Beautiful Girl of the Week is a series of Beautiful Girls who are stand outs for what they contribute to the world through their beautiful actions!  We feature the Beautiful Girl of the Week on the Rewrite Beautiful blog as an attempt to inspire other girls and women to use their own gifts and talents to impact their communities. Our hope is that bringing positive attention to women’s actions will inspire them to embrace their own creative calling!

Kat is our Public Relations and Social Media intern from Chapman University. She stands out for her bold opinions and the way she articulates herself. Poised, intelligent, a great conversationalist and with a good sense of humor, Kat has been a joy to have a part of Rewrite Beautiful. Learn what make Kat BEautiful in our interview below:

Irvina: In your opinion, what is the biggest need in the world right now?

Kat: Acceptance. Especially now, I think what the younger generations need the most is to learn acceptance, to believe in acceptance, and to act upon acceptance. People are diverse, and they differ in a number of ways, for they are different in mindset, different in surroundings, and different in backgrounds. Whether this comes to race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical appearance, religion, class or status, among others, these differences need to be accepted for what they are.

Irvina: Great answer! What do you think made you so passionate about this?

During my senior year of high school, I was a resident assistant to forty freshman girls. As I developed a friendship with each of them, I discovered what they loved, what they hated, what scared them or what made them laugh. In that year, I witnessed so many of my young girls feeling self-conscious, embarrassed, or hurt because of their differences, and it saddened me to know that these differences made them feel inadequate or unworthy. They should never feel that they are not good enough, or that these differences should ever hinder their existence. What they need is to feel accepted, to be accepted, and accept themselves, because these differences make them unique and beautiful in their own way.

Irvina: Well said Kat. Thank you. Who are your top 3 female heroines and why?

Kat:

1. My mother - My mother is my heroine because she is one of the most self-less, caring and loving, strong and resilient women I have ever known. She has worked in the financial industry for over 25 years now, and in those years, she has garnered countless clients and friendships, both professionally and personally.

2. Demi Lovato - Due to her strength and resilience. I took two girls that I was babysitting to a concert of hers in 2010. She was the same age as me, yet she was a superstar on stage. Little did I know that a few months later, reports surfaced that she was suffering from multiple eating disorders and depression. She left the tour to go on rehab, and thinking that was an end for her career, she came back with incredible strength, positivity, and resilience. She showed the world that even celebrities are real human beings, and her obstacles and her music are incredibly relatable to young girls everywhere. I cannot imagine what it is like to grow up in the spotlight, but to use that celebrity to give hope and strength to others, especially her fans, is truly inspirational.

3.  Ellen Degeneres – Not only is she hilarious and honest, she is a humanitarian who has given back relentlessly to the greater community. She, similar to Demi Lovato, has used her celebrity to bring awareness to social issues, to bring hope to difficult situations, and to bring selflessness to society. Her story and her journey are incredibly inspirational; after she came out as being gay, she stood up for what she believed in and what she loved. One of her most inspirational quotes that I aspire to live by is: "For me, the most important thing in your life is to live your life with integrity, and not to give into peer pressure to try to be something that you're not. To live your life as an honest and compassionate person. To contribute in some way. So to conclude my conclusion: follow your passion, stay true to yourself."

Want to intern with Rewrite Beautiful? Submit your interest HERE!

Beautiful Girl of the Week is a series of Beautiful Girls who are stand outs for what they contribute to the world through their beautiful actions!  We feature the Beautiful Girl of the Week on the Rewrite Beautiful blog as an attempt to inspire other girls and women to use their own gifts and talents to impact their communities. Our hope is that bringing positive attention to women’s actions will inspire them to embrace their own creative calling!

Sara is our amazing Fundraising intern from Biola University! She has been helping us this semester with painting, prepping, fundraising and branding! The thing I love most about Sara is her reflective nature. Just speaking with her for five minutes you realize that she is an incredibly intelligent, grounded, humble individual. Learn a little more about what makes Sara BEautiful through our interview below:

Irvina: What sparked your interest to intern with Rewrite Beautiful?  

I am passionate about encouraging girls to celebrate how they were made and flourish and thrive in life, rather than wallow in self-doubt. I have also always felt called to be an artist in some capacity, but I don’t want to confine that desire to one specific activity or outlet just yet.  I love art because of the way we are able to visually say what we believe about ourselves and the world. 

Irvina: Name three of your favorite fictional heroines…

1. Laura Ingalls, Little House on the Prairie. I admire Laura for her courage and pioneer lifestyle.  She did not live out of fear or selfishness, but was hardworking for the good of her family.  She stood up for herself and those she loved but was a combination of graceful elegance and unrestrained adventure.   She was free but not reckless and used her influence for good at every chance she got.

2. Elle Woods, Legally Blonde - The more times I have watched this movie the more the concept of boldly being yourself no matter where you are or whose around has stuck out to me.  I am reminded of the quote by Eleanor Roosevelt, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”  In a campus of black and grey suits and dull classrooms, Elle brings the hot pink and sparkle without fear of criticism or judgment although she is often met with both. 

3.  Mary, The Secret Garden.  I love Mary from Francis Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden.  The story starts with her as a sad, bitter orphan dressed in black without love or joy.  As she steps out and learns how to cultivate something beautiful apart from her bitterness and selfishness, her life and the lives of those around her are transformed.  Focusing on the beauty of the garden and helping beautiful things grow instead of wallowing in pain is a type of art therapy I see in this character.  

Irvina: Sara you are brilliant! I love The Secret Garden, but I never realized Mary was giving herself Art Therapy! What an astute observation. No wonder I love that book so much! So, tell us a moment that changed the course of your life?

Sara: One moment that changed the course of my life was in the Louvre in Paris in 2010.  I wandered from room to room awestruck by the huge marble-white statues and giant detailed paintings of biblical scenes and historical characters.  I sat down on a bench in the middle of a room full of paintings and began to cry. As I stared up at the painted ceiling decorated with scenes from nature and images of angels, I was struck at the amazing capacity God had given humans to create beautiful things. 

The concept that we were made in the image of our creator, with the same desire to create beauty was more real to me than ever.  Worried tourists passed by me and stared unaware that my tears were tears of joy, awe, and inspiration. As I pulled myself together, and continued to explore the majestic museum, I vowed that I would be an artist in some capacity as a way to honor my God and the able body and life He had blessed me with. 

Irvina: Well Sara, I think I the creative work you have done this semester with Rewrite Beautiful is quite pleasing to God, if I do say so myself! Thank you for all of your incredible work!

Want to intern with Rewrite Beautiful? Submit your interest HERE!

Beautiful Girl of the Week is a series of Beautiful Girls who are stand outs for what they contribute to the world through their beautiful actions!  We feature the Beautiful Girl of the Week on the Rewrite Beautiful blog as an attempt to inspire other girls and women to use their own gifts and talents to impact their communities. Our hope is that bringing positive attention to women’s actions will inspire them to embrace their own creative calling!

Mary and I go way back! Whenever I think of Mary I think of her passion for helping women restore their lives from drugs and alcohol. This is not an easy passion to have. Having worked in an eating disorder and chemical addiction rehab myself, I can tell you that this is a emotionally, physically and spiritually taxing job, yet Mary's passion for this demographic of women increases with each year. Find out what fuels Mary and makes this beautiful woman tick! 

Irvina: Tell us about a fun project you’re currently working on?

Mary Lisa: Counseling women from the Rose Rehab recovering from addiction and other issues. Being a new wife and homemaker.

Irvina: What are you passionate about?

Mary Lisa: Jesus, really, hope for the brokenhearted, restoration and seeing the light go on in others lives.

Irvina: What do you do for fun?

Mary Lisa: Get massages for $15 an hour in Little Saigon! Pedicures, date nights with my hubby and spending time with my family and friends.

Irvina: Which action of CREATIVITY, KINDNESS and STRENGTH do you think you most exhibit in your community and WHY?

Mary Lisa: I think I exhibit strength.. When I think or feel there is nothing left to keep on, the impossible happens and I have a renewed strength that gives me enough to go yet again. Other times I rest and find strength in that too.

Irvina: Who is the most beautiful woman you know and why?

Mary Lisa: Mother Theresa. She loved the unlovable.

Irvina:  What do you wish young women knew about beauty?

Mary Lisa: A beautiful heart on the inside makes the outside prettier.

What inspired you about Mary Lisa’s work?

Join The Conversation Below!

Beautiful Girl of the Week is a series of Beautiful Girls who are stand outs for what they contribute to the world through their beautiful actions!  We feature the Beautiful Girl of the Week on the Rewrite Beautiful blog as an attempt to inspire other girls and women to use their own gifts and talents to impact their communities. Our hope is that bringing positive attention to women’s actions will inspire them to embrace their own creative calling!

They say, “In New York, you either sink or you swim.” Considering that Ashley is a part of the highly anticipated, rave reviewed, new magazine, Verily I’m gonna guess that Ashley is a swimmer! Verily is an INCREDIBLE magazine for young women who want to make wise choices, build their character and create their dreams! Seriously, I’ve never seen another one like it! Every article I read leaves me optimistic, strong and empowered. As the Relationship Editor of this trend setting mag Ashley, has many looking to her for advice, but by the looks of the strength of her inner beauty, this power house can handle it.

Irvina: Tell our sweet peeps about a fun project you’re currently working on?

Ashley: This summer, I'm so excited to head to Ireland with my sister and speak at an international conference to college students about beauty and healthy relationships! I'm so excited to explore the countryside with my sister and maybe even live one of my dreams - to ride a horse on a beach! But, wish me luck - I have a lot of writing to do before then!

Irvina: Rock on woman! Rock on! I love that you’re giving back this summer and taking time to explore yourself. So important to keep those even! What are you passionate about?

Ashley: I am passionate about so many things. But, in my heart of hearts, I am most passionate about helping women see and understand their inherent worth, and then live it out in thriving, loving relationships with others. For example, I have seen in my own life and in the lives of my friends that sometimes women don't believe they are truly beautiful or truly worthy of love, and so they unfortunately sabotage themselves from having loving relationships or settle for less than they were made for. I would love to see women truly understand how much they are loved by their Creator in a personal way. I would love to see women transformed by this knowledge and be able to truly love themselves and others in healthy, happy relationships.

Irvina: Are you my long lost sister?! Wow! We have very similar passions! I’m stoked to hear that because we’re pretty awesome! What do you do for fun?

Ashley: Fun is the spice of life and New York City has endless opportunities for it. I love finding fun and beauty in the everyday elements of life, from a conversation with friends, to an afternoon spent reading in Central Park with a latte in hand, to a spontaneous trip to a museum or fashion show featuring a new designer. Currently, I am trying to teach myself to play the guitar and learn to surf. But, I'm always up for a weekend trip away for camping and hiking, or an excursion to a new restaurant to check out a great new cuisine - Greek food is excellent!

Irvina: You’re definitely an explorer! Life is so much more fun that way! Whether it’s a hobby, a job or friendships what do you contribute to the world that you’re most proud of?

Ashley: "If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans." This past year, I have been swept up in an incredible adventure, working with four outstanding women and dear friends to launch a fashion and lifestyle magazine called Verily. Studies show that after just 3 minutes of looking at an average fashion magazine, women walk away feeling worse about themselves. But, Verily offers something different. It is a fashion and lifestyle magazine exploring how to thrive as authentic, modern women. We are daring to start fresh conversations -- style that complements rather than compromises, real relationship coverage that goes beyond sex tips, engaging articles that surpass tired rhetoric -- to discover the beauty in everyday life through fashion, relationships, lifestyle, and culture. We are trying to combine smart content, inspiration, beautiful design, and real stories that engage women from all walks of life in conversation. We want to present a magazine that speaks to real women - all of the interviews and journalism provide practical and valuable information with interesting perspectives on fashion, relationships, lifestyle, and culture not heard in other magazines. The website also has a blog that is meaty and thought-provoking with interesting tidbits every day throughout the week, too. Overall, we are trying to offer a positive, uplifting magazine that is a breath of fresh air and leaves women feeling affirmed and motivated. It has forced me to grow and embark on new challenges I never would have guessed I would be doing – but I'm holding on for the ride!

Irvina: I love Verily! I have been reading it since it was published and I’m seriously one of your biggest fans! It is like no other magazine I’ve read. Definitely for our generation of girls who want to grow to be strong women of character. Bravo! It’s a beautiful concept! Ashley, what do you wish young women knew about beauty?

Ashley: Women are called to bring beauty into the world in a very unique and specific way. Each woman has a role to play in bringing this beauty into the communities around her, whether through friendship, as a sister or daughter, as a girlfriend, coworker, or wife. Without her contribution, the world will be a little less beautiful. A woman brings beauty into the world through her loving relationships with those in her life - where two people are genuine and real with one another, and authentically helping each other to become the best version of themselves. The best way that a woman can come to understand her own beauty is by entering into a loving and personal relationship with her Creator and receiving His love into her heart, so that she radiates it outwards to others in whatever path she takes in life. Being beautiful is about daily making the choice "Today, I'm going to love."

What about Ashleys beauty inspired you?

Do you want to encourage the women around you to live well?

How would you do it?

Join the conversation below!