History is HERstory…….

International Women’s Day is NOT just another Hallmark holiday.  Stand up Betties, it’s time for a little background history on the holiday.
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It’s a call to action.  First celebrated in the United States in 1909 (you read that right, 1909!! 10 years before those badass suffragettes won us the right to vote with the passing of the 19th Amendment!), then adopted internationally beginning in 1910.  In 1975 the United Nations adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations’ Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace.  

Now to the event!  After a fantastic acoustic set by Maggie May, Judge Sara Smolenski took the stage with an opening full of passion and excitement.  She discussed Michigan’s history-making election of 2018, with women being elected to all three top offices: Governor, Secretary of State and Attorney General. The future is female.  

Then the self-described trouble maker, the Honorable Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, took the stage.  This brilliant woman is an example of how you can do anything you set your mind to.  She’s an immigrant, single mother of 5, and Michigan’s FIRST female JAG officer in the Michigan Army National Guard.  Most notably of late, she was the presiding judge on the Larry Nassar case, giving 156 “sister survivors” a voice.

The event ended with a Q&A segment.

“Hell yes I have PMS! Promote, Mentor, Support.”

Bettie’s,

I need your help!

I’m shocked to be included in this incredible list of 30 women and definitely need your help!

Announcing the 2019 Brilliance Award Finalists! 
Selected from 335 nominations, these 30 finalists excel in their fields, elevate other women and are committed to creating positive change. 
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
For the FIRST TIME EVER, the public will select one honoree for the People's Choice Brilliance Award!
Read about each finalist and cast your vote here: https://westmichiganwoman.com/peoples-choice-award

Voting ends March 14th.

Vodka welcome. Vulnerability encouraged. You've probably seen posts, read the comments and heard statements like, "Selfies are so vain," "Why does she take so many pictures of herself?" "Who does she think she is?" *THIS IS WHERE WE WAVE A GIANT RED FLAG IN THE AIR AND SAY, UH-UH, SISTER. NOT HAPPENING ON MY WATCH.* In a society that puts a camera in every hand but is quick to shame the selfie, our mission is to empower women by creating a safe and supportive environment for female self-expression. So help me vodka. Fact. (<-- Said in the voice of Dwight from The Office) A Squad is a collective whose parts make a whole, complicated, dimensional, and beautiful. Raise yo' hand if you've ever been steamrolled by that nasty little two-headed shit-monster, JUDGEMENT. *wipes sweat from your brow* *prepares you to go back in the ring* Yea us too. All of the sudden all the amazing parts that make you whole are dissected and judged leaving a big gaping whole in your soul. But the thing is you aren’t parts. You are a totally BETTIE. The whole package. A real fucking human being. And we need you. Because although we are occasionally outspoken and often brave, sometimes we need the stiff hand of a righteous Bettie to pull us through our self-sabotaging shit. *Quietly raises hand* We are perfectly flawed and have created this community for our friends, acquaintances and companions. For love, because always for love. This is a place for women to discuss, and find support, re body positivity and female empowerment. Please feel free to share resources, get support, post something you’ve found inspirational, or just chat with someone who understands what you’re going through.

SquadBettie stands for Fempowerment, true acceptance, and building a supportive community. A true Bettie builds women up instead of bringing them down.