Happy First Day of Summer!
This week, we’re keeping it short and sweet so that you can enjoy your Day of Play in the sunshine.
We’re shining the spotlight on two incredible women who inspire us to pursue our passions with a vivid imagination, no matter the challenges that may arise. These women embrace courage in the face of adversity, fuelling endless amounts of creatives in their wake by holding their heads high and opening doors with grace, resilience, and curiosity.
Danni Washington has a passion for marine biology that has us questioning whether she is truly a mermaid in the flesh. At the age of 21, she co-founded Big Blue & You with her mother, a non-profit dedicated to connecting young people with the seas of the world and conservation efforts that keep them thriving.
This gal is the first African-American woman to host her own science show, and has hosted several shows on top of that! Her STEM education show credentials include Untamed Science and Xploration Nature Knows Best, highlighting other women in STEM on the team of Mission Unstoppable, as well as her book Bold Women in Science: 15 Women in History You Should Know. (source)
Not only is Danni a powerhouse in the fields of science and marine biology, she also inspires women of all ages as an artist, activist, and of course as the Mocha Mermaid in full tail glory. We couldn’t possibly summarize her passion and achievements here, so click on over to her website and Instagram to follow her journey and get involved!
As Danni dedicates her work to the oceans and seas, there’s a land-locked Virtuosa out there conquering a first-ever feat: becoming the first woman to longboard across the United States.
The YouTube channel Brooke Does Everything belongs to the very Brooke who does just that! She began this incredible journey on the very edge of Venice Beach and is making her way to New York City to raise money for spinal cord research in honor of her stepdad Roger, who passed away last year from a spinal cord injury.
Brooke fell in love with skateboarding as a child and has since traveled to several countries, teaching hundreds of people how to skateboard along her journey. She is determined to show everyone in the world just what their bodies are capable of – including brand new challenges and boundless joy.
Her journey has been an emotional one: before his passing, Roger wanted Brooke to “push him along” with her on her journey. She now carries his ashes with her to take him along for the entire ride. The first leg of the American Southwest showed no mercy, with rush hour and high winds challenging her determination, yet she still says she can’t not do it.
In her words: “My life and my movement is a privilege.”
You can follow Brooke’s incredible journey on her YouTube channel and Instagram, and make a donation to Wings for Life to support her dream to fund treatment for spinal cord injuries in Roger’s loving memory.
Whether or not you’re saving the seven seas or skating across the country today, we hope your Day of Play on this first day of Summer is filled with adventure, wonder, and FUN.
Click here to tell us how you’re playing today because we would love to share it in the newsletter next week!
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