Strong Women of Sparkle Stories
In honor of our theme this week, "Strong Girls," we wanted to introduce you to the strong women behind Sparkle Stories.
KC Pagano
At Sparkle: Media Curator
What female role model inspires you?
Currently, all the women in my advanced yoga class who are over 65 and doing one handed handstands.
What three things are you most excited about in your life at present?
I'm excited about my family's upcoming road trip, strawberries ripening in my garden and reading the new (to me) book, Women Who Run with the Wolves.
What are your superpowers?
Baking awesome bread, making herbal medicine for my family, growing food.
Rebecca Beegle
At Sparkle: Production Manager
What female role model inspires you?
My mom's enduring talent for staying curious about and involved in the world around her is a major inspiration to me. She is both open-minded and opinionated, which is a great mix. Despite periodic illness and other ups and downs, she strives to have a good time all the time, to always be learning new things, and to remain empathetic to other people's experiences.
What three things are you most excited about in your life at present?
- I'm excited about the musical I'm currently writing the book for.
- I'm about to perform my first wedding ceremony.
- And next month I'm going to run a 10K race (slowly) after several years away from running.
What are your superpowers?
Live performance, listening, and common sense – to name but a few.
Ann Boyd
At Sparkle: Literary Editor and Continuity Director
What female role model inspires you?
Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Bennet (of Pride and Prejudice), Gretchen Rubin (gretchenrubin.com), and midwives all over the world
What three things are you most excited about in your life at present?
Reading The Secret Garden with my daughters, making a whole roasted cauliflower with whipped goat cheese this week, and fighting for good in the world.
What are your superpowers?
Knitting Without Looking and Insuppressible Cookie-Baking
Susan Alexander/Wilson
At Sparkle: Customer Appreciation
What female role model inspires you?
I am inspired by Toni Morrison, JK Rowling, and Malala Yousafzai
What three things are you most excited about in your life at present?
I am currently most excited about being politically active, planting new plants, and planning family adventures.
What are your superpowers?
Impervious Optimism
At Sparkle: Sparkle Schoolhouse & Child Development Educator
What female role model inspires you?
There are a gazillion women whom I want to be and who inspire me. My current (s)heros are Helen Keller, Malala Yousafzai, Carol Burnett, Pema Chodrin and my two daughters, Emma and Madeline.
What three things are you most excited about in your life at present?
- I love my new Crock Pot. How did I ever go 55 years without a Crock Pot? Slow cooking is leading me to slower living, and slowly, slowly, I'm learning that living slowly is what excites me.
- I love my work. Everyday at Sparkle and in my school, I am with people who are truly, truly kind, good and joy-filled.
- I am excited by my Crock Pot and the people I teach and work with because slower living, kindness, goodness and joy ultimately will heal the world.
What are your superpowers?
Compassion and Organizing Closets!
Meryl Carver-Allmond
At Sparkle: Sparkle Kitchen and Sparkle Craft Contributor
What female role model inspires you?
Sonia Sotomayor. I just finished her biography and it's amazing how many hardships she has overcome. I also love how she uses those experiences to bring a more socio-economic and ethnically diverse viewpoint to our Supreme Court.
What three things are you most excited about in your life at present? - Adventure! Our family is planning a cross-country train trip this summer. - Ducklings! After a few years hiatus, we're adding 3 baby ducks to our backyard flock in April. - Craftivism! I have two projects on tap this Spring, and I love how strong it makes me feel to be able to use my knitting and photography skills to raise money for causes I care about.
What are your superpowers?
I asked my son this question and he said, "Mommy you're really good at loving everybody all the time." I'll take that!
Jenny Barandich
At Sparkle: Graphic Designer
What female role model inspires you?
Every single woman in my family.
What three things are you most excited about in your life at present?
Homeschooling my kids, learning about herbs, cooking nourishing food.
What are your superpowers?
Ninja knitting and peace-making
Lisabeth Sewell McCann
At Sparkle: Founder and CEO
What female role model inspires you?
I'm inspired by Madeline Albright who started her political career at age 39. She was an immigrant, a mother to three children, and she rocked the U.S. as the first female Secretary of State at age 60. I think of her when I have the feeling that "I'm just getting started."
What three things are you most excited about in your life at present?
- The little urban farm garden we're creating at our house.
- Getting to know our neighbors better with monthly get-togethers.
- Creating an opportunity to take the whole family to Ireland and Scotland.
What are your superpowers?
Huge-heartedness and empathy.
About the Author
KC Pagano
KC is a full-time radical homemaker and mama to two spunky little girls. She writes about all kinds of radical goodness, from gardening and cooking with whole foods to crafting, sewing, homeschooling, and mama musings. Read more on her blog The Nettlesome Life.
