Future Front Texas 9/12/15 Future Front Texas 9/12/15

Little Lessons From The August 2015 #bossbabesATX Meet

These "little lessons" were collected by Julie Garcia at our August 2015 #bossbabesATX meet.

We have meets for one reason — to host connection.

These connections spur a number of things: commerce between businesses, collaboration between artists, education on the complexities of others' lives, exposure to the multitude of experiences of women and friendships.

That's why we're thankful for people like Julie Garcia. Julie reached out to us about tabling a "Little Lessons" booth at our August 2015 meet to collect words of wisdom, streams of consciousness and truth bombs from the attending bossbabes.

We're excited to share these with you, and we hope these "little lessons" do a lot more than just a little.

Before you read, please understand that the following views are representative of those who participated in the "Little Lessons" booth and serve as a glimpse into the different kinds of women who wrote things down. These views are not representative of #bossbabesATX as an organization.

Future Front Texas 9/11/15 Future Front Texas 9/11/15

#bossbabesATX September 2015 Meet

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Our lineup for the September 2015 meet on September 30 at Cheer Up Charlie's is here! Check it out:

SCHEDULE:

Doors at 6 PM — We will have nametags available for those who would like to wear their careers on their bosoms. Please use this time to sign up for Babe Announcements, if you are interested. Babe Announcements is an open-mic hour, where 50 babes have one minute to speak their truth, voice their passions, announce their businesses, request/give things to the community, etc.

Babe Announcements at 7 PM — Babes with things to say will have one minute to jump on an open mic and announce their projects and passions, possible collaborations, etc.

7:45 PM to 8:45 PM — MEETIN' AND A GREETIN'

VENDORS:

Jarjoura Designs

Artist Jenny Gacy

The Moxie Fox Boutique

Claire Sommers Buck Jewelry

ACTIVITIES:

#bossbabesATX portraits, others TBA See you there!

Questions about procedures? Go here.

Future Front Texas 9/8/15 Future Front Texas 9/8/15

She Talks: Raising Ugly Daughters

This "She Talks" post is written by Davia Roberts, a counselor who specializes in women's issues, career exploration and alcohol/drug abuse.

#bossbabesATX note: This is our second guest post in the #bossbabesATX series, "She Talks." "She Talks" is a blogging series, featuring the work and thoughts of self-identifying women in #bossbabesATX community. Would you like to submit something to "She Talks?" Please email blog@bossbabes.org.

This "She Talks" post is written by Davia Roberts, a counselor who specializes in women's issues, career exploration and alcohol/drug abuse. She regularly blogs on her own website, and the following was published in two separate posts there:

“Honey, take that dress off, you look like a boy. Face it, you’re flat chested.”
She lowers her head and slowly walks back to the dressing room. She disrobes the silky red dress, runs her hand across the gown one more time, taking in every detail, replaying the surreal feeling when it draped her body... and slowly returns it to the hanger.

We tell our girls how pretty they are as we dress them in frilly dresses and lace socks. We dote on them when each hair has been straightened or curled to perfection. We take dozens of photos when we deem them beautiful enough. She’s called “cute, precious, and pretty” when relatives meet her for the first time... but she knows they’re just saying it to be polite.

The words that will stain her memory will be found in the moment she stands in front of the mirror and tries on clothes for a school dance, only to have her mother tell her that her body doesn’t look “right." It will be in the moment she sits down for dinner when her father laughs and says, “Do you really need to eat all of that?"

You see, these are the memories that will be pressed on her heart. The off-the-cuff remarks that were “just” jokes…

These words will follow her.

The way she felt in those moments will reappear when she undresses in the locker room, compares her body to other girls or dresses to appease the opinions of others. Those feelings will leave her questioning if she’s desirable. Fear will begin to feed her insecurities as she consumes the idea that she is indeed unattractive, defective and ugly.

Eventually, these insecure girls grow into insecure women—the women who are drop-dead gorgeous, yet completely oblivious of their own beauty. I’m not referring to a sense of humility. I’m speaking about the woman who can’t seem to accept a compliment or refuses to leave the house without lashes and lipstick. She has been raised to believe that she is not pretty enough.

We tell girls and women that a “womanly” body is composed of large breasts, hips and a big butt, yet criticize them for gaining weight. We ridicule them for doing the Kylie Jenner challenge as if society doesn’t glorify these features (I’ll leave the multicultural lesson for another blog *side eye*). We send so many minimizing messages to our girls when they fail to meet the current European standards of beauty, then act surprised when they begin to believe such thoughts. We can blame the media for pushing skinny models with perfect butts, breasts, legs and lips... but we have to accept our role and the influence we have on our girls.

Now that we can recognize our power, how do we use our influence to #RedefineEnough for our young girls?

You shaped her with the insecurities you held since your childhood. Sculpted her with fear and self-doubt. Hand fed her lies about beauty and had the nerve to question why she was broken.

You are to blame for this. You are responsible.

She was born into this world free of care or insecurity. It is our presence, and sometimes our absence, that will influence the way she interacts with the world. How we live our lives will greatly impact the way she treats others, make decisions, but more importantly, how she views herself and her worth.

She will look to you as her teacher.

She will watch you as you make yourself smaller to satisfy the egos of others. She’ll learn that she is considered less than those.

She will watch you as you get dressed in the mirror, rip off the fourth dress you’ve tried on and gripe about how “fat” you are. She will take notice when you criticize other women for their body, facial features, hair or weight. She will aspire to become everything those women are not, because she has learned that certain standards must be met to be considered beautiful. These are her first introductions to beauty, body image and self-esteem.

What are you teaching her her?

In my time working with young children, I’ve learned that they are mere reflections of their parents. If children use profanity at school, more than likely their parents curse at home. Ask a child who’d they vote for as President and you’re bound to hear their parents' political views. The child simply mirrors the thoughts of their parents. The same can be said for our girls and their views of beauty. The habitual glorification of long legs, light eyes and curvy figures will remain until we make a deliberate effort to deliver a different message and redefine beauty.

The definition of beauty changes when we compliment random women on the street. The definition of beauty changes when we stand up for women who are belittled for their body type. The definition of beauty changes when we remind our girls how beautiful they are without “enhancements” from makeup, push-up bras, or spanks. The definition of beauty changes when girls cease to hear us degrade our own bodies with comments like “I’m too fat” or “I need a nose job.”

Our girls learn to be compassionate toward their bodies when we begin to model it for them.

You are her teacher. Ask yourself, what lesson are you teaching her?

Redefine Enough. Redefine Beauty.

About the author: Davia Roberts

"When my kindergarten teacher asked, 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' I was thinking along the lines of a singer, not a therapist. Thankfully, I realized that I had other talents and enjoyed helping students.

After working in the public school system, I decided to pursue a counseling degree in hopes of helping my students with more personal concerns. As a licensed therapist, my interests have widenedfrom school age children to adults, with a strong focus on women.

While collaborating with women, I'venoticed a common theme of perfectionism... the desire to be the perfect mother, wife, daughter, employee, or student. It is my hope for women to redefine what it means to 'be enough' in their lives."

Future Front Texas 9/4/15 Future Front Texas 9/4/15

Introducing Our Local Girl Gang Newsletter

After four months of this badass babe-ry and community support, we're happy to announce our new "Local Girl Gang Newsletters," a weekly email that will feature events in the ‪#‎bossbabesATX‬ community, job opportunities from other babes and news items for Austin's self-identifying women.

If you'd like to have your info featured, please email news@bossbabes.org. This is now a free service.

Future Front Texas 9/1/15 Future Front Texas 9/1/15

#bossbabesATX ArtLuck Fundraiser

After four months of #bossbabesATX badassery, it has become clear to us that this movement requires the dedication of a full-time team. Thankfully, we've had the community's support, and y'all continue to show up and show us what being a bossbabe means.

We'll be having our very first fundraiser to ease us into this organizational transition on Sept. 27 at West Elm Austin. West Elm approached us with the idea, and we're extremely gracious they've offered their space and resources to us. This fundraiser is an artluck, meaning attendees are encouraged to bring art, give art and get art. We'll also be providing a free creative workshop for guests prior to the event for mingling and making.

Oh, and did we mention we'll have complimentary cocktails, fancy cheeses, booty-bumping music curated by DJ Girlfriend and a photobooth provided by SoLa?

Yup, it's gonna be fun, so get your tickets now.

And in all seriousness, thank you for making this community a real thing. We needed it.

xx, the babes

buy tickets here

Future Front Texas 8/27/15 Future Front Texas 8/27/15

Local Gem: Cheer Up Charlie's

We're floored by Tamara and Maggie (the venue's owners) who have managed to create a downtown venue that feels safe (and, honestly, like home... and who can deny the appeal of their killer cocktail menu?) for self-identifying women, members of the LGBTQ community, their allies and others who may feel marginalized in Austin spaces.

Pictured: Maggie Lea. Photo provided by Maggie. — Pictured: Maggie Lea. Photo provided by Maggie.

special note from the #bossbabesATX team: We're extremely excited to have our meet this month at Cheer Up Charlies, and we love the mission behind this venue and the community it supports. For that reason, we ask that you please do all that you can to support this location on Red River St. It's vital to members of our #bossbabesATX family that this venue lives on as a safe and fun AF space in Austin, Texas.

What's a community?

COMMUNITY (n.): a social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share government, and often have a common cultural and historical heritage.

Establishing a community can be difficult—it's hard to accommodate everyone, sometimes the people who want to join can't access the group for a number of reasons (space, time, finances, etc.). Mobilizing a group of people to come together isn't easy.

That's why we're floored by Cheer Up Charlies.

It takes special people (~special women~) to even take on such a task—and then to do it WELL? DAMN.

We had the pleasure of asking Maggie a couple of questions about her work at Cheer Up Charlies and her career in the arts and music industry in Austin (she's also the founder of Cinema East!). You can check it out below:

Q: What inspired you to start pursuing your career? Did you have any role models or learn from someone, in particular?

A: I'm inspired all the time by all the films I watched when I was a kid. My mom was/is actually (probably) a hoarder, and from when I was four to when I was about 15, she had somehow acquired 800 to 1,000-something VHS's—back when VHS was the main medium.

Needless to say, I watched all 900-something of those movies, and I had a lot of them memorized from front to back, beginning to end. I lived in my own world, in a dream world, but that feeling still inspires me today, at the core. I have a ton of people I look up to, but I don't have any one particular role model. It's the ordinary, day-to-day tasks that people complete that I am in awe of—not the celebrities, or the big-name, more typical, role models, or the mainstream groups.

I created Cinema East after traveling alone one year to the snowy mountains of Park Slope for Sundance Film Festival. As much as I love the medium of writing or performing music, I think the ability to translate our lives into moving pictures has always inspired me. But ultimately, at heart, my passion is storytelling. I want to tell stories, I want to listen to others tell stories. And everything in my career, from booking live bands at music venues, to being a part of musicians' performances, to putting on literary events, to showcasing films, to the Q&As with filmmakers, all has to do with exhibitionism, and my love for the purest elements of telling a story.

As far as Cheer Up Charlies, I joined in with Tamara who started the whole business because I was inspired by her vision of creating a place where queers, punks, straight allies and women all felt at home to express themselves freely. I do what I do because I love doing it, not necessarily because I want to impress anyone else.

Q: Do you have any tidbits of advice for people with passions, in general?

A: I would just say, if you are ever just sitting around and you have an idea and you think, "Pfft, that is the stupidest idea ever!" or "Nah, this will never happen," then that is a sign that you should definitely risk everything to try it. And I'm like that. I mean I'm talking about, risk all your money, sell your car, don't have kids, quit your job, lose all your friends. Maybe that's controversial to others, but that's how I feel.

Q: What have been your favorite moments of creativity (possibly a time when a burst of creative energy produced something you could have never expected, etc.)?

A: As much as I have done in the past five years, I feel that I haven't had a truly pure, solid, creative burst of energy since I came back from France in 2006. I felt invigorated to meet so many artists and musicians abroad and to hear their perspectives on U.S. foreign policy. It really gave me a fresh take on my life.

On the year-long trip, I was also working with people at the EU and UN. I lived in Germany, France, Switzerland. Before my trip, I had suffered what I now see as a very not-unusual bout of clinical depression, brought on possibly by living in the 'burbs, but also having a lot to do with the fact that my sister was mentally ill, and my parents were foreign and didn't understand her mental illness. I was "Ms. Serious" 100 percent of the time, until I lived in Europe and realized, "You know what? You can't be creative if you aren't having FUN. And you can't make an impact or manifest changes in your life unless you are having fun." And that's when I had my biggest creative bursts of energy: when I decided to start having some fun. In the year after I came back, I started some popular literary book clubs, started Cinema East outdoor film festival, started meeting new people in Austin and creating a community that I felt at home at, and started throwing parties at Cheer Ups! I haven't stopped having fun since. Even amid the dark times, I try to pour that energy into a fun-loving, creative outlet. I look forward to my next big creative idea, though. I think it's on the horizon. I can feel it lately.

Living abroad also brought me to my biggest realization so far—that, while I was there studying international relations and conflict resolution/mediation, the truth is, you can only start changing the world one unit at a time. Change your family or the way you relate to them first, then enact change within your small group of friends, then enact change within your city or your town or your community, and THEN maybe one day, take on the world! That is how I see it; I know a lot of world politicians probably wouldn't agree, but that's what I personally took from it all. Focus your love on those around you, and it will be a ripple effect.

Q: What have been your most challenging moments in your career, thus far?

A: Definitely moving to Red River St. from East Austin. My heart was just completely broken when we moved, especially when I had poured so much time, energy, blood, sweat, tears, love into the Cheer Ups on the Eastside. It was an abrupt notice, a very cold and swift move by our landlord. And I was worried. On Red River St., there is often no foot traffic down here, and as much as people are saying Red River is important to Austin, it's still fading, more rapidly than other areas of town at least. You can't even look up at the downtown sky these days without seeing six construction cranes at a time. Also, moving a business like that really forces you to dig your heels into the ground, find out who you are. It's a lot of holding your own, and creating your own identity, and floating the ship. Re-integrating your community, trying to alter people's habits, trying to get people who you felt were loyal and part of your community to try a new area of town that they usually don't go to, or walk down to a party you're throwing one night. It's all been very difficult and trying. You sometimes just want to give up.

Q: Do you have any tips for women who work in your industry?

A: Well, no. I don't, ha! Tamara and I are the only women who are own venues in Austin, TX, at the scale that we are doing it. We just learn day-by-day, and sometimes we make the same mistakes over and over until we just stop making them! If anyone has any advice for us on this topic, especially if it comes from another woman, I'd be glad to take it. I guess if I had to think of something, maybe just this: Be nice to other women. There aren't many of us doing what we do. Don't copy others' ideas (it's really not that flattering!), create your own domain, thrive within your own ideas and thoughts, stay fresh, reach out and connect.

Photo via Austin 360 — Photo via A ustin 360

Q: When you're discouraged, what do you run to or away from?

A: I think I hide out, or find one other person to hide out with. I have a particular spot I go to by the water in East Austin, actually. I go there, I read, I find inspiration from watching movies, and I sift through memories of my sister, who recently passed away. This is hokey possibly, but my dad always told me to "think about where you come from," but more emphatically he says, "think about WHO you come from," and this is what he means: He tells me to think about my people, the generations before mine, and the long and heavy history of ancient Chinese culture, politics, etc. He always tells me that our forefathers and mothers were people who could "endure," who could "bear it," who found the strength within themselves. I know that can sound like a stretch, but listening to your inner warrior is really important. Even if you have to use your imagination to fill in some of the factual and cultural gaps.

Your favorite band: Here's some off the top of my head — La Luz, Chastity Belt, Sharon Van Etten

Your favorite book: I don't have favorite books (I was an English Lit major; I just try to read as much as I can). I am currently reading: "No Longer Human" by Osamu Dazai, "The Feather Room" by Anis Mojani, "Cathedral" by Raymond Carver.

Your Austin gem: I love Olive Vintage; I love how they curate their merchandise and artwork. I can always find the perfect gift for a friend there, and most of the time, a perfect gift for myself.

Your social media handles: @mgglea on Instagram and Maggie Lea on Facebook, Cinema East on FB and Instagram, Cheer Up Charlies on FB and Instagram.

Future Front Texas 8/25/15 Future Front Texas 8/25/15

Local Gem: Ebony Stewart

As creatives, we believe in the power of art to create change, start movements and impact culture. We're continually inspired (and motivated) by the women we meet who set out to do just that with their work. Ebony Stewart, poet and artist, is that kind of babe.

PIctured: Ebony Stewart. Photo by Jen Reel for the Texas Observer.

Have you heard of Ebony Stewart?

Well, you should have.

On Thursday, Ebony will begin her two-weeks-long residency at The Vortex, performing a one-woman show she has titled "Hunger." In preparation for the show, we had a chance to ask Ebony a couple of questions about her work, her poetry and the power of her words.

Check out the Q&A below:

Q: What inspired you to start writing/performing poetry? Did you have any role models or learn from someone, in particular?

A: As far back as I can remember I've always liked to write the freedom through the power of words. The women in my family (especially my mom) will always be models, lessons and stories.

Q: Do you have any tidbits of advice for writers and poets (or people with passions, in general)?

A: Write the honest. Write what is true. Stay persistent. Trust your gut. Don't worry about not being recognized... You see you therefore the gods do, too.

Oh, and your story is always necessary.

Q: What's the main focus of your poetry, i.e. what are your reasons for writing? Why is it important?

A: I write because I have to. I'm a life writer. I write what I know. I know love, I know fear, I know heartache, I know black and being a woman. It's important because my truth and experiences are relatable and what I have to offer to the world.

Q: What have been your favorite moments of creativity?

A: Wow, that's a hard question. Whatever I have passion wrapped around is usually what I write about.

My former students always brought out my creativity, me being my own never-ending love story, laughin' at myself in these serious times also brings about creative energy. Plus, women tell the best stories. The one-woman show, "Hunger," I think is my best work... yet. My plan is to always write the healing.

Q: What have been your most challenging moments in performance and poetry thus far?

A: I think my most challenging moments in being a poet, performer, woman, black being is never feeling like I'm enough—having to answer the questions of a blank page, having to remind myself of my worth. I guess it's not the challenges but the consistency in overcoming them.

Q: When you're discouraged, what do you run to or away from?

A: Haha! Good question. I think I run towards understanding—whether that be loving arms and ears of the people I trust, comfort food or the reassurance of my ancestors. Music, a good book, and if all else fails, solitude. I run from people and things I know I'll regret, like McDonald's or crappy television.

Your favorite band: I'm currently listening to more solo artist and I'm still hooked on Nirvana, Outkast and Pussy Riot. But new bands that I enjoy would be Alabama Shakes and Tedeschi Trucks Band.

Your favorite book: "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enough" by Ntozake Shange. FOR LIFE, SON!

Or anything by Lucille Clifton.

Your local Austin gem: Hey Cupcake, Sugar Mamas, or Tony's Jamaican Food. Because... I love food and cupcakes.

Your social media handles: @gullyprincess on Instagram, @EbPoetry on Twitter and Ebony Stewart on Facebook.

Sneak a peep into Ebony's world at her website, too!

PURCHASE TICKETS TO "HUNGER" HERE.

Future Front Texas 8/24/15 Future Front Texas 8/24/15

RECAP — #bossbabesATX Shop Talk: Control Your Career Like A Boss(Babe) With RecruitHER

We're so very thankful to Ashley Doyal and Gina Helfrich of RecruitHER for spending time with our community last week at Friends and Neighbors. They shared some valuable tips on navigating the workplace as a woman and what to do (and not to do!) when starting (or restarting) you career.

Since they're pretty much the best, they compiled a list of resources for our community to use. Check out the recap of the workshop here:

i want to control my career like a boss(babe)

Future Front Texas 8/23/15 Future Front Texas 8/23/15

One of the Babes: Annie Finkel

Meet Annie Finkel, one of the artists vending at our August meet.

Meet Annie Finkel, one of the artists vending at our August meet. This babe balances a full-time job and her art career—cough, no easy feat, cough—and we're happy she had some time to answer our questions.

Get to know her in the Q&A below:

Q: What inspired you to start your business? Did you have any role models or learn from someone, in particular?

A: The city of Austin itself played a big role in moving forward with my business. When I moved here I started a new chapter in my life and really had the urge to push myself forward. That's just what I did. I practiced my trade and really pushed myself. Then, I gradually connected with women in the community here and realized that every woman inspires me in her own way. It is a beautiful thing to be built up by other amazing women. Now, here I am!

A shout-out, also, to my family, amazing friends and partner who have always supported me and showed me that hard work pays off. You inspire me every day.

Q: Do you have any tidbits of advice for people with passions, in general?

A: Honestly, just keep doing it. Don't let your own head eat you up. Be a little bit easier on yourself mentally, but work hard!

Q: What have been your favorite moments of creativity?

A: As an artist you really truly never know when creative bursts are coming. I can paint every day but if I'm not feeling it, I will hate my work. I go through months without painting, but if I have creative ideas I always write them down. I find that I most love my work when I am trying something new or out of my element—it's enticing to me to jump into the unknown. Usually, I produce my best work a day or two before a deadline. Oops!

Q: What have been your most challenging moments in your career, thus far?

A: I have learned that it's important for me to keep vending and doing shows even when I don't make money, because that time is so worth it when I get to connect with other artists. Also, remaining confident in my skills and loving what I do can be a struggle—it's hard not to feel like an amateur sometimes. But you gotta keep on keepin' on!

Q: What's your day job (if this business isn't your day job)?

A: I am a nanny to some of the cutest kiddos on the planet (that's not just my bias talking, I swear).

Q: When you're discouraged, what do you run to or away from?

A: When I am discouraged I run to solitude in nature. Always, always nature. Thrifting usually helps too.

Your favorite band: Lately I cannot get enough of Beach House. Mac Demarco's new album is also a dream.

Your favorite book: I am currently reading "The China Study" by T. Colin Campbell. I have always been very interested in nutrition, general wellness and whole foods as medicine, so this book is blowing my mind!

Your Austin gem: I will forever and always love Juiceland. Also I can never say no to a trip to End of an Ear.

Your social media: My Instagram account is @anniefinkel, and you can find me on Facebook as Annie Finkel. Be sure to check out my Etsy shop, too!

Future Front Texas 8/20/15 Future Front Texas 8/20/15

#bossbabesATX Wellness Retreat: Self-Care + Self-Love

This event is a time for self-care and self-love.

This event is a time for self-care and self-love. Attendees are invited to:

BRING YOUR WORK. MAKE DOPE SHIT. GET SOME REST. DO SOME YOGA. DRINK SOME COFFEE. EAT SOME MEXICAN FOOD. MAKE SOME ART. GET CUPPED . TALK TO BABES. DO WHATEVER THE HELL YOU WANT TO DO. THIS IS YOUR TIME TO REST. THIS IS YOUR TIME TO RESET. THIS IS YOUR TIME TO JUST SIT IN PEACE AND QUIET, IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, WITHOUT YOUR CELL PHONE, SOAKING UP SUN AND NOT GIVING A DAMN.

FOOD + DRINK — Organic, vegan and woman-owned, Cool Beans (the food truck!) will be selling snacks, meals and street corn (YAS) for this event.

Chameleon Cold-Brew will be giving away coffee from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

And POP ART Popsicles will be present, with some sweet treats!

SELF-CARE VENDORS — We're going to have Planned Parenthood, The Crunchy Hive (an all-organic medicinal brand) and Lunar Nourishment (a reproductive health/mental wellness brand) offering information, education and goods at the meet.

PK Acupuncture & Wellness Center will be present from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., providing free cupping sessions. We'll also be giving away a gift certificate to their practice!

Did we mention there will be nail art?! THERE WILL BE NAIL ART, provided by Yvette DeChavez.

SELF-LOVE VENDORS — We're going to have author/therapist Savannah Tucker present with her book about self-love. We also have three artists ( booked to live-paint//sketch, etc. to set the tone for the event.

ACTIVITIES — We have two yoga instructors, Hillary Oneslager and Courtney Bailey, who will lead two free yoga classes during the event.

We're also going to have stations for creating free bath salts/face washes/etc. THE HYPE IS SO SELF-LOVING AND SO REAL!

PHOTOBOOTH — Our event photographer, Diana Ascarrunz, is going to take portraits of women holding a white board sign that says "I feel love when I _______." All of the portraits will be published on our blog and distributed to attendees.

PRIZES/MORE ACTIVITIES/MORE FUN/DETAILS TBA. TICKETS ARE $15.

RSVP HERE

FUTURE FRONT IS A 501C3 ARTS ORGANIZATION IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.