"Power is not out there– it’s not what the media tells us is real; it’s not what the doctors, politicians, priests or CEOs tell us to do; it’s not what other people think about us – the power is within us. Once we really get that, anything is possible." ~Stacy Malkan
Stacy Malkan discovered that beauty isn't just skin deep. Many women expose themselves to over 200 chemicals daily through their personal care products. Stacy first learned about the toxic beauty industry when working as a reporter in Colorado. Her curiosity soon led to concern followed by activism. She is the author of the award winning book, Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry and the co-founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. The campaign has built a national movement to shift the $50 billion beauty industry away from harmful chemicals and toward safer products.
She has been interviewed by New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, Globe & Mail, Martha Stewart Radio, San Francisco Chronicle, New York Daily News, Minneapolis Star Tribune and many other radio and print outlets. Television appearances include Good Morning America, Democracy Now, Fran Drescher Tawk Show, ABC 7 Chicago and ABC’s View from the Bay.
Stacy loves her products just as much as the next woman but she's discovered safer and healthier alternatives. She empowers women to utilize their purchase power and demand non-toxic personal care products in order to create healthier people and a healthier planet. Following our interview with Stacy last year we knew she would be an incredible addition to our conference line-up. Her perseverance to create positive change is both contagious and inspiring.
We are honored that Stacy is participating in the 2nd Annual Passion Into Action Conference and presenting the workshop: "The Girlcott: 5 Strategies for How Women Can Change the World in 2011."
Boycott means no; Girlcott means also saying yes: Yes to creating the kind of world we want to live in with the choices we make every day about how we spend our money and our lives. This workshop will lay out out bold vision and concrete action steps for how women can use our tremendous power -- our economic power, political power and personal power -- to weaken the forces of destruction that are threatening the planet and give birth to the new green future.
Stacy shares with us the moment that inspired her passion, the affect women and girls can have on the planet and the power that lies within all of us to create change.
1. What is your personal mission or passion that is helping to re-shape the future?
I believe women are the next super power, the power that will shift our economy and political systems in a direction that supports (rather than destroy) life – but it will take enough women waking up to the truth about the toxic messages and toxic products that are being foisted on us by corporations that are using our money to pollute the planet and endanger our future.
2. Describe a significant moment or experience that inspired your personal mission or passion to make a difference?
It was April 2007 and I was struggling to finish my book and feeling quite depressed about it. The Teens for Safe Cosmetics had invited me to speak at a rally in San Francisco’s Union Square and I almost didn’t go. I just didn’t feel motivated to travel all the way to the city to speak for two minutes; but I’d promised, so I went and I’m so glad I did! There I saw the most inspiring sight: 20 teenage girls dressed in prom dresses and combat boots, standing on stage and announcing they were going to kick the butt of the $50-billion beauty industry. That kind of energy and passion from young people makes me believe a new future is possible! I ended up opening my book with the story of what I saw at Union Square that day.
3. What do you hope will be the biggest take-aways for the attendees who participate in your workshop?
Women have enormous power to shape the future. As the majority of voters in this country, the largest number of college graduates and the ones who make the choices about which consumer products to buy, women absolutely have the power to change our economic and political realities. So what’s it going to take? In this workshop we’ll discuss strategies for using our purchasing power, political power and personal power to create the new world.
4. How do you see women and girls in the local and global communities affecting the future?
When every single girl on the planet has the confidence, education and freedom to speak her truth and follow her passions, then the new future will truly be possible. The world needs strong feminine energy and female leadership to bring the world into balance.
5. What is your message to women around the world?
Power is not out there– it’s not what the media tells us is real; it’s not what the doctors, politicians, priests or CEOs tell us to do; it’s not what other people think about us – the power is within us. Once we really get that, anything is possible.
To participate in Stacy's workshop click here to register for Passion Into Action.
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