When I think of a Heroine, no one springs to mind more easily than Dafna Michaelson.
In 2009, immediately following the economic collapse of the banks, Dafna left her job, started a non profit company, with the sole purpose of travelling to every state in America in the 52 weeks of 2009 to ‘find ordinary people doing extraordinary things’.
Using her 401 as funding (everyone else was too busy after the banks collapsing to be able to help) she met, interviewed, videotaped and documented over 500 people.
Her mission was to ‘Change the mirror we use to reflect who we are as a nation’.
Following her “Journey” she was faced with double-mastectomy surgery in 2010, followed immediately by a labrum tear in her hip.
Despite multiple surgeries, she continued her work to empower women and girls of all ages through creating kindness curriculum for educators, hosting on online radio show to continue to elevate ordinary people making a difference in the world, and curating TEDx events specifically for women to help get ‘ideas worth spreading’ from females into the TEDx culture.
Today, she continues her work of her “50 in 52 Journey” through The Journey Institute whose mission is to ‘Empower a Future Built by Community’.

There is so much more to tell about Dafna and her work. She does not come from money and much of this work was self funded with very little support.
She connects women through a Social Women as Entrepreneurs group that meets monthly and devotes a great deal of time volunteering and helping throughout her community.

Submitted by Michael Jenet

I am a blogger and have a successful website (www.jodiesjourney.com) where I discuss my on-going medical and health journey through Lymphoma.

I have overcome massive difficulties to now become a independant health consumer advocate, registered with the Consumers Forum of Australia. I have also just been offered a position as a state director for a national patient association.

My blogs are located on www.jodiesjourney.com – influential people are reading my story, including Her Majesty The Queen, Her Excellancy Quentin Bryce, Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess of Denmark (Mary Donaldson) and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge (Kate Middleton) plus people like Tony Abbott, amongst a few. Every week, more people are hearing about my journey and the opportunities are becoming more and more exciting.

My story just knocks the socks of most people who read it. Delayed diagnosis of 11 months-21 doctors visits-7 doctors -1 frantic trip to the ER, 5 years fighting cancer x 2, Discipline of my former GP by my state medical board, Disabilty and of course, God’s hand on my life and my family!! Plus we have a gorgeous disabled daughter & another beautiful girl.

My journey through Lymphoma and fighting blood cancer twice is what makes my blog so popular. Thousands visit my website every month and I have a strong 9,500+ following on FB, Twitter, MySpace and Linkedin.

Parts of my story have been broadcast on Channel 10/SBS Insight/Melbourne Age & published in the October edition of magazine – ‘Women’s Health & Fitness’. Plus alot more radio and newsletter/paper features.

The short form of my story has also just been published in a collection of stories from 11 inspirin g Australian women. The book by ‘Ark House Press’ has just been released in all major bookstores in Australia & NZ and will be released in the USA and UK in January/12. I am aiming to work more with the next political party to shape legislation for more support for young cancer & Mum’s with illness.

I do what I do – not for fame, but to raise awareness. I advocate for young cancer & women with illness & disabi lity. I was diagnoised much too late and as a result now have a medical negligence caused disability. My case went all the way to the top of the Queensland Medical Board and my former GP was repremanded as a result and then de-registered himself.

I am still gettng through my difficult situation and with the help of medicine and therapy and faith.

I think the secret is making sure you take your lemons and turning them into lemonade. Instead of running away – run into it and make something great of your challenges.
Thanks for reading,
Jodie Guerrero
Consumer Advocate
www.jodiesjourney.com
www.consumerconsultation.com

My Mother was my heroine because she was so strong. My Mom came from a single family home. In 1930, that wasn’t the most typical. She loved to surround herself with bright, intelligent and ambitious people. She married a brilliant attorney and had 2 children. During her third pregnancy, my father died. I was their unborn child. My mother managed to pull herself together with the help of her mother. She went on to meet and fall in love with a wonderful man. He adopted all of us and he and my Mom had a wonderful life. My Mom went on to have 8 grandchildren whom she cherished and they cherished her. She was a happy, grateful person. My Mom has been gone for 2 and a half years. I got though her loss with my gratitude. I am so grateful for my Mom. We had an amazing relationship. My ability to love and have loving relationships, all stem from my Mom.She was able to go on with her life and be happy. I reflect on her choice all the time. Happiness and Gratitude are choices. In honor of my Mom, I choose gratitude and happiness. She is always with me. For that, I am truly grateful.

Submitted by Mindy Gurwin

I have a friend who is a wonderful actress. She’s been in this business for years—she’s been a casting director, she writes, she produces…she works hard and is in it for the long haul. There are so many people who would sing her praises if we had room here, but this is a column, not a book, so here’s Eileen Grubba on the Internet Movie Database. Quite an impressive list of credits for anyone to achieve.

This is a hard business; everyone knows that. Beautiful people in perfect shape move in and out of this city constantly, hoping to “make it” in show biz. What can be overlooked, at least initially, is that in the end it’s about talent and work. The ones with staying power are talented and have worked at developing their craft. This is something Eileen embodies…persistence can overcome any obstacle.

You see, Eileen had polio as a child. She was confined to a wheelchair for years, but that didn’t stop her from getting up out of that chair and becoming captain of the cheerleading team. She was in a wheelchair again in adulthood while her leg was rebuilt, but she again got up out of that chair and decided to pursue a career in a field that is ridiculously hard to break into…because that is where her heart led her. She’s made great strides in her career by creating characters that are riveting and layered. Take a look at her demo reel.

It’s not easy to get in the room with casting directors, but if you have any kind of disability your chances are lessened further. Now, I know from my own experience that it’s hard to build a list of credits no matter what. I’m still working on that myself. Eileen already has a good list of credits and she knows people. However, it seems that the fact that she walks with a limp has held her career back. What I’m getting at here: why can’t all kinds of people be represented onscreen? I feel the main priority should be—can they act? If they can act, if they’ve put in the time, if they’re disciplined and reliable then there should be a place for them in the stories being told.

I’ve heard from Eileen some of the situations she’s experienced…the time the show creator had her sit down and not finish a scene instead of walk out as planned (and the recurring role was never brought back.) The times casting directors have brought her in for a role, only to scrunch up their faces when they caught a glimpse of the brace she often wears on her leg that eases her pain The time she worked on a developing musical, in the lead role but was then replaced by an amateur before the show actually went in front of a paying audience. The many humiliating experiences where her walk was mimicked or made fun of in front of groups of people. But she keeps getting up and going.

Eileen was busy pursuing her acting career when she got some more news…as a result of all the x-rays she had done along the way, she had developed cancer. She faced it, stared it down and once again triumphed with strength of character and a positive attitude. It didn’t stop Eileen from her training at world famous The Actor’s Studio, of which she is a Lifetime Member. It didn’t stop her from getting out there and pursuing auditions.

I know—this business isn’t fair. A lot of actors never get a break; I of all people am fully aware of that. But if you’ve proven yourself and the only reason you’re not getting work is due to a perceived disability, well, that’s a different story. In Eileen’s words: “I just want the same opportunities as anyone else at my level. Just the chance. I’ve done my work and I am ready.”

Eileen was recently diagnosed with LYNCH syndrome, a genetic predisposition to cancer. This is quite possibly her biggest challenge yet. She has to be tested annually to make sure no new cancers are developing. This news that would have crumpled a weaker person has been handled with grace by Eileen, and I am quite sure it will only add to the depth of what she brings to the screen and stage. I have no doubt at all that she will continue to enrich this industry with her work.

The time has come to celebrate beauty and talent in all its forms. Not just one narrow picture as decided by “them.” Let’s demand some diversity in what we see, and celebrate it loudly when we do see it represented. In the case of Eileen, if you even noticed her limp I’d be surprised. Just jump on board with the characters she’s creating for us, and enjoy the ride.

Submitted by Noam Dromi

My Heroine is Eileen Grubba. She’s survived polio (which damaged her leg and left her disabled), cancer, a horrific car accident and was recently diagnosed with a genetic disorder that almost guarantees she will get cancer again. She is the lead actress in the project “Sleeping with the Bear.”

She has spend the last 20 years as an actress in Hollywood and has never let her disability get in the way of her dreams.

The best way to get to know her is to watch her here:
She’s an amazing woman. She is the embodiment of the word heroine.

Submitted by Cynthia Hall

Susan Watson’s inspiration for MIRACLES IN PROGRESS is her daughter, Rachel, who was born with a brain injury. MIRACLES IN PROGRESS is an organization that touches the lives of children and adults with brain injuries. The group raises funds for various activities that provide both social and theraputic activities such as swimming, horseback riding and yoga. Please check out their Facebook page at Miracles in Progress. Susan Watson has touched the lives of many and continues to inspire miracles daily to those involved. She is truly an angel on earth!

Submitted by Peggy Raddatz

My Heroine is Terri Bryant. She is the hardest working woman I know. She is not afraid to do anything. She has her own power tools and builds things. She is an exceptional artist and she runs her own international business. She has faced many challenges, both personally and professionally, but has held strong through it all. If everyone would work as hard as she does, the world would be a much better place! And she is kind, considerate and generous to everyone she comes in contact with!

Submitted by Hannah Starnes

My sister Kathie deserves a page in herstory for many reasons. She was the oldest of six kids, and because I’m the youngest she was always like a second mother to me.
As I was growing up she was always the one I would turn to for advice about things. She is truly a brilliant woman, and if I had a question, I knew she would have the answer!
She was married by the time I was three, and she would often invite me and my sister Karen over for a sleepover. Those were such special times! We’d order pizza and watch our favorite shows, or play cards. She really was the best big sister!
She also had a very loving way about her, and if my mom was too busy with the other kids, I knew if I went to my sister Kathie I would get her undivided attention.
Once when I was nine years old I had a giant tangle of knots in the back of my hair. I had tried to comb it out many times, but it just became too much for me. I was embarrassed by the mess my hair was, but couldn’t get the knots out. One night when I was staying at her house she washed my hair and had me sit in front of her on the floor. She sat behind me and slowly and painstakingly combed out all of those knots. We sat together like that for a couple of hours, drinking lemonade and talking while she fixed my hair. I was so happy those knots were out, and even happier I got that special time with my sister!
My sister Kathie truly is one of those special women who really doesn’t know how much she means to so many people, or how loved she is. I hope that this page in herstory reminds her that she is an amazing and beautiful person, and I am so grateful she’s my sister!

The heroine I’d like to report is my sister Carol Stitt. Carol is a perfect example of a person who appears tough on the outside, but under that toughness lies one of the most tender and beautiful hearts.
Carol is six years older than I am, so she was always the big sister I looked up to. But as we’ve grown I’ve found her to be a sister that I can turn to when I am feeling broken, and she will nurture me and care for me until I can put myself back together again.
When my kids and I lost their dad in a car accident, my sister Carol came through for me in so many ways. She was working full time herself, but was constantly calling and coming by.. making sure me and the kids were taken care of…seeing if we needed anything. She was there for us in every sense of the word, and when I look back on that awful time, I really don’t know how I would have gotten through it without her.
A couple of years ago I was again in dire straits; I was physically ill and emotionally bankrupt. Once again, my sister Carol was there to love me and help me…taking me to the hospital, staying with me and helping me until I was physically well again. She was the rock I leaned on for support, and I will always be indebted to her for being there during those days I was struggling my way back to life.
Carol has had some real difficulties in her own life, and could easily have turned into a bitter and angry person. But she didn’t do that. She chose to foster the loving part of herself, and I am so grateful she is my sister. I honestly don’t know what I would do without her, and I am honored to be able to give her this page in herstory. She deserves it!

The heroine I’d like to report is my niece, Kris Austin. Kris is a neo-natal intensive care nurse, and she is an amazing woman. First of all, she earned her nursing degree while she was a single mother and raising two little boys. She worked hard and graduated at the top of her class.
She has been a neo-natal nurse for many years now, and has recently developed an innovative program that will help with the survival rate of babies who are not classified as full-term, but are too far along to be considered premature.
These babies need specific care, but up until now nobody had developed a targeted program to increase their survival rate. This is what Kris has done. She has worked very hard these last few years at developing and presenting this program.
Because of her, these babies now have a better chance at receiving the appropriate care and growing up to lead healthy lives.
Any woman or baby who has been under her care is lucky to have her as their nurse. Kris has a beautiful heart, and is filled with compassion and understanding for all of her patients.
Like so many women, Kris has managed to achieve these things while taking care of her own family. They are also the beneficiaries of her spirit, her humor and her generous and loving heart.
Kris is one of those women who touches more lives than she ever realizes, and she deserves a page in herstory!

The heroine I’d like to report is my friend Beth Babcock. Beth is one of those women who are truly as beautiful inside as she is outside.
Two years ago I was at the lowest point in my life. I was physically ill and needed major surgery, and I was also in a very deep depression. To say I had lost my desire to continue living is an understatement.
When Beth found out I was having surgery, she arranged a luncheon with a group of our girlfriends. They came to my house and brought love and encouragement with them. Beth was sitting next to me and at one point leaned over and said, “You need to see Kurt. I’ll arrange it.” Kurt is a spiritual healer/therapist that several of the women had seen at one point, and Beth had tremendous faith in his abilities.
I agreed to see him, and on the day of the appointment, she drove me back and forth to his office. This was a tremendous act of love, as Beth lives about 15 minutes from him, and I am about 45 minutes in the opposite direction.
My session with this man lasted about an hour and a half. He helped me to refocus my thoughts, and I can say in all honesty that it was on that day that I chose to begin living life again. I went into my surgery with a much different attitude than I would have had Beth not intervened and arranged those selfless acts of kindness and love. I feel as if I was dying and her acts recusitated me.
One of the things I find most touching about this is that Beth and I have not been friends forever. We don’t get to see each other that often. But that didn’t matter to her. She saw a friend in need and by reaching out to help me she began to breathe life back into me.
So many times in our lives we don’t realize that we have been placed in someone’s life as an angel…often we don’t realize just how much the things we do touch the lives of others…I want to give Beth this page in herstory because I want the world to know about the kind acts of this beautiful woman who reached out to me in my darkness and helped me find my way back to the light…