Historically in America, pinup girls boosted the morale in their communities. During World War II the girls served as a distraction from the risk of death, the war-stricken time, and helped to lift the spirits of not only our soldiers but also their communities.
Age, body type, hair color, eye color--- it didn’t matter. It still doesn’t or shouldn’t matter.
Since before I can even remember, I have dedicated my time, efforts, and energy into my community--- wherever I live. As a child, I would ask my mother for hot food in the grocery store only to disappear and find the homeless man outside with a sign. I tagged along with my family to bring gifts to families at Christmas, helped mothers choose the best gifts for their children from Santa, volunteered at soup kitchens, spoke and worked with rehabilitation facilities, organized donation drives for NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness), worked with Native families on the reservation facing challenging times due to loss of income, drug addictions, and abuse. I manned a 24-hour suicide hotline. I sat with rape victims as a volunteer and friend, during their rape kit waiting period. I started a bicycle restoration project to ensure children in the community had a way to exercise and have fun. I helped start a community garden project. I attended every backpack and school supply drive. The list goes on.
I raised foster children and made sure they got involved our community. My daughter has engaged in community service with me her entire life. One of her first experiences volunteering with me, she read to children younger than her at a women’s shelter. She loved it. She loved being able to give back in whatever way she could.
When I moved far away from the place, I had called home most of my life, I didn’t know anyone. Buffalo, New York became my new home. I knew that I needed to be involved in something greater than myself and find ways to help. I started working with local families that were refugees from many different countries. I searched for opportunities to get involved with Veteran organizations and also to help Native children and families. At a local VFW dressed up for a Trunk-or-Treat I met two amazing women--- both Pinups. One of them parked her vehicle next to mine and we chatted for most of the event. I loved her energy. I loved learning about her Pinup group and all the community service they did for our local community. Her laugh was contagious. Even dressed as a crazy cat lady, she radiated beauty with a bit of sass that I adored. Without hesitation, I joined her pinup group--- The Nickel City Dolls.
Moving back to the Clarksville, TN area I thought for sure I’d be able to join a pinup group and get involved with volunteering for Veteran and Military related events. To my surprise, our local area didn’t have an established group. There are a few groups, but Nashville is a little bit of a hike and we live so close to a military base in Clarksville/ Oak Grove/ Hopkinsville. Two local ladies encouraged me to start a group here--- I was hesitant at first. I wasn’t sure if this area would embrace the pinup style and look. In Western New York, classic cars and pinups are so common but it’s not often you see anyone walking around town with a petticoat in these parts!
I was determined to continue spreading positivity. I was determined to build that group of sisterhood, body-positive, invite women of all ages, all sizes, all walks of life into our pinup family. I was empowered to get more women involved in their communities.
I am proud to call myself a pinup because we are dedicated to our local non-profits, our veteran owned businesses, our small business owners, our veterans, our elders, our children, and human and animal rights. We are mothers. We are wives. We are single and setting a more positive role model. We are committed, we are confident, we are influencers. I am proud to call myself a pinup because with or without red lipstick, hair flowers, petticoats, or any of the frills—being a pinup is in our heart, it’s in our actions, it’s in our words, it’s in the way we treat other people, it’s in our commitment to others, it’s in our promise to serve and give back, it’s how we support those who support and serve us.
We are all beautiful. We are a sisterhood. We are role models. We are all so different, yet so very similar.
I am proud to be a pinup because we have, we do, and we will continue to bring beauty, love, and smiles to our community regardless of the situation or events going on. We radiate love, beauty, and positive energy—then, now, and always. For all of these reasons, I am proud to call myself a pinup.
Comentarios