When in April of 2011 I lost my mother to breast cancer, I also lost my way. Perseverance and a never give up attitude is certainly something I learned from my Italian American upbringing as well as a love of writing, reading books and the arts. Navigating the grieving process, I turned to writing as a healing tool. I started simply. I would wake in the morning and read from a book that resonated with me.

I was taught from a young age that women were meant to be quiet and pleasant, never loud or angry. When I reached college, I encountered men who took advantage of that mindset and of my naivety. I soon found other women who shared those experiences and felt a similar sense of frustration towards the narrative expected of women.

My love for art was influenced by my Welsh roots, and my ability to explore museums and gardens in Europe. I am active in the Knoxville Arts Alliance and I participate in art shows in the state of Tennessee as well as surrounding states. For Women's History Month I have chosen to display a couple of different pieces I have curated over the years.