Horrified by a recent episode involving the Kardashian girls in Miami (the one where Scott Disick hunts and kills an alligator to be made into shoes), I began to wonder what happened to all the feminist values which permeated my childhood. The values by which girls were raised to become independent, professional and intelligent women who did meaningful things with their lives. What happened to the momentum created by the words sung by Helen Reddy “I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar?”
Did I really support myself through college and law school to be “one-upped” by the likes of the Kardashian sisters, Paris Hilton and Snookie? Having given this subject matter some careful consideration, I decided to put together a list of “dream girls” who I think would be the perfect role models for the younger girls of today. Since these “girls” are gorgeous, talented, intelligent, compassionate and nice, I think that they would be the perfect stars for my ideal reality television show.
1. Chef Chloe Coscarelli
Award-winning vegan chef and author, Chloe Coscarelli, was the first vegan to ever win a culinary competition on television (the Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars”). This 25 year-old graduate of UC Berkeley is a real go-getter! I am totally addicted to her wonderful new cookbook “Chloe’s Kitchen.” Not only is Chloe smart, talented and successful, but she is adorable too!
2. Simone Reyes
Simone Reyes is the gorgeous young executive assistant to Russell Simmons. Russell has referred to Simone as his “longest female relationship.” She is a devout vegan, an avid animal rights activist and rescuer, and a total hottie! She has even been bold enough to shed her clothes for PETA’s “Rather Go Naked” campaign. Although I chose Simone as one of my ideal reality television “dream girls,” she was already a reality star appearing on Oxygen Network’s “Running Russell Simmons” in 2010.
3. Chloe Jo Davis
Chloe Jo Davis is the fierce founder of Girlie Girl Army, a “Glamazon Guide To Conscious Green Living.” I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Davis at an opening event of the Vegan Divas Bakery, and she is more beautiful in person than you can imagine. Several of the younger women who appeared at this event, were clearly enamored with Chloe who was pregnant at the time and glowing. They wanted to know what brand of shoes she was wearing (they were really cool), to which she gladly replied “Cri de Couer!” Chloe’s heart is all over Twitter where she is forever trying to find homes for animals in need.
4. Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart
Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart took the world by storm this year at New York’s Fashion Week by showing her new line of Vaute Couture clothes. Vaute Couture’s show, which featured animals in need of rescue as well as clothes, was New York’s very first vegan fashion show. Leanne started Vaute Couture in 2008 to develop the perfect winter dress coat. Big fans of Vaute Couture include Alicia Silverstone and Emily Deschanel.
5. Hannah Kaminsky
Hannah Kaminsky, author of the books “My Sweet Vegan,” “Vegan Desserts,” and “Vegan à la Mode,” repeatedly stuns me with her creative writing skills, recipes and dazzling food photographs every time I visit her wonderful website Bitter Sweet Blog. In addition to working as a freelance photographer and food stylist, Hannah is a staff photographer and frequent columnist for Veg News. Hannah radiates sweetness and light, as every young woman should!
6. Rory Freedman
Rory Freedman, co-author of “Skinny Bitch,” has been instrumental in exposing the horrors of the food industry while inspiring people to eat well and enjoy vegan food. Rory continues to be a strong voice for veganism. Her activism, boldness and good looks make her another great candidate for a vegan reality television show.
7. Jill and Tracey Spiritus
Jill and Tracey Spiritus are sisters and best friends who decided that their jobs in corporate America were not fulfilling their dreams. With a sincere concern for the welfare of animals and the planet, they created an amazing “e-boutique” called Compassion Couture which sells high quality, fashion forward and sustainable vegan handbags, shoes and accessories. I call it “capitalism with a conscious.” You gotta’ love that!
8. Angela Liddon
Angela Liddon teaches us how to “glow from the inside out” with her fabulous recipes and brilliant photographs which can be found on her very successful website Oh She Glows. Angela wears her heart on her sleeve when she talks about her “puppy love” courtship with her husband, Eric, and her younger days struggling with her weight and food choices. Yet another beautiful face which radiates sweetness and light!
There you have it…my choice of “dream girls” for a vegan reality TV show. If I had had a daughter, I would have hoped that she would grow up to be just as aware, compassionate, smart, strong-willed, independent, entrepreneurial and gorgeous as they are. Kudos to their parents who clearly did a good job!
For those of you who are younger than me and don’t know this song, please have a listen. This is Helen Reddy singing “I Am Woman” which was sort of a national anthem for women’s liberation when I was growing up. If you are a dinosaur like me, this song will bring back memories. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWjTPdBmm-Y
I don’t think I really have a face for TV, but I’m still honored to have made this compelling list! I’d happily watch any show that these lovely ladies star in.
Hannah, you absolutely have a face for TV and the extraordinary talent to go with it!
Good article. I guess people would rather watch a train wreck than be part of something positive
Maybe times will start changing and beautiful women like these will become front and center (as it should be!).
Debby – I am so honored that Jill and I made this list. To be considered on a level with our own idols is an accomplishment in itself! XOXO
You two so deserve to be on this list. Your e-boutique Compassion Couture is the perfect example of how to be entrepreneurial without compromising your values! xoxoxo
you forgot my favorite actress, Emily Deschanel!
She’s my favorite too! You are absolutely right!
I remember Helen Reddy singing “I Am Woman” so you can guess my approximate age. Having been a young, impressionable girl at that time, over the ensuing years I’ve also wondered, How is it possible that we’ve come to idolize the Kardashians, Paris Hilton, Snookie, etc.? How is it that one of our top TV shows is centered on a bunch of women vying for the affections of one man? Having your body exposed to catch a man is the norm; being smart is not as important as having big boobs. I love your list and I’d watch a show with those amazing young women. As Pink said in her song, “Stupid Girls”: “What happened to the dream of a girl president…she’s dancing in a video next to 50 cent”. It breaks my heart because of its truthfulness yet seeing your list gives me hope that things are about to change for the better! Thanks.
I am so glad to have a peer see things my way! Your comments are warmly welcomed and I thank you for taking the time to write them. Our society needs a change badly, and it also gives me hope that there are strong intelligent young women out there doing great things with their lives! Thanks again for visiting the site!
What a great article. Could not agree more with your sentiments and your choices! These girls are beautiful from the inside out and are young women and girls I would want my daughters to emulate – not those that the media celebrate.
Thank you!
Thanks Melanie!
Don’t worry about Kim Kardashian being ‘idolised’, she is now firmly established as a worldwide figure of ridicule and she has only herself to blame for that.