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As I talk to women every day, I realize that we all have such amazing stories of life, love and loss. I realized that many women are incredibly talented and strong. We are chauffeurs to our children. We are care-givers to our parents and children. We are five-star chefs, doctors, organizers, bakers, referees, launderers, mothers, sisters, wives, lovers, and friends. I am always in awe of my female friends and family members, and I tell them, “I don’t know how you do it with careers, children, husbands, pets, and houses to run.” I could fill a library with those stories alone!

I wanted to share a few stories about the women who truly inspire me. These women are not politicians, activists, professors, or celebrities; these are everyday women whose stories should be shared. 

My sister Diane was a teenage mother. Our family helped her raise my gorgeous nephew Christopher throughout the years so she could finish high school. After she graduated, she decided to go right to work and not pursue any further education. After many years, she decided to go back to get her degree. At almost 50 years old, she now has a Bachelor’s degree, and I could not be more proud. To me, her decision to go back to school and start a new life and career took a lot of guts.

My sisters - Vickie, me, Diane, Kim and our cousin Christy—who was always like a sister!

My friend Mary, who works at QVC, has been fighting cancer for over 27 years. Luckily, she has been in remission for two years now—fantastic! She, too, has decided to go back to school to further her education – she is earning her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing & Sports Management as well as her Master’s & Doctorate in Physical Therapy. While working full-time and going to school, she has lost 300 pounds in just about five years. In addition to her busy schedule, she somehow finds the time to volunteer for numerous charities, including the Kidney Foundation, and has recently started fundraising for Autism Speaks. She also volunteers for Miss America's Outstanding Teen program. And she works for a friend who has a catering company part-time. Oh and by the way – she has walked SIX half marathons! I am exhausted just talking about her! What an incredible woman!! Here are her before and after photos—amazing!

Mary’s “before” shot

Mary’s “after” shot.  She said she is a work in progress.

I wanted to also talk briefly about my Mother, Estle Smedley. She was the best Mom ever, and she had very little money to work with, mostly love. Our family constantly struggled with finances, and she and my father worked very hard to keep us clothed and fed. There were many times where we had no home phone and ran out of heating oil. There weren’t many “extras” in our world, but they certainly fulfilled our needs. In her later years, she struggled with major health problems—heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and diabetes. After her second stroke, she became disabled—unable to drive, even read, which was one of her passions – many things we take for granted on a daily basis. But she always had a smile on her face, even while she was in constant pain. She didn’t want her girls to worry about her, so she was tough! I am honored to say that she raised me to be the woman I am today. She passed in 2003, and I miss her every day. She was my biggest fan.

My Quacker friend Arlene suffered from breast cancer. She had a double mastectomy, and even with a drain in her side, she attended my surprise housewarming party—with presents. Even though she had just gone through such an invasive surgery, she attended the party with a huge smile on her face. Perhaps not a big deal to her—but it was a HUGE deal for me. I will never ever forget that moment. It still brings tears to my eyes! She is one of the most giving women I know. Always there to help and support all of her friends and family no matter what. And if you need someone to have your back, she will be there! Oh, by the way, she makes the best homemade spaghetti and gravy (Sauce to us non-Italians!), which she has promised to teach me how to make homemade spaghetti—I need to call her!!

Me, Maria & Arlene on the Quacker Factory Trip to Branson in 2009.

Then there is my best friend from high school, Susan. Where do I begin to tell her story? Susan was extremely close to her father, who passed away a few years ago, and to watch her go through that was just devastating. Then she had to endure her mother’s battle with cancer, which she eventually lost. Her grandmother who lived with her mother moved away to live with another relative, and finally she made the decision to divorce her husband of over fifteen years, all the while caring for her two children and working full-time. They sold their home and started packing to move to her new home with her kids. She inspires me because I watched her be so strong through all of this devastation, and she still can crack me up. She just amazed me over the years and especially throughout the last few years. I know she struggled. I know she did not want to lose her father, mother, or grandmother. I know it took her a long time to decide to get divorced. She was just so strong.

One of the women who inspired me, and who most of you knew and loved as much as I, was Jeanne Bice. Jeanne was smart, funny, and a woman to be reckoned with. She had many careers throughout her life – store owner, Mother and Wife, radio host. But the career, which she did not start until later in life, was with the Quacker Factory on QVC. She inspired so many just by being herself; no holds barred, sweet, serious, tough, and gentle. Everyone wanted to go to her for advice!! And she gave it freely—even if it stung a time or two. But she inspried women who maybe did not think they were worthy because they wore a larger size. She inspired women of all ages to go out and celebrate everyday. When her brother and her best friend were diagnosed with cancer, she continuted to inspire women while appearing on QVC. No one outside of her inner circle even knew she was going through such hard emotional times. And even now when I am having a not so great day, I hear Jeanne in my ear saying, “The show must go on, sweetie.” Thank you, Jeanne, for all of the laughs, the hugs, and the inspiration.

Jeanne & me at her home in Florida

So I challenge you to find these incredible stories of the women in your life! They are there, everywhere we go. I believe that women should be better friends, that we should lift each other up, and support each other. Life is very, very short, and we are here to help each other. We are strong and beautiful and smart and capable! So go out there and spread sparkle everywhere you go!

Until next time—Quack, Quack!

Angel