INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
This week, we started off with International Women’s Day, and March is the month to celebrate all the contributions of the powerful and accomplished women around us! This all has me thinking, what does it mean to be a woman in 2021?! How do the women we look to as role models stay motivated and inspired? This week I want to celebrate all women, by sharing in a conversation of what we love about being women, and the ways we can continue to build each other up!
ELSA COLLINS
ACTIVIST, PHILANTHROPIST AND CHANGE-MAKER, ELSA COLLINS IS CO-FOUNDER OF @THEIDEATEUR, @THISISABOUTHUMANITY, @IAMAVOTER, AND @SHE_SEPUEDE. ELSA ADVOCATES FOR THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN EVERYWHERE, AND works mostly with organizations who are on the frontlines of many issues in the United States today, including increasing voter registration and participation amongst the Latino community; protecting the undocumented; and promoting racial and religious harmony and gender equality.
Robin McGraw
BEST-SELLING AUTHOR, WIFE, MOTHER, PHILANTHROPIST, AND HOST OF THE “I’VE GOT A SECRET PODCAST”, Robin McGraw is committed to her mission to inspire women to live their best lives. With the launch of her charitable foundation, When Georgia Smiled: The Robin McGraw and Dr. Phil Foundation, Robin has set out to enact real change by creating and advancing programs that help women and children — especially those affected by domestic violence — live healthy, safe and joy-filled lives.
SHALINI VADHERA
Shalini Vadhera is a mission-driven award-winning entrepreneur who believes confident women can change the world. Shalini is also the best selling author of ‘Passport To Beauty’. HER MOST RECENT VENTURE INCLUDES @READYSETJETOFFiCIAL, A BEAUTY AND LIFESTYLE BRAND WITH a mission to harness the power of beauty and travel to change the future of female. Shalini has consulted some of the top businesses in the world on beauty and spa therapies and product development, and has created multiple best-selling beauty brands and formulations.
Lisa Adams
CELEBRITY CLOSET DESIGNER, MOTHER, AND ENTREPRENEUR. LISA’S MISSION IS TO CREATE BEAUTIFUL AND FUNCTIONAL SPACES THAT IMPROVE THE LIVES OF WOMEN EVERYWHERE! LISA BELIEVES EVERY DAY STARTS IN THE CLOSET, AND IF YOU CAN BEGIN YOUR DAY WITH A SENSE OF CALM, LOOK YOUR BEST, AND FEEL YOUR BEST, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE ON THE WORLD! LISA ALSO SITS ON THE ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR DRESS FOR SUCCESS, AN ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES RESOURCES AND CLOTHING TO EMPOWER WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE!
ESTEE STANLEY
ESTEE STANLEY, DESIGNER AND FOUNDER OF THE EYE AGENCY, IS A WIFE, MOTHER, STYLIST AND INTERIOR DESIGNER, NOW LOOKING TO TRANSFORM THE DESIGNER - CLIENT RELATIONSHIP WITH HER AGENCY. THE EYE AGENCY is the first-of-its-kind interior design and architecture agency that’s evolving the way business is done for artists and clients alike.
What does it mean to you to be a woman in 2021?
“To be a woman in 2021 for me is to embrace all that I am and try to use it to push humanity forward.”
Elsa Collins
“To be a woman in 2021 means the possibilities are limitless for me! I have raised my children to be honest, respectful and happy young men. They are both happily married and have children. So of course I have much to celebrate because I am a GRANDMOTHER!! Hallelujah! I have always believed I was put on this earth to be a wife and mother but being a grandmother is the ultimate! I call it the 'dessert phase' of my life! Because Phillip and I are at a point in our lives that we can now celebrate our accomplished goal of raising our boys and establishing our family, we will also celebrate 45 years of marriage in August, I feel that it is our time, 'my time' in 2021 to focus on giving to us and especially giving back.” — Robin McGraw
“It continues to get better, and I love seeing the change and freedoms taking place (wish it could happen quicker, but encouraged by the progress!). As an Asian-American woman, I am saddened by the hate crimes against Asians—against anyone for that matter—but hopeful because I see more and more role models that I can relate to.”
“With the declining opportunities we saw for women in jobs and funding in 2020, I feel there’s never been a better time for women to come together, collaborate and rise together. We are stronger together and I truly believe we’re going to see a lot of strength in numbers this year.”
Shalini Vadhera
“Being a woman in 2021 means being a great multi-tasker, time manager, loving mother & wife - stay sexy and last but not least, well mannered and a hard worker...”
Estee Stanley
What is your proudest moment as a woman?
“When my children tell me they admire me — that makes me proud.”
Elsa Collins
“I love winning a debate against a man—and witnessing the glimmer in his eyes when he acknowledges that he has met his match! There shouldn’t be an intellectual difference along gender lines…”
Lisa Adams
“Well, I am certain it is still to come. I can give so many examples that have already happened that I feel there are still so many yet to unfold.”
Robin McGraw
“I think having my 2 children. I never thought of myself as a mother so when it happened, twice, it really made me feel like I had accomplished the hardest thing imaginable...”
Estee Stanley
I often say the closet is a space that can be empowering — that I try to calm the chaos of everyday life one closet at a time. What does your closet space mean to you?
“I do say this and I live and breathe it! My dressing room is my sanctuary space—I often retreat to the space to be still and for inspiration.”
Lisa Adams
“My closet is a place where I go to relax, have fun & hang with my friends. I love fashion and always have so my closet is my lair of being social and dressing up with my girls...”
Estee Stanley
“My closet space is heaven! I am certain I feel that way for a few reasons. I grew up the youngest of four daughters. I have a twin brother but when it came to bedrooms and closets I always had to share!! I NEVER had my own bedroom or my own closet. My family was poor and I had to wear hand-me-down clothes my entire life. SOOOO, once I was old enough to live on my own, which wasn’t very long before I married Phillip, I was so happy to finally have my very own closet!!!! Also, being the only female in the home my entire married life has been very nice! I have had my own closet for a large part of our married life! I will admit I am a clothes obsessed woman! Clothes and shoes and purses!!!!”
What is your favorite thing in your closet?
“My favorite thing in my closet is an olive green Lily Aldridge for Velvet jacket. When I put this jacket on, my husband always comments: “Going to do the work today?” because he knows that when I am wearing this, I am usually on my way to the border or about to go hit the pavement to help get out the vote. It is interesting how clothing can make you feel a certain way or put you in a specific mindset and this jacket to me puts me in the mindset of service.”
“My favorite thing in my closet...could actually go anywhere in my house! It's kind of funny that I keep it in my closet! I guess because my favorite luxuries are in there too...it is a small frame that holds a card from flowers Phillip sent to me when we were married 6 months. It is very special to me because he went to the florist and wrote the message himself and because of what he wrote. Let me explain. Before we got married I told him I thought he was pretty serious all the time and if we were going to get married he was going to have to learn to 'lighten up' a little bit. lol! I told him "because I plan on having a lot of fun!". The card said "you're more fun than a barrel of monkeys!" I LOVED IT!!! I LOVE SEEING IT EVERYDAY!!” — Robin McGraw
“My perfume collection. I’ve found so many beautiful fragrances from my travels around the world. One whiff and I’m immediately transported to the South of France, Italy, Buenos Aires, Doha... it’s a wonderful way to travel especially with the travel restrictions we all faced last year.”
Shalini Vadhera
“I love my champagne nude Chanel bag! It is the perfect neutral color—and the inspiration for my Closet Cashmere cabinet color in my dressing room!”
Lisa Adams
“OMG I couldn’t even try to answer that.. But I will say my Fendi bag collection is up there..”
Estee Stanley
Who has inspired you the most to be the woman that you are today?
“My teachers and coaches at the University Laboratory School in Honolulu, Hawaii—hands down—and my parents who, with their different styles, taught me discipline and the value of working hard. I am also thankful for my piano teacher who liked to say, ‘Practice makes perfect.’”
Lisa Adams
“Definitely my grandma.. I watched her always look together, cook, entertain & be glamorous and kind all day long...”
ESTEE STANLEY
“I am the woman, wife, mother and grandmother I am today because of my mother Georgia. She was an angel on earth! She loved her family and friends and strangers with her entire heart and soul! She always had a smile on her face. Her smile would wrap itself around you and you would feel like you had been cradled!! Hugged and rocked!!! She was beautiful inside and out! I lost her when I was 32 years old, I am now 67 and I still think of her everyday! ♥️”