The Chicago native asked her fans, friends and family for permission to post photos of them in her video for “You’re Beautiful.” The video also features two of her friends who lost their battle to cystic fibrosis. She included them in this montage as a tribute and to show them that every one of us is beautiful in our own way.

The 18-year old has had positive reviews from music media including Yahoo! Voices, claiming she is “Reminiscent of singers like Britney Spears and Robyn.” She was also recently named iHeart Radio’s Artist to Watch.

Be inspired and check out the video for “You’re Beautiful” right here:

Click here to view the embedded video.

For more information on the radiant singer, visit www.danielleaument.com.

Until now.

I just watched my daughter play her first and possibly last season of high school soccer. My daughter, Katelynn, has been in love with soccer since the age of 6 when she started playing in the local YMCA league. She played spring and fall every year. This year  - her freshman year – she was unbelievably excited to be playing on her first school team. We’ve been listening to her go on and on about playing on the school team for months.

We recently found out that the school has decided to cut the girls soccer program. As of next year, the girls will have to try out for the boys team. Why? I’m not 100% certain as I am still gathering facts.  What I do know is this… the boys team had 17 members. The girls team had 24 members. So why are we cutting the girls team instead of the boys?  Seems to me there is more interest in soccer from girls rather than boys. Is it to create a larger team for the boys? Why not cut the boys program if there isn’t enough interest?

Let’s do some simple math…

There are 24 members of the girls soccer team, and 6 are seniors. Even if NO incoming freshman try out, you are still left with 19 players for the girls team next year. On the boys side, there are 17 team members with 3 of those being seniors. Assuming no incoming freshman and you’re left with 14 players for next year. Which team stands a better chance at surviving next year? That’s right.  The girls do. So explain to me again why we are cutting their program? (Please note I am not in favor of cutting either program.)

Why not co-ed?

This is an excellent question. Those of you who know me know that I will always argue that men and women are equal. And yes, I think there are women out there who can compete with men on a physical level. In professional sports, you are dealing with the elite of the elite who come from all over the world to compete. When you bring in pro athletes, co-ed becomes a bit more realistic and fair.

However, this is not professional athletics. These are kids who happen to be on the same team because of where they live, not by how talented they are. Some are good athletes, some are average.  Some are big, some are small. High school teams are often a mix of good coaching and random chance. Co-ed in a sport such as high school soccer is not a fair competition. You’re placing 120 pound girls into a contact sport with teenage boys. The physical difference can be huge.

In my opinion, putting together a co-ed team that will face all-boy teams in their division is not a fair competition. It’s a lawsuit waiting to happen. Do you hear me?

What do the boys think?

Ok so I have not personally interviewed any of the boys on the team. My daughter, however, has been on co-ed teams with some of these guys through her YMCA league. While a couple of boys might be ok with having a girl or two on the team, I’m not sure they all think that way. I played basketball on the boys team, so I know first hand that it’s not the same as being with an all-girl or co-ed team. Especially when every team you play against is an all-boys team.

Like it or not, as a girl on a boys team you are a minority in that situation and you will get picked on. You will be teased (mostly by the other team but it can be from your own teammates). You will sit on the bench more often. You will get overlooked more often and sometimes the rough plays will be intentional. It happens.

If you deny that it happens, you live in a fantasy world. The old saying that “a woman has to work twice as hard to be thought half as good” reigns true in sports as well.

And what about boys who have been playing getting cut from the team next year because now there will be double the competition for a spot on the team? Let’s not forget this affects the boys, too.

What about Title IX?

Another good question. Did you know that originally Title IX had nothing to do with sports? It originated out of a gender discrimination complaint and was later adapted to include high school and college sports. So where does that leave my daughter’s team?

If you look at the roots of Title IX, it was started not because certain programs didn’t exist or were exclusive. It started because one woman saw opportunity being taken away from females and given to males. This is exactly what is going on in my school. We’re not suddenly just allowing girls to play co-ed, we’re taking away something they had already established.

On top of that, the boys soccer season is at the same time as the girls volleyball season. Now, several girls will be be forced to choose between soccer and volleyball. These are the only two sports my daughter plays and now she will have to give one up.  And what happens to a girl who tries out for soccer, doesn’t make the team and has now missed the volleyball tryouts? Girls and boys sports have “seasons” for a reason – to give both genders ample opportunity to be in a variety of sports throughout the year. With this current situation, girls not only lose their soccer team but could miss out on volleyball as well.

So what would be fair?

If the school wants to continue with having a single co-ed soccer program, then I am going to suggest they mandate the following: Since we already had a full girls team and a full boys team, then we should accept only 12 boys and only 12 girls into next year’s program. So if an influx of freshman boys want to play soccer next year, or if the coach wants to keep all of the boys from last year’s team, that’s too bad. Only 12 boys can make the team.

And since soccer is an 11 player game, then I also think it’s only fair to have at least 5 girls and 5 boys on the field at all times. That is fair, right?

And yes, my proposal seems a little crazy. Isn’t sports about putting the right players in the right positions and working together to win? Of course it is. But since the girls have up until now had an equal opportunity to play on their own team, it’s only fair that we make it a 50/50 split for the co-ed team, don’t you think?

What did I miss?

As I stated previously, I don’t claim to have all information or know all the reasons behind this cut. I’ve talked to parents and coaches after the announcement was made to the team, but nothing has been formally stated or released by the school. Several of us will be attending the next board meeting to discuss this matter. If you have suggestions, comments, previous court cases, or any additional info – I’d love to hear it. Please post them below or if you need to discuss anything with me privately, you may use the contact form to email me.

Then Performing Arts department in our school didn’t accept me in although they loved my performance!!!!! They said that only boys are allowed to rap and girls aren’t …. Girls are only allowed to sing, dance, act, and that’s it ……. While boys are allowed to do everything!

So I got really angry and pissed . It wasn’t fair! So I did a revolution against in school with holding up signs that say stuff like: “Stop this racism! Girls deserve a shot”.

So finally they accepted, and I ended up winning first place in the Talent show

Fortunately for me, I found it right here on my desk under my keyboard. I guess I do spend a lot of time in this spot.

Even though I’m all about do-it-yourself repair, I realized that fixing my ring was a job for the experts. So I headed downtown to the jewelry store.

Now we have several jewelry stores in our town, but it was a Saturday so I went to the closest store that was open. I’d never been to the downtown jewelry store before and I had no idea that they catered more to the super rich than to people like me who couldn’t tell you the difference between a crown and a tiara – nor would I care to look that up and find out.

Call me Julia Roberts…

Bear in mind that I am wearing a college hoodie that makes me look like I’m about 12, very little to no make up (as usual) and I don’t carry a purse. I despise carrying anything around, so if I absolutely need a bag I take my Girls Can’t WHAT? Drummer tote.

As I walked in, the lady behind the counter looked me up and down and gave me that same “you don’t belong here” look that Julia Roberts got in Pretty Woman when she walked into the ritzy stores to shop. Yes I realize I looked like a fish out of water in there. I ignored her and pulled out a plastic baggie with my broken ring and stone inside. She raised her eyebrow at me and said “how can I help you?”

I explained that needed the stone reset and she started rattling off big dollar amounts and explaining how the entire setting would need to be replaced. I’m not sure if that was some sort of scare tactic, but it didn’t work. She took my plastic baggie to her workstation to check to see if it was a “real stone” and “real gold”, leaving my little pauper self at the counter to wait.

About that time, some family friends emerged from one of the private offices in the back. You know  - the fancy offices where they look at ridiculously priced pieces and there’s a safe in the wall behind the picture frame. (I don’t really know. That’s just what I imagine it’s like in there.) My friends immediately recognized me, gave me a hug and started asking about my family and what we’d been up to. As we talked, the lady behind the counter kept glancing up at us and I watched her whole demeanor change.

You see, these family friends happen to be one of the richest couples in our town. I’m most certain they are very valued customers in this particular store. Suddenly I went from being treated like an outcast to being a rock star. All because I knew these people personally and they were obviously good friends and not just casual acquaintances.

What NOT to think!

Now the lesson here is NOT that you need to know wealthy or famous people to be treated with respect or to get what you want out of life. Far from it. There’s a piece of this story you haven’t heard yet.

The rest of the story…

Long before I was ever born (or even thought of for that matter), my grandpa met a young man in need of a job. My grandpa gave this man his very first job. That young man grew up to be the vice president of a very large corporation in our town and became very wealthy. That young man never forgot the kindness and opportunity that my grandpa gave to him. He has been a faithful friend to our family throughout the years and it is always a pleasure to speak with him and his wife as I did last week when we ran into each other in the jewelry store.

What’s the point?

It really is all about who you know. It’s all about who you connect with in life, but most importantly it’s all about HOW you connect with them. Most of you read this blog for inspiration and guidance on how to move forward with your dreams. You’ve probably thought a lot about who you network with and secretly hope that meeting certain people will help you get there faster. I’m guilty of that myself.

Too often we think in terms of “what’s in it for me?” Nothing wrong with that for the most part, but it won’t get you very far. We all know there’s no such thing as a free ride, so maybe it’s time to stop watching Oprah and expecting handouts.

Let’s stop and look at the people around us and see where we can fill a need without expecting anything in return. You never know when your kindness might be repaid. But you definitely won’t have anything repaid if you aren’t willing to lend a hand in the first place. And before you can extend your hand, you need to first connect with that person.

Introduce yourself. Be friendly. Be yourself. If you’re an introverted writer like me, this can be hard. I often connect via email and Facebook because it’s more comfortable for me. That’s perfectly ok. As long as you’re making the effort, you will be rewarded.

So are you ready to connect?  Talk to me. I’m always willing to strike up a discussion. Take the first step and post a comment below. I promise I will reply.

Ok, so I know exactly what you’re thinking? Women already dominate the field of nursing. So what is the deal with a Girls Can’t WHAT? nursing design?  What’s the point?

Don’t worry, there is a perfectly logical explanation for this one.

First and foremost, it has been requested by a number of Girls Can’t WHAT? fans. I am always willing to create what people request.

Second, Girls Can’t WHAT? is an attitude. Women face resistance in a variety of ways. No one may be telling her she can’t become a nurse, but she will still have to overcome some serious obstacles while pursuing her nursing degree. When the going gets tough, the tough say Girls Can’t WHAT?!

This Girls Can’t WHAT? nursing design serves as an empowering image of hope – a light at the end of the tunnel. Yes, we recognize that women can be nurses, but we also recognize that just because this is typically thought of as a female occupation, doesn’t make it an easy road. Kudos to all who have worked hard to make their dream of being a nurse come true!

You can find the Girls Can’t WHAT? nursing design in several styles and scrub colors in the Girls Can’t WHAT? shop. If you need help finding something specific or you have a new design request, let me know!

Girls Can’t WHAT? Nurse Gifts!

Nurse in Pink Scrubs (Blonde) Greeting Cards

$3.30

Nurse in Pink Scrubs (Blonde) Greeting Card

$3.30

Nurse in Pink Scrubs (Blonde) Greeting Card

$3.30

Nurse in Pink Scrubs (Blonde) Greeting Cards

$3.30

Nurse in Pink Scrubs (Blonde) Cards

$3.30

Nurse in Pink Scrubs (Blonde) Card

$3.30

Nurse in Pink Scrubs (Blonde) Card

$3.30

Nurse in Pink Scrubs (Blonde) Greeting Cards

$3.30

Nurse in Pink Scrubs (Blonde) Greeting Card

$3.30

Nurse in Blue Scrubs (Light) Cards

$3.30

Nurse in Blue Scrubs (Light) Cards

$3.30

Nurse in Blue Scrubs (Light) Greeting Card

$3.30

Click Here To See All Nurse Gifts

I’m currently 3 months in to my 9 month academy. I am the only female in the class of 18. This was a slight issue in the beginning, but I knew I was going to have to prove myself and show them that I have as much heart as all of those guys put together. Once they realized that I wasn’t going anywhere they opened up and I got 17 brothers.

Anyone who says that firefighting is a man’s job will only be fueling me to prove him wrong and excel at my profession. The first ride in a fire engine running lights and sirens is a thrill that I look forward to for the rest of my life.

Actually, boys have told me I can’t play football with them because I’m a girl. I’m trying hard but how am I supposed to prove that I can do anything they can, maybe even better if I never get a chance?

Just recently I went to a paintball field and I was the ONLY girl there when some boy had the nerve to come up and say “Don’t worry, Babe. They won’t aim for a girl.” I was utterly insulted, the worst part is that he was right!

No one shot at me until I was the last one shooting at them! What am I supposed to do to prove myself? I love mudding and doing fun stuff. I’m not some doll to sit on the shelf. I wanna get out there. I can skin a deer faster than any boy I know and my tackle can take down a 200 pound guy. Yes I’m 5 foot 3. Yes I’m 121 pounds and yes I’m a girl. That doesn’t mean I can’t play with the boys.

The official Olympic charter reads:

“Any form of discrimination with regard to a country on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement.”

In 1964, the Olympics defended this statement and banned South Africa from participating because they refused condemn apartheid. Clearly the Olympic committee is not afraid to back up what they say and take action. Should they step in and defend these female athletes?

How is racial discrimination any different than gender discrimination? Do you think the Olympic Committee should send a message to these countries that their gender discrimination will not be tolerated?

Surely by now there is a petition going around for this topic somewhere… if anyone finds it, let me know and post the link below!

I’ve been pondering the new theme for quite a while and I only had three criteria.  It had to be bright, clean and show some attitude! I think this new design accomplishes all three goals. What do you think?

Why should you care?

This new theme launch actually goes a bit deeper than just a pretty new face. The navigation and search functions were  redesigned to make it easier and faster to find specific items in the shop. With over 50,000 Girls Can’t WHAT? gift items now, it’s a bit like finding a needle in a haystack sometimes. I wanted to make it as easy as typing in a keyword and getting a custom list.

It’s more than just a shopping site…

Many of you already know I don’t do this for the money. At least not to line my personal pockets. Girls Can’t WHAT? profits are invested to empower women around the world.

Each month we are able to help people get better jobs, expand their education and live better lives. This new design brings that benefit to the forefront and you’ll be hearing more about that and about the Girls Can’t WHAT? lending team in the next few weeks.

We’re Pinterest Friendly!

Before I ever got my invite to Pinterest, I heard that many of my drawings were showing up on Pinterest. So cool – thank you to everyone that pinned my artwork to your boards! To once again make it easy, I have added a “pin it” icon to all my pages so you can quickly add any design or blog article to your boards with a single click. You can also follow Girls Can’t WHAT? on Pinterest.

What’s next?

With the launch of the new design under my belt, I’m ready to switch creative gears back into drawing new designs. I’ve accumulated quite a looooooong list of requests and I’m going to do my best to start working through them.  I’m shooting for one new design a week so if you have any requests, now is good time to let me know!

Girls Can’t WHAT? has also teamed up with a few other folks to offer some sweet giveaways in the upcoming weeks. Stay tuned for your chance to win some cool prizes. Catch Girls Can’t WHAT? on Facebook, Twitter or subscribe to the newsletter.

Are you the next winner?

If you’re on the mailing list, check your inbox for Girls Can’t WHAT? emails.  Every month some lucky subscriber wins a free Girls Can’t WHAT? item with a design their choice. It could be you!

What did I miss?

Is there anything you would like to see on the site?  I’m always open to suggestions. Shoot me an email or leave a comment and let’s talk!

Bad Romance: Women’s Suffrage is a parody music video paying homage to Alice Paul and the generations of brave women who joined together in the fight to pass the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote in 1920.

Click here to view the embedded video.

You can find the lyrics here.