Mekdela is the author of Plus Size: A Memoir of Pop Culture, Fatphobia and Social Change. Mekdela addresses the body and size shaming all too present in our world, and uses her book and her website (plussizebook.com) to engage readers to see themselves in whatever role they play, and look toward making constructive changes to language and comments. She discusses this in context of being similar to other issues in society that cause othering. It’s important to see that we and others are more than just our body.

Inspirational Women: Penny Mishkin is a retired occupational therapist, now sharing her experiences on the written word. She has a new book, entitled “How I See It: A Personal and Historical View of Disability”. Now in her 70s, Penny has a wealth of experiences and reflections to share, with the aim to better recognize our perception toward disabilities and/or life challenges. Even down to her own life, having lived with an eye/vision condition since childhood.
www.hpennymishkin.com

Elaine Parke, the author of “The Habits of Unity: 12 Months to a Stronger America… One Person at a Time”, wraps up our year-long journey with a review and a look to the future embracing gratitude and patience. She shares/reminds us of the Cherokee Tale of Two Wolves, a grandfather telling his grandson of the 2 wolves battling inside each of us, the one of evil and the one of good. The grandson then asks ‘which one wins’ to which his grandfather replies: The one you feed. These simple yet profound stories can guide us through a day, or year.
www.12habits4allofus.org

Dr. Sylvia Earle has long been recognized as one of the world’s top experts on ocean science and conservation. She is the president and chairman of Mission Blue, a National Geographic Explorer at Large, and former Chief Scientist at NOAA. She has been called “Her Deepness” by The New Yorker and the New York Times, a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress, and a “First Hero for the Planet” by Time Magazine. Her life has been about the ocean, proving her connection in a stunning new book: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC OCEAN: A GLOBAL ODYSSEY. It’s filled with amazing photographs and information about our planet’s oceans, and could be a great gift for just about anyone this holiday.

https://mission-blue.org/about/

Noelle Salazar is a local author with a new book, a historical fiction set in WWII focusing on two teenage sisters, involved with a resistance force in the Netherlands. “Angels of the Resistance” highlights the strengths and impacts of women doing great things, both then and now. Noelle herself has an interesting personal history, having been a Navy recruit, medical assistant, and NFL cheerleader. At every turn, she’s considered herself an ardent storyteller, right from a young age. Great stories are a gift in themselves, and this is the season for them. Especially those that go above the norm, and inspire welcome change.

www.noellesalazar.com

Dr. Fayne Frey is a nationally-renowned dermatologist who is passionate about helping women accept their awesomeness. Often to the point where her writing directs us to look in a mirror and say: Dear Me, I’m Awesome. Her work to break down the myths and hype in the Skincare industry led to her writing an amazing and compelling book: “The Skincare Hoax: How You’re Being Tricked into Buying Lotions, Potions & Wrinkle Cream.” Dr. Frey pulls back the curtain and the results are astonishing. Consider that the main skin care products we need are sunscreen and moisturizer. She suggests we think of sunscreen as we do toothpaste – use it every day!

www.fryface.com

Megan Asaka, PhD is an historian, author and Assistant Professor of History at University of California, Riverside. But Megan does carry roots in Seattle, leaning toward a historical edge, and questioning both facts and the people most key in its early evolution. She shares her research and discoveries in a new book “Seattle From the Margins: Exclusion, Erasure, and the Making of a Pacific Coast City”. Megan will discuss said book in a conversation with Seattle Times columnist Naomi Ishisaka, Saturday December 3, 2:30pm at the Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Ave.
www.meganasaka.com

Tiffany Jewell is a #1 NY Times bestselling author of “This Book is Anti-Racist”. Her newest book, “The Antiracist Kid” serves as the essential illustrated guide to antiracism. Its text strives to empower readers young and old, and to provide them the words, language, and methods to recognize racism and injustice. Tiffany is a trained Montessori educator committed to antiracist and social justice education.

www.antibiasmotessori.com

Dr. Noella C. West, who with her Doctorate of Nursing Practice, is an adjunct professor at both the University of Tampa and the University of South Florida. Dr. West is a contributing editor of “The Color of Wellness”, a magazine written by health professionals of color, specifically for people of color. Dr. West sheds some light on certain health disparities for persons of color, and the underlying factors.

http://www.colorofwellness.co/ IG: @ColorofWellnessMag

Elaine Parke has a life mission of living peacefully and in harmony with the world. She shares the ways we can all do this in her book “The Habits of Unity, 12 Months to a Stronger American… One Citizen at a Time”. The 12 is the 12 months, and the focus in November is “Show a Positive Attitude”. One way to achieve this is to consider the power behind how life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we respond or react. We might also consider the idea that ‘we make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give’. We have 30 days to practice this in November, and perhaps make healthy year-round habits.

www.12habits4allofus.org