What's your story?
When I was 19 years old I was walking through the mall and I was recruited to work at Hot Topic because I had the look. (I had purple hair and piercings). A few months into working there I was promoted into a full time manager and about 6 months later I was promoted and transferred to PA to be a store manager.
So in the last 20 years I have been a store manager and training manager of 4 big retail chains .... I have lived in 5 states and have worked in over 15 stores.
In 2010 I met Aaron online... we have been living together since in “domestic partnership” (there is obviously more to our story... we have been together for 8 years)
In June and July of 2018 I started getting headaches and vertigo. I was in the ER and urgent care and on August 2 they did an MRI that showed a tumor in my brain that was the size of a fist in my right temporal lobe. A surgeon came in to see me and I had surgery to remove the tumor. Unfortunately it was cancer... the tumor was a glioblastoma.
What makes you nervous about having your portrait taken?
That my double chin would show . Or or that I would fall.
What do you love doing that makes you feel kick ass?
I always enjoyed making other other women feel good about themselves. When working retail I did my best to make people feel better about themselves and to raise their self confidence. I also love going new places and exploring and meeting and talking to different people. That’s probably why I did so well and traveled so much with my job. I’ve always loved to travel. I have friends all over the US and in a few countries. What inspired your portraits? Trying to feel comfortable with my new bald look.. This is not the first time I’ve been bald but it’s the first time I’ve been bald because I’ve had to be. What bad ass women inspire you?
My mom. While college wasn’t for me. I did really well in retail management. My mom put herself through college while working full time. While raising 2 kids. She was able to balance everything and make sure we were able to still do fun family things.
Any Other Comments?
Thanks Jen for making me feel like a bad ass. And thanks to Lauren and Matilda for coming and having fun getting our pictures taken and being badass ladies together.