Her mission: “Be the woman I wish I met at 14.”

Shay Franco-Clausen carries this with her daily. Her journey has included trauma, foster care and domestic violence in relationships. She wants to be  a mentor who can tell young girls going through these things that it will be ok. Because she knows in the end it can be.

Alongside her wife, Yolanda, Shay has started a 501c3 non-profit PLAYCE (People Living as Your Community Examples). From their home office they work with youth to build future leaders. PLAYCE has evolved from what was PlayNice Productions, a basketball leadership program offering a free basketball camp that teaches the importance of acceptance, tolerance, mindfulness and “No Bullying” through the fundamentals of basketball as well as creating youth leaders.

Her mission: “Engaging communities in stewardship of our natural lands, by promoting diversity and inclusion in outdoor organizations and outdoor spaces.”

After a 2013 week long trip in beautiful Yosemite National Park, Teresa Baker was shocked at the absence of people of color in the outdoors. “I saw no one that looked like me!” She reached out to the National Parks to start a dialogue and discovered they were aware of the issue and are working on finding a remedy. Teresa jumped in and her quest to increase diversity in the outdoors began!

Strength and asking for help may not seem synonymous in the eyes of some. As women many have been taught to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders and to not buckle. In speaking to Anina Dalsin, founding partner at Dalsin Law, her message is quite the opposite. There is strength in asking for help and people may be surprised to find out how many supporters they have if they reach out.

Many women can relate to the struggles that accompany the weight loss & fitness journey. “I did it all wrong before, bulimic, abusing every weight loss pill on the market. I was over exercising, work out twice a day & on the treadmill until I felt like I was having a heart attack, Every diet under the sun and failed. My eyes were puffy from throwing up.” Lisa Patterson openly shared her battle to become healthy.