Wednesday's Woman

Wednesday's Woman is a feature dedicated to spotlighting women who are role models for our daughters. . . and the world.

What makes a Wednesday's Woman?

Courage, honesty, authenticity, and humility--any characteristic that speaks to the power of what can happen when we are in touch with our own humanity.  She can be famous or unknown.  She can be working wonders at home or on a global scale.  A Wednesday's Woman inspires.

Do you know a Wednesday's Woman?

Let me know.  I welcome your guest post.  Email me!  Tweet me! Google+ me! Facebook me!

Who is this week's Wednesday's Woman?

Laura Bates: The Everyday Sexism Project

Wednesday's Woman Features Past:

Wednesday's Woman: The Learning Tea
January 9, 2014 by Anna Mahler

After returning home from her trip, Katrell started selling packets of tea from Darjeeling at her store with 100% of the proceeds going to support the girls as well as other female orphans in the same situation. She named her project, The Learning Tea  

During trips back to India every six months, Katrell continued to offer shelter and the opportunity to attend school to more young women who would soon be leaving the orphanage as well. Her work and reach has continued to grow and she now provides a free-standing building with dormitory-style bedrooms and a house mother for the girls full time.

Wednesday's Woman: Giving Children Hope
May 1, 2013 by Anna Mahler

Opening your home and heart to foster a child can be such a kind and beautiful act. Foster parents who provide safe, loving and stable environments have real impact and can change a child’s life for the better. Often, these children are or have been lacking many of the bare necessities we sometimes take for granted so when other needs arise, like needing a nice outfit or being able to go on a special outing, it can feel hopeless and not even worth asking for.

After recognizing these needs and wanting to do something about them, today children in the foster care system have a new way to ask for things they need and all of us, even those who are not foster parents, have a way to help. (read more)

Wednesday's Woman: Girls Can Do Math
March 27, 2013 by Beth

Let's rewind about 20 years. I'm sitting in a high school algebra classroom, and a teacher is walking up and down the rows of desks, handing back midterm exams. I am anxious. I know I didn't do well. Still, the big red 2 and 7 on the top of my paper is a rude awakening. Nearly three quarters of my answers are WRONG. (Random guessing would have been more efficient and more successful.) (read more)




Wednesday's Woman: Finding Ordinary Courage
March 20, 2013 by Kim

I don’t recall the date or time when I first stumbled upon Brené Brown’s work. But I do remember that immediately following my viewing of one of her Ted talks, the substance of my new view of reality was so weighted with wisdom that I recall feeling grounded and rooted and like I could reach for the sky all at the same time.  I had a notebook nearby and furiously scribbled down nuggets of brilliance that seemed to come one after the other as she spoke. Time and again I have re-read those notes. I have re-watched the Ted Talk. (read more)

Wednesday's Woman: Three Generations
March 13, 2013 by Anna Mahler

Each week, I look forward to reading all the awesome Wednesday's Woman posts here at Sperk*. I've learned about well known women doing great things and causing needed change, everyday heroes and even women who are no longer with us but through their own courage and drive, was changing lives and the world we live in before I was even born.

But some of my favorites have been the personal friends and family some have written about and I have to admit, I often feel twinges of jealousy while reading.  I wish I had a great female role model, someone personal involved in my life today. (read more)

Wednesday's Woman: Be Brilliant
March 6, 2013 by Marcia

Fancying myself as an aspiring brilliant woman it seemed worthwhile to read a piece called "10 Rules for Brilliant Women".  I read the rules and was hooked.  A couple of my favorites were: Don’t wait for your Oscar, where the writer asks that you not sit silent and wait for people to invite you to use your voice and Filter advice, where the author guides you to test and evaluate feedback based on the fact that you won’t be everyone's cup of tea, some people will be threatened, and some may not fully understand your mission.

Our Wednesday's Woman, and the author of "10 Rules for Brilliant Women", is Tara Mohr. (read more)

Wednesday's Woman:  Conquering Family -Life Balance

February 20, 2013 by Alexa B

Prior to leaving my career to be a stay at home mother, I was a Captain in the U.S. Air Force. During my last assignment I met the most amazing and inspirational woman who had a lifelong impact on me and my views of leadership and career women. We had heard whispers of Colonel “Zap” long before she arrived as our Commanding Officer.  As the third ranking officer in the unit, I was anxiously awaiting her arrival, to ease some of the burden off of me and the acting Commander and so that we could move ahead on some projects. (read more)



Wednesday's Woman: The Works of Mommy Padawan
February 13, 2013 by Kimberly Speranza

There is one woman, a regular contributor to Wednesday’s Woman, who is instrumental in the endurance of this series.  She is flexible and forgiving of my lack of scheduling skills.  She is always willing to read my rambling emails and regularly responds with compassion and empathy.  Her name is Anna Mahler.    
A "padawan" is a term for “student” taken from the film Star Wars.  I think the title of Anna’s blog is fitting.  She is a careful observer of life and looks to her experiences for opportunities to grow as a woman, wife, and mother.  She sees her three year old son as her greatest teacher.   (read more)



Wednesday's Woman: A Creative Life
February 6, 2013 by Kristin

This Wednesday’s Woman is someone who embodies this approach to life, my dear friend M. Kendall Ludwig.  The first thing you need to know about Kendall is that she is a rock star in my book; an inspiration to me and definitely a real life role model for my daughters (and her own.)  Yes, she taught herself to slap the electric bass and was actually in a band for a few years, but she shines for many more reasons than these. (read more)




Wednesday's Woman: Fostered by Example
January 30, 2013 by Tamar

My Aunt Linda, wasn't really my aunt at all. She was my mother's best friend since the age of 7, and as many best-friends-of-moms, she received the honorary title of Aunt as a way of recognizing that close connection not only to my mother but to my mother's children as well. When I was about 5-yrs-old, Aunt Linda had her first daughter (adding to her small family of two nearly grown sons), Jenny, became instantly my "cousin" or almost like my own little sister. (read more)

Wednesday's Woman: You Can Be Transformed
January 23, 2013 by Give Felicity

Kathy Freston helps you to help yourself, which directly improves every aspect of your life and the lives you touch.

When the opportunity to write a Wednesday's Woman was presented there was no hesitation of who it would be about. I told Kimberly, from Sperk*, I wanted to reread the book just for a refresher. It's amazing to see the changes Kathy speaks about in the welcome as parts of my life now, a year after initially reading it. (read more)




Wednesday's Woman:Mildred Loving
January 16, 2013 by Anna Mahler

Having the basic right to marry the person you fall in love with is something most of us take for granted. When I was single, my thoughts and emotions were far more wrapped up in wondering if I would ever meet someone special to share my life with. Whether or not marriage would be a legal option if I did finally meet “the one” never came in to play.

But that is not how the world has always worked and for some, it is still not that way. (read more)



Wednesday's Woman: I Met My Mother
January 9, 2013 by Kerstin Auer

When thinking about women I connected with or who made an impact in my life my mother is certainly the last person I want to think about. Throughout most of my childhood and into my adulthood I considered my mother the enemy. When she got engaged to my father she was the age my daughter is now – 15 years old. She married my father when she was 17 and two years later I was born. (read more)




Wednesday's Woman: Thank You for 2012
December 12, 2012 by Kimberly Speranza

We honored celebrities, friends, moms, and neighbors.  We celebrated you and your children.  We recognized athletes, scientists, news reporters, survivors, those who are thriving, writers, singers, advocates and more.  In 2012 we paid tribute to approximately 35 women who are providing us with inspiration and reminding us that when we are called to action we must listen.  We also were reminded that even the smallest of actions can make a huge impact in the lives of others.  I want to thank all of the guest bloggers who helped to make Wednesday’s Woman a shining highlight at Sperk*.  (read more)



Wednesday's Woman: Sean Corn
November 28, 2012 by Anna Mahler

Seane Corn is a well known yoga instructor but also a passionate activist on a mission to bring the principals of yoga – love, compassion and mindfulness, into every part of our lives and the world around us.

At 19, Seane started exploring yoga and discovered that it's benefits go far beyond our physical selves.(read more)




Wednesday's Woman: Light in a Dark Place
November 21, 2012 by Kristen, the Preppy Girl in Pink

It was hard to get out of bed today. The curtains were drawn to keep the street lights out at night but weren't allowing the natural light of the day in either. I hit snooze on the alarm clock again and again. 

I stretched my arms, my legs and my back. I rolled over and faced the curtains. I had to force myself out of the bed and to them.

I pulled the panels apart and there wasn't much change in the light in the room. (read more)

Wednesday's Woman: A Proverbs 31 Kind of Friend
November 14, 2012 by Cat Poland

“How are you doing?,” she asked when we first locked eyes in the hospital room. Such a simple question. Four words. But most people really don’t care what you have to say. If you say anything beyond, “fine,” they get squeamish. But not Amy. She is always thoughtful, always genuinely concerned. And despite her positive qualities, she’s the last person I wanted to see in the hospital.

You see, it was her, not me, lying in the bed. She was immediately concerned about me, the visitor. “I was worried seeing me like this would bring back memories of your own loss.” I was  (read more)

Wednesday's Woman: Dreams for My Daughters
November 7, 2012 by Ashley Taylor

My girls are still so young, relatively speaking, despite the fact that like all clichés, I feel the time rushing by. I know that in practically the blink of an eye they will go from now to then. The same way that it has gone from then to now. I wonder if I have squandered the time that has already past. Have I missed moments that I will never have back again? Do they know that my presence with them, even when it feels distracted, is real? Will they ever truly be able to grasp the fierceness of my love? (read more)

Wednesday's Woman: In a Sentence
October 31, 2012 by Tara Pohlkotte

“It was a dark and stormy night...”

With one common phrase, I was pulled into A Wrinkle in Time with Meg, Charles Wallace and all the others.  Madeleine L’Engle opened my 3^rd grade eyes to the possibilities of more.  Of realities that were not my own.  She brought me deeper into my dreams; allowed for my imagination to soar under her gentle leading.  She painted the stars for me, drew me into the cosmos held on the back of my hand. (read more)

Wednesday's Woman: A Glimmer of Hope
October 24, 2012 by Cindy Reed

Have you ever looked at all the myriad problems in the world and felt like throwing up your hands? Sometimes, it just seems like too much. When I’m feeling that way, I like to remind myself of one of my favorite quotes, from Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

My friend Kristen Greene, a young mom who, with her husband Jeff, adopted siblings from Ethiopia in the same travel group as me back in 2008, (read more)

Tomorrow's Wednesday's Woman
October 17, 2012 by Galit Breen

“What did he say?” I ask over muffled laughter and loud whispers.

We sit shoulder to shoulder in a row, mothers in varying shades of yoga pants and jeans, sneakers and high heeled boots, edging this large room, facing our children. 

I’m at Brody’s gymnastics class, watching him across padded mats in the brightest shades of blue and tall bars that glint beneath florescent lights. (read more)

Wednesday's Woman: Inspiring Joyful Lives
October 10, 2012 The Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Angela describes herself as an author, screenwriter, performer, public speaker, and filmmaker, but her list of attributes, jobs, and accomplishments goes on and on and on.  She even has authored a new book series for kids, The Adventures of Tilda Pinkerton, which we were happy to read and review. She is practically a superhero (We really wish we had been bitten by the same radioactive spider! She seems to have about 10 more hours in her day!), but she is also ...and we like that here in The Sisterhood. We like women who get things done, but don’t take themselves too seriously, and Angela Shelton (read more).



Wednesday's Woman: The Door is Always Open
October 3, 2012 by M

Susan is the mother of three extraordinary people and although I am not her son, I like to count myself as her fourth. She is married to an awesome man and father Rolf, is active member at her church and holds a master’s degree in counseling.  Susan has devoted her life to helping others. She is the founder and director of Brandon’s House Counseling Center in New Albany, Indiana. While working (read more)



Wednesday's Woman: Mothers and Daughters
September 19, 2012 by Missy Bedell

Sometimes the time for a story comes and you're afraid to write it. 

I agreed to write for Sperk* for Wednesday's Woman a long time ago.  And when she reminded me that it was today, I had a bit of a panic attack. 

I can write about moments.  I can give you kid vignettes.  I can hide behind humor and tongue in cheek posts, like I did last week.

What I normally don't give you is information about my past. (read more)

Wednesday's Woman: Alicia Reece
September 5, 2012 by Kimberly Speranza

With the Democratic National Convention in full swing, today’s Wednesday’s Woman spotlights a charismatic state representative at the forefront of the controversial voting rights movement.

Alicia Reece is a state representative in the 33^rd Ohio House District who is attending her third Democratic National Convention.  This is her first ... (read more) 

A Very Informal Wednesday's Woman
August 22, 2012 by Kimberly Speranza

I love birthdays—celebrating the anniversary of the day of my arrival onto the planet as a being no longer requiring life support from her mother’s womb.  It’s an important day.  It means this:   I am meant to be here.  And for that reason alone, I should live well, celebrate life, contemplate making it better, take action, and so on.

As a birthday present for myself, I am quitting smoking.  Smoking is gross.  It kills.  It’s socially unacceptable, which makes me a shameful outcast.  It’s a vice I use to stuff feelings and escape. (read more)

Wednesday's Woman: Christy Turlington Burns

August 15, 2012 by Anna Mahler

She's a highly recognizable face backed by a very successful modeling career.  But there is more to her than meets the eye, another side she is not as recognized for. She is also a mother and longtime advocate for preventable health and wellness. Her concern and compassion for women’s health issues have led her to become a film maker and activist for two important causes, both close to her heart.  (read more)



Wednesday's Woman: The Athletes of the XXX Olympiad
August 8, 2012, by Kimberly Speranza

With the 2012 Olympics officially ending in just a few days, I am preparing for my post-games grief—that feeling of missing seeing great sports on television.  This grief is typically experienced at the end of the NFL season, so I am used to it.  Luckily, there are still many events in the Games of the XXX Olympiad to watch, and many events involve female athletes. (read more)

Wednesday's Woman: The Real Superwoman, Part II
August 1, 2012, by Stacey Gill

Joanne took him to the pediatrician, but the doctor seemed unfazed. Joanne sensed denial, but she’s convinced the doctor’s denial sprung from his sincere desire to spare her from another shocking diagnosis. Relying on her instincts and her knowledge as a special education teacher, Joanne insisted on having Sebastian tested. He was diagnosed with autism. 
“We still went through the process to come to terms with the diagnosis, but it didn't shock us when we heard it.” (read more)  

Wednesday's Woman: The Real Superwoman
July, 25, 2012 by Stacey Gill

So often we hear stories in the media of celebrities working to end poverty or rescuing children from desperate conditions in orphanages. Admirable endeavors certainly, but we don’t often hear about those among us carrying out similar heroics without the spotlight or help of countless staff members. On a daily basis. This is that story.  I met Joanne in a writing class, and she seemed ordinary enough with straight brown hair falling in a natural part,(read more)  

Wednesday's Woman: Jamie Grace
July 18, 2012 by Miranda

When first being asked to guest post forWednesday’s Woman, there was one person that popped into my thoughts immediately.  I delayed writing a piece on her because I thought that I might think of somebody else who would be a “more suitable” subject to write about.  However, this young lady stayed with me and so I am paying tribute to Jamie Grace Harper.

Jamie Grace, as she is more widely known, is a Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter categorized in the Contemporary Christian Music genre.  If your radio doesn’t stay tuned to a local CCM station (don’t worry - mine doesn’t either), you may have heard her song “Hold Me” (read more)

Wednesday's Woman: Maziah Mahusin
July 11, 2012 by Kimberly Speranza

Set to carry the flag representing her tiny Southeast Asian country, Brunei Daruassalam, Maziah Mahusin is Brunei’s first female athlete to compete in the Olympics.  She will compete in Track and Field in the 400 meter.

In a recent interview, Brunei’s Maziah Mahusin, who has no other women to train with, encouraged her country and the women of her country: (read more)

Wednesday's Woman: The Child Life Specialist
June 27, 2012 by Kim Pugliano

I’ve heard many times that it takes a special person to be a hospice worker, and that they are like angels on earth.  They take care of a person who is dying, and in addition help the family prepare for what is to come.  When the family member does pass away, they take over everything that needs to be done, allowing the family to grieve – and helping them do so.  My friend, 29-year-old Ana Vega, originates from Ojai, California, and upon graduating from high school she attended California State University,Northridge, majoring in Child and Adolescent Development with the intent of becoming a teacher.  However, when taking an Introduction to Child Development Professions, she was introduced to a Child Life Specialist and she knew immediately this is what she wanted to do. (read more)


Wednesday's Woman: Zainab Salbi
June 20, 2012 by Ana Mahler

I was introduced to Women for Women International after learning about Lisa Shannon and the work she has been doing to women in the DR of Congo. I wanted to learn more and find out what I could do to help. This is where I learned about Women for Women International and the programs they have for sponsoring women in the Congo and other countries in need. (read more)



Wednesday's Woman: We are of the Same Journey
June 13, 2012 by Lavern at Kindred Adventures

The rising sun’s glowing rays snuck through the blinds.  While its embrace warmed her face it was a bright reminder that morning had arrived.  With a deep sigh she sat up rubbing the remnants of last night’s sleep from her eyes.  She sighed again.  This time it was long and deep.  It was another day.  She lazily turned toward the edge of the bed placing her feet on the floor.  She sat a moment longer still letting it all register. A new day was here.  Wasting no more time with sighs, she embraced the day she headed to the bathroom.  She entered the bathroom and her reflection in the mirror suddenly grabbed her attention. (read more)



Wednesday's Woman: Stumbling upon a Muse
June 6, 2012 by Tracy at Scribblesaurus Me

A few years ago my husband and I packed up our home, our 7 month old son and our dog to move 950 miles south to San Francisco. A daunting task filled with trepidation, excitement and more than a little shock. We had gone from receiving an out of the blue job offer to moving in a matter of a few weeks. . .I just knew in my heart my husband would return home from work one day to find me a blubbering mess in the corner with a dirty, poopy, half-starved child in my arms. . .I was still so nervous of my new parenting skills and attempting to manage my expectations of myself when I met Jenni. (read more)

Wednesday's Woman: Heidi Cave

May 30, 2012 by Heidi Cave

Looking into the mirror I am quick with my face, my hands. I apply make-up, think about today’s schedule, this month’s calendar of field trips and practices for recitals, and as I add mascara to my eyelashes I catch the green of my eyes, the scar that curves around the right side of my chin, the faint lines around my mouth. I see someone who has lived. (read more)

Wednesday's Woman: You're a Lifesaver
May 23, 2012 by Delilah

I often hear people use the saying "you're a lifesaver" and while it's obviously quite a compliment, generally the person is not an actual lifesaver. The woman I want to highlight today actually saved my life even though she has no idea who I am or how she helped me.
Her name is Katherine Stone. She is the founder of Postpartum Progress, a non-profit website (read more) 




Wednesday's Woman: Follow the Child

May 16, 2012 by Ado -  The Momalog

Maria Montessori is at the top of my list of women I admire. She founded the Montessori method of education. My children have attended Montessori school since they were 3, and the "work" that children do hasn't changed much since her time. She was a forward-thinker, a genius, and a mother. But most of all, she understood that an educated, nurtured child is our only hope for peace (read more)

Wednesday's Woman: This is a Safe Place

May 9, 2012 by Anna Mahler

Diane Latiker is an incredible woman. She is a mother and grandmother who stepped forward in her community, unafraid to help or of being judged. She believes in the potential and good in young people and recognizes the possibilities created by positive change – for the children she helps everyday and the area where they live.

Diane Latiker has lived in Roseland for over 20 years, one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Chicago.  When her youngest (read more)

Wednesday's Woman: Audrey Hepburn

May 2, 2012 by Aubrey Ortega

Audrey Hepburn, in most respects, is old news. I am not going to tell you about her style, her beauty, or her film career, all of which are well-known aspects of her life already. The reason Audrey is my choice for Wednesday’s Woman is because if you were to ask Audrey about those things, she would wave you off and talk about the really important things in life, like motherhood and putting yourself last.

When interviewed by the great fashion magazines on How to Look as Lovely As Audrey Hepburn, she replied, (read more)  

Wednesday's Woman: The Courage to Heal

April 25, 2012 by Kimberly Speranza

Have you ever been handed a book right at the moment in your life that you were meant to read it?

After I recovered my memories of child sexual abuse, I jumped into the world of self-abuse with the commitment of every cell in my body.  My downfall was swift and scary.  

With the help of some very wise and generous souls, I landed in an inpatient treatment facility.  It was there that a counselor handed me the book The Courage to Heal.

Within the pages of The Courage to Heal I found descriptions of and logical explanations for the self-destructive behaviors I engaged in for years.  The long stretch of questions (read more) 

   

Wednesday's Woman: Giving Voice to Infertility

April 18, 2012, by Kirsten Piccini

A writer by education she wrote a book about infertility called Navigating the Land of IF that spoke to those of us exploring this new and very inhospitable world in clear and relatable language.  Plus it was written with our family and friends who didn’t understand in mind. There would be times that I would take it to my mom’s or give it to my best friend and say, “Please read this chapter. You won’t understand my hurt and frustration until you do. (read more)

Wednesday's Woman: A New Generation of Widows 

April 11, 2011, by Anna Mahler

Devastated and grieving, Taryn Davis felt even more alone when looking for emotional support and other widows to connect with. Because of her age, she felt she didn't fit in with most existing widow groups and people around her either avoided the subject or acted as if someone so young would be able to bounce right back without  (read more)

Wednesday's Woman: Impacting Families

March 28, 2012, by Anna Mahler

Doctor Jane Aronson is a hero to me for several reasons. She's a true humanitarian and an advocate for orphaned children around the world. Her work has included evaluating children adopted from abroad and she has consulted with thousands of families on the adoption process, including Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. But what I also love (read more)

Wednesday's Woman: A Call to Action 

March 14, 2012, by Anna Mahler

When first learning about horrible suffering going on in different places in the world, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and hopeless. It can seem as though, when something is happening so far away, so many are suffering and I am only one person, what good can I really do?  Lisa Shannon is an amazing example of what can happen when one person decides to take action. (read more) 

Wednesday's Woman: The Power of Forgiveness 

March 7, 2012

This was the case when I read about Phyllis Ferguson, the mother of Chardon High School shooting victim Demetrius Hewlin. Very little time has gone by since the shooting incident transpired in the Cleveland suburb.  Less time has passed since the passing of Demetruis Hewlin.  Some people, including myself, (read more)




Wednesday's Woman: Everybody Knows Somebody 
March 1, 2012 

The President and CEO of NEDA, Lynn S. Grefe, has an incredibly impressive background of advocacy work not only with NEDA, but has also with organizations in government and private sectors associated with women’s health, mental health and policy issues.  When I think advocate, I think Lynn Grefe. The amount of work she has done, and continues to do in dedication to others is remarkable.  Please read more about her (read more)

Wednesday's Woman: Addiction Crisis 

February 15, 2012

Jane Velez-Mitchell is a best-selling author and anchor on HLN and can also be seen covering high-profile cases on CNN. . . . Honestly, I had not heard of her until this morning.  I found her after an extensive Google search for a famous female recovering addict.  There were few to choose from, most being already gone, like Betty Ford, or still in the throes of addiction, like Lindsay Lohan. What stood out to me about Jane Velez-Mitchell was her willingness to cover the Whitney Houston story for CNN without glossing over the fact that Whitney’s death was one that should be examined as a national crisis of (read more)







Wednesday's Woman: Astronaut, Innovator, Educator 
February 8, 2012

Who was the first African-American woman to travel into outer space?  Dr. Mae Jemison.  This week's Wednesday's Woman is inspired by nature, Martin Luther King Jr., and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.  She graduated from Stanford in 1977 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and fulfilled requirements for a B.A. in African and Afro-American Studies.  In 1981 she (read more)

Wednesday's Woman: Role Models in Educational Technology

February 1, 2012

In accord with Digital Learning Day, Wednesday’s Woman highlights two stand-outs in the field of Educational Technology, Kathy Schrock and Judy O'Connell (read more)

Wednesday's Woman: Preventing Child Sexual Abuse 

January 25, 2012

 Jill Starishevsky, an Assistant District Attorney in New York City, is familiar with the serious need for child sexual abuse prevention and awareness.  She is featured today not only because of her work to prosecute hundreds of sex offenders and because of her fight for justice for the child victim,but also because of her willingness to give parents vital tools to be able to keep their children safe (read more)

Wednesday's Woman: Help for the Hoarder Next Door 

January 18, 2012

December 27, 2011, Corrie Ortner posted her first update about her elderly neighbor, who I will call Sandra (name changed for anonymity).  What started out as an update about a quick trip to Sandra's home to help her find her lost phone, has turned into a series of updates about an elderly woman who is a domestic violence survivor, scholar, aromatherapist, world traveler, and hoarder.  Corrie and her 10 year old daughter are cleaning out Sandra's home.  Corrie doesn’t have to do this.  Sandra didn’t ask for help (read more)