A Dedication To Advocates A.K.A. Champions
Courage
Honor
Attitude
Motivation
Persevere
Integrity
Optimistic
Never giving up
One of the definitions for the word champion is “a person who fights for or defends any person or cause.” I can’t tell you how awesome it feels to work with so many champions (women & men, sighted & nonsighted of all abilities) featured here on Bold Blind Beauty.
“Belle et rebelle” (beautiful and rebellious)
I recently came upon the lovely term “Belle et rebelle” from a blog post. My friends at Green Global Trek recently used the phrase in Postcards from France ~ La Rochelle. When I saw the phrase I immediately thought of this community because we are shaking things up. The following song with the lyrics (below the video) is dedicated to you. Together we are breaking down barriers!
Here’s to all the Belle et rebelle:
Helen Keller, Angela Winfield, Susan & Sherri Rodgers, Empish Thomas, Amy Hildebrand, Libby Thaw, Karen Rowie, Jule Ann Lieberman, Emily Davison, Suzanne Gibson, Fatmatta Wurie, Stephanie Stephens Van, Sue Wiygul Martin, Jennifer Rothschild, Leigh Anne Focareta, Kerry Kijewski, Jill Khoury, Chelsea Stark, Paul Mugambi, Maribel Steel, Mary (Mel) Scott, Amy Bovaird, Charlotte Poetschner, Audrey Demmitt, Donna Hill, Susan Kennedy, Holly Bonner, Kimberly White, Tosha Michelle, Ashley Nemeth, Jenelle Landgraf, Joy Thomas, Arie Farnam, BlindBeader, Nicole Schultz-Kass, Mara Lauren, Becky Andrews, Carla Ernst, Nicole, Christie Smith, Silvia Seyringer, Jo Elizabeth Pinto, Maria Johnson, Taylor Papadopoulos, Virginia Maze, Megan Darcy, Rose-Ann Lyons, Lynne Nicholson, Casandra Xavier, Christina Holtzclaw, Eileen Robinson, Diane Krek, Melody Goodspeed, Angie Roberts, Liz Oleksa, Jill Stephens, Shaini Saravanamuthu, Beatriz García Martín, Nysha Charlene, Chrissy Antonopoulos, Brittany Winner, Emily Metauten, Ivana Torbica, Lizzie Capener, Jayd Alex, Mja Stæinarr, Jade Ramos, Victoria Claire, Jennifer Dutrow, J Renée, Hawkeye, Faith & Savannah, Suzanne Clarke, Marieke Davis, Nasreen Bhutta, Kathy Keck, Kirsty Major, Lisa Salinger, Caitlin Hernandez, Ashley Morgan, Leslie Thompson, Tori Clark, Michael Robertson, Sherry Ingram, Portia Mason, Penny Parker, Peggy Fleisher, Matt De Gruchy, Jessica Jannenga, Glenda Harrison, Jennifer Barrille, Laura Sottile, Jessica Marano, and let’s not forget you, our followers and supporters without whom none of this could be possible.
The Champion (Carrie Underwood)
I’ll be the last one standing
Two hands in the air, I’m a champion
You’ll be looking up at me when it’s over
I live for the battle, I’m a soldier, yeah
I’m a fighter like Rocky
Put you flat on your back like Ali
Yeah, I’m the greatest, I’m stronger
Paid my dues, can’t lose, Imma own ya, ay
I’ve been working my whole life
And now it’s do or die
I am invincible, unbreakable
Unstoppable, unshakeable
They knock me down, I get up again
I am the champion
You’re gonna know my name
You can’t hurt me now
I can’t feel the pain
I was made for this, yeah, I was born to win
I am the champion
When they write my story
They’re gonna say that I did it for the glory
But don’t think that I did it for the fame, yeah
I did it for the love of the game, yeah
And this is my chance I’m taking
All them old records I’m breaking
All you people watching on the TV
You go ahead and put your bets on me, ay
I’ve been waiting my whole life
To see my name in lights
I am invincible, unbreakable
Unstoppable, unshakeable
They knock me down, I get up again
I am the champion
You’re gonna know my name
You can’t hurt me now
I can’t feel the pain
I was made for this, yeah, I was born to win
I am the champion, oh
Born champion, Luda
The C is for the courage I possess through the drama
H is for the hurt but it’s all for the honor
A is for my attitude working through the patience
Money comes and goes so the M is for motivation
Gotta stay consistent, the P is to persevere
The I is for integrity, innovative career
The O is optimistic, open and never shut
And the N is necessary ’cause I’m never giving up
See they ask me how I did it, I just did it from the heart
Crushing the competition, been doing it from the start
They say that every champion is all about his principles
Carrie
I am invincible, unbreakable
Unstoppable, unshakeable
They knock me down, I get up again
I am the champion
You’re gonna know my name
You can’t hurt me now
I can’t feel the pain
I was made for this, yeah, I was born to win
I am the champion
I’m the champion, yeah
Surpassed all rivals
It’s all about who wants it the most (I am the champion)
Fight for what we believe in
That’s what champions are made of
I am the champion
Songwriters: Brett James / Chris De Stefano / Christopher Brian Bridges / Carrie Underwood
The Champion lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Champion Featured Image Description:
Two blue boxing gloves standing upright on a white background.
Wonderful Steph, thank you for the shout out! I enjoyed listening to the song first time hearing this one 👍🏻 goes perfectly with your message.
You’re welcome Jen! 🌹
Thanks, Steph, for including me in this. So many great people here. You are the best and I am so glad I sought you out four years ago. Your site’s going, stronger than ever.
Kerry, it was my pleasure and I remember when we first met four years ago. It really is astonishing to me that I can retain this information when most days I can barely remember my name but I think it’s because each of you has made a lasting impression on me and you especially because you were there from the very beginning.💖
What a tribute! And an inspiration.
I am blessed to have found your work, Stephanie. The web is a wondrous thing, or can be if enough persons with spirit tell their stories, and retell all the others that might have gone missing.
Thank you Albert. You always seem to say just the right thing. I agree with you on the telling and re-telling of stories. All of us are going through something and it’s only through sharing that we are able to better understand one another. Thanks so much for popping in, reading and commenting. I really appreciate it.
Beautiful, Steph! You’re an inspiration!! 🙂
(Thank you for including me!! )
Thank you, Kathy, for supporting the blind and visually impaired community. Using your talents to create beautiful tactile pieces is so wonderful and much appreciated. 💗
Thank you. I’m honoured to be part of this list and I hope that together we can make a difference as we move forward, changing perceptions, working together, and playing our part to contribute to a better, and better-informed world around us.
Hi Kirsty, I believe we already are making a difference. As many more of us embrace our lives without sight and provide encouragement for those new to sight loss while educating those can see, this is huge. I think social media play a major role in our being able to have our voices heard. Thank you again for all that you do!!💖