ten women who changed my life truth and consequences hit list

I’ve been reading Glamour magazine for years.  (You wouldn’t know it because I’m not very glam.)  Although I love poring over the glossy fashion spreads, the first column I always turn to is “10 Women Who Changed My Life”, a monthly feature where the editors ask a famous woman “Who’s made you you?”

Rather than wait around for Glamour to hunt me down, I thought I’d share my list here.

Miriam Young – author.  My number one influence, hands down. Her book, Truth or Consequences (pictured above), told the story of a girl who learned how to be honest but tactful.  Those lessons of truthfulness and kindness are a thread in every thing I do to this day.

Oberon Leslie – my art teacher from kindergarten to seventh grade. This was the first person who ever made me feel special.  She always featured my work in the display case and encouraged my artsy ways.  She really believed in me and made me believe in myself. When she left, I cried.  I think about her often and wonder if she knows the impact she made on me and the other children who were lucky enough to have her as a teacher.

Debbie Harry – musician.  Her style and beauty intrigued me. I loved her unconventional punk rock aesthetic and it influenced my own style.  (PS I still think she’s the most gorgeous woman in the world.)

Emma Goldman – anarchist. I was interested in politics early on and Emma Goldman was the thinker who got me thinking.  She was a true rebel. Independent thought and freedom are important to me – and I have her to thank for inspiring that.

Mary Ellen Mark – photographer. I loved seeing the world through her eyes.  Mary Ellen Mark once said this: “I feel an affinity for people who haven’t had the best breaks in society. What I want to do more than anything is acknowledge their existence.”  YES. That.  Her unflinching portraits of people in desperate circumstances helped me to become more compassionate.

Gloria Steinem – author + feminist.  I came of age during the feminist movement and I loved Steinem.  She was the antidote for growing up in a sexist household where you’re told that “men were superior to women.”  Sorry boys, but that’s not true.

Briana Saussy – root worker + sacred artist.  Also my partner in crime.  Bri is whip smart, loyal to the core, and a savvy-ass business woman.  Which is why I love working with her so much. We’ve been doing our podcast, Talking Shop for three years now and I can’t wait for the fourth and many more….

Alexandra Franzen – writer and communications expert.  I’ve learned so much about writing from working with my friend Alex and attending her workshops.  I am ever so grateful for her wise tutelage on being a better communicator + human being (I still have a lot to learn).

Jacqueline Linder – my sister.  No one has taught me more about forgiveness and redemption than my little sis. Hard lessons but oh-so-important.  (She’s also an amazing mom.  Probably the best.)

Megan Lang – my daughter. Did you ever watch “Girls”?  The Hannah Horvath character played by Lena Dunham is my daughter’s television Doppelganger.  I don’t even need to watch that show because my daughter lives it. Seriously.  She’s currently traipsing around the world and writing her face off plus having adventures with hostile hostels and questionable foreign men.  Her independence, curiosity, and totally Hannah Horvath-like capers amuse me to no end.  A daughter will change your life in too many profound ways to list here.  My baby girl has provided incredible lessons and hours of entertainment that no television show can match.

Truth is, there are many, many women who have changed me so limiting to ten was tough.  Mom, Patti Smith, Grace Jones, Barbara Ehrenreich, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Naomi Wolf, Michelle Obama, Kate Moss, Chrissie Hynde, Mother Theresa, Nina Hagen, Betty Friedan, Charlotte Joko Beck, Missy Elliot, Louise Brooks, Tura Satana, Joanna Powell Colbert and on and on and on….this world of women I am privileged to live in offers endless inspiration.

nick-lang

Although this list was all about the gals, I will say that my son is one of my biggest influences.  He’s the funniest person I know, utterly charming, and a living Buddha.  I always have to up my game around this guy!

Other stuff:

In case you ever wondered what it’s like to be a phone sex operator.

Photographer Denise Kim was taking pictures of homeless people for ten years…and discovered her father was one of them.

Rose McGowan is not messing around.  Right on!

Curious about Tarot conferences?  Dreadlock Tarot tells you why you might want to go to one.

And here are my thoughts on why you might want to figure out if any conference or retreat is worth it.

Oh Sharon Stone at 57!  I hope I can look half as good.

Listen up: my main tarot squeeze, Hilary Parry, is on the Tarot Visions podcast talking about mentoring, certification and more.

My favorite post of the week comes from Jen Louden: Must you have a public opinion about everything?

One of my most loved blogs is Esmé Wang’s.  It’s not hard to see why with great posts such as On finding your writing voice.

Okay, I’ve never done Tinder because I’m married…and old.  And then I read stories like this and I’m glad I haven’t been there. UGH.

A goth scene in Hawaii?  Yes, it exists.  Get out the SPF 1000!

Spite houses: houses built on revenge!

It’s raining men?  Ahem.

This post is my new manifesto: I’m too old for this.

You are the father: DNA solves the mystery of Warren Harding’s love child.

Spain has no laws for prostitution on the books.  This eye-opening view on the situation shows the problems and complexities when sexual trafficking exists in a “gray area”.

Planned Parenthood can no longer afford cancer screenings for poor women in Texas.  WOW.

Misty Copeland is ABT’s first black principal ballerina and she’s talking about what this means to her.

Need a car repair?  This site will give you an estimate for your area.

A cat shaped kindergarten makes me want to go back to school!  Ha!

What was it like to grow up next to the Fulton Fish Market?  Joana Avillez shares her memories and art work with Lucky Peach.

This might be the cutest planner ever: 2016 Ban.do 17 Month Classic Agenda – I Am Very Busy.

I love James Altucher and I love money which is why this book is on my list: The Choose Yourself Guide To Wealth.

Looking forward to this coming out: Making Feminist Media: Third-Wave Magazines on the Cusp of the Digital Age (Film and Media Studies)

Coming out later this month: Asking for It: The Alarming Rise of Rape Culture–and What We Can Do about It by Kate Harding.

Cannot wait to see Straight Outta Compton in the theater but, for now, this will have to suffice: Straight Outta Compton (2002 – Remaster) [Explicit].

 

What I’m Grateful For:

Women

Silence buttons on phones

Canva

Air conditioners

Tweezerman tweezers

Rain

Fashion

 

Soundtrack for 8/15/15: The Money Maker by Rilo Kiley – so addictive!

Blessings,
Theresa

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2015

pictures from personal collection

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