Kendra Jane B. , Point Editor
I could not be more proud to showcase a topic so important to me in this pivotal issue. I give you The Point: Journal of Body Piercing; not only a new name but a new, modern look!!
This issue and the exciting new changes we are bringing you have been in the works for months, as has my “From the Editor”. The women of our industry; an issue dedicated to the women who came before me, who made my role today possible. Wow! What an honor and a privilege for me to be able to highlight some of these groundbreaking powerhouse female figures. It has also been the most daunting task to this point in my career and by far the most difficult. I felt that I needed to provide the 100’s of female (and female identifying) piercers that would read this worldwide with something profound, especially since we just celebrated International Women’s Day. So I have written and erased more times than I would like to admit, and I have decided that instead of attempting to be profound I will be REAL.
Lately everytime I read through my social media, I read account after account of how females in our industry are treated in their shops. They are made to feel unsafe, they are harassed by clients and co-workers, they are made to feel inadequate and sub par. Well I say enough is enough. It is time to stop walking on eggshells because of your employer and this industry. Many of you constantly worry that they will let you go over ridiculous little things. They often treat many of you as disposable and do not respect your boundaries or you as a person. I think it is time we turned the tables.
Instead of going to work everyday worried you may lose your job or be belittled or what have you, turn those tables. Make your bosses fear that everyday you may find something better and leave. Let them feel the stress of “not being good enough”. It is time for us all to know our worth.
I know many of you are terrified of not piercing or not finding a job. But in all reality our industry is greatly lacking in high quality Piercers and there are many great jobs at great studios for those that are willing to work hard. It is time we all saw our value and worth and stopped letting our bosses tell us or use their actions to show us they see no value in us! Instead of telling you all about the accomplishments I have had over the last 8 years of my career, here is my definition of a successful female leader. They are someone who believes in who they are and what they can offer. They are able to fully utilize their skills and talents to capture the imagination and win the hearts and minds of those that choose to follow them. They are a role model. We hope the women leaders we have highlighted in this issue inspire you to start kicking ass and taking names.
“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.” -—Dolly Parton, singer-songwriter
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the articles contained in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of The Association of Professional Piercers.