A Moment of Magic – meet Belles 20 and 21!

“When you wish upon a star. . . your dreams come true. . .”  Who when they hear these classic Disney lyrics can’t help but feel a moment of magic?  Belle of Steel Kylee McGrane-Zarnoch certainly does.  In December of 2014 Kylee had a dream of helping children.  She and her college roommate Maggie decided to dress up as Disney princesses and visit children in a local hospital.  Kylee says she’ll never forget the joy she saw on the face of a terminally ill child as she approached her wearing an Elsa princess gown.  It touched her heart and soul forever, especially the hug.  Within a few weeks they were regularly driving around in Kylee’s “punch buggy” seeing children in hospitals all across New York calling themselves The Princess Project. 

Every child has their favorite character. But seeing the characters in person?  Children fighting cancer, respiratory failure, traumas and other debilitating medical issues found moments of pure joy and happiness when receiving surprise bedside visits from characters they had seen in superhero films and Disney productions. What was fear, was changed into hope and joy, if only for a brief moment.  That is pure magic.

Stories of their magic quickly spread to other collegiates and friends.  What started as two, expanded to forty students providing moments of magic all along the east coast of the United States.  By Fall of 2015, the first official chapter of A Moment of Magic was established by collegiate juniors Margaret “Maggie” McAndrew and Kylee McGrane. The platform of the organization was establishing a foundation for college students to provide service work through magic hospital visits to all types of children in need. These visits delivered compassion and empowerment. In November of 2016, a video of the princesses went viral amassing over 75 million views. More wanna-be superheroes and princesses across the country wanted to spread the magic. By the end of 2017, A Moment of Magic expanded to over 10 chapters across the nation.  By 2019, the organization had served over 75,000 children.  

COVID-19 threatened to harm the organization’s progress and for a brief time, the magic visits were prohibited in acute care facilities.  However the magic couldn’t be stopped.  The goals of A Moment of Magic include creating programs which help children learn coping and resiliency skills. The in-person visits by the heroes and princesses provide experiences which focus on creative play, boosting self-confidence, and self-esteem. The overarching intention? To give these children joyful moments to increase their quality of life. After COVID-19, the mental health of many college students suffered due to the impact of global circumstances and a challenging economy. Now more than ever, organizations like A Moment of Magic provide opportunities for students to improve their own mental health through service to others within their communities. At the center of this magic is hope. 

When co-founder Maggie graduated, she went on to serve children as a secondary teacher.  When Kylee graduated, she became the founding Executive Director of the newly created 501c(3) A Moment of Magic Foundation. As of 2023 over 125,000 children have experienced the magic. The humble beginnings of two princesses have grown into an international non-profit raising over $2 million dollars and bringing their special brand of magic to all children in need.  The organization has been highlighted in local and national news stories, also being featured by numerous press outlets. In addition, the founders and their chapters have garnered prestigious awards in women’s leadership and entrepreneurial change.  Kylee’s organization now partners with more than 350 nonprofit organizations and pediatric hospitals across the country to decisively contribute to the emotional health, self-confidence and self-esteem of children. A Moment of Magic received the Aerie Real Changemaker award in 2020 and was nominated as a semi-finalist in the 2021 New York City Imagine Awards. Recently, Kylee was inducted into the Hall of Femme, an international organization which honors women making history. 

A Moment of Magic continues to evolve. Creative play scenarios have taken their activities into parks and camps for children.  In 2022, they created Bravery Bags which are backpacks filled with tools for coping with stressful situations, how to talk about emotions and other items to assist parents and guardians to inspire resiliency and assist their children after difficult trauma experiences. Also that year, A Moment of Magic held its first ever children’s mental health workshop called Express, Create, Heal through a partnership with Curefest.  In 2023, Kylee’s book, Your Magic which celebrates things that make one unique, yet unified, will be published. 

Kylee’s ongoing message with A Moment of Magic is crystal clear. Strive to be brave, strong, and fearless. Create moments of light, laughter, and magic to overcome obstacles.  Use every resource to make mental health more accessible.  But most of all delight in providing twinkles of magic and hope for a child in need.  For all of these magic moments, AgeView Press is proud to recognize Belles of Steel 20 and 21, Maggie McAndrew of Milford, Connecticut and Kylee McGrane-Zarnoch, of Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania.

Sex trafficking? Oh my. . .meet forensic nurse warrior Laurie Charles Belle of Steel #19

San Antonio is one of the largest metroplexes in the U.S.A., yet most residents there have no idea it sits within one of the nation’s busiest sex trafficking regions. Not only San Antonio, but Houston, and Dallas-Fort Worth, as well. In fact, much of the I-35 corridor. But nurse educator Laurie Charles does. In fact, over the last six years, Laurie has made her mission as a nurse educator to make sure that others, especially those in healthcare don’t make the same mistake of denial that she once did.

      Every year in America over 200,000 young women and men are victims of human trafficking, many of those sex trafficking (Polaris Project, 2022). That is truly a stunning number. These sprawling Texas cities aren’t special. Any large metroplex with professional sports teams or major Interstate freeways is vulnerable. The commercial sexual exploitation of minors, even young children is a major public health issue (Goldberg & Moore, 2018). Hard to believe, but one of the busiest sex trafficking days during the year is the NFL Superbowl. That was shocking to Laura, who believed herself to be a football fan and supporter. Other frequent sites of organization of sex trafficking occur in the most innocuous places. For example, nail salons, truck stops, especially those long busy interstate freeways, and roadside parks. Sadly, some people are trafficked in their own homes, by their family members, Many times, organizers plant mules in high schools or junior high schools who are paid to recruit victims. Before a family knows it, their young son or daughter is gone.    

     Laurie has worked as a forensic nurse practitioner for over 24 years. In addition to her RN license, she is certified as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. That is a nurse who is specially trained to guide a victim post-sexual assault. Not only providing comfort, but collecting the precious forensic evidence that could lead to a conviction of the perpetrator. If only tracking down sex traffickers was that scientific. Laurie became aware of just how vulnerable these victims are in the emergency department. People who are victimized by traffickers often interact with healthcare professionals frequently while they are being trafficked. She recalls a young female patient for whom she cared for in the emergency department. Concerned about the circumstances the young girl experiencing and her physical condition, Laurie reported the case to Child Protective services (CPS). By the time they arrived, the patient was long gone. The CPS worker was dismayed, as they had been tracking this young girl as a possible victim of sex trafficking. It was devastating to Laurie who wanted to know how she was to recognize that in a  patient? She made it her mission to find out.

     Laurie Charles, began her career as a nurse when she graduated from the Royal Alexandra Hospital School of Nursing in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.  Not finding the job nor pay she wanted, she took a chance and moved to the United States, taking an emergency room position in Refugio, TX.  The small 20 bed hospital had a busy trauma population. So Laura quickly became a jack of all trades, especially in trauma.  Next, she worked in Beeville, TX in another small, critical access hospital, which served as a triage hospital for the federal and state prison systems where she continued to hone her assessment skills. In addition, she taught Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Life Support, Neonatal Resuscitation, and the Trauma Nursing Core Course. It was in San Antonio, TX that Laurie began her work as a forensic nurse, a new position in nursing.  By then, she was certified in Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and truly felt her calling.  During a moment of self-reflection regarding her now expansive career in caring for abuse victims, a light bulb went off.  What she truly wanted to do was impact change, through teaching students about the importance of forensic nursing. 

Laurie with her SANE forensic kit

     Laurie now knows that often victims are in plain sight, with many health care professionals and first responders missing the subtle cues of victimization and trafficking. Researchers now know from survivor reports that over 88% of sex trafficking victims sought healthcare at least once to an emergency room seeking treatment for various ailments, with providers missing the clues that they were being trafficked (Lederer and Wetzel, 2014). Victims of sex trafficking suffer wounds to their self-esteem, some believing they deserve this treatment(Moore et al., 2020). They suffer anxiety, depression, and often substance abuse. Although the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act of 2000 made sex trafficking a federal crime, the numbers continue to climb. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reports that during 2022, there are expected to be over 10,000 victims of sex trafficking in the U.S. alone. Many health care workers still lack appropriate training to help them recognize the cues to identify victims (Lutz, 2018; Moore et al., 2020).

      Laurie has taken on the mission to educate others on this crime, even being appointed to work on the Texas Human Trafficking Task Force a special team endorsed and established by Governor Gregg Abbott. Laurie teaches that when young patients report having multiple sex partners over a short amount of time, show up for treatment with a non-relative who refuses to leave the bedside, or are experiencing homelessness, first responders should pay attention. Those may be key signs that the individual may be being trafficked. It isn’t always about physical violence, but also emotional manipulation and exploitation. 

     So back to school!  Laurie obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing in 2014 and went on to achieve her Master of Science in Nursing from Western Governor’s University in 2015.  Furthering her education and expanding her knowledge on SANE nursing and trafficking, she is now working on her Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree.  Laurie Charles MSN, RN, CA-CPSANE, SANE-A, SANE-P, CHSE, AFN-C, DF-AFN currently serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor for the Center of Excellence in Forensic Nursing which is part of the School of Nursing at Texas A&M University.  Recently, she was recognized as a Distinguished Fellow of the Academy of Forensic Nursing. She teaches several human trafficking courses, from a graduate Human Trafficking elective in the Texas A&M University, School of Nursing, Master’s in Forensic Nursing curriculum, to an online continuing education courses. The emergency department is not an easy place to work for a nurse, but Laurie’s stamina and resilience saw her shine within that environment. She truly became a nurse advocate for her patients, especially those abused or trafficked. For this reason and many others, AgeView Press is proud to celebrate the work of Laurie Charles as Belle of Steel # 19.

 

Laurie working Texas A&M University Health Science Center

    

References

Goldberg, A., & Moore, J. (2018). Domestic minor sex trafficking. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 27(1), 77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2017.08.008

Lederer, L. J., & Wetzel, C. A. (2014). The health consequences of sex trafficking and their implications for identifying victims in healthcare facilities. Annals of Health Law, 23(1), 61.

Lutz, R. M. (2018). Human trafficking education for nurse practitioners: Integration into standard curriculum. Nurse Education Today, 61, 66-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2017.11.015

Moore, J. L., Houck, C., Hirway, P., Barron, C. E., & Goldberg, A. P. (2020). Trafficking experiences and psychosocial features of domestic minor sex trafficking victims. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 35(15-16), 3148-3163. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260517703373

Mother Henriette Delille bucked the French Creole system and became a candidate for sainthood!

In the traditional Catholic French Creole ways of pre-civil New Orleans, most young women did as their mothers taught them. The expectations were clear. Look your very best and find a suitable husband. But not Henriette Diaz DeLille. Henriette was born in 1813.  She was considered an octaroon, her mother was a quadroon, which is a French Creole word meaning ¼ African American, ¾ white. Women of color within Henriette’s family can be traced back to her maternal great-grandmother the daughter of Claude Villars Dubruil, born in 1716 who immigrated from France to Louisiana. The family settled in the French Quarter, not far from St. Louis cathedral. Her father Jean-Baptiste Lille Sarpy a married French merchant was also wed in common law to Marie-Josephe “Pouponne” Diaz, a free woman of color from New Orleans. Henriette’s great-great grandmother had been a slave from West Africa.

But that is not what made Henriette special. It was her calling to the religious vocation to serve others. Henriette was schooled in French literature, music, dancing, and even crude nursing skills, which included preparation of medications from herbs. The expectation was that like her mother, Henriette would become a finer lady of the placage system. This meant a common law marriage with a wealthy man, often whom had a white Catholic family of society somewhere else Many women of the quarter were supported financially in elegance in this manner. A “kept” woman so to speak. Dutiful, Henriette attended many of the quadroon balls held in the quarter. She caught many a man’s eye.  But Henriette would have none of that, much to her mother’s displeasure.

Delille was an outspoken opponent of the placage system, believing it to be in violation of the covenant sacrament of Catholic marriage. Henriette was a devout Catholic and held strong to her beliefs. She received the sacrament of confirmation from the Catholic church in 1834. Funeral records from the church document that Henriette, during the 1920 as a young teen may have given birth to two sons out of wedlock who died in infancy.  In 1835, Henriette’s mother had a psychotic breakdown and was declared incompetent. The court granted Henriette control of her mother’s financials. After providing her care until her death, DeLille sold all of the remaining assets using the funds to found a small group of nuns she called Sister of the Presentation. Their purpose was to care for the sick, help the poor of the quarter and instruct free and enslaved children and adults teaching them how to read and write. She is attributed with establishing the oldest Catholic home for the elderly in America. Many of whom from the Quarter, persons of color and had nowhere to go.

What was remarkable, is that in a male dominated Southern society of culture, Henriette rose above. She used her wit, intelligence and faith to make the impossible possible. She was told “no” on numerous occasions, for example when she applied to the Diocese of New Orleans to have her order of nuns recognized and was denied because they were women of color. At that time, Black women were not seen in the South as worthy of religious life, nor the official habit worn. But she didn’t care, her nuns wore their own self-designed habits and took non-public vows. Henriette continued to fight on with her servitude to others. The order’s legal advisor Etienne Rousselon obtained approval from the order from the Vatican, the Holy See in 1837 establishing Henriette as the mother superior. She took the official religious name of Sister Mary Theresa, however all who knew her called her Mother Henriette.

The order continued their work throughout the poor neighborhoods of post-civil war New Orleans. They cared for literally hundreds of indigent and orphaned children and elderly.  In 1842, the order’s name was officially changed to the Sisters of the Holy Family. New Orleans was hit hard by yellow fever epidemics that killed hundreds in 1853. The nuns of Henriette’s order nursed plenty of victims. In November of 1862, Henriette died at age 49. Many saying her death was attributed to never ending life of poverty and hard work.  Beginning with only eight original members, by 1909 her order of nuns how now grown to 150 members carrying out her legacy. They now operated parochial schools for children of color. In today’s time, with over 500 members, the order operates free schools for children and nursing homes in New Orleans and Shreveport, LA; Washington D.C.; Galveston, Texas; Little Rock, AR, as well as California and even a mission in Belize.

Recognizing her gift of servitude to the  underserved in society within the city of New Orleans named a street after her in 2011.  Archbishop Gregory Aymond, still in service to this day, developed the diocesan prayer said by every church each Sunday in New Orleans which prays for an end to violence and racism. The Prayer for the Archdiocese of New Orleans ends with the intercessory not only to our Lady of Prompt Succor, but to Mother Henriette Delille. Mother Henriette was declared by Pope Benedict the XVI to be venerable, now in Step 2 of the canonization process by the Vatican to be named a saint. For her love of the poor and underserved, her lifelong service as a nun and nurse, AgeView press proudly includes Mother Henriette Delille as Belle of Steel #18.

Photo of portrait that hangs in the parlor of the Motherhouse of the Sisters of the Holy Family.  Artist of the original portrait was Ulrick Jean-Pierre.  Photo credit:  Laine Kaplan-Levenson from WWNO.

There’s a rumble restarting!

It’s been almost a year or more since I posted on the blog. Compartmentalization was necessary to finish that doctorate. But now, I am on the homestretch and can actually see that light at the end of the tunnel. Seven weeks to go. As such, formal papers are being wrapped up, poster and podium presentations on my project complete. It has been a long, long two years in an accelerated program.

That “almost” has given me new energy to re-kindle my book business and creative side of writing. I have had to spend the last two years writing nothing but professional nursing related things. Don’t get me wrong, I love working in the professional arena of writing as well. But there is just a different mindset needed. An entirely different set of rules are warranted. I have missed my characters, my stories, my military writing and historical figures. It is time to resume.

Thank you for your patience readers. Guess in a couple of weeks, I will have to re-change my title from Jeanette Vaughan to Dr. Jeanette Vaughan. Can’t believe I even get to type that. One of my first new posts will be some Belles of Steel entries. Along this journey, I have met some amazing women who so deserve that title. It will be an honor to feature their stories.

Also expect to see some excerpts from that professional world. My DNP project was under-represented minority nursing students, primarily Hispanics. The disparity in healthcare delivery with regard to missing Hispanic nurses among our numbers is staggering. Truly a wicked problem. Texas is almost 50% Hispanic, yet only 16% of the professional RN -nursing workforce are Hispanic. That is simply appalling. So stay tuned for more on that topic.

As you can see, I am now giving myself permission to merge my creative and professional writing. Whether or not that is a trainwreck decision remains to be seen. Have a safe and Happy 4th of July weekend. And please don’t forget that pandemic that is still out there. Wear a mask if in a crowd inside.

You HAVE permission to engage – meet Belle of Steele #14 Vernice “Flygirl” Armour

What does it take to become America’s first African American female combat pilot?  For Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour, it was going from Zero to Breakthrough!  She believes that harnessing the mindset of mission accomplishment no matter what the barriers, or perceived barriers, may be is the breakthrough mentality required to accomplish whatever you set you mind to.

Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour

By refusing to settle, even in the smallest moments and demanding a breakthrough in every challenge, Vernice flew to new heights.  She remembers a conversation that became the catalyst for her own new flight plan and mission for life.  Humbly relating that she was “just doing her job” when she used pinpoint accuracy in her Cobra fighter helo to destroy a building housing an enemy mortar position in Iraq, she shared a story.  A few years after returning home from the war, she met a man who’d been in that same battle. He approached her and said, “Ma’am, you saved my life that day.”  He had been one of the soldiers under attack.  It was the deployment of Denise’s missle that took out enemy warriors who had been attacking his platoon.

Vernice completed two tours of duty in the Gulf, earning an Air Medal with a star of Valor, thirteen Strike Flight awards, a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, a Navy Presidential Unit Citation, and load of other awards, decorations, and public recognition. She’s been featured on Oprah, CNN, Tavis Smiley, NPR and numerous other TV and radio programs.  According to Oprah Winfrey, Vernice has “no shortage of accomplishments” describing her as “awesome girl…awesome!”  But despite this notoriety, her sole purpose is igniting the flame of passion within our youth to improve their productivity and commitment to achieve personal accomplishments within our society.

As a pioneering pilot, Vernice used her commanding role in technology and engineering to achieve what many said she could never do – become a combat pilot.  She ignored any naysayers along the way. She believes that women and men from all walks of life have the potential to achieve higher levels of success if they can only create the right flight plan.

Meeting the Commander-in-chief, President Obama

As such she took her mission on the road, writing the book Zero to Breakthrough.  Her vision for an America that maintains greatness one accomplishment at a time, is for individuals to create their own flight plan designed to take them to new heights. Vernice describes a seven step, battle-tested method for accomplishing goals that matter. Today she works as a coach, national speaker, consultant for large entities such as Bank of America, NASA, the Secret Service, and Comcast. She is very clear in her message that she doesn’t believe in being average, striving for mediocrity, or just fitting in.

When interviewed, she related to me that she never focused on racism or sexism. According to Vernice, who found herself surrounded my a majority of males in her chosen professions, she stayed focused and did her job. Just like the boys. She never demanded special privileges or favors.  In fact, her journey and education started with her becoming a police officer. At one point, she even played women’s professional football. But once she achieved that, she was spurred on to further greatness.  In 1994, attended Middle Tennessee State University and participated in Army ROTC. She trained as a Marine officer in 1998 at Quantico Marine Base. Her first deployment in the Marines was with Marine Air Craft Wing MAG-39, in Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, learning to fly the Cobra.

Vernice uses some of her military jargon to motivate others. One of her slogans is “You have the permission to engage. You are cleared HOT!”  In other words, give yourself the permission to begin; to start steps toward achieving one’s goals and aspirations.  When flying in the middle of combat and needing to engage the enemy, pilots have to ask for permission to shoot their weapons. The magical phrase needed in order to protect Marines and Soldiers on the ground is ‘Cleared Hot.’  That means, go for it.  All clear.  One of her tenants is “acknowledge the obstacles, DON’T give them power.  There will be many times that barriers, such as racism or sexism are present. Financial barriers, societal barriers, or even doubts within ourselves may threaten to thwart plans.  But no matter what the roadblock, she encourages focus to come up with solutions. She emphasizes that how we react versus respond to barriers is the answer.

In her seminars, she has people think of themselves as an attack helicopter.  “Who needs a runway?” she questions. “Take off from where you are!” she motivates. “As soon as you add power (with a solution) and take off, you’re flying! Where you go, either foward or backward is up to you.”  Her five step process for success is:

1.  Create your own flight plan, develop consciousness and awareness of what you are good at.
2.  Pre-flight – check out all the details, and troubleshoot. Release fears holding you down.
3.  Take off – give it some power and just do it.
4.  Execute – stay on course and focus. In each situation practice self-discipline to achieve mastery.
5.  Review, recharge, and re-attack!  If faced with obstacles find solutions and go again.

Vernice tells people, “If you do what average people do, you’ll have what average people have. And honestly, I haven’t met a single person who admits to wanting to be average.” She recognizes that people want to accomplish significant goals and become assets to their communities.  Making that flight plan and committing to go beyond is the real breakthrough that leads to success, significance and a meaningful legacy for our society.

Believing that there is no such thing as a dream out of reach, Vernice integrates the concepts of preparation, strategy, courage, legacy, and the importance of high spirits and enthusiasm to create an inner force.  This “FlyGirl” blends compassion, humor, drive, and a no-nonsense attitude to ignite the fire within, help lay the groundwork for success, and discover the self-discipline that enables anyone to blast through obstacles and challenges.

For these reasons and many more, AgeView Press is proud to have Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour as the fourteenth Belle of Steel.  What are you waiting for?  Go Zero to Breakthrough!

Lady Jessie Beck and the Navy Ghostriders – Belle of Steel #12

It isn’t any secret that the ultimate gift is giving without expecting anything in return.   As the first woman to own a casino in Nevada, for rootin’ tootin’ Jesse Beck, it was second nature.   Jessie was a colorful, spirited woman with an independent streak.  But to VA – 164, a group of Navy attack pilots who flew the A-4 Skyhawk, she was a woman with a heart of gold.

A patriot with the gift of giving, Jessie Beck.

While on a holiday in Texas, “Pappy” Harold Smith, who owned Harold’s Club in Nevada during the late 1930s, offered Beck a job as a roulette dealer.  He noted her quick mathematical skills while she was working as a cashier, post two divorces.  Never afraid of a new adventure, Jessie packed her bags and relocated to Reno.  She quickly rose through the casino ranks, building a reputation for friendliness and good business sense.  This did not go unnoticed by Fred Beck, who owned and operated the keno, poker, pan and horse race booking concessions at Harold’s Club.  Not able to resist Jessie’s charm, Fred became Jessie’s third husband.  When Fred died in 1954, Jessie, now a widow, took over the operations.

She spent most of her time at the casino roaming the floors, and serving her customers, sometimes staying until three in the morning.  It was not unlike her to take over a 21 game and deal for hours, which is how she met a young future Navy pilot, Richard Perry who worked part time as a dealer.  His dream was to fly jets.  Jessie was moved by his story, and took him under her wing.  She befriended and encouraged him,often bringing him home for homemade meals.  Dick became Jessie’s pseudo-adopted son.  It was a proud moment for Jessie when Richard Perry was commissioned in 1957 and winged circa 1958.   Part of Naval aviation training took place out at Naval Air Station Fallon, just east of Reno.   Jessie would give out baskets of goodies, including playing cards and such from the casino to the young, love-starved pilots.

LCDR Dick Perry, VA-164

But good times were not to last.  Dick was assigned to VA-164, the Ghostriders who flew the A-4 Skyhawk and was deployed to the Western Pacific to conduct bombing missions in Vietnam.  During his cruise time, Jessie continued sending the care packages.  In no time, the entire squadron came to know and love the generous gifts sent over from Lady Jessie, as they deemed her.   As homage to Beck, Perry had his A-4 painted with Lady Jessie on its side.

Unfortunately, while flying his Lady Jessie, tragedy stuck during Perry’s second WestPac cruise.  During the summer of 1967, Perry, now a Lieutenant Commander, served as VA-164’s division lead and led a strike into Haiphong off the USS Oriskany, CVA-34.  A surface to air missile struck the underbelly of Dick’s Skyhawk. Watching fuel stream out of his plane, Perry turned toward the Tonkin Gulf, speaking calmly to his wingman watching the disaster in horror.  As they reached the coastline, Dick became silent, his A-4 engulfed in flames.  As the plane rolled out of control, he ejected about a mile from the shoreline.  His chute deployed, but due to massive chest wounds received on impact, Perry remained lifeless in the water.  The helo attempting to rescue him came under heavy fire, and it became impossible to retrieve Dick’s body.

As can be expected, upon hearing the news, Jessie was heartbroken.  But she forged on, spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars sending care packages to Vietnam servicemen, especially, VA-164.  The squadron honored the gracious lady from Reno even after LCDR Dick Perry’s death by displaying her name on each commanding officer’s aircraft.  This continued until the squadron was disestablished in 1975.

In 1967, the Nevada Gaming Commission revoked the gaming license of a casino named the Riverside over a dice-cheating scandal, shutting it down in 1968.  Shortly after, Beck lost the lease to the concessions at Harold’s in 1970 when the club was sold to the Hughes Corporation, who subsequently terminated most of the club’s staff.  Jessie was irate, but was not going to take this latest blow without a fight.  In 1971, Beck scraped up the money and bought the Riverside Casino for three million dollars.  To the delight of many, she rehired the majority of the former Harold’s Club employees.

Jessie’s Riverside Casino

Now known as the Gambling Grandmother of Reno, Lady Jessie continued to give back, sharing her good fortunes to support military personnel all over the world.  She was bestowed with the Award of Merit, the highest honor the Defense Department can give a civilian, in 1968.  In 1969, the governor of Nevada named her a Distinguished Nevadan.  She was honored at a reunion of VA-164 and VA -163 pilots in the late 1970s.  A lifetime member of the St. Mary’s Hospital Guild, the Washoe County Medical Center League and the VFW Auxilliary, staunch Republican and pro-defense Lady Jessie continued to serve the military she loved.

In 1978, Harrah’s bought out the Riverside Casino which allowed Jessie to finally retire.  In 1987, LCDR Richard Perry’s  remains were returned, having been recovered previously by native fisherman when washed ashore from the Tonkin Gulf. Twenty years had passed since Lady Jessie had endured his loss.  A building had since been dedicated to Dick at the NAS Fallon. Fittingly, this loving warrior was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with our country’s heroes.  Family, Ghostriders, and other fellow officers, many by then of flag rank as Dick surely would have been, gathered from far and near, including his adopted mother, Lady Jessie.

Pilots of VA-164 and VA-163 with Lady Jessie

On July 17th, 1987, Jessie Beck died at the age of eighty-three.  All that knew her described her as a not only a credit to the gaming industry and to the state of Nevada, but a great business woman.   However for VA-164, Jessie Beck was honored and remembered as a loving, caring, and generous person.  “We all held her in the highest regard.  More than anything else, Jessie was a lady.”The Navy’s ideals are honor, courage and committment.  Lady Jessie Beck lived out these ideals and became the darling to many of our military.  In honor of her service to our country, through her patronage of the  mighty Ghostriders of VA-64, AgeView Press is honored to posthumously name Lady Jessie Beck, Belle of Steel #12.

Strength through adversity at 90 shines through in June Clark, Belle of Steel # 3

June Clark, age 90 and still perking along!

What would you do if you were widowed with eight children in 1979?   June Spitler Clark knows . . . find a way to survive.   June Clark was born as a child of the Great Depression in Tecumseh, Michigan on January 31, 1922.  In June of 1940, she married the love of her life, Jim, who became a dashing young pilot of the United States Army Air Corp.   Head over heels and ready for adventure, they embarked on a life of military service.

June was originally raised a Quaker, but then became Episcopalian.  She bore two sons under that religion.    She became a brave young pilot’s wife and boarded a ship to Japan with her two young sons.  The time was just post Hiroshima.   Countless lives lost from the bombing.  What a site it was to see the gorgeous country of Japan leveled.   She was called a round eye by the Asians, as she was one of the few Anglo women in that part of the world.   Despite the culture shock, June immersed herself in the traditions of this strange land, desperately trying to understand and relate to the differences during countless hours alone, while her husband flew missions.

They returned for a brief time to the United States and were at Spokane, Washington.   Her third son was born there.   But Jim’s overseas assignment then brought them to Guam.  During her travels as an expat with her pilot husband to these faraway lands, June was introduced to the concepts of Catholicism.  So distant from home, June began to embrace the staunch and solid beliefs of Catholicism, finding comfort in the rigors and rules of the faith.   She became a convert in 1956.   Dutifully following the Catholic traditions of natural family planning, June subsequently produced another five children,  two boys and three girls.  Interestingly enough, all of June’s children are have a middle name that is of an Air Force base.   She chose their first name and her military husband their middle names.

The family were then off to Spain.    It was exciting to be in Europe, but the first of several tragedies loomed to burst the bubble of her idyllic, exotic lifestyle.   In 1962,  one of her young daughters was stricken with spinal meningitis whilst being cared for by a Spanish maid.   In a matter of months, not only was the three year old’s life threatened, but her brain permanently damaged.   June’s previously healthy, beautiful, blonde, baby girl would live mentally retarded for life.  It knocked June to the core.    Could she?   Would she?  Ever forgive herself  for leaving her child with a caretaker?

Devastated, she turned to her faith;  resolutely determined to carry on for her other children.     By that time, her oldest became a Coast Guard communications expert.    Upon their return to the states, her second son, was sent off to Vietnam.   The 1970s were rife with unrest.    June experienced the horrors of the Vietnam conflict first hand, when she received her brilliant second son home as a shell-shocked, Vietnam vet,  suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.    Not only that, but her ill daughter was in a state of massive decline.   At the same time, her husband’s military service became illusive and secret, with him becoming part of the CIA and cold war conflict.   Again, her husband’s assignments took him away to foreign lands.

June was left to care for her severely crippled daughter by herself.    Jim was away much of the time.    June’s children were now mostly teenagers;  all trying to find their way during the turbulent 1970s.    The burden of the care became too much, and her daughter had to be institutionalized.   One would think that life had brought her enough tribulation to endure.  But there were two more tragedies hidden in the wings.

In November, 1979, June’s young adult son was killed in a flying accident while joy riding in a small plane.   Her husband flew home from his distant and clandestine overseas assignment.   The family was photographed, symbolically as one, planting a tree in the young man’s name.   But there was more sadness to come.   Just one month later, June became widowed on December 14, 1979 when Colonel Jim Clark was fatally wounded in a terrorist attack while on duty as a government contract engineer in Istanbul, Turkey.   It was almost more than she could bear.    Abject and lost, it nearly did her in.   Christmas presents remained untouched.    A dark depression loomed.

She relied on the strength and fortitude of her third son, who was devoted to his faith within the Catholic church.   John and the rest of her children became her rock.   Her only source of survival.  She cottoned onto John’s mature strength of character as he navigated the complications of a CIA agent being murdered overseas.    Not willing to succumb to life’s devasting blows, June turned to inward to her talents.   At the encouragement of John, June enrolled in university and completed a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education.   By rekindling her cognition, she overcame her desperate grief.

Unfortunately, there was one more funeral in which she had to attend in 1983.  The demise of her brain-stricken daughter.     Bittersweet relief was realized.   June wrote a poem, entitled Tiny Tita about how her daughter, who once loved to dance, now finally could in heaven.   Her child’s pain was over.Yet again, June turned to her faith.    The power of prayer got her through.

Published at age 80!

By this time, her children were grown adults, navigating their own trials and tribulations.   June continued with her art and creativity.  In the early years of the millenium, around 2000, June wrote and published a book.  Down the Lane is about her childhood, describing the Great Lakes legend of the Ogo Pogo.   That book is still in publication today.  June’s large family has grown.  She is now is the grandmother of  10, great grandmother to 11, and has one great-great grandchild on the way.  Just this month, at age 90, June was the featured author at Benbrook Library, doing a special reading to children on her book.   She still attends Catholic mass each week at St. Peter’s in Fort Worth with one of her children in attendance.

For her strength and fortitude; sheer determination and courage. . . AgeView Press names June Elizabeth Clark as Belle of Steel number three.    To read about Belles of Steel number one and two, click the link Belles of Steel in the category margin to the left.

Belle of Steel #2 Fat to Fantabulous Carla Ferrer

Wow, what a difference some positive choices can make!

Belle of Steel #2 is none other than Carla Ferrer.  Carla is an advocate for people who need a little help and direction to  genuinely  improving their life and health.   At one point, she tipped the scales weighing at a shockingly obese 330 pounds.  That was over eighteen years ago.  According to Carla?   “The reason I am successful is that I know what it’s like to feel unworthy, trapped, lonely, and miserable.  Needless to say, I know what it is to be an outcast!  I also know what it’s like to transform oneself from the inside out; positively affecting everything from one’s self worth and confidence, to career, social life, and relationships.”

While she was a young nursing student, she watched her mother die from obesity related complications.  At the time, her  own health and overall wellness was deteriorating  via obesity related hypertension and borderline diabetics.   Her mother’s physician told her, “shape up or you’re next.”  Carla’s obesity and lack of self-worth wasn’t just gluttony induced;  largely the low self-esteem came as a result of being sexually abused at a young age.    It became time for her to wake up and get with it.   And boy howdy, did she ever.

The change process began with a step.  Walking one step after the other was her springboard.  It  became a motivating force to get her eating a healthier diet with the right portions.  It was a lifestyle change that helped her drop well over one hundred thirty five pounds!   Driven and determined, she completed this task in just nine months;  and has kept it off for over 18 years.  She attributes this success to  daily soulful introspection  for powerful and positive living, good nutrition, and an active lifestyle.  She is active, but abhors the gym.  Instead she does calorie burning things she likes.

I first met Carla as a Weight Watcher coach.  The best I had ever heard.   Why?  Because she was personal, no-nonsense, real and motivating.   She answered your emails and tweets.    She has evolved into the CEO/President of Ferrer & Company, Inc., a Wellness Organization.  In addition, she is an Author, Keynote Speaker; Certified Professional Life Coach, Certified Nutritionist, Weight Loss Expert, Certified Childhood Obesity Specialist, International Ambassador Against Obesity, Certified Personal Trainer;  Corporate Wellness Program(s) Developer, Philanthropist, and Model.     Just a little busy!

Order your copy!

Carla considers herself a very blessed woman.  She is married to her soulmate.   Her best friend for over 8 years.   They have two adorable tea-cup Chihuahuas, Ms. Munchkin & Bella Mae.   Her life is rich, she believes by cultivating and nurturing relationships with the best of family and friends.  Her hobbies including reading, writing, knitting, crotcheting, scrapbooking, calligrahphy, cooking/baking, yoga, pilates, dancing, wine tasting, and travel!  Although I am hardpressed to know when she has time!

Since achieving her personal goal many years ago, her passion evolved into helping other people who struggle with low self esteem, lack of self-worth, and who feel trapped in unhealthy relationships.  Carla finds that they often settle for less than deserved; are stuck in miserable jobs for fear of not being able to secure something better; and are horribly overweight.  Her clients merely existing day to day, rather than living life fully by design.  This transformation is necessary  to realize one’s true value and potential.  She advocates that” people who are shown better; will do better, and therefore have better!”    That is why Carla Ferrer Russo is our second motivational Belle of Steel.

Do you know some Belles of Steel?

A dynamic aviatrix is born!

A new weekly feature of this blog will be to highlight the accomplishments of some inspiring women.  Those women who are true pioneers, movers and shakers, and thus Belles of Steel.   Throughout the course of history we have been inspired by these strong, dynamic, oft times ballsy women.   Many dared to test the unthinkable.   Some strived to prove that women could accomplish what men could.   Their actions brought about historical change.    Sometimes the choices they made had devastating consequences personally,  but furthered their cause.  Right now in your head, I’ll bet you can think of at least one.   

They were and are pillars for us all.   We love reading about them and writing about them.  Their antics provide fodder for books, magazines, and movies.  Many are famous and deservedly so.   Florence Nightingale,  Marie Curie,  Susan B. Anthony,  Emelia Earhart,  Annie Oakley,  and Rosa Parks to name a few.   You recognize those names, but what about Belles of Steel that you may not have heard about?   There are plenty of stories that are jaw dropping and phenomenal right in our own backyards.   These women quietly go about changing our world.   Some have reached notariety, but many have not.  

Thus, I am proud to introduce Belles of Steel.   Each week, the accomplishments of one woman who has made a difference will be featured.   Many of these women influenced why Flying Solo , my debut novel was written.   Flying Solo was based on a true story about a woman who most certainly was a Belle of Steel.   Her choice to become an aviator in the 1960s was unconventional within her social stratophere.    Not to mention the actions to which she was willing to resort in order to regain her children.  One of which was stealing a plane!    

Be looking forward to the first installment this week.    If you were influenced by a Belle of Steel, please shoot me an email or tweet.   It might be considered for a segment.     Happy reading this week!