Inspiring Women
In November 2019, I had the opportunity to travel to Florida to accept an award for my book Ensnare, the first book in the Berlin Butterfly Series. While there, Readers Favorite had arranged for the winning authors to meet with a variety of teachers in the business and during a break, I had stepped over to get in line for a drink. There were maybe eight to ten people ahead of me. During this time, a man had gone over to the dessert table picked up a couple of cookies, and walked back through the line, crunching on his desserts and spraying crumbs all over the people he passed between without acknowledgment or apology. Normally, I’m pretty nonconfrontational and more of a peacemaker but this time, my disgust was pretty vocal. The woman right in front of me was the one he had showered with crumbs. When she heard my comment, she turned around and said “right?” while she was brushing the crumbs off her chest. This started a conversation and throughout the night and the next day, I had more time to get to know this amazing woman.
Aalia Lanius is a survivor who has turned her voice into a voice of strength. I have followed her journey since we met and watched her turn her popular podcast Unsugarcoated into a television talk show. She is married to a Hollywood producer, but while her husband might have the means to pave the way for her, she has done it on her own and made a name for herself. She has interviewed athletes and musicians to survivors and loves to highlight people and situations that would not otherwise have a way of being heard.
Way to go, Aalia! Keep doing what you’re doing so well! #aalialanius