For those of you who aren’t aware, national cat day is Tuesday, October 29th this year – aka TODAY. 

Luckily, I am the owner of the most beautiful cat in the world, Sushi Beal. 

She has been my inspiration for countless art projects, taken care of me when I’m sick, and even sat with me while I skate. 

Yes, that’s right. She sits with me while I skate… in the backyard. 

Her support means the world to me. Even though her act is small it is always remembered and appreciated. 

So, if you have a cat who preforms small acts or someone else in your life who does remember to say thank you! 

Five years ago I started the Skating Fashionista Blog to inspire other girls to have fun skateboarding. I feel that seeing other girls having fun skating is the best way to encourage more girls to skate. Throughout the 5 years, I have been amazed at the number of girls willing to share their pictures and stories.

Thank you to all who have and all who will share! I also want to thank someone who helped make the blog possible, my grandma. My grandma doesn’t skateboard, although she’s from Canada, so in the day she ice skated. My grandma always encouraged me to skate. When I was the only girl at the park, she would come watch me. When I questioned if I should dress like the boys, she brought me back to my senses. And when I said I needed a blog, she literally made it possible by helping me get set up.

My first post was on 10/28, a day that has meaning to me because it’s my grandma’s birthday. This year she’s 90!

You don’t need a specific skill to inspire someone else. All you have to be is willing to listen and encourage. Thanks you grandma for always being there!

On Saturday October 11th at Skate Rising at the Encinitas Community Park, we had a special guest speaker, Kendall Stier.

Kendall talked about the power of girls in sports and her experiences as a US Paralympics National Champion. She is a three time champion in track and field. Her powerful message included this quote:

“You know you and you know your identity. You don’t ever need someone to validate what you can and can not do.” – Kendall Stier

After hearing Kendall speak, we made capes and masks for children being discharged from Rady’s Children Hospital. Everyone should realize they have the inner power to be a super hero.

Next we played SKATE LIMBO!

Skate limbo is exactly like normal limbo but on a skateboard.

There are endless ways to get low and Skate Limbo is fun for all levels of skaters.

How are you having fun skateboarding? And how are you being a super hero? Anyone can be a super hero because helping someone smile is a super power.

According the the United Nations, “International days are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. “

It’s 2019 and we still live in a world where many girls are not treated equally. That will only stop when we take action to make it stop. We can’t all go out and make sweeping changes, like education for all girls, but we all can do something.

Today and every day, is the day you can encourage a girl to be her best because we were all created equally, the inequality starts when encouragement and opportunities are withheld from some.

When I was her age, there were a few if any girls at the skatepark. Today there are girls because people took the time to encourage – they took action to make the change they wanted to see.

Whether it’s at the skatepark, on the street, in a school, or at a place of employment, you have the power to encourage!

October has just started, but let’s give a thought to November.

After Halloween it will be all treats at these 2 upcoming events.

More girls skateboard when they see girls having fun skateboarding, so I love to see events that encourage girls. Both these events have been going on for years – Ladies Day at the Berrics for 11 years and EXPOSURE for 8 years – because supporting & empowering each other never goes out of style!

The self-confidence you learn on your board is yours forever.

To find out more about either event just click on the picture.