Posted by Maria Gagliano
If you'd have told me when I was nineteen that I'd one day work on a book with Ani DiFranco and Lucille Ball on the cover, I wouldn't have believed you. It would have just sounded way too cool. I was in love with both ladies growing up, and even though they couldn't be more different, they are (were) both driven by a daring spunk that helped them reach unbelievable heights as artists. The same can be said for Cyndi Lauper, Betsey Johnson, and Joan Jett—all role models of mine growing up, each more fearless and kick-ass than the next.
So you could imagine my glee when I started working on Summer Pierre's Great Gals with fellow editor Meg Leder. Yes, Ani and Lucille are both on the cover, but there’s so much more between the pages (including my other aforementioned heroes).
Much like The Artist in the Office, Summer’s first book, Great Gals is loaded with inspiring prompts, quotes, and ideas to help readers create their own great life. But at the book’s core are profiles of dozens of amazing women throughout history—from Emily Dickinson and Alice Walker to Frida Kahlo and Julia Child. Brief bios show us just how real these ladies were. They made mistakes, were constantly rejected, got late starts, defied all odds, and never took ‘no’ for an answer. And because of that, they were able to do it all.
At the risk of sounding corny, I’m going to share a secret: I printed out the first page of Great Gals and taped it to my office wall. I read it whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed, uninspired, and ready to quit. It recharges my spirits every time. I also read it each morning, and it never fails to punctuate every part of my day.
I decided to share that brief burst of inspiration with you here. Feel free to print it out and post it on your own wall, if you’re so inclined. At the end of a long, busy year, it may provide just the oomph you need to launch into a kick-ass 2011.
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