has been very healing to me personally and has helped me connect with my clients at a community care level. So I treat it as a tool for interpersonal discussion and growth.
I find tarot to be a really engaging, fun tool that can add to and enhance any personal work that you’re doing. It’s also widely perceived as a spiritual tool, but it doesn’t always have to be that. In fact, if you asked me when I started if it was a spiritual matter for me, I would have said no. I do use tarot to connect with folks who are all along the spirituality spectrum, if we want to call it that. And many folks that I engage with would not consider themselves spiritual in the colloquial sense. But I do think, if you’re a person who has a craving for permission to engage with spirituality, tarot can be a help for opening you up to that. That’s been true for me; tarot can open you to a deeper spirituality than you might have expected. I think for many queer folks, a desire to engage with spirituality is often varied for very good reasons. Of
course that’s not something that everyone wants, it’s not something that I thought I wanted.
I appreciate that; I know everyone has a unique way that they view their practice. Why do you think queer people are so drawn to tarot?
Tarot can be a way to engage with feelings or ways of thinking about yourself that are maybe hard to access for queer people who have often been told to not trust themselves, not believe themselves. Or to not connect to something beyond themselves, beyond the personal and into the collective. So it’s a tool that can be a safer container for queer folks because it’s outside of the bounds of many traditional ways of engaging. In the history of tarot, there’s been many different ways of approaching it; all are valid and none are bad. However, there have been really structured ways of approaching tarot and I think now, in this surge of engagement and reimagining of tarot, there’s been a deliberate tearing down of those structures—which for me is what I’m drawn to. I think tarot can help take down binary ways of thinking; engaging with it as a tool that has a strong structure, but that you can engage with that structure however you want is what really draws queer people in.
Especially now, when we see a lot of really great independent tarot decks designed specifically in ways that are inviting and affirming to queer tarot readers that go beyond more rigid interpretation. So as a tool, it inherently draws people in, and what
we’re seeing now in terms of what queer people are doing with tarot specifically draws people even closer.
You mentioned history; I know that there are people who study the history of the tarot, and I’m very much interested in the archiving aspect of it. Do you know if there are people who are into archiving these practices or cards? I know that the history of tarot is not very well known; do you know if people are literally preserving tarot decks in any way? Are there ways that people are trying to study this tradition? From what I know it is a very cultural Romani tradition.
Yeah that’s a big question; I am not a tarot historian so I want to leave it to the people who are better suited to navigate those waters. But I know that there’s a complex history of tarot in terms of different origin points that people point to. It’s a contested history, and when engaging with tarot, it’s important to be aware of that and approach it in a way that’s humbly acknowledging what you don’t know. It’s also important to respect the various cultural practices that tarot has been part of, as well as the ways in which tarot has historically been appropriated and removed from their place of origin.
It’s also interesting because a lot of “earlier” decks—again it’s a contested history—are held in very monied and famous institutions. The Morgan Library has a tarot deck in their collection that they’ve created programming around. So there’s a known interest about these materials
Sam Correia continued on page 70
Sam is reading “Bestiary: Poems” by Donika Kelly
“Stag Dance” by Torrey Peters
“Times Square Red, Times Square Blue” by Samuel Delany
Jaya Pandey
I see India Differently Now
This year’s India trip was not the usual one. It began not with excitement, but with a sense of absence.
For years, the moment I’d book the ticket or start planning, the excitement would begin—the list, the conversations about the trip, and my sister’s jokes that my mom had already started counting down the days.
My mom passed away last March. Although I had been visiting often over the past few years, I couldn’t go for a full year this time. I returned for her first death anniversary. It was important for me to spend time with my sister and my dad. The rituals weren’t what mattered to me, but being together, sharing our grief, and trying to fill the void. It was just us—no one else could truly understand our loss and grief.
The tickets were booked, and the day finally came. I missed my mom badly even before the trip—she was always my companion while shopping and packing. Everyone says the first trip home after losing a parent is the hardest. For me, getting ready for the trip was the hardest part. This time, there were no calls or messages from Amma. I missed her voice, especially during transit—she always checked in and reminded me to eat. For her first death anniversary, we didn’t hold a big gathering like many do, but it was important for us sisters to be with our father. Honoring our mother’s wishes, we served meals at an old age home and fed children in a school. None of the people there knew who my mother was, so I talked about her and listened to their
stories. I went there to serve food, but I came back home rattled and thinking about old age. Their stories still linger in my mind. In that way, the day offered a new perspective on life. Those few days with dad and sisters made it clear how deeply grief and loss were affecting all of us. For the first time, there were no plans, no travel, no shopping, no rushing to markets or family photoshoots. I think we needed that stillness to reset, acknowledge our grief, and begin to heal.
It was a different trip without Amma being by my side. My niece stepped in and took on some of Amma’s role. One rainy day, we took the metro without a plan and went to the city, spending time walking and enjoying a nice Italian meal in a beautiful restaurant in the heart of Bangalore. In that quiet space, we had deep talks about politics, education, and life. It was a simple evening, but seeing the world through a 19-year-old’s eyes reminded me of how much we can learn from younger minds when we truly listen. I was impressed by her clarity of thought. Growing up with constant access to the internet and social media, she’s far more informed than I was at her age.
This trip, I had ample time, which let me observe day-to-day life—my sisters’ routines, their values, their surroundings. I got to know more about their world. I spent my time interacting with watchmen, cooks, drivers, vegetable vendors, and other household helpers. They are diligently doing their work. And when you have time to listen to their stories, one can witness the hardship. The ambition these people have—even with hardship— is incredible. They are working harder to send their children far and beyond to experience school and travel. They work longer hours, and some of them live far from their families. The men usually leave their families in the village, work harder, earn, and send money home.
During Covid, I began to question my
Bottom: Jaya with her sisters and their Papa. Top: At Holi, a festival celebrating colors of life. “This is what happiness looks like, filled with Joy, color and fun,” says Jaya.
choices—especially my overflowing closet filled with shoes and sarees. I made a conscious decision to stop collecting sarees. Instead, I chose to wear each one I owned and give away the ones I knew I would never wear. On this trip, that shift in mindset stayed with me. I decided to collect clothes and carry them for these families, rather than placing them in
recycle bins here—even if it meant paying for an extra suitcase.
This time, I was more out and about on my own, using public transport, which gave me a chance to see the real India in a new way. I was impressed by how aware everyday people are of global affairs. On a bus ride in Bangalore, I noticed most Jaya Pandey continued on page 72
you changed your mind. you changed your point of view.
Turning Sensitivity into Power
By Doreen Lang
For as long as I can remember, I was told I was “too sensitive.” Too empathetic. Too tuned in.
In the fast-paced, results-driven business world I was part of—where stoicism was praised and sensitivity overlooked—my deep empathy was often mistaken for a weakness, rather than recognized as the powerful asset it truly is. And so, I worked hard to toughen up—to prove I could lead, manage, and rise through the ranks. And I did.
Over the course of several decades, I built a successful career in senior leadership and operations. I trained teams, managed communities, and earned respect at every turn. During these years of wrestling with how to balance my deep compassion and passion for helping others, I channeled that energy into writing three books on employee retention. My goal was not just to reduce turnover—it was to inspire leaders to lead with heart, humanity, and a deeper understanding of what truly keeps people connected and committed.
But under the surface, I was tired. I was pushing through life, constantly adapting, constantly performing, and quietly wondering why it all felt so heavy.
That quiet wondering turned into a deafening roar the day I collapsed— literally, without warning.
It was a moment I’ll never forget. My body simply said “no more.” Doctors couldn’t pinpoint a clear diagnosis, but I knew this wasn’t just physical. This was emotional, mental, and spiritual depletion. I had ignored the signs for too long. I needed a complete reset.
In that stillness, a truth emerged that would change everything: I discovered that I am a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), and come to find out, I’m not
alone. Nearly 25% of the population shares this trait. It wasn’t a flaw. It was a trait, and one that explained so much about my life, my choices, and my hidden strengths. What I had viewed as a weakness was actually a gift. My sensitivity gave me deep intuition, compassion, insight, and an uncanny ability to read a room and lead from the heart.
Learning this information was life changing and validating. And I fully embraced it.
I dove deep into self-discovery and healing. I researched, trained in Reiki, opened a studio to help others, wrote and published “Embracing Venus: Achieve a Life Lit up for Highly Sensitive People.” I immersed myself in developing deeper self-awareness and effective energy management strategies. I began to understand not just how to cope as a sensitive person,
conversation, we knew we were aligned. That’s when we joined forces and created IGNITE CEUs— continuing education that’s anything but ordinary. At IGNITE, we offer programs that are heart-centered, energizing, and truly transformative.
We built IGNITE CEUs from what we know changes lives—mindfulness, emotional wellness, nervous system care, and the belief that sensitivity is a true strength.
We’ve built our programming for people like us.
The caregivers.
The leaders who feel deeply.
The professionals who want to make a difference but are running on empty. Through every offering, we invite people to step into their full, authentic selves. We show them how to turn burnout into clarity, how to move from survival mode to soulful leadership,
I now see that every step of my journey had a purpose. Even during times when I felt out of place, as if I wasn’t “made” for the professional world, I realize I wasn’t meant to fit in.
but how to thrive—and to help others do the same. I took to the speaking circuit and began lighting the way for others—those silently struggling with anxiety, overwhelm, and the challenge of setting boundaries.
During a local TV interview, a producer asked if I’d consider hosting a podcast for sensitive people. I lit up. A way to reach and help even more people? My answer was a wholehearted, ‘Yes!’
Then came the calling: to take the decades of leadership, the intense personal growth, the formal training—and bring it into something new. Something real. Something transformative.
It was during my podcast, “The Sensitive Warrior,” that I met Cheryl Jones—a mindfulness expert who shared my deep desire to help more people. After just one powerful
and how to create a workplace that’s not only effective—but genuinely nourishing.
These CEUs are tools for transformation. They help healthcare professionals reconnect with purpose, reignite passion, and return to their roles with a renewed sense of possibility.
Looking back, I now see that every step of my journey had a purpose. Even during times when I felt out of place, as if I wasn’t “made” for the professional world, I realize now I wasn’t meant to fit in. I was meant to lead in a different way.
Today, I lead from a place of intuition and authenticity—showing up with compassion and standing in truth. I coach clients, teach workshops, and facilitate continuing education courses with soul. I help professionals rediscover their spark, find their flow, and stop hiding the parts of themselves that are most powerful. We’ve had course participants walk away in tears because for the first time, they feel seen. They feel hopeful again. They remember why they chose this work in the first place. And they leave with real tools to carry it forward.
This is what IGNITE CEUs is all about. It’s about shifting the culture of continuing education from something we “have to do” to something we get to experience— something that can actually change
the way we live and lead.
So, if you’ve ever been told you’re too much, too emotional, or not “professional” enough to lead in the traditional way—welcome. You’re exactly who you are supposed to be. Sensitivity isn’t a weakness, it’s our strength, connecting us to our truth and fueling our courage. I’ve lived it, I’ve learned from it.
Doreen Lang has a BS. in Education, Master’s degree in Business, is a PhD Candidate, Author of 4 books and Reiki Master. She is a Life and Mindset Coach and provides those services in her Norwell MA studio and virtually. She is Co-Founder of IgniteCEUs and hosts a weekly podcast “The Sensitive Warrior.” Visit www.igniteceus.com
“I know she loves it there by the ear-to-ear smile we see in the pictures they send us!”
Whatcha Readin’? BOOKS
Exploring the Concept of ADVOCACY in Fiction + Non Fiction
By Janet Bibeau + Joanne Bibeau
Our 2025 Pink Chair Storytellers Advocacy issue recommends books written for young readers through teens that can offer great insight to adult readers. These recommendations are curated from the 2025 Schneider Family Book Awards, which are given to recognize and honor authors of books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience. Many of the books have resources to assist in navigating various disabilities. We also review a NY Times bestselling adult novel addressing suicide and another about marginalized individuals who are “chosen family. Be sure to read about our pick that is practical guide to solidarity and advocacy and the radical act of taking care of each other while working to change the world.
Schneider Award Winner- Middle Grade
Popcorn
By Rob Harrell
Grades 4-7
Picture Day at school is a special day for Andrew, a boy with OCD and anxiety issues (conditions author Rob Harrell lives with). His grandmother, a retired teacher, has Alzheimer’s Disease and Andrew can tell Picture Day is important to her also. His mom has even splurged and bought him a special button shirt with a collar! Andrew then proceeds to have the worst day ever thanks in part to a bully, a rogue basketball and a ketchup bottle rocket! His whole day is like a corn kernel getting hot enough to pop. Can he control his anxiety or will he have an embarrassing full-fledged panic attack in school? And did I tell you he is having friend problems and his grandma goes missing? You will be laughing and crying as you gain sympathy and understanding of anxiety disorders.
Schneider Honor Books- Middle Grade
Louder Than Hunger
By John Schu
Grades 5-8
In this novel in verse, we read eighth grader Jake’s story from his internal point of view revealing his thoughts and feelings. John Schu’s own life experiences, living with anorexia since his teen years, provide the basis for this story. Jake is close to his grandmother who shares his love of musicals and has always understood him better than his parents. He also has an imaginary friend/guardian angel in the form of the statue near his grandmother’s home that he has named Frieden. In his mind, Jake talks to Frieden about his desperate needs and fears that he cannot verbalize while he is wasting away, controlled
by “the voice,” louder than his hunger, dictating what and how much he can eat. Jake’s inpatient treatment includes group therapy, art therapy, and work with a psychologist. It is heartrending to watch Jake take steps forward, and then regress, several times. Once Jake begins to actually choose to participate and communicate, you learn about the relationship between bullying and Jake’s disordered eating. Ultimately, this is a story of love and hope.
Shark
Teeth
By Sherri Winston Grades 5-8
Twelve-year old Kita has to be “mom” for her five-year old sister and special needs brother because their mother is an alcoholic. Kita’s family is back together after a stay in foster care, but she feels everything can change at any moment. She’s just waiting for mom to start drinking and disappear for days at a time. Kita joins a dance club and is finally feeling good about herself and is having fun. She has friends who care. She asserts herself with her mom to have time for herself. However her mom irresponsibly leaves Kita’s siblings alone and a fire happens. The three are placed in foster care again. Can Kita stop feeling guilty and protective of her mom? Can she see that their mom will never be a real mom and that her life and her siblings’ lives are more important and happier without their mom? This book deals with “sleep paralysis” and panic attacks. It also addresses that all children deserve to be children, and every child should have a grown-up who cares for and loves them unconditionally.
Schneider Award Winner - Young Adult
Chronically Dolores
By Maya Van Wagenen
Grade 7+
As mirrored by the author’s own life, fourteen-year-old Dolores has interstitial cystitis which is a painful, incurable bladder condition. After having a bladder disaster at the end of her eighth-grade school year in front of her peers, she is ghosted by her best friend, Shea. Dolores’s mom feels that Dolores needs help with communication skills and sends her to a free workshop. There she meets Terpsichore BerkenboschJones, an autistic talented seamstress. Terpsichore wants to go to public school (she has been home schooled) and become a clothing designer. Serendipitously, Terpsichore has been invited to a party at Shea’s house. Dolores feels that if Terpsichore takes her to the party, she can win her friend Shea back. If Terpsichore can show her mom she is capable of having a friend, she is hopeful her mom will let her go to public high school. The two girls pair up to help each other but can they fulfill each other’s needs? What is a real friend?
Schneider Honor Books- Young Adult
Light Enough to Float
By Lauren Seal
Grade 7+
Calling on her own experiences living with an eating disorder, Lauren Seal tells in verse the story of fourteen-year old Evie, diagnosed with anorexia, from Evie’s inner monologue POV. Evie is forcibly admitted to an in-patient facility specializing in disordered eating because of her severely deteriorating health. Evie sees no reason to start eating more or to stop excessive exercise and resists her medical treatment that includes assigned calorie loading and group and individual therapy. Evie’s rocky healing journey with regressions, struggles and small steps forward is also impacted by mixed interactions with in-patient peers. Readers learn that Evie’s mental health and eating disorder effect not only her but her whole family.
Books continued on page 66
#SHOPINDIE
It was just a moment. You made it into art. art photography fiction poetry essay
JUSTAMOMENT
JOANIE LAWLOR Simple Beauty
How did this all happen? I believe I manifested it. My life took an unexpected turn on November 23, 2023 when I was laid off from my job. I have 3 adult children, who I raised on my own. I have been on my own for years and supporting myself was all I knew. I had to choose paycheck over purpose. My story is deep and I will share it fully one day, but for now this is how Simple Beauty came to be.
I have always felt the pull toward service for those less fortunate. There is a special place in my heart for helping and supporting women because I know first hand what it feels like to need that help and support. Enter DOVE (Domestic Violence Ended.) This is an important organization that provides hope, healing, and safety. I needed their support at one time and I knew I would find a way to give back to them.
JUSTAMOMENT art photography fiction poetry essay
Being an artist was never on my radar. I still feel a bit funny about calling myself one but I am learning to own it with lots of gratitude and growth. In my mind an artist was someone who created visually pleasing pieces, in many different forms, from nothing. For my art, I use a camera lens to create visually pleasing photographs and that is the growth part.
The journey to Simple Beauty started long ago without even realizing it, with my phone camera, my love of the ocean, sunrises, sunsets and all the beauty they possess. Nature brings so much joy and healing to my life and I took pictures to always have that with me.
AMOMENT
I then began to put my slightly crooked, maybe a bit blurry sunrises and sunsets on Facebook, accompanied by my thoughts on the pictures, and to my sheer joy people responded positively! Reading the comments was so uplifting and motivating, it gave getting up every weekend to an early alarm purpose and that felt pretty cool.
It wasn’t long before some social media friends suggested I create a calendar, which was so flattering, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to turn what I did for my peace of mind into a job and to be honest, it felt a bit overwhelming. I had a motto, ‘I see it. I shoot it. I share it’ and it was enough for me at that moment in time, but the seed was planted. I purchased a used Cannon Rebel on FB market place, set it to auto and I was in heaven!
When that life changing lay off happened, I ran the gamut of emotions but in the end it was the best thing that could have happened to me. It set me off on my journey of why I am truly here! Everything that was bubbling inside of me wanted to come out and I welcomed it.
Simple Beauty is a culmination of my love of nature, my calling to support women in need by supporting non profit organizations and fulfilling an important part of my true purpose. My vision for Simple Beauty is coming together and I am only just getting started.
I am beyond grateful to have awakened to all of this and I am extremely excited to see what is next!
Books continued from page 58
On the Bright Side
By Anna Sortino Grade 8+
In this teen novel, high school seniors, Ellie and Jackson, are learning how to deal with life changes. As a deaf author also living with MS, Anna Sortino can write directly to the experiences of deaf Ellie and the experiences of Jackson who is eventually diagnosed with MS.
When the resident school for deaf students that Ellie has attended for years closes, Ellie is forced to live at home and attend the public school where she is the only deaf student. She uses a hearing aid and a cochlear, and is provided an ASL interpreter. Nice guy student athlete Jackson is assigned as her guide around the public high school. He’s recently been thrown off-balance by unexplained health issues including numbness in his legs at a crucial moment that cost his soccer team the championship, thought lapses and physical weakness. He is not comfortable eating lunch with the soccer team and the noisy cafeteria is not a good fit for Ellie. Jackson finds a spot for them to share lunch and slowly they become friends.
Told in alternating POVs, Ellie’s and Jackson’s candid internal struggles and triumphs with each of their own disabilities as well as their differing experiences within their own disability communities are realistically portrayed. The sweet romance between Ellie and Jackson is genuine as they resolve conflicts and misunderstandings by communicating. The characters’ interactions and experiences with family and others can be used to encourage readers who have been pushed aside or ignored in an often ableist society to open a dialogue about their
experiences.
The Emperor of Gladness
By Ocean Vuong Adult
The nuances of Ocean Vuong’s lyrical poet voice beautifully permeates his modern literary fiction novel. The story opens with 19-year-old Hai about to end his life, until 87-year-old Grazina, a lonely, widowed woman battling dementia distracts him with runaway laundry. So begins Hai and Grazina’s unexpected journey together. This novel is both devastating and hopeful, messy and resilient, as is “real everyday” life. Vuong explores through the experiences of Kai, Grazina, Kai’s cousin Sony, Kai’s Vietnamese family, and the co-workers at the fast food chain HomeMarket, themes of love, grief-memory-loss, suicide, addiction, blue collar class, chosen “family”, and the impact of kindness. We recommend this novel for its emotional depth, expressive language and the utter profoundness of the small piece of time depicted.
Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis (and the Next)
By Dean Spade (Nonfiction)
Spade defines mutual aid as “collective coordination to meet each other’s needs, usually from an awareness that the systems we have in place are not going to meet them.” This book is a step-by-step guide for building mutual aid groups and networks to care for people and then to pursue advocacy and social movement to change the underlying causes of the needs. Part I explores what mutual aid is (not charity!) and how it relates to other social movement tactics. Part II explores the “nitty-gritty” of how to work together in groups to make decisions and survive conflicts and burnouts. There are practical steps and guides including charts, lists, and concrete ideas and advice to help us figure out how to coordinate taking care of ourselves, mobilizing, and then bringing about change. Loved one of the truly practical and insightful chart/reflection tools: Working Compulsively vs. Working Joyfully! There is even a teaching guide available online.
THAT MAGICAL INVITING SAFE PERSUASIVE SUPPORTIVE EMBRACING ICONIC
Attorney Melissa Whish empowers you with the knowledge and tools to help you make educated choices about your marital future.
Sam Correia continued from page 53
that are within collections. But knowing people who work in the tarot space, every tarot reader is an archive of their own information that they’ve gathered about tarot, and people who have created their own decks have their own personal archive of the art that went into that, the research that went into that. That kind of dispersal is a valid custodial archival model. There are many people working in the space now who have a wealth of material in their own archive.
I remember seeing your program on queer tarot when you were working at the History Project. I was thinking about how this might look in the future, in terms of what that preservation might look like.
It’s interesting because I can only assume there are queer archives out there that do have tarot-related materials. Especially with the popularization, for better or for worse, of tarot in the 1970s in America. A lot of queer archives have a lot of rich material from that.
When you’re doing a reading for someone else, do you have a formula? Or, how do you go about reading for someone else, for people who might be reading the article who have no idea how to read for other people.
Early in my tarot practice, I read just for and with—I say with because I do think tarot is something that you’re coming to together—friends that I was close to in my home, in a comfortable place. And that kind of evolved my ethos of how to approach tarot as a cozy offering for someone, to someone, with someone. So for me, it’s not like you are bringing something and I have an answer. I don’t think that I necessarily have any answers; I’m not someone who is specifically clairvoyant, though I do have my moments! It’s more of an offering of what I think the tarot might want you to know. That could just be an affirmation and reflection of how you’re feeling. I think sometimes that’s all that’s needed, like a witnessing and a mirroring, and sometimes tarot can do that really well.
In other circumstances, tarot might bring something that offers a challenging perspective. And bringing that to someone in a loving, fun, and entertaining way is my goal. I’m not gonna sit here and tell someone whose story I don’t, and can’t know, what they should do based on a card. So I approach tarot in a low-stakes and, dare I say, chill way, about whatever’s being offered in that moment, however I’m interpreting it and however it’s coming to the person.
For the 2nd half of Sam Valentine’s interview, check out the next edition! You can find Sam Valentine’s tarot work at: sam-valentine.com
Jaya Pandey continued from page 55
passengers using their smartphones to pay, while there I was, paying cash for the fare. With my accent and body language, the conductor quickly figured out I wasn’t a local.
Between dropping off and picking up passengers at every stop, the conductor and I chatted about both his life and mine. He even asked me about U.S. foreign policy, slightly joking about our recent election. He was very curious about how we Indians view elections, candidates, and what it means for Indians in the U.S. and for India. The driver and conductor were also chatting in their native language, and while I didn’t catch the full context, it was clear they were very much in tune with one another. Meanwhile, the driver was reading a newspaper at red lights—fully up to date on world events.
Do you ever find yourself missing the simplicity of your own childhood?
of festivals seem dimmed by academic pressure, especially with exams looming in February and March. In Raipur, I saw families gather briefly to mark the occasion, but by noon, it was all quiet. No bustling streets, no lively house visits. The traditional spirit is slowly fading, perhaps replaced by a more contained, apartment-style celebration. I used to feel like my kids were missing out by not growing up in India—but now I see, change is everywhere. Childhood is evolving, not just in one place, but all over the world. It breaks my heart to see children so stressed about studies or the ambitions to do things. I wish—I hope—I am wrong with that assumption.
Do you ever find yourself missing the simplicity of your own childhood?
I could observe the life of regular people more closely. Eating out is totally different from what it was years ago. India has 28 states and 8 Union Territories, and each one has its own special cuisines. There’s so much variety that even if we ate a different dish every week, we’d still have more to try than we could in a lifetime. That’s why we never really needed to try food from other countries—and those foreign options were not available to common people anyway. Now, eating out is a delight in India. Everything is available, even in smaller towns. It’s amazing how creative the restaurants are with their menus, and how eating out has become an option for everybody. You’ll find everything—from extremely expensive to very affordable options—for everyone. I visited my favorite café in Bangalore at midnight, and it was still packed. People work in all shifts there— there’s no real distinction between night and day.
And the street food in India? That’s a whole different conversation.
My trip happened to be during Holi—a festival I hadn’t experienced in years. Growing up, Holi was a vibrant, carefree celebration, but this time, something felt different. I noticed how much childhood itself has changed. The joy and spontaneity
Growing up in North India as a woman, safety was always a constant concern. Whether it was walking on the street or using public transport, we were taught to always be alert, always cautious. One of the highlights of my first trip to Chennai in the late ‘90s was seeing an entire section of the bus reserved for women. It felt empowering, like an acknowledgment of a long-standing issue. What stood out even more was how safe I felt walking the streets in parts of South India. I began to understand not just the cultural differences, but also the deeply rooted religious values in the South that shape behavior and attitudes.
In Bengaluru, the Karnataka government has introduced free bus rides for local women, a move that not only supports mobility and independence but also sends a powerful message of inclusion. These initiatives—reserved spaces, subsidized or free travel, and safer public environments— may seem small on the surface, but they make a big difference in everyday life. This trip made me look at India differently. Not because of the changes but because I was finally ready to see. I don’t think I was looking for answers or trying to fill the void, but in those three weeks amidst familiar streets and new perspectives, I found space to mourn for my loss, time to grieve, and the courage to begin again.
I’ll Leave You With This...
Ultimately, I was found in Ulta
I got lost in an ULTA last week.
True story: I went in to go replace some perfume and somehow ended up in the fake lashes aisle and couldn’t find my way back to the perfumes. BTW: did you know that there are about 53 types of fake lashes for purchase? Don’t get me started on the various types of lash glue…
As I tried to make my way back to the fragrance section, I spent my time lost among the lashes and noticed a few flummoxing trends:
Why does everything that is marketed to the tween population smell like fruit wrapped in sugar wrapped in syrup hidden inside a food combo I’ve never heard of?
Case in point: One popular brand I found is marketed by what number fragrance you are wearing. One number is described as smelling like a “warm gourmand” with notes of pistachio, almond, vanilla, salted caramel…and sandalwood. Um, that’s a whole lot o’ flavors in a tiny bottle.
This just in: did you know that it is no
longer enough to just wash your face?
Kim is on Instagram @kimmilesinheels
First you need to apply a fancy oil to disintegrate all those layers of makeup you’re wearing. Then you need to wash your face with a cleanser. And, heaven forbid you dry your face with a washcloth! Washcloths are apparently the devil and have been replaced with very expensive paper towels that come in designer boxes. After you dry your face with a $5.00 paper towel, you will need to delicately dab your skin with a serum, spray your face with a cocktail spritz that smells like a Piña Colada, pat your face with yet another $5.00 paper towel and then, and only then, is your face ready for moisturizer. (My editor didn’t allow enough word count for me to get into the moisturizer regimen.)
When did lip oil replace lip gloss which replaced lip glass which replaced lip balm? I miss Susie Chapstick.
I’ve always thought that getting a manicure was a little luxury. Apparently, at ULTA, you can shop for someone else’s nails entirely. Or someone else’s hands, for that matter. For example, there are presson nails, nail stickers, and don’t forget nail art. Want nails that double as weapons?
ULTA’s got it. Want nails that are a color that isn’t found in nature? ULTA’s got that, too. Want to press stickers onto your nails so that when you go to the bathroom you lose them all while pulling up your jeans? Sold. Have you ever wanted to replace one of your makeup brushes? I wasn’t told that you need a PhD and an Excel spreadsheet to maneuver this aisle. Your choices: contour, highlighter, blush, powder, foundation, concealer, slanted, pointed, fluffy, rounded, flat-top,
paddle…again, not enough word count. Glitter freckles, anyone? That’s just one of the many featured items in the section dedicated to “Festival Inspo & Essentials.” Not exactly sure what is considered “essential” when going to a festival (other than a lot of delicious smelling hand sanitizer, sold at ULTA, of course) but you can find glitter freckles, face gems, AND please don’t forget about the body shimmer. You’ll find it next to the wash out hair color.
MEN! YOU HAVEN’T BEEN FORSAKEN AT ULTA! Have a beard? How about a 2-in-1 beard and facial wash? If you aren’t partial to beard balm, they’ve got you covered with beard oil. And my personal favorite, beard butter. YUM.
Perhaps the most interesting observation was in the men’s section. Many, if not most, of their choices were marketed as “2-in-1” or “3-in-1” product solutions. I think the one that piqued my interest the most was the “3-in-1 Tea Tree Shampoo, Conditioner, and Body Wash.” I’ll just leave that right here for your contemplation.
*It should be noted that the men’s section was small, perhaps just a few aisles of real estate. But the way I see it, that’s just an interesting metaphor for life in general as the shoe is often on the other foot. Amirite ladies?
I’ll leave you with this…
I did eventually find my way back to the perfume aisle and am proud to say that I completed my purchase. However, it wasn’t before I realized that I had spent close to an hour and a half wandering around that carefully curated labyrinth of a sweet-smelling, glittering, albeit confusing store. Hats off to the retailers and merchandisers; upon checkout, you are forced to enter a Disney-esque line which is jam-packed with all sorts of cute, mini-sized items that you truly DO. NOT. NEED.
I purchased eight of them.
SOIREE SUMMER RUNWAY FASHION
A night to remember: The Arc of the South Shore’s 12TH ANNUAL SUMMER SOIREE kicks off a year of celebration
On a beautiful evening along the shores of Weymouth’s Webb State Park, The Arc of the South Shore welcomed friends, families, and community members to our 12th Annual Summer Soiree. Set beneath a sparkling, white tent with ocean views, the event offered an unforgettable night filled with gourmet dishes, craft cocktails, one-of-akind auction items, and most importantly, celebration and advocacy for the individuals and families we have proudly supported for 74 years.
This year’s Soiree brought something extra special: our very first fashion show. With generous support from local businesses who donated their time, talent, and wardrobe styling, we transformed the evening into a joyful runway event. What made it truly meaningful, however, were the models, individuals served by The Arc and their families, who lit up the red carpet with confidence and joy.
Participants from across our programs took part, including individuals from our Autism Resource Center, Early Intervention Program, Adult Foster Care, Residential Services, and Day Programs. Each person brought their own unique energy to the runway, beaming as they strutted, posed, and waved to an enthusiastic crowd. It was more than just a fashion show, it was a celebration of self-expression, courage, and community.
Watching each model step onto the runway, radiating pride and excitement, was a powerful reminder of our mission: to support individuals in every aspect of their lives. Moments like these, walking the red carpet, being in the spotlight, hearing the cheers of loved ones, all build confidence, courage, and a sense of belonging. These are the experiences that strengthen identity and enhance well-being.
The fashion show launched something even bigger: the countdown to our 75th anniversary in 2026. For nearly three-quarters of a century, The Arc of the South Shore has been a lifeline for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism. We are proud of our history, inspired by our community, and energized by our future.
As we look ahead to our 75th year, we invite you to join us in celebrating this incredible milestone. There are many more exciting events on the horizon, each one designed to honor our past, showcase the people we support, and build an even more inclusive tomorrow.
Thank you for being a part of our story. With your continued support, we can ensure that the next 75 years are even more impactful.
Adult Foster Care Autism Resource Center Day Habilitation First Early Intervention Positive Behavior Supports Residential Supports Community-Based Day Supports Personal Care Management
Since 1951, The Arc of the South Shore has helped more than 100,000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, live their best lives and achieve high-quality outcomes. Our programming includes early intervention for children with developmental delays, specialized services for individuals with autism, and supportive care for adults, including day services, supported employment, personal care management, foster care, and residential group housing. These services support people with disabilities in living healthy, safe, independent, and empowered lives.
