Cheers to Strong Women 2020

Oh hey, ladies! We are continuing the momentum of International Women's Day by spending this week sharing interviews with strong women in our community that are pursuing their passions and making an impact. We've done a Strong Women Campaign each year to both recognize badass babes and also to raise money for organizations that contribute to the lives of women. This year, we are donating 5% of sales from this week to three organizations we care deeply about: Happy Bottoms, Kansas City's Diaper Bank; Planned Parenthood, a nonprofit delivering vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions; and Carl's Cause, a nonprofit promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

Without further ado, here are three amazing women in our community whose words we're proud to share with you. Cheers to strong women!

DANIELLE LEHMAN

1. Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Danielle Lehman and I'm the creator of Open Belly, a podcast that shares the stories of immigrant and refugee chefs across America. 

2. What does being a strong woman mean to you?

To me, being a strong woman means recognizing your strengths and privilege, and using them to empower others.

3. Do you have a daily mantra/piece of wisdom you live by?

You have a purpose on this planet.

4. Tell me a fact, secret, or something weird you do.

My Enneagram number is 3 ("The Achiever") with a wing 2 ("The Giver/Helper")

5. What is your favorite piece of Sierra Winter Jewelry?

I love my Evil Eye Necklace, but I'm also eyeing the Voyager Necklace. I love simple, classic pieces. 

6. What is your favorite way to support and encourage strong women? (An organization, activity, etc.)

Hosting the Open Belly podcast has allowed me to share the stories of some really badass women in the culinary industry, and they inspire me every day. But immersing myself in the restaurant world has also opened my eyes to how much food we waste in America. About 40% of our food supply ends up in the garbage, yet 1 in 8 people in Kansas City is food insecure, meaning they are not sure where their next meal might come from. That's why I've decided to partner with Food Rescue US to work with local restaurants to deliver their excess food to local hunger relief organizations. If you want to get involved, head over to our website for more info.

SARAH BUCHANAN

1. Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Sarah Buchanan and I am the founder of INDULGE - a company that creates events and experiences to enhance your well-being, encourage you to define your own balance, and make you feel like a badass babe warrior. Our signature event and namesake, INDULGE is in the fall and hosts 250 women. We also create fitness events, retreats and workshops year-round.

I am also a fitness instructor which is where I get to connect directly with my community and empower them with every fiber in my body. I love it from the depths of my being. Fitness is a place we get to practice life: digging in when it gets tough, managing stress, and taking care of ourselves. It brings me a whole lotta joy to see people realize they are capable of doing hard things.

2. What does being a strong woman mean to you?

A strong woman means someone who lives authentically, does the work and is kind to others.

It sounds simple but when you are grinding all day, giving your energy to others, have outside noise telling you who you should be, juggling side hustles and passions and kids and then trying to fit in a workout, eat well, etc - it is no easy feat. Reminder to give yourself grace. 

3. Do you have a daily mantra/piece of wisdom you live by?

4. Tell me a fact, secret, or something weird you do.

I eat in bed a lot. It is one of my favorite things.

5. What is your favorite piece of Sierra Winter Jewelry?

The gold Renegade Ring. A classic, strong, statement piece. But chill enough that you wear it every day. I would get it surgically attached to my finger. Gahh, it is everything and one day it will be mine.

6. What is your favorite way to support and encourage strong women? (An organization, activity, etc.)

I have built a business around creating space for women to show up authentically. There is so much power knowing what you want and need rather than what everyone else has or thinks you should have.

A very specific habit I choose to practice daily is to simply cheer women on whether a friend, an entrepreneur or a competitor. Women have a reputation of being hard on one another and that is REAL. I believe if we practice supporting each other in place of worrying about what each other are doing, wearing, eating, etc, we could save ourselves a lot of energy and get a further in our journeys.

ADDIE SARTINO

1. Who are you and what do you do?

I am Addie Sartino. I am the lead vocalist for alternative, indie band The Greeting Committee.

2. What does being a strong woman mean to you?  

To me, being a strong woman means being a vulnerable woman, an honest woman, a woman who makes choices that make her feel confident and powerful, whether that be in loud choices or quiet choices.

3. Do you have a daily mantra/piece of wisdom you live by?

“Be who you needed when you were younger.”

4. Tell me a fact, secret, or something weird you do.

I live for my nightly bowl of cereal. I’m on a Coco Puffs kick right now. Growing up, we weren’t allowed to eat on the couch. Now that I live by myself, it’s my go-to spot.

5. What is your favorite piece of Sierra Winter Jewelry?

My favorite piece of Sierra Winter Jewelry has to be the “Lady Luck Necklace” in gold.

6. What is your favorite way to support and encourage strong women? (An organization, activity, etc.)

My favorite way to support and encourage other women is to help amplify their voices. I’m very fortunate to have a platform whereas other women may not be able to reach as many people they’d like. I’m here to be an ally, a shoulder to lean on, a megaphone. 

KELSEY PERRY

1. Who are you and what do you do?

I'm Kelsey Perry and I am the owner + creator of duoFIT Maternity and a mom to 2 kiddos with one on the way. duoFIT is maternity activewear designed by mothers for mothers for pregnancy and beyond. Like mothers, duoFIT is made to support, endure and sweat with you. 

2. What does being a strong woman mean to you?  

To me, being a strong woman means meeting other women where they are. I think we have this notion that to be a strong woman, we need to keep pushing, do more, be a part of everything. When in actuality, by setting boundaries, honoring ourselves and others we create the space needed for our strength to come through. We don't all have to do it all, all the time.

3. Do you have a daily mantra/piece of wisdom you live by?

I don't have a mantra, but I have been working on myself to not let little moments where I'm not my best define the rest of the my day. Especially when it comes to parenting. It's minute by minute and I get the opportunity to reset and so do my kids. 

4. Tell me a fact, secret, or something weird you do.

Fact: I share a face with my mom (like we literally have the same face). 

Secret: when we have chocolate or cookies (or something yummy like that) in the house, I eat them in the pantry where my kids can't see me so they don't ask for one.

5. What is your favorite piece of Sierra Winter Jewelry?

How do you pick a favorite? I have always loved your designs and style so literally I want it all! But, my current favorites are the Revival Necklace and the Opal Eve Necklace. And next on my purchase list is the Opal Eve Hoop Earrings (along with a long list of others).

6. What is your favorite way to support and encourage strong women? (An organization, activity, etc.)

There are so many amazing organizations that support women as well as female run businesses in Kansas City that my favorite way to support and encourage strong women is to do just that, to support and show up. One organization that I personally and professionally am passionate about is Rightfully Sewn. A few of the many reasons I decided to work with Rightfully Sewn as our small batch production partner is the fact that it is a female run organization that works to train and support women through their seamstress training program and job placement assistance. To me, the fact that duoFIT gets to be a small part of what they are doing makes me even more passionate about creating a brand that supports women. 

We'd love to hear from you in the comments about what it means to you to be a strong woman & your favorite ways to support strong women in our community and beyond! And remember that proceeds from sales this week will be donated to our partner organizations Happy Bottoms, Carl's Cause, and Planned Parenthood!

Peace & Love,

Madison & Sierra