Ladies, did you play sports as a kid? For me, there was no question about whether or not I COULD play sports, it was just a matter of which ones! I played soccer, softball and basketball from the time I was 4 years old. I also did ballet, tap and gymnastics. And my parents were equally supportive of both. Of course, it helped that in the community and society in which I was raised, little girls and women didn’t have to face obstacles to explore the world of competitive athletics. However, not everyone is that lucky.

Soccer Without Borders is an international nonprofit that works to empower youth with soccer as a catalyst. While they have outreach and camps in several countries, one of their efforts called to me in a special way: a girls team in Granada, Nicaragua. Through participation in the SWB program there, these Nicaraguan girls not only build self-esteem and develop a stay-in-school mentality, but they can also gain “points” they can exchange for school supplies, clothes and toiletries.

I was so inspired by these chicas, that I included them in my holiday giving by donating to their project through Global Giving. To watch a video of the girls and learn more, click here.

Before the new year hits…are you supporting girl power organizations with a donation this year?

For another inspiring Latin American soccer story, you should also check out “Dreamtown,” an unforgettable documentary (produced/directed by my talented friend Betty Bastidas) about 3 young Afro-Ecuadoran men who struggle to follow their dreams of finding success as soccer players.

Lately, I’ve become aware of so many incredible documentaries being made, but when my friend sent me a link for “Present and Unaccounted For: Black Women in Medicine,” I knew I had to bring it to LizzLoves readers.

“Present and Unaccounted For: Black Women in Medicine” not only touches on the historical journeys of some of the first black female doctors to break ground in our country, but also chronicles the present-day success stories of black women in medicine today.

The film is the brainchild seasoned director Crystal Emery, who has been nurtured by notable filmmakers such as Bill Duke and Lloyd Richards. She also has several other films under her belt that uplift and educate communities. Crystal was inspired to make “Present and Unaccounted For…” after she met Doris Wethers, one of the first black women to attend Yale Medical School, and Beatrix Hamburg, the first woman to graduate from Yale Medical School.

Unfortunately, as Crystal and her nonprofit production company, URU The Right To Be, started shooting footage, a significant backer pulled out of the project, bringing production to a halt.

But, if you’re like me, you don’t want this reel to end up on a dusty shelf somewhere. Crystal has launched a Kickstarter campaign where people can make donations, large or small, to help this project reach completion.

So, be part of showing our daughters, nieces, sisters and all young ladies who aspire to careers in medicine, that not only can they accomplish what they set their minds to, but that there is a sisterhood that has laid the ground for them!

Click here to watch a piece of some of the inspiring footage and to find out how you can help this empowering story be told!

Among some of the many simple pleasures that make me smile are these two: 1) fun mail that isn’t a bill and 2) trying new beauty products for my face, hair and body. While the first one isn’t too hard to come by, the second one can become a little expensive. For example, I have long, curly hair and I’m always looking for the best treatments for my tresses, but “trying” a $15, 8 oz. bottle of a new mysterious product can get costly…especially when it doesn’t work!

So, when I read that two super savvy business women, Haley Barna and Katia Beaucham came up with an idea to solve my dilemma, needless to say, I was ecstatic. Last year, these twenty-something Harvard Business School grads launched Birchbox, an innovative mail-order service that sends customers samples of  various beauty products, from makeup to hand lotion. Through a monthly $10 subscription, customers get 4-5 samples from companies like Kiehl’s, Oribe, benefit and NARS, just to name a few. And when you discover a product you love, you can purchase it through Birchbox while also earning points toward future buys.

Congrats to Hayley and Katia, who were recently honored in Inc. Magazine’s “30 Under 30,” as a company to watch. Read their profile here.

I’m looking forward to trying out this service ASAP! My curly hair and eye-shadow-loving lids will thank me…and so will my wallet!

Which products are you dying to try that you wish came in samples? Tell me more in the comments section below! 

The Ulloa Sisters

These days, it’s not only tree-hugging, compost-having parents that care about incorporating organic food into their children’s diets.  The population of parents who are reading labels and being more careful about what they put in little tummies is growing every day.

And now, thanks to a trio of Latina business women (who also happen to be sisters and super moms), organic baby food has not only become more accessible, but also even yummier!

Bébo Organics, the brainchild of the Ulloa sisters, is baby food that uses local, organic ingredients without preservatives or thickeners. They only use all natural meats, fruits and vegetables. Even the packaging is green: it’s reusable, recyclable, phthalate-free and BPA-free. Take a look at some of their comidas deliciosas here.

If you want to learn more about why organic foods might be a good choice for your niños, check out their super-thorough FAQ page.

Felicidades a las hermanas Ulloa…and gracias for caring about the health of babies everywhere!

What are some of your favorite ways to get vitamins & nutrients into your little ones? Share your tips in the comment section below!

Photo courtesy of Womens ENews

To women from the South Bronx and all across New York City, Casa Atabex Ache is a refuge, a lighthouse in the storm that sometimes rolls into their lives. But, now that funding is running out, many worry that their second home,  filled with caring sisters, will no longer be able to open the doors when they come knocking.

Casa Atabex Ache is named for the diverse community of women that it attracts (casa = Spanish for home, atabex = indigenous Taino word which represents goddess, ache = Nigerian word for power).  Since 1987, Casa has been providing a haven for women where they can share their voices, heal from trauma and find support and empowerment.

From holistic healing to workshops for teen mothers, Casa is a home-grown and loving source for building sisterhood and empowering youth to make wise life decisions. They work every day to enrich the physical, mental and spiritual health of women in their community.

Help Casa Atabex Ache continue to provide loving support to women in the South Bronx! Click here to donate.

• Read more about Casa Atabex Ache in Women’s ENews‘ article

• Watch the inspiring documentary on Casa, “Yo Tengo Fuerza…”

Janet Jackson on her Number Ones tour

I got an email from a concert ticket service the other day that gave me a heads up about Janet Jackson coming to New Jersey in August for her Number Ones tour. My fingers instantly got itchy to go buy a ticket to the show, but the thing is…I just saw her show in March!!

But, listen, Janet put on such an incredible performance, that I would see it at LEAST two more times if I had the funds.

I have been following, and loving, Janet since I was about 9 years old. I can remember when my friend Jessica lent me the Control album…on cassette. I almost didn’t give it back! I loved singing and dancing along to her music, and soon enough, I began to want to BE her. I idolized her and even dressed like her (yes, including a key on one of my hoop earrings!).

I remember feeling so affirmed and validated when I watched Janet dance her butt off in the “Pleasure Principle” video, flipping off boxes and giving a sexy scowl. But while I loved her moves, what really spoke to me in that video was Janet’s physique. She had a real body, slightly thick and athletic, not super skinny like lots of celebs. She made me feel like, despite my chubbiness, I could not only be pretty but, maybe,  even a superstar.

So, on my recent high after seeing Janet bring the house down in Connecticut, I ran to the library and got her new book, True You. I was shocked to find out that, all the time I was loving her throughout the years, Janet could barely look at herself in a mirror because she didn’t like what she saw. It wasn’t until recently that Miss Jackson came to love and accept her whole self. In True You, she traces her journey to happiness and self-awareness.

Janet was not only candid–she was even raw at times. Her humility reminded me that, just like all of us, she too has internal struggles. Her honesty is beautiful. She laid her heart on the line to speak to young girls and women everywhere who are fighting to find peace with their bodies, looks and overall self-esteem.

Thank you, Janet, for sharing your journey with us…

“I am loved, I’m valued, and I’m capable of achieving balance in my life…I can be happy with who I am, not what I should be, or what I might have been, or what someone tells me I must be…”–Janet Jackson, True You

I have friends of many faiths and I believe in being open to others’ ways of worship, devotion and celebration. While I consider myself very inter-faith, I was raised Catholic and will always see that foundation as a gift and inspiration. So I see it as even more of a gift when my sister friends can find love, community and spirituality in their lives as well.

Today, women from all over New York City will come together for the annual REVEAL Conference, a inter-faith gathering to learn and share among a nurturing community of sisters. Cool things to expect:

• enlightening speakers (including an amazing life coach Joanna Lindenbaum),
• open dialogues about faith and feminism
• motivational talks about financial freedom
• living a healthy life
• spiritual activism

So whether you are connected to Jesus, Jehovah, Allah, Ganesha, Yemaya or Buddha, you will find a open-minded spiritual sista’ to share your experience with at REVEAL. Enjoy!

How has your spirituality shaped the person you are? Tell me more in the comments section!

Brought to you by leaders, JLove Calderon and Wanda Vazquez, Fly Girl Fest will feature musical and artistic presentations from young women, students at El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice.

This is NOT your average community event or talent show. It’s much more! These ladies have been guided and mentored by professionals to not only display their talents in a polished presentation, but to rise up as up-and-coming youth leaders. As an added bonus, dope spinstress DJ Chela will be on the 1′s and 2′s between sets.

Put ya’ hands together for these chicas. Thank you for stepping up as the leadership of tomorrow, and spreading the message of girl power and sisterhood!

So head out to Brooklyn tonight (6-8 pm @ El Puente, suggested donation = $3) for this moving event!

Read more about last year’s Fly Girl Fest here.

In the spirit of today’s celebration, I wanted to recognize two very cool women who are helping ladies everywhere to put their best green foot forward.

Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff is the LA-based creator of two pro-green websites/blogs: Eco Stiletto and mommy greenest. Eco Stiletto covers all the latest eco-friendly and/or sustainable fashion, beauty and even highlights movers and shakers in the “saving the planet” business. ES’s mission is best said by Rachel, “to help shrink your carbon footprint from a ginormous boot into an oh-so-slender stiletto.” Love it!

Rachel’s other site, mommy greenest, was the result of her day-to-day green efforts with her own family (she is the mother of 3).  In her words, this  of blog “puts a voice—and a face—to the idea of gently persuasive, living-by-example, never judgmental, eco-friendly parenting.”

Michaela Preston, a work-from-home mom in Minnesota, fell in love with blogging back in 2006. Her blog, Mindful Momma, gives green parenting tips which include everything from eco-friendly crafts and DIY cleaning products to sustainable baby toys and healthy snack choices.

Thanks to both of these mom who are helping to protect Mother Earth!

What are your favorite sources for Earth-friendly advice?

Anyway, the TED talk I’m sharing below features Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook. Sheryl gives an inspiring and eye-opening talk about why there aren’t more women at the top of their professions or in positions of leadership.

Watch the video of Sheryl Sandberg’s talk at TEDWomen here.

It’s 15 minutes long, but definitely worth it. I’m sure you will take something away from this talk, whether from the stats she shares or the useful advice she provides. Thanks, Sheryl!

After watching, tell me: what else do YOU think is holding women back?