Christine Fonseca - The Girl Guide. Finding Your Place in a Mixed-Up World

About the Contributors

I could not write a book for girls without taking a moment to introduce you to the two women who shaped so much of my lifemy mother, Judi Warren, and my grandmother, Maria Tumilty. Their words of wisdom found their way into this book, as their influence has found its way into every breath I take. Here is a little bit about them. May you find inspiration in their lives.

Judi Warren lived an eclectic life. Working as a blues singer throughout her early 20s, she completed college and worked as a teacher, social worker, and eventually an ordained minister. A visionary in her own right, she started the School of Truth and formed an International Alliance of the Church of Truth. As she approached the middle of her life, her calling changed, and she sought to broaden her understanding of the world by studying Sufism and Zen Buddhism before training to become a Sensei. When she wasnt teaching or inspiring people with her worlds and heart, she was moving them with her art.

Maria Tumilty was an entrepreneur at a time when women did not assume that role. Helping to develop the field of corporate interior design, Maria worked for J.W. Robinson Co. for several decades, opening all of their Southern California stores. Prior to that, she developed and sold carved wooden shapes to be used as childrens toys. She sold these during the Great Depression as a way to support her family. Eventually, a major toy manufacturer bought the idea and repackaged her wooden blocks. Maria was the epitome of a strong and inspirational woman throughout her life, influencing her daughter and granddaughter.

In addition to the advice from my mother and grandmother, many other women contributed to this book in some way through focus groups, questionnaires, and interviews. The following people went above and beyond to share a bit about themselves and their lives. Ive included their bios in the hopes that they will inspire you as much as they have inspired me.

Rev. Mona Chicks is an ordained American Baptist pastor (retired), who supervises the home-based learning of her profoundly gifted and twice-exceptional son. She enjoys reading, writing, movies, and sports (playing and watching), and is a big fan of the Seattle Sounders FC (soccer) and Linfield College Wildcats (football). Mona writes about raising a profoundly gifted/twice-exceptional child on her blog, Life With Intensity. Mona and her family live in the state of Washington.

Paula Earl is the mother of two gifted sons who have stretched her intellect, challenged her creativity, and educated her more than any university ever did. Now that her sons are in college, she has turned her attention to working to positively impact our planet and its creatures with the Ian Somerhalder Foundation, focusing on one of the foundations missionsengaging and supporting the worlds youth. Paula has vowed to never stop learning and growing as a human being, to follow her passions, and to live life to the fullest.

Rebekah Graham lives in New Zealand with her husband, four children, and two cats. She is currently studying toward her masters degree in applied psychology and has a strong interest in social issues, in particular the way that culture influences the way in which social justice issues are perceived and resolved. Like many Kiwis, she enjoys spending time in the garden and growing fresh food for her family. She also volunteers with a local Community Fruit Organization that picks surplus fruit and redistributes it to families in need and local charities.

Erin Hastedt is a teacher and coordinator for the gifted program in Highlands Ranch, CO. Being labeled as a gifted student in her youth and raising two highly gifted children has fueled and driven her passion for advocacy and support of gifted programming. She feels that gifted students, like herself, are/were often misunderstood, underestimated, and/or labeled weird but works hard to help young minds think differently and have the confidence to be themselves, especially young girls. When shes not creating projects, testing students, or watching and marveling at her kids many activities, she enjoys reading, running, and watching clever TV shows with her husband of 12 years.

Elle Horne has had a passion for great books since before she could walk. That passion developed into a deep-rooted desire to help bring amazing stories to the world. She is a talent scout for Compass Press and the publishing companys marketing director.

Stasia Ward Kehoe grew up dancing and acting on New England stages. She then moved to Washington, DC, and later New York, choreographing everything from theatrical productions to magic acts. She now lives with her husband and four sons in the Pacific Northwest. Her debut novel, Audition, was published with Viking/Penguin.

Jessi Kirby is the author of Moonglass, In Honor, and the forthcoming Golden. She is also a former English teacher and librarian, wife, mom, beach lover, runner, and lover of contemporary YA, strong coffee, and dark chocolate. In that order.

S. R. Johannes is the author of Untraceable (a teen wilderness thriller), its sequel, Uncontrollable, and the new tween romance, On the Bright Side. She has published short novelettes as well as a teen romance anthology with 16 other authors titled, In His Eyes. S. R. Johannes was recently nominated in the YA category as Georgia Author of the Year. She is also the 2012 winner of the IndieReader Discovery Awards for Young Adult.

Heather McCorkle is an author of fantasy, in all its many subgenres. Living green, saving endangered species, and helping other writers and supporting fabulous authors are a few of her passions. When shes not writing or surfing her social networking sites, she can be found on the slopes, on the hiking trails, or on horseback. As a native Oregonian, she enjoys the outdoors almost as much as the worlds she creates on the pages. Heather is also a volunteer for the Ian Somerhalder Foundation, which works to make the world a greener place.

Michelle McLean is the author of historical and paranormal romances and educational nonfiction, including Homework Helpers: Essays and Term Papers and Treasured Lies. She grew up in California and has lived everywhere from the deserts of Utah to the tropical beaches of Hawaii to the gorgeous forests of New England. She has a bachelors degree in history, a masters degree in English, an insatiable love of books, and more weird quirks than you can shake a stick at. She currently resides in Pennsylvania with her husband and two young children, an insanely hyper dog, and two very spoiled cats.

Gretchen McNeil is an opera singer, writer, and clown. Shes written two YA horror novels