Queen Mary: Up Close and Personal

Mary Wilson, co-founder of the Original Supremes headed the celebrity panel of
Judges for the 2008 Miss Black USA Pageant held in Las Vegas. Roll out the red carpet... Queen Mary is as close to royalty as you can get. She is one class act.

Aside from being co-founder of the Original Supremes, she paved the way for so many young women behind her. Queen Mary, thank you for never giving up on your dreams.

The Queen of Daytime Breaks New Ground

Dream BIG and you can have your own 24hour Television Network. OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network is set to make its debut in the second half of next year in 70 million homes with cable and satellite, part of a deal announced Tuesday with Discovery Communications. It will replace the Discovery Health network.

The announcement builds a media empire that already includes the top-rated TV talk show, a magazine, a satellite radio network, a Web site and TV movies made under her banner. "This is an evolution of what I've been able to do every day," Winfrey said. "I will now have the opportunity to do this 24 hours a day on a platform that goes on forever."

Born in Kosciusko, Mississippi, Oprah Winfrey was reared by her grandmother on a farm where she "began her broadcasting career" by learning to read aloud and perform recitations at the age of three. From age six to 13, she lived in Milwaukee with her mother. After suffering abuse and molestation, she ran away and was sent to a juvenile detention home at the age of 13, only to be denied admission because all the beds were filled. As a last resort, she was sent to Nashville to live under her father's strict discipline. Vernon Winfrey saw to it that his daughter met a midnight curfew, and he required her to read a book and write a book report each week. "As strict as he was," says Oprah, "he had some concerns about me making the best of my life, and would not accept anything less than what he thought was my best." Winfrey says that she's had this vision for 15 years and its hard to believe its now real.

Dream it Girl!
Karen Arrington

Queen Esther Doll

In times like these, introduce the little princess on your gift list to the Esther doll and "More Than a Beauty Queen" devotional book. Esther is an 18-inch, slim-bodied doll. She is made of high-quality vinyl and her hair is designed for easy care and restyling. With sleep eyes, and movable arms and legs, she's perfect for hours of fun! The doll comes with two outfits along with the "More Than a Beauty Queen" devotional book. To order, contact HerDolls.

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."
Romans 15.4

Made for a Queen

This holiday season is a Queen's dream come true. I just came across these Manolo Blahnik sculptures at NeimanMarcus.com for a mere $695. Ahhh... They make me feel like dancing, dancing, dance the night away.

Karen Arrington
Dream It Girl, Inc.

Pagentry Turns Ugly

Pagentry has its good side, but it also has its ugly side. Organizers of the Miss Puerto Rico Pageant are investigating a "pepper spray" incident where the winner's clothes and makeup were doused with pepper spray. The poor girl broke out in hives when she returned backstage. An investigation is continuing to find the culprit. Hives and all, Ingrid Marie Rivera refused to give up on her dream and beat out 29 rivals to become the island's 2008 Miss Universe contestant. Read More

The Dream Makers

On this day of Thanksgiving, I am thankful to the Dream Makers (my Mom, My Grandmother, My Great Grandmother, My Great Great Grandmother), you get the picture.

How could I let this day go by without reflecting on the sacrifices that so many courageous women made for you and I. Thank you Sojourner, Harriett, Zora, Rosa, Madam CJ, Maya, Lena, Ruby Dee, Nikki, Shirley, Mae, Oprah, Flo Jo, Serena and Venus and to those quiet she'roes whose names we may never know.

Thank you for never giving up on your dreams!

Karen Arrington
Dream It Girl Inc.