Stories About Real Women

Throughout history, women have made significant contributions to the world of innovation and invention. From everyday household items to groundbreaking technologies, women inventors have played a crucial role in shaping our modern lives. In this blog, we will explore the remarkable history of women inventors and their groundbreaking inventions that have transformed various aspects of our daily routines and technologies.

Caring for a child with addiction. One woman’s story on finding joy.

By Brooke Lighton

Moyra and I met at a business dinner held last year at La Jolie MLN. It was a well-attended event, and each woman got the chance to give a bit of her background and talk about her business. It’s the way relationships are made, and the mix of talent was impressive.

A year later, our mutual friend Daisy Malek-Shadid, owner of La Jolie MLN, put us in touch so that I could interview Moyra for this story. It turns out we have something in common. I have 40 years of sobriety in AA, and Moyra has been playing a key role in her daughter’s fight with an eating disorder.

First a little background…

You don’t have to shoot a gun to be a revolutionary. The U.S. has prospered in part from the contributions made by women throughout history. Let’s take a look at the Revolutionary War that was fought from 1775 to 1783.

Abigail Adams was an early supporter of women’s rights. In fact, at the start of the American Revolution, she wrote a now-famous letter to her husband, John Adams, who was in the process of working on the Declaration of Independence. Here’s an excerpt…

What if you could leave a legacy to your children and grandchildren that documents your life?

Not a written story, but a video that captures your growing up, great grandparents your kids never knew, births, funerals, an uncle lost to war, or that moment when your daughter and her dad walked down the aisle.

Moyra Gorski, RN is a wellness advocate and passionate entrepreneur and author of Journey to Joy Journal

For 22 years Moyra Gorski has been partnered with the most clinically proven wellness company in the world. She helps people live healthy lives and mentors emerging entrepreneurs to build an online wellness business.

Moyra continues sharing a message of hope and health today through…

What you wear can affect your overall mood and confidence, and because of that, it can affect the energy you exude to others…

During the first year of the pandemic I became so accustomed to the sweatpants, t-shirt, and no makeup look while working from home. I’ve never been a morning person, so when my company first announced that we were going to be working remotely, I used every last minute I could to sleep in that I otherwise would have used to pick out my outfit, do my makeup, and commute to work. At first, I loved working in sweatpants, but

You don’t have to shoot a gun to be a revolutionary. The U.S. has prospered in part from the contributions made by women throughout history. Let’s take a look at the Revolutionary War that was fought from 1775 to 1783.

Abigail Adams was an early supporter of women’s rights. In fact, at the start of the American Revolution, she wrote a now-famous letter to her husband, John Adams, who was in the process of working on the Declaration of Independence. Here’s an excerpt…

Priya’s Story - Told by Traci Smith…

I am Traci Smith. I came across Priya’s story when I began my acquaintance with an organization called the Aruna Project, a charity that helps women in India who are sold into sex slavery. I became involved through my uncle who serves on the board of Aruna. I was so touched by stories like Priya’s, that I began by donating, and then became involved when he asked me to host a 5K race in the Chicago area to raise funds.

Gayle Keller - One thing I learned pretty early…
Most recently, I worked at Microsoft for six years, and my encounter with the corporate ladder over the years led to jobs in marketing, sales and managing large corporate events. One thing I learned pretty early—the corporate ladder is designed for men.

Do you know these fashionable women?
Each of them magnificent in their own style.

La Jolie MLN - Bringing awareness to International Women’s Day - March 8

Everyone needs to help | #BreakTheBias

• Imagine a gender equal world.

• A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.

• A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

• A world where difference is valued and celebrated.

• Together we can forge women's equality.

• Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.

• Visit the official website: https://www.internationalwomensday.com

We did it - thanks to you!

La Jolie MLN donated over 100 clothing items to the 'Dress for success' organization. Thank you to all our customers for helping us to achieve our goal for 2021!

Stay tuned to the La Jolie MLN website, to find out what our next project is for 2022!

Join us at La Jolie MLN boutique, Elmhurst, IL. Saturday, March 5, 2022 from 2:30-4:30pm to meet Mrs. Shiva Jaberi and her beautiful art. There will be gorgeous hand painted bookmarks, small art canvas, and various pieces. Mrs. Jaberi will be able to take special orders if you wish.

Read Shiva’s story…

Recovering from an addiction is never easy. Your mind and body have already endured a lot, though, and it’s time to make some repairs. By providing yourself with proper nutrition, you can encourage healing, wellness and sobriety. Here are some helpful facts from La Jolie MLN to get you on the right track.

She was mom to 3 girls, but when God whispered in her heart, she found herself with two boys to raise.

Christa’s Story …

Turning a sports broadcasting career into the art of giving.

In business, the term “road warrior” refers to someone who spends enormous amounts of time traveling for work. That’s an apt description of my life before marriage and kids. I’ve worked in broadcasting throughout my career, starting in sportscasting which had me on the run between the Midwest to the West Coast covering both collegiate and major league baseball, hockey and football. But I always had a passion for community service and tried to fit in charity work whenever a window of time opened up.

Escaping genocide and civil war. One family’s story about a dream to live in America.

I always wanted to write the story of my family’s struggle and their escape to freedom.

My dad was the only survivor among his family of ten from the Assyrian (known to many as the Armenian) genocide. It started in Turkey in 1915 during World War 1 and eventually resulted in the loss of approximately 1.2 million people.

You are still marketable after staying home for 10 years…

Before twins, my career was in the pharmaceutical industry where I served as a District Sales Manager. I led a team of 10, covering a 4-state region, enjoying the challenges and perks of a successful career. The decision to have a family was something my husband and I agreed we wanted. At 40, I had twins—a girl and a boy. Being Mommy to two beautiful and healthy babies was such a blessing. You can prepare all you want for their arrival, but the reality was, life as I knew it was changed forever…

Death. So much death, so much blood. Rusty red littered the Lebanese soil under her feet - tinted the soles of her shoes. War left its stain across her country - houses fallen, bombs ignited, bodies rotting. My mother knew what it was like to contemplate the prospect of tomorrow. Still, she pushed through with faith that one day, she’d find “home” again.

When my mom turned 12, her family packed their belongings, kissed their decaying country farewell, and boarded a flight to America. As their plane danced its way across the Atlantic, swaying among stratus, soaring in a foreign sky not littered with smoke or smog, my mom realized that she finally achieved what she was waiting for. There was no war, no danger.

How did one woman make it up the corporate ladder? She raised her hand.

6 essential insights

I got a Master’s degree in Human Resources (HR) and moved out to Los Angeles to be near my boyfriend (now husband.) Praxair is a leading producer of industrial gasses and I landed a job in their HR department. It should come as no surprise; I was the only female sitting at the conference table. I was the HR manager for 3 years, and then moved back to Chicago to get married…

I met my friend Mary Kay when my family moved to Houston for my husband’s job.

During our 6 years there, my daughter became besties with Sofia, and I found a close friend in her mother. Mary Kay is the full package; she’s been a force in business, working for one of Houston’s top real estate developers, became a devoted mom to two girls later than most, and lost her beloved mother to the anguish of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Watching her triumph has been a wonderful example of persistence, courage and love. I’ll let her tell you the story…
–Daisy Malek-Shadid

We Are Girls!

We don’t need to be bossed around by boys. We can follow our dreams and don’t give up. We can stand up for ourselves and have big imaginations. We can have anyone or any thing girls can rule! Kindness and strongness! We are different. Let’s stand up for ourselves. We share and help without asking. We should ask boys to help.

Let’s do it together!

A four-minute phone call changed my life. I asked this woman I had never spoken with, “Is my father’s name Laszlo Simon?”

She answered, “Yes.” She was cordial but not receptive to having a future relationship or talking very long. I promised that I would respect her wishes. It was the first and only time I had contact with my biological mother. But, in a call that lasted a brief 4 minutes, I learned something that meant the world to me. I had a sister…

I was in my mid-40’s. Life was happily in flow. I had a loving marriage, and we were the parents of a 10 year-old daughter. My career was challenging, and I enjoyed it. I had a lot to be grateful for. But who thinks about gratitude when you’re in the midst of living life?

As a successful mother, wife and veterinarian, Susan had some challenges to work through to get to where she is today.

On the fourth of August 1982, I surrendered…

Drinking abusively since I was 16, the end came without drama; just a sad acknowledgement that the switch I turned on for fun and confidence had no off mode. As my husband put it, “You bopped till you dropped.” So, I called the AA number and spoke to a nice woman who took me to a meeting.

We all know that when bad things happen, they come in multiples.

For middle school teacher Jillian Mackey, it was rough couple of years. But the resilience and inventiveness she demonstrates to her three children is the reason La Jolie MLN chose Jillian to be the recipient of our “WAY TO GO!” gift.

How important is fashion to me? Very, very important. Because it makes ME smile.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not a shallow gal and, some days, I wear my workout clothes all day; on those days, I give myself the gift of a good “sweat sesh,” and I treasure every minute of my workout. As a consequence, I don’t make it to the shower until night. That “post-workout look” is not my favorite look and, while I sometimes feel like I fell short, I know it’s okay…