Have you ever heard that expression “Like mother, like daughter?” Well, some mothers and daughters are definitely proof that beauty and talent are, in fact, sometimes in the genes.  Please join us in celebrating mothers and daughters throughout the month of May – beginning with this shout-out to some of our favorite celebrity moms and their famous and fabulous baby girls!

Photo Credits:

Did you know that there are currently 30,000 children in the foster care system in Los Angeles County, alone?  When a child is uprooted from the only home he or she has ever known, the psychological effects can be damaging and, in many cases, permanent.

In recognition of National Foster Care Month, Wiles Magazine is proud to spotlight Peace 4 Kids. Through programs like Plants of Hope and Love Me Now, Peace 4 Kids achieves its mission of empowering foster kids and at-risk youth by providing community as family.

Wiles recently spoke to Peace 4 Kids’ Executive Director, Zaid Gayle.  Here are some of the insights he shared with us.

WILES:  WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MITIGATE A CHILD BEING PLACED IN FOSTER CARE?

ZG:  Most people think that kids are placed into the foster care system because of sexual or physical abuse. However, “general neglect” is the dominant reason that kids end up in the system. A “general neglect” circumstance may arise if a child lives in a single-parent home and there aren’t enough resources to provide adequate day or evening care for the child while the parent is at work. Another example of “general neglect” is a parent who is battling a substance abuse problem.  In these instances, the family must appear in court where a judge will evaluate whether or not the parent needs to have their parental rights terminated.  If the parent is permitted to retain their rights, the judge may require them to attend a parent training class, and the child will be placed in a foster care parent or group home until they’ve completed the class.  However, if the parent is non-compliant, their child will remain in foster care until they find a permanent home – through adoption, legal guardianship, or with a relative.

WILES:  WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MAJOR FLAWS WITH THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM?

ZG: One major flaw with the foster care system is that it is incentivized by money.  Since people get money for taking foster kids in, the more foster kids they have, the more money they get.  There’s no real incentive to resolve the issues that lead to a child being placed in foster care in the first place.

WILES:  WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE, SPECIFICALLY, FACE?

ZG:  The lack of stability and continuity are challenges that are both unique, and exacerbate everything else. Regardless of the reason a child may enter the system, removing them from their childhood home –  which, even if it’s an abusive home is the only home they’ve known – is, in itself, a trauma. Uprooting a child and placing them in a new environment where they don’t feel safe leads to their inability to trust adults and build relationships.  This affects them in school and in any environment where they have to interface with adults, because they’ve already developed unhealthy relationships with adults.  This is a major reason why children who are placed in foster care for prolonged lengths of time are three times as likely as their peers to become teen parents.  That, too, is cyclical, as they are also two times as likely to have their own children one day end up in the foster care system, as well.

WILES:  WHAT ARE SOME OF THE EMOTIONAL EFFECTS OF THIS CYCLE?

ZG:  At the end of the day, the children begin to feel that they’re not valued, and it also impacts the way they view others’ values. For instance, one of our older girls – who just graduated from Loyola Marymount University – used to describe how, in one of her foster homes, the family ate chicken with a knife and fork.  She was scolded, in the home, when she began eating her chicken with her hands – which is how she ate chicken in her own home.  So she adopted their method of eating chicken with utensils.  When, three months later, she was placed in a different foster home, she was ridiculed for eating chicken with utensils, because that family ate chicken with their hands.

Children in the foster care system constantly have to negotiate different environments and adapt to different people.  And, seemingly, as soon as they find a comfortable rhythm, they’re uprooted and placed in a new environment where the rules all change.  Not surprisingly, they quickly learn to not place a value on anything, because everything they value, they lose.

WILES:  PEACE 4 KIDS OFFERS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULT VOLUNTEERS TO MENTOR KIDS.  PLEASE DISCUSS SOME OF YOUR PROGRAMS.

ZG:  The Love Me Now Group emerged as a response from our staff members who were seeing that many of our young women were having a difficult time developing their values around issues like sexuality and self-worth.  Love Me Now is a gender-specific group mentoring program that meets every Saturday where young girls can openly discuss issues of femininity in order to have a successful journey into womanhood.  The group helps girls explore ways of overcoming past traumas through art and expression.

Nothing is off the table – they talk about everything from sex and what it means, to their own sexual abuse and how to protect themselves from future abuse.  Males are not allowed to participate, but we’ve recently rolled out an equivalent group for boys with the same “LMN” acronym – which stands for “Leadership, Manhood and Nobility.”

Our Emancipation Services Program is also vital. Very early in our organization’s existence, we began noticing how, as youth began transitioning out of the foster care system, many of them would end up homeless, jobless, and so on.  Their lives would simply turn upside down once they turned 18.

Our youth were very instrumental in launching our transition youth service advocacy campaign; and the “All I did was turn 18” law – which went into effect in January – will offer youth the option of staying in the system until they turn 21.  Youth will now be able to legally stay in foster care and receive financial support – which gives them a longer window of opportunity to gain education, employment and vocational skills.

WILES: WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR ADULTS WHO MAY BE CONSIDERING BECOMING FOSTER PARENTS?

ZG: Do it. There are not enough foster parents to support the needs of the youth.  It’s important for anyone contemplating becoming a foster parent to really understand what they’re getting into. It may seem like a temporary situation, but it’s a lifelong commitment.  As a foster parent, you can make a profound impact on kids; and those kids will remember and revere the people who supported them along the way.

WILES:  WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE PEACE FOR KIDS, AS AN ORGANIZATION, IN 5 YEARS?

ZG: Overall, I would like to see a re-framing of the how child welfare system, in general, views youth in foster care. Our youth are currently working on a research project to try to fix the things that are wrong with the system – including retraining social workers and key personnel in the school system.  Many of the existing practices and methodologies they employ aren’t effective because they don’t address the core issue that kids in foster care don’t trust adults.  That lack of trust prevents the kids from being able to accept support from teachers, law enforcement and so on.

Instead of reinforcing the stigma already attached to foster care, we should examine the strengths that develop as a result of a child being in foster care. For instance, the girl who had to learn and re-learn how to eat chicken was regularly accused of being a “manipulator” because she didn’t want to eat in front of people out of fear of being embarrassed.  For her, it’s not manipulation it’s negotiation.  Being in foster care actually helped her develop great life skills like negotiation, being able to adapt to new environments and how to advocate for oneself.  These are skills that are highly sought after in business world, and this is the plane where we need to meet our youth so that they can have a better projection for their lives.

In 5 years, I hope we can publish a report that will re-train social workers on how to embrace the cultural identity of foster kids and make “foster kid” a positive brand instead of a negative one.

WILES: WHAT’S THE CALL TO ACTION FOR PEOPLE WHO MAY WANT TO SUPPORT PEACE 4 KIDS?

ZG: Eighty percent (80%) of our direct services come from our volunteer population, so we’re always looking for volunteers.  For those who are unable to volunteer, donations are helpful and we offer opportunities for anyone who may want to sponsor a kid in the program. And, equally important, is raising awareness.  If you read an article like this about foster care, don’t just hold the information – make it a conversation and share what they’ve learned with others.  When people talk, most are surprised by just how many people have been exposed to the foster care system.  The more we talk about it, the more effective we will become at helping our communities understand how much value and positive energy these kids bring to the world.

For more information about Peace 4 Kids, please visit: www.peace4kids.org

Wiles Magazine first met and fell in love with make-up maestro Napoleon Perdis at LA Fashion Week.  Check out the gorgeous looks Napoleon Perdis and his creative team produced at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia for Carl Kapp, Christopher Esber and Akira.

Their statement-making looks ranged from androgynous beauty at Carl Kapp to ethereal romance at Akira, proving that masculine and feminine elements can be equally alluring on the catwalk.

 CARL KAPP

Inspiration: Contrasts that complement. Think Helmut Newton and the way he flirted with strong masculine and feminine elements; the way he pitted them against each other to create a perfectly dangerous harmony

Mood: A dash of androgyny, lashings of inner strength.

Napoleon Says: “The makeup here is kept super soft to balance the blunt force of the hair. Features are subtly enhanced by contouring with stains and creams; it’s about maximizing the bone structure. Coverage was applied only where needed to let the real skin shine through. The result: a parade of gorgeously handsome women!

CHRISTOPHER ESBER

Inspiration: The beautiful assassin. Strong, athletic and powerful in a feminine way.

Mood: Healthy and clean – but with a deadly edge. Think Uma Thurman in Gattaca. Skin has that almost sweat-like sheen from working out.

Napoleon Says:”I wanted the girls to look worn-in and slightly out of focus but in a fresh way. Skin is luminous and sheer with a soft natural flush to the cheek. The color palette is skinspired – I used shades of taupes, soft pinks, and creams to accentuate the tones that occur within the skin already. The eye is finished with a mirrored effect courtesy of my Lip Lacquer in Clearly Glam.”

AKIRA

Inspiration: The romance of well-loved garments, losing oneself in the feel of a fabric. Eastern traditions that celebrate a harmony of the inner journey.

Mood: Timeless femininity and angelic grace.

Napoleon says: “There are so many fun, beautiful elements at play here. The glitter eye is just divine, soft and feminine, perfect not just for a bride but for any day you want to feel like a goddess. And then there’s the amazing
aquamarine which provides a fab, summery take on the traditional cat’s eye. Take your pick!”

ELLERY

Inspiration: The rich memories of treasured childhood possessions. Luxe colors and beautiful textures; it’s all about the finish.

Mood: Sophisticated, vivacious and achingly cool.

Napoleon says:  “I love the balance of the playful eyes with the more mature matte natural lip. It’s their lips – but better! The Ellery girls are the epitome of cool – in a very effortless way. I used individual lashes on the outer corners of the eye to add a cute little kick, the way Japanese girls like to wear them. Camera Finish Powder was lightly dusted over the skin to set the makeup and give it a lovely velvety-radiant finish, like she’s beaming from within”.

MAGDALENA VELESKA

Inspiration:  All things aquatic. The colors, circular formulations and textures of the makeup are all associated with the collection’s ultimate muse: the stingray.

Mood: Modern and summery. Feminine and pretty with a slightly uncomfortable edge. Her skin has color and is slightly sunburned, offsetting the striking acid lip.

Napoleon says:  “I liken this look to a futuristic Mermaid. She is slightly sunburned, but in this context, it works! Contours are curved and soft, not angular and hard. To get the sun-kissed look, we worked cream textures into the temples and forehead and then added powder to subtly mattify the skin. The brows are strong and
polished. The acid yellow lip is a standout. We custom blended China Doll Gel Eyeliner in Alabaster with Loose Eye Dust in Proud Peacock to create the bespoke neon matte shade.”

BOWIE

Inspiration: An ethereal beauty emerging from her birthplace of an almost frozen lake, she is protected (and dressed) by nature and the elements. She is an aura.

Mood: Natural and spiritual but not fragile. She rises from the water, dewy, glistening. A subtle silver sheen across the eyelids represents the frost from the snow and the glossy lip, the fresh, cold lake water.

Napoleon Says: “I incorporated the elements of sun, water, ice and wind into this look; I wanted it to be other-worldly yet still full of life. Skin is polished, dewy and sun-kissed, the lid is slightly frosted in tones of silver and pearl using China Doll Gel Liner in Silver and the lip has been touched by the cold lake water – reminiscent of melting ice.”

For more information about Napoleon Perdis, please visit: www.napoleonperdis.com

By Drew Allen

Ladies, have you ever felt like dating was a lot like one big job interview?  Well, if you have, you’re not far off. From the moment we meet you – we’re checking out your qualifications.

Based on your experience, your potential and the skills you bring to the table, we make up our minds on what position we want you to occupy in our lives – or not.  For a woman we’re seriously considering settling down with, one of the biggest questions we’ll ask ourselves is: Do I see her being the future mother of my children?

Photo Credit: Ginger Bug Jones

As always, with men, this is not a very complicated proposition.  Beyond the obvious gene pool that you bring to the table, here are some of the skills and attributes we’re looking for:
TIME MANAGEMENT.  You’ve heard men complain: “Once the kids came, she let herself go” and, even worse, “She never has any time or attention left for me.”  What this all boils down to is, we’re looking for a woman who can, dare I say it, do it all?  We like a woman who has her own, full life.  In fact, we LOVE that – especially during the Playoffs – because we know we can watch EVERY game with our buddies in peace.  Seriously, though, kids require a lot of time, so a woman who knows how to juggle all of her responsibilities effectively and still look good doing it, definitely gets a nod.

PATIENCE.  If you fly off the handle at the drop of a dime, it leaves us wondering just how much you’ll be crying over spilled milk. Patience is tricky – we don’t want you to be a woman the whole world can walk all over.  But we do look to see if you’re generous when handing out second (and third) chances!

THOUGHTFULNESS. An act of thoughtfulness is like a window into a sweet soul.  We love this.  We know that if you are a genuinely thoughtful person, then you are a caring person.  Not only do we want to see you being thoughtful to us and to our future kids, but that’s a trait we want you to instill in them, as well.  So, if, while you’re out on a Saturday afternoon tearing the mall up, you happen to pick up a gift for your little niece or nephew just because you think they’ll like it, that’s something we won’t soon forget.

NURTURING.  This is a word that’s basically synonymous with “mother.” If I’m sick in bed with the flu, are you in the kitchen chef-ing up the chicken noodle soup, or are you staying far, far away from me so you don’t catch what I’ve got?  You already know that we’re some of the biggest babies when we don’t feel well, so why not show us how great a mom you’ll be by cutting your teeth on us?

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS.  Okay, if you don’t have any friends, or you’re constantly getting into beefs with the one or two friends you’ve got, then that’s a bit of a red flag that you may have issues getting along with people.  Selfishness and poor conflict resolution skills are definite no-no’s.  Believe it or not, we’re watching how you treat your own family, and if we don’t like what we see, it doesn’t mean we’ll dump you on the spot, but don’t hold your breath for a commitment any time soon.

HUMILITY.  We’re not looking for Miss Diva or Miss Dainty when we’re evaluating candidates for the future mother of our kids.  Kids are high-energy and playful, so, if you never have a hair out place and you never break a nail, chances are you are not doing the whole mother thing to the fullest.  A woman who can get her hands dirty and can laugh – especially at herself – is a woman who can take pleasure in the simple things in life. Translation: she is probably a woman who will delight in school plays and cheer alongside us at Little League games.

So there you have it.  Just like with any job, no one candidate possesses all of the experience, training or skills that we’re looking for.  But, if you have enough of the right skills and, most importantly, the willingness to learn, then, more than likely, we’ll want to hire you for the most important job our woman will ever have.

He inspired a generation of photographers and filmmakers alike and helped transform models like Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington and Naomi Campbell from catwalk queens to cultural icons.

From April 3 to August 26, 2012 a portion of his works dubbed “Herb Ritts LA Style will be featured at the J. Paul Getty Museum.  The collection includes stunning fashion works, as well as pieces featuring actor Richard Gere, track and field star Jackie-Joyner Kersee and Olympic diving champion Greg Louganis.  Here is just a sneak peek for those who may not make it to the Getty to witness the genius of Herb Ritts in person.

For more information about the Herb Ritts LA Style exhibit, please contact the J. Paul Getty Center at: www.getty.edu.

To learn more about Herb Ritts, please visit: www.herbritts.com

Wiles and the CDC!

Did you know that about 10 % of women (6.1 million) in the United States ages 15–44 years have difficulty getting pregnant or staying pregnant?

In our 20’s, many of us are more interested in birth control and STD prevention than we are in getting pregnant.  In our 30’s, those biological clocks begin ticking and, if we haven’t already done so, we’re beginning to seriously make plans for having a family. By the time we reach our 40’s, we may be wondering if it’s too late and we look to methods like in vitro fertilization and surrogacy.

Preconception health refers to the health and men and women during their reproductive years.  But how many of us know that it’s a health concern that we often neglect until, well, we’re ready?

Photo Credit: Guardian

The Center for Disease Control and the National Women’s Health Center offer some great advice and for women to follow now to protect the health of the babies we may have in the future.  Here are some helpful tips we found especially useful:

1.  Get Healthy! Both men and women can benefit from paying close to attention to their preconception health because, at its core, preconception health is about overall health.  Being overweight or underweight can also contribute to a woman’s infertility.  And did you know that, in the United States, almost half of all pregnancies are “unplanned?” So why not just get healthy and stay there?!
2.  Understand you monthly fertility pattern—Understanding your monthly fertility pattern can help you plan to get pregnant or avoid getting pregnant. Your fertility pattern is the number of days in the month when you are fertile (able to get pregnant), days when you are infertile, and days when fertility is unlikely, but possible. If you have a regular menstrual cycle, you have about nine or more fertile days each month.
3.  Infertility is NOT just a woman’s problem!  About one-third of infertility cases are caused by women’s problems. Another one third of fertility problems are due to the man. The other cases are caused by a mixture of male and female problems or by unknown problems.  While problems with ovulation, blocked fallopian tubes and uterine fibroids are typical causes for a woman’s infertility, heavy alcohol use, drug use, and smoking can all negatively impact a man’s sperm count.  Before you try to conceive, a doctor’s visit may be in order for both of you!
4.  Age is more than just a number.  About 20% of women in the United States now have their first child after age 35 and about one-third of couples in which the woman is older than 35 years have fertility problems. Aging decreases a woman’s chances of having a baby because the ovaries become less able to release eggs, she has a smaller number of healthy eggs she is more likely to have health conditions that can cause fertility problems, and she is more likely to have a miscarriage. If you’re over 35 and you’re having trouble conceiving, consult your doctor within 6 months for a thorough exam and to discuss your options.
5.  Make a plan and take action!  You don’t hop in your car for a road trip without a map or GPS, so do your homework, set goals and get your body ready ahead of time.  Consider your career and what impact having a child will have. Consider what resources you have for day care. Think about when and under what conditions you want to become pregnant.  If you have unhealthy habits or a lifestyle that will put your pregnancy at-risk, make the necessary changes to protect your and your baby’s health.  Try to include as many details as possible in your plan. Some people find it helpful to write their plan down on a piece of paper or in a journal. Be sure to talk with your health care professionals. Doctors and counselors can help you make your plan and achieve your goals.
6.  Take 400 Micrograms of Folic Acid Every Day! Folic acid is a B vitamin. If a woman has enough folic acid in her body at least 1 month before and during pregnancy, it can help prevent major birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine.
7.  Learn Your Family History – Collecting your family’s health history can be important for your child’s health. You might not realize that your sister’s heart defect or your cousin’s sickle cell disease could affect your child, but sharing this family history information with your doctor can be important.
8.  Get your head right! Mental health is how we think, feel, and act as we cope with life. To be at your best, you need to feel good about your life and value yourself. Everyone feels worried, anxious, sad, or stressed sometimes. However, if these feelings do not go away and they interfere with your daily life, get help. Talk with your doctor or another health professional about your feelings and treatment options.  Remember, you’ll be a parent LONG after you stop being pregnant, so make sure you’re mentally and emotionally ready for the responsibility.

For more information, please visit the CDC’s website at: www.cdc.gov

]]> http://wilesmag.com/2012/health-wellness-preconception-care/feed/ 0 Expecting – Guardian http://wilesmag.com/2012/artist-spotlight-conya-doss/ http://wilesmag.com/2012/artist-spotlight-conya-doss/#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 01:05:26 +0000 Wiles Magazine http://wilesmag.com/?p=6690 Fans of indie soul are well-acquainted with vocalist Conya Doss.  Doss is currently prepping the release of her sixth studio album A Pocketful of Purpose, an 11-song compilation with the single “Don’t Change” that recently debuted on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Charts.

Over the past decade Conya has received rave reviews for her first five albums A Poem About Ms. Doss, Just Because, Love Rain Down Still and Blu Transition in a variety of outlets from USA Today and VIBE to Billboard and Cleveland Magazine as well as appearing on the covers of numerous Ohio publications and garnering praise from fellow musicians Raheem Devaughn, Ledisi and Anthony Hamilton. She starred alongside Dwele in the McDonald’s McCafe commercial and has received nominations and wins at almost every Soultrack’s Awards over the past six years. Popmatters has referenced her “pleading and yearning” vocal style to Lauryn Hill, while Soulbounce has called her the “queen of indie soul.”

Wiles recently caught up with the lovely Ms. Doss to discuss her roots in Cleveland, OH, her journey to the world stage, and everything that’s gotten her from one place to the other.

There’s a reason Conya Doss looks so comfortable onstage, gently swinging her hips like a day lily caught in a summer’s breeze, singing in a voice that’s equal parts honey and hellfire. It’s because she’s used to it. As a teacher of children with special needs within the Cleveland public school system, this thirty something soul songstress faces an audience tougher than most, nearly every day.

“I learn a lot from the kids I teach – they inform my experience as an artist,” she told us. “Regardless of their level – whether they’re non-verbal or highly functioning, when I put a lesson to music, they relate to it and they respond.  They show me all the time how universal a language music really is.

While finding Doss – hailed as the “queen of indie soul – in a Rust Belt city like Cleveland may be likened to the proverbial diamond in the rough, urban music aficionados will be quick to remind of the city’s storied and musical heritage, which includes the likes of of Babyface, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Tracy Chapman, Marilyn Manson, Gerald Levert, The O’Jays, Macy Gray, James Ingram, Roger Troutman and Zapp, The Gapp Band and Avant among others.

“A lot of people know that a lot of talent has come out of Cleveland, but despite our rich history, there isn’t much of an outlet within the city for artists to showcase their work,” she shared. “Thank goodness for the internet and social networking! Now people are able to be more creative in getting their work out to audiences.”

Check out Doss’ video for the single “Don’t Change” from the album Pocketful of Purpose”  now:

Inspired by Bonnie Raitt, Ani DiFranco, Mint Condition, Rude Boys, Jane Child, Donnie Hathaway, Angela Winbush and Nina Simone, Conya Doss has emerged over the past decade as Ohio’s top female vocalist.  Her music is not lost among the pantheon of new crooners, but instead invokes the spirits of legendary composers-singers such as Chaka Khan, Betty Wright, Natalie Cole, Me’shell N’Degeocello and Alanis Morisette.

Like all great art, Conya Doss’ music and her message touches people.

“No matter how I’m feeling, getting feedback from my fans makes me feel great,” she said. “One guy on Twitter told me my music helped him study for Calculus, another woman told me my music helped her kick cocaine. I call it ‘indirect divine intervention.’”

And now, a decade and six albums later, she’s committed, not only to her art, but to helping other emerging artists by sharing the lessons she’s learned.

“To be able to help somebody else, to guide them so they can avoid some of the mistakes I’ve made, and to help someone expand creatively, that’s very important to me.”

To Follow Conya Doss on Twitter: @conyad

To learn more, please visit:  www.conyadoss.com

To purchase her new album please visit: A Pocketful of Purpose

By Marc Alexander

Photo Credit: Eric Charbonneau/BEImages

The mother-daughter relationship is one of the most unique in the world. A woman’s mother is typically her first and most powerful influence. In times past, this stability of this relationship was essential in maintaining society’s structure and order. A daughter was expected to literally shadow her mother to learn the “womanly duties” that would be expected of her as an adult, namely: cooking, cleaning and how to take care of babies.

When the mother-daughter relationship is healthy, it can be practically twin-like in its eerie magic and extra sensory perception. Many mothers and daughters share a secret, unspoken language through which complex messages can be transmitted and received by simple eye contact. Sometimes, they finish each other sentences; and oftentimes, you see them smile and laugh at inside jokes that the rest of the world misses.

But when this relationship is unhealthy, it can be more destructive than a late-summer hurricane. When negative emotions like jealousy creep in, or when emotional baggage is passed down from mother to daughter, the adverse effects may hamper both women for the rest of their lives.  Some mothers give too much of themselves early on, and when they pull away to let their daughter stand on her own, the daughter feels abandoned and blames the mother.

Because the mother-daughter relationship is so incredibly complex, it’s amazing to see mothers and daughters who’ve managed to pull off the hat trick with the whole world watching.  There are many examples of mothers and daughters who have become equally famous (and infamous), but what mother-daughter combo has packed the greatest punch?

Who is the Greatest Of All Time mother-daughter duo?

In history there are lots of notable examples from just about every field imaginable. Madam Marie Curie, the mother of radium and radioactivity, and her daughter Irene Joliot-Curie were both world-renowned scientists who, between them .shared three Nobel Prizes. Lucy Stone and her daughter Alice Stone Black were both trailblazers in the women’s rights movements in both the Nineteenth and Twentieth Century.

Photo Credit: queentohistory.com

Even going further back, Ann Boleyn, the ill-fated and eventually headless wife of King Henry the VIII of England, birthed a daughter, Elizabeth, who would go on to become one of the most powerful and storied monarchs in the nation’s history.

And in modern times, the entertainment industry has produced a long list of mothers who have passed their star-quality genes on to their female progeny.

Academy Award-winner Goldie Hawn and her daughter Kate Hudson are probably the mother- daughter duo who has enjoyed the greatest box office success.  Mama Goldie’s credits include movies like Private Benjamin, The Banger Sisters, Wildcats, and Almost Famous; while Kate has been a virtual reigning queen of romantic comedy with hits like You, Me and Dupree and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.  And Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher represent a famous mother-daughter duo that has been in the business nearly seventy years combined.

Other notable showbiz moms and daughters include Peggy Lipton and Rashida Jones, Jayne Mansfield and Mariska Hargitay, and Janet Leigh and Jamie Lee Curtis– all of whom have stomped out two sets of footprints into the business of show. But when you think of mother-daughter duos, there is one pair that is most iconic over all the others. There is only one pair that consists of two legendary divas who are known the world over – and that duo is Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli.

The former Frances Ethel Gumm, Judy Garland was a presence in show business for forty-five of her forty-seven years. Best known for her role as “Dorothy” in 1939’s Wizard of Oz, Ms. Garland was a contract player for MGM. Early on, she considered herself an “ugly duckling,” and, throughout her life, she turned to drugs and alcohol to help her cope with her feelings of inadequacy. Judy ultimately overdosed on drugs at the tender age of 47.

Photo Credit: users.deltacomm.com

Liza’s career closely mirrored her mother’s in that she was successful on both the stage and on the screen. She is probably best remembered for her Academy Award-winning role in the 1972 musical film Cabaret. Interestingly, Liza’s life, like her mother’s, was also famously hampered with an addiction to drugs and painkillers. Liza, however, successfully completed a stint in rehab in 2012 and has been going strong, we hope, ever since.

Between the two of them, Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli have won nearly 2 dozen of show business’ top awards –  including  5 Tony Awards (2 Special Awards), 7 Grammys (2 Legend Awards), an Emmy,4 Golden Globes and an Oscar each (Judy Garland was awarded the Academy Juvenile Award for her performance in Wizard of Oz.)

And if the long list of awards isn’t enough, just ask the hundreds of drag queens who dress up like Judy and Liza, or the thousands of adoring fans who know every word to every show tune they’ve ever belted out. Hands down, Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli are the greatest mother-daughter duo of all time.

Agree? Disagree?  Make your argument. I double-dare you.

Marc Alexander is a Los Angeles-based writer, photographer and purveyor of urban culture.

 “Pastel de tres leches” literally means “three milk cake” and is a favored dessert to enjoy during special times of celebration.  I can think of no better time to prepare it than in honor of Mother’s day. The blending of the three milks with the spongy cake makes this recipe as much fun to make as it is to eat.  So grab mom by the hand and prepare your taste buds for a delicate, delicious delight!

Life is sweet, so eat well & enjoy!

Chef Arturo Vargas

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cups cake flour

1 pinch salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/3 cup oil

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

5 large eggs

12 oz. evaporated milk

1/2 cup whole milk

14 oz. condensed Milk

METHOD OF PREPARATION:

Combine flour and baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, combine the oil, sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add the eggs to the sugar mixture one at a time until well combined. Stir in the 1/2 cup of milk, then gently fold in the flour mixture a little at a time.

Pour batter into a lightly greased cake pan or baking dish and bake at 325 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until it feels firm and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Let the cake cool until it feels room temperature. Turn it over onto a platter with raised edges. Pierce cake with a fork 20-30 times. Let it cool in the refrigerator for an additional 30 minutes.

*TO MAKE THE CREAM:

12 oz. evaporated milk

14 oz. sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

Whisk together the three milks and the rum or brandy if you are using it. Slowly pour the liquid over the cooled cake. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Occasionally, spoon the milk runoff back onto the cake.

*TO MAKE THE WHIPPED TOPPING:

3/4 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon sugar

In a chilled mixing bowl add heavy cream, vanilla and sugar. Beat on high speed until peaks form. Spread a thin layer over the cake.

Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon or garnish with fresh berries.

A native of Acapulco, Mexico, Chef Arturo Vargas is a respected health educator and owner of Northern California’s Taste for the Senses Catering. Arturo was formally trained in the culinary arts in Mexico. Prior to opening his catering company, he served as chef in some of San Francisco, California’s finest restaurants, and facilitated healthy cooking classes and workshops for organizations such as the University of California, Davis, the American Heart Association, and Whole Foods Market. His culinary expertise has been featured in several publications, including Sacramento Magazine, Luxe Life magazine and on SimplyRecipies.com

Photo by ESG Photography

Wiles Magazine had the opportunity to catch up with rock climbing phenom, Sierra Blair-Coyle from Scottsdale, Arizona. Despite her young age, Sierra has already logged in 10 years of climbing experience and has built a fairly extensive resume, competing in some of the most renowned climbing contests in the United States. A sponsored athlete since the age of 10, Sierra currently works with a number of respected and renowned brands, including: Sanuk, Omega Pacific, Roxy, BlueWater Ropes, Climb X Gear, Asana Climbing and Quotable Cards.

WILES: What inspired you to pursue rock climbing professionally at such an early age?

SIERRA: I began climbing at age eight and ever since, I have always wanted to push myself as far as I could go. Being a professional climber was something I had always wanted since I first jumped on the wall. My goals were always very high and it helped me to become better and stay motivated.

WILES: Where are some of your favorite places to climb?

SIERRA: My favorite places to climb are California, Salt Lake City- Utah, Vail- Colorado and Jacks Canyon, Arizona.

WILES: ”Keep Moving, Keep Climbing” was a quote we saw on your Twitter feed.  How is this mantra and/or rock climbing similar to life challenges and perhaps how you might overcome them?

SIERRA: For me, this mantra really relates to my life. I like to view it as life happens and no matter what, you just have to keep going on, or in my case, keep climbing.

Photo courtesy of Sierra Blair-Coyle

WILES: How has your Mom inspired you and what you do?

SIERRA: My Mom has inspired me in both life and in climbing in so many ways. She has always been such a great mom to me; she’s been extremely involved in everything I have done since I was born. I have the best Mom in the world!  She is always there at every practice, competition, and actively involved in as many things as she can be. My Mom and my Dad have always believed in me and supported me in every endeavor in life.

WILES: What essentials might we find in your backpack?

SIERRA: Aside from a now rotten banana, I try to keep my climbing bag light with only the essentials: usually a pair of Sanuk’s or two, my climbing shoes ClimbX Rockstar’s, my Asana chalk bucket and bag, my harness, as well as my shuffle and Wintercrest Sports Stick.

Photo by ESG Photography

WILES: What advice would you give to other women interested in pursing rock climbing?

SIERRA: Head to the gym and begin climbing! Some gyms have climbing walls and offer classes for beginner climbers.   If not, other climbers are always willing to help out. Meeting other climbers will help you get started, everyone is extremely helpful in the climbing community; it’s very tight knit.

In 2010, Sierra Blair-Coyle was the youngest qualifier for the World Cup; had a fifth-place showing at the ABS Nationals; and had already had two top-five finishes at the Mammut Bouldering Championships. A two-time Junior National Speed Champion, she has gone on to compete in more than 100 climbing and bouldering contests. She placed seventh at the 2012 ABS Nationals. This fall, Sierra will be attending her first year of college at Arizona State University on a full academic scholarship, where she will focus her studies in the W.P. Carey School of Business. Ultimately, her goal is to get a masters degree in taxation. Follow Sierra at: @sierrablaircoyl