Achieve Your Goals in 2019, Happy New Year 2019!

Happy New Year 2019!

Time to celebrate the end of 2018 

and to usher in new year 2019.

A New Year means new chances, 

new opportunities, new goals. 

What do you want to achieve this year? 
Please leave a comment below with your goal. 

My Goal--I will complete a memoir about the first year we were in the floral business.
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Achieving your goals.

Wishing you all the best in 2016!

Wishing YOU a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas from J.Q. Rose
Photo from freedigitalphotos.net by digidreamgrafix

Merry Christmas

Wishing you all the joy, wonder, love, and peace of the Christmas season and beyond.

Listen to my new favorite Christmas song by Kutless, This is Christmas. The words remind us that Christmas is truly about God's gift to the world, his son, Jesus. 

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

You Tube Video

This is Christmas by Kutless
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Happy Holidays from J.Q. Rose

Veterans Day Observed for 100 Years!

Veterans Day 2018
100 years after the end of WWI

Veterans Day has been observed every year since 1918, so the tradition is 100 years old this year!
Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day because an armistice, or peace/treaty, was signed to end the war, World War I, with the Germans. The documents were signed at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month. So what time and day would that be?

November 11, 11 a.m.

Veterans Day in the USA is a reminder to thank those who served in our military for their service and to thank the current service men and women who are protecting our freedom. You don't need to wait to thank a vet. Thank him or her every day of the year!

Click on the article name below to read stories on the Girls Succeed blog about women veterans.

Jet fighter Colonel (retired)pilot Martha McSally

Women Air Force Service Pilots W.A.S.P.

Election Time: When Did Women in the USA Win the Right to Vote?

Hello and welcome to the Girls Succeed blog.

Election Day is November 6, 2018

An important event for US citizens happens on Tuesday, November 6. It's election time when we vote for the people who will lead our country, states, counties, and cities. We also vote on proposals that will affect us such as making medical and/or recreational marijuana legal and increase the minimum wage for workers.

Flag of the United States of America
"Old Glory"

Women won the right to vote in the USA in 1920 when the US Congress passed the 19th amendment June 4, 1919, and ratified it on August 18, 1920. The 19th amendment guarantees all American women the right to vote. 

But as early as 1869, the women of Wyoming received the right to vote. One reason the men decided on supporting the women's vote was because there were six men to every one woman in Wyoming at the time. The men hoped by giving women the right to vote, they would realize the Wyoming legislature was forward-thinking and cared about women's rights, so women would move to the state.

Mighty Girl has a fantastic list of books filled with information about The Suffrage Movement, the women's movement to win the right to vote. Go there and learn more about these strong, courageous women and the fight for the right to vote!

Click here to find out more about the Suffrage Movement in this article on the Girls Succeed blog.

We can't imagine not having the right to vote. We need to honor those women who fought and sacrificed in order to make the 19th amendment the law of the land. So, if you're old enough, please go vote!

Voting Day is November 6, 2018

A Ghost Story for a Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!

I have a great novel for middle-grade readers. 

It includes GHOST stories. They certainly fit in with the Halloween spirit today.

Tales of the Lost Schooner by Sandy Carlson

Back of the Book: 
Historical fiction ghost stories set in the mid- 1800’s
The schooner’s captain pulled 12-year-old Honor Sullivan apart from the other orphans. Captain Klaus claimed he needed a strong lad like Honor for a sister he didn’t even have. But Honor has a sister – two of them. The last he’d seen of their fuzzy red heads was the end of September 1854, as they headed down the ship’s plank for the Orphan Train, going off to be placed out with a new family.
Tricked by the captain, and sailing around Michigan’s Mitten, Honor learns the ropes and duties of a sailor. He passes the time aboard down in the dark hold, listening to Old Salty’s tales of shipwrecks and ghosts. The stories won’t distract him for long, though. As soon as he can, Honor plans to abandon ship and go in search of his sisters.

You can find reviews and downloads at the links below:

LOST SCHOONER Print version: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1492184640

LOST SCHOONER Kindle version: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ERXNMQU 

HeForShe Program Sponsored by the United Nations, Be Safe Online

Girls Succeed! Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women

To empower girls to make their dream jobs come true.

In the Girls Succeed! eBook, Olympic hockey player Angela Ruggiero wasn't allowed to play ice hockey with the boys, but she sure showed them she could do the job as good and even better than the boys. 

Horticulturalist Sharon Loving relished digging in the dirt and growing plants and flowers. Boys aren't the only ones who can get dirty.

HeforShe is a program sponsored by the United Nations to achieve gender-equality worldwide.

Do you believe boys AND girls can excel in the same subjects in the classroom?

You can help to turn your classroom into an opportunity for change by being aware of gender-biased language used by students and instructors. You can also help to stop bullying in your school and online.

Do you like to play games online?

Online bullies want your silence. Enlist your friends and followers to send messages of support to victims of social media trolling. You’ll help turn the internet into a safe space for everyone.

Be Safe Online 
Here are some tips to make your online experience a good one for you and for your friends. 

• Follow the family rules, and those set by the Internet service provider.
• Never post or trade personal pictures.
• Never reveal personal information, such as address, phone number, or school name or location.
• Use only a screen name and don't share passwords (other than with parents).
• Never agree to get together in person with anyone met online without parent approval and/or supervision.
• Never respond to a threatening email, message, post, or text.
• Always tell a parent or other trusted adult about any communication or conversation that was scary or hurtful.

Tips are from the Kids Health website. Click here to read more on their site. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/net-safety.html

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Thank you for stopping in.

For more information about the inspirational book for MG girls, Girls Succeed, click here for the Major Digital Booksellers like Amazon, BN, Kobo, Scribd, Overdrive and more

@Mandy Harvey Made her Dream Come True

Hello and welcome to the Girls Succeed Blog!

Meet an amazing woman, @Mandy Harvey, who gave up, then decided to try to do what she has always been passionate about--singing. The title of the song is TRY. Mandy overcame a huge obstacle to make her dream come true. Watch her talent show audition for America's Got Talent.

Never give up on your dream!

Youtube Video from Top Talent

Book Review: Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls

Hello and welcome to the Girls Succeed blog! I love introducing girls to trailblazing women from the past and the present via this blog. (Hopefully, these amazing women will inspire girls who read this blog to be the future trailblazers and leaders!)

A girl reading 

Recently I found a wonderful book for young girls packed with cleverly written one-page stories about 100 women who made a difference in the world. Yes, I say world because the book, with amazing color portraits, includes women from all over the world.

So many amazing women in diverse careers and different eras are featured--an empress, queen, politician,  supermodel, trombonist, suffragette. The whole spectrum of talented, wise, and passionate women.

I like what Taylor Pittman from the Huffington Post wrote about the book--"These bedtime stories trade princesses for women who changed the world."

If you would like to learn more about this book, click the book cover below. A sequel to this book is also available.



The mission of the Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls book is similar to my purpose for writing Girls Succeed! Stories Behind the Careers of Succesful Women for middle-grade girls. When they read about heroes, mentors, leaders, they are inspired to be "just like" them. Learning about someone who can overcome obstacles empowers girls to accomplish their goals by following their hero's example.
To learn more about the contemporary women who succeeded in their dream careers, click the book cover below to download now from amazon or order from your favorite online bookseller.


I hope you get a chance to explore these books and find more biographies about women who will inspire

Submit a story about a woman who inspires you.

Please leave a comment below and tell us who inspires you.
Remember, if you know about a woman, famous or not, who is your hero or mentor, be sure to write about her and send the article to me so I can include it in the Girls Succeed blog!

Click here to read the guidelines for submitting your article. Thank you for your consideration.

Meet and Greet the Authors at the Hometown of Mackenzie Woodring

Hello and welcome to the Girls Succeed! blog!

Mackenzie Woodring
Road, track, and cyclo racing gold medal winner.

I am super excited to be one of the authors at the Meet and Greet the Authors Day at the Holton, Michigan, Public Library this Saturday, July 28. In the Girls Succeed! eBook, hometown resident, Mackenzie Woodring who has won gold, silver and bronze medals as a member of Team USA in the Paralympics in cycle track racing. is one of the wonderful role models I interviewed. 

If anyone is in the West Michigan area on Saturday a.m., make your way to this small town near Muskegon and come on over Saturday morning, 9 a.m.- noon. BTW, the weekend is filled with festivities, parades, and games during Holton Days!

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Girls Succeed! Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women 

is on sale now through July 31 for 99 cents.

Girls Succeed!
Inspiring Girls to make their dream jobs come true
On Sale for 99 cents

My non-fiction interactive eBook is on sale too for only 99 cents. This book is
filled with inspiring stories to empower girls to work toward achieving their dream careers.
Available at these digital sellers:

Girls Succeed

Amazon Link  

Universal Link 

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Thanks for stopping in today. 

It's Tulip Time and Miller Alisa Crawford is at Work at the Windmill

Hello and welcome to the Girls Succeed blog. The annual Tulip Time Festival is this week in Holland, Michigan. Visitors from all over the world come to see displays of the gorgeous varieties of tulips brilliantly blooming in enormous flower beds all through the city. Parades, shows, authentic Dutch dances, and food are showcased throughout the week. 

I am re-blogging the blog post I shared last year at this time about Alisa Crawford, the miller who works at the huge windmill located  in Holland, Michigan. I added a video that appeared on ABC news Channel 13 last night so you can see her in action as she does her job. Read more to learn more about Alisa and her career as a miller.

Author and Miller Alisa Crawford

Trailblazer Alisa is a miller, a person who grinds grains to produce flour. She is the only American miller certified by the Dutch Council of the Netherlands where she learned her trade. 

The 250-year-old machine she uses to do the grinding is an authentic Dutch windmill which was dismantled and moved from the Netherlands to Holland, Michigan in 1964, then re-assembled and opened to the public in 1965. It's the only authentic working Dutch windmill in the U.S. Known as DeZwaan (the swan), the windmill was the last one allowed by the government of the Netherlands to leave the country. 

De Zwaan Windmill
De Zwaan means graceful bird.

The windmill is the focal point of the Windmill Island Gardens, a gorgeous place in the City of Holland displaying the Dutch culture and of course, beds of gorgeous flowers. 

When we visited Windmill Island and took the tour of the windmill, I was amazed to learn of the work Alisa performs as a miller. She is a strong, feisty woman whose job consists of climbing up and down the windmill blades (reaching 125 feet at the top blade of the windmill, pushing the blades to face the wind via a wheel that turns the cap on top, and lifting fifty pound bags of wheat and pouring them into the chute to slide down to the millstone for grinding. I won't even go into the maintenance that she does to keep the windmill in good shape. Definitely a GRRL in my book.

Tulips in my yard.

If you ever get the chance to visit Holland, Michigan, you'll love the area. Be sure to take time to visit the windmill and you might get the chance to talk to Miller Alisa Crawford working at the windmill.

Do you have tulips in your yard? Have you ever visited a windmill?

Please leave a comment below. We love to hear from you!

Click here to watch Alisa's interview produced by ABC News Channel 13

I shared more pictures of Holland and Windmill Island Gardens on the J.Q. Rose blog. Click here to see the pictures.

Remembering Barbara Bush

Remembering First Lady Barbara Bush, husband to President George H.W. Bush who served as President of the USA from 1989 to 1993, and mother to President George W. Bush. She was a strong woman who believed in love and family.

Barbara Bush, devoted mother and grandmother

"At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent." ~ Barbara Bush

Sending prayers for peace and comfort to the family of Barbara Bush, a smart and witty woman.

Youtube Video: Remembering Former First Lady Barbara Bush--CNN Network

VIDEO: Remembering Barbar Bush--CNN

Click here to for more information about Mrs. Bush.

Discover International Women's Day and Women's History Month, Trailblazers

Hello and welcome to the Girls Succeed! Blog. March is a big month for Women.

International Women's Day

Today, March 8, is International Women's Day. 
We celebrate every year to recognize women's achievements throughout history and across nations in politics and economics and to work toward equality.

Celebrate the international community of women.

March is Women's History Month. 

From the Women's History Month website--"Each year there is a special Theme and women whose lives exemplify that theme are selected as National Honorees.

 NEVERTHELESS SHE PERSISTED:
Honoring Women Who Fight All Forms
of Discrimination Against Women

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The 2018 National Women’s History theme presents the opportunity to honor women who have shaped America’s history and its future through their tireless commitment to ending discrimination against women and girls. The theme embodies women working together with strength, tenacity, and courage to overcome obstacles and achieve joyful accomplishments."

Click here to read about the National Women's History Project honorees.

Empowering Girls through stories about successful women.

Girls Succeed! is an interactive e-book featuring 15 successful women who had big dreams when they were girls. We celebrate their achievements and are inspired by their lives.

The amazing women featured in Girls Succeed!
A diverse group with careers in medicine, science, sports, ministry, and more.

Click here to learn more about each woman in the ebook. 
Girls Succeed! is available at major online booksellers.

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The Girls Succeed Blog is proud to feature women in history and contemporary women who are role models for girls. Click on "Trailblazer" in the categories section of this blog to take you to their stories. Take a moment to browse through this blog to meet inspiring women.

Please, leave a comment to tell us about a woman who inspired you. 

Follow this blog by adding your email address in the box at the top of the sidebar so you won't miss a new post and updates.

Thank you.

Congratulations to Team USA Women's Ice Hockey Gold Medal Winners!

CONGRATULATIONS 

TO THE USA WOMEN'S HOCKEY TEAM 

ON WINNING THE 2018 OLYMPICS GOLD MEDAL!

Hockey girls have Goals.
https://www.facebook.com/BeAGirlAthletics/

What a battle for the gold--USA vs Canada! Evenly matched teams played a thrilling game that ended with a shoot out. History in the making for these fabulous, skilled women. HUGS and High-Fives to all!

VIDEO: NBC Sports

USA defeats Canada to win the gold medal in women's hockey

2018 Olympics Canada vs USA in Women's Hockey Gold Medal Game 

Olympic Gold Medalist Angela Ruggiero was a member of the gold-winning 1998 team. I interviewed her for the book, Girls Succeed! Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women. She certainly didn't begin her amazing career as a skilled skater. Read on.

Girls Succeed! Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women by J.Q. Rose
Stories of inspiring women in careers of science, medicine, technology, writing, horticulture and more.

Excerpt: Girls Succeed: Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women, Chapter 10

Angela Ruggiero, proud member of Team USA, stood on the Olympics’ podium to accept the gold medal as the whole world watched.  Team USA Women’s Ice Hockey team earned gold medals for their outstanding play against the worlds’ best teams.  This was a moment she would remember for her lifetime.

When she was seven years old Angela began playing ice hockey with her older sister, Pamela, and younger brother, Billy, at the local ice rink where she developed the skills and speed.

But Angela’s first step into the ice rink did not go well for her. After many stumbles, slips, and falls, she reached the wall of the ice rink.  She held on to it to keep her upright as she inched her way around the enormous rink.  She gained a little more confidence and learned how to manage all the weight and limitations of the hockey gear. She began to let go of the wall and try longer strides.  She was determined to get up some speed.  And finally, after two hours, Angela loved skating!  She didn’t want to get off the ice when her time was up.

When Angela was nine years old, she became aware of the problem of being a girl playing in a boy’s sport.  Angela was not a petite little girl.  She was strong and athletic and could keep up with the boys.  Her skills in ice hockey matched and surpassed many of the boys her age.  But when a team was selected to play a special tournament in Canada, Angela was chosen only as the first alternate.  This meant that only if a team member were sick or injured, Angela would be allowed to play. 

Angela didn’t wish for someone to be sick or hurt, but she really wanted the chance to play in the tournament. When her brother, Billy, and her dad arrived at the airport to fly to Canada with the team, the coach told them that two boys were sick and couldn’t play in the tournament.

“I’ll call Angela to get ready and go pick her up,” Mr. Ruggiero told the coach.

But the coach said, “No, that’s not necessary, Bill.  She’s a girl.”

Although she was heartbroken when her dad told her she couldn’t play for Team California because she was a girl, she never wanted to quit.  Instead, she became more determined than ever to be the best player she could be.  She didn’t try to get even by knocking the boys down or hurting them, but she did decide to outsmart them with her outstanding skill and maneuvers.

To learn more about Angela Ruggiero, check out Chapter 10, Showing the Boys, in the Girls Succeed interactive e-book.

Click here to order at these major booksellers.

Meet Dr. Temple Grandin, Autism Awareness

Hello and welcome to the Girls Succeed Blog!

Today I want to introduce you to a remarkable woman, Dr. Mary Temple Grandin.
According to wikipedia, she is an American professor of animal science at Colorado State University, consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior, and autism spokesperson.
Not only is she a brilliant doctor/scientist, she is also a woman who is opening up the mystery of autism from the inside. Temple is autistic.

What is Autism?

Autism is a developmental condition in the brain.

photo from pixabay

Autism is a pervasive neuro-developmental condition which effects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. People with autism may have a difficult time understanding ‘typical’ social cues and social behaviors, and they may face challenges engaging with those around them — either by using words or non-verbal behaviors. --The Global Autism Project Click here for the entire article.

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (asd), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences. We now know that there is not one autism but many types, caused by a combination of genetic and environmental influences.--Autism Speaks

Temple's Life
Temple wrote about her life as an autistic person. Her voice led to a better understanding of autism which has helped in working with people with the condition and making their lives better. 

Temple never talked until she was almost 4 years old. Doctors wanted to send her to an institution and keep her away from society, but her mother would have none of that. Her mom stood up for Temple and found speech therapists and private schools to educate her. She loved horses and building things.

Temple loves horses.
Photo from pixabay.

Going to school and fitting "in" wasn't easy for Temple, but with her mother's support and love and her determination, Temple graduated with a degree in animal science and went on to become a doctor in animal science. 

Learn more about Temple and her life in this video.
Video: Home and Family Life--Temple Grandin

Home and Family Life Video Interviews Temple Grandin

Youtube video

Do you or someone you know have autism? Tell us about it in a comment below.

Meet Katie Hughes, Founder of Girls Build

Hello and welcome to the Girls Succeed blog!

Tools used in the building trades
Picture courtesy of Pixabay

I'm thrilled to introduce you to Katie Hughes today. When Katie worked as a carpenter in the building trades, she  realized how few women actually were in the jobs that include carpentry, electrical and plumbing installation, and all the jobs or trades needed to build a house, a commercial building, or even a play house. 

The demand for trades people is growing and businesses are searching for good, hard workers who love to create with their hands. Katie has made it her mission to train women for the jobs and to teach girls 8-14 years old many of the skills they can use to now to make clocks, sandboxes, and playhouses. 

Katie founded Girls Build in Portland, Oregon because she wanted to "inspire curiosity and confidence in girls through the world of building." Girls Build offers workshops after school and/or a week of summer camp filled with building projects, games and fun.
She was chosen as an Everyday Hero by KATU TV Station in Oregon.
Click here to watch their VIDEO.

Simply put, Katie wants girls to "try stuff" and discover the skills she teaches. Do you have a desire to build something with your hands? Watch it grow into something useful? And look at your handiwork with pride?

Learn more about Katie and her summer camp for girls in this video. Click the title to watch.
Video: Girls Build--Returning the Favor with Mike Rowe

Women who choose to work in the building trades experience the joy of building. How about you? Are you interested in learning how to use tools? Please leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you.Thank you.

via GIPHY

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Girls Succeed! Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women by J.Q. Rose Inspiring and empowering girls to achieve success in their dream careers.

An interactive e-book filled with dreams and passion to inspire, entertain, and empower girls. Fifteen remarkable career women in a variety of occupations share their stories in these pages. Explore careers which include women who have discovered cures to stamp out disease, made people laugh, earned Olympic and Paralympic gold medals, and crossed the country in the cab of an 18 wheeler.

Available now at amazon.
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REVIEWS:

Girls Succeed to become Successful Women This book is well written and very informative. If you have a dream you don't think you'll be able to attain I suggest you have a look at this book. It will certainly give you inspiration for your own goals. Sue Pernzon

Very Inspirational My favorite inspirational story is Mackenzie Woodring, because even after sustaining her injuries and losing her sister she still managed to come back and achieve her dream. Charity Martinez

Girls Succeed! Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women by J.Q. Rose

Inspiring and empowering girls to achieve success in their dream careers.