Tamara & Nana rocking their Because I Am a Girl Tees!

It has been over 6 months since I’ve seen “home” and it is definitely starting to get to be a long journey on the road. That said, I probably would have become more homesick if my tour mates were not such amazing and interesting individuals! What better way to celebrate the roles of women and girls around the world then to be in the company of 2 of my favorite women? I had to write a few words about these fabulous ladies that I have been traveling with for the Because I Am a Girl School Tour.

Nana posing for the camera on our Mother's day cruise in Kelowna

NANA!

Website: www.nanaabaduncan

Nana’s Shoe Blog: www.thosekicks.tumblr.com

Occupation: Associate producer CBC Radio One & Two, Host for GO!

Superpower: Speaks and maintains the attention of 200 squirmy highschool kids, ability to turn Value Village into a fashion treasure trove.

Famous quotes: Om nom nom!

Miss Nana is a 5foot power house of inexhaustible energy! I got to know her on the first Girls Tour last year, and we got along immediately. I can’t figure out who talks more, the radio personality or the rapper, but it’s really great to meet another woman that is so passionate, opinionated and never afraid to express it. One thing I really love about Nana is her mix of go-getter attitude + the curiosity of a baby kitten. I ask her random questions like “If tectonic earth plates move slowly, what happens during an earthquake that shakes things up so quickly?”…if she doesn’t know the answer, before I can even say “Never mind” she’ll already be furiously Googling the topic and finding out all there is to know about it. She never accepts the answer that things are the way they are “just because”. We tour the Because I Am a Girl show to encourage students to refuse to be apathetic about the situation of girls around the world. I think Nana’s joie du vie and positive energy is the perfect inspiration to get involved and be the change you want to see. Thanks for being such an inspiration Naba-friend!

My new camera has a silly frame feature that I had to test out with Nana.

Nana, you're an awesome host!

Nana & her mama!

Nana loves making silly faces

Tamara's famous Y pose

TAMARA!

Website: www.whatsthe411.ca

Occupation: Executive Director 411 Initiative for Change

Nicknames: Boss Lady, T-Pain

Superpower: Putting together 411 TV, organizing 100 emails, producing TV shows, making delicious pasta and typing out excel sheets all while watching Desperate Housewives.

Famous quotes: We have 20 minutes to eat, move it or loose it.

2 things I learned very quickly from being around Tamara. 1. Tamara is never wrong. 2. If you’re in doubt, refer to rule no. 1…Tamara is never wrong. I always felt that women are very good at multitasking, but T brings it to new levels. She single handedly organizes, creates, produces and directs, yet somehow finds the time to do the things that she likes in between. I learned from her that independent women can get very busy juggling all the different things we undertake in our lives, but it is always important to keep our standards high by striving for quality and balancing work with living life, thereby enjoying the journey.

What’s the 411 Initiative for Change, grew from an idea initiated in Highschool. She saw how irrelevant many of the school presentations were, and created her own program to both educate and entertain students. She endeavored to dispel stereotypes and organized her school’s first Black History Month lecture and even brought a Holocaust survivor to talk about Nazi genocide against Europe’s Jews. I think Tamara’s example should inspire the people we meet on this school tour as an example that you are never too young to get involved and make and impact.

Although T never steps into the limelight seeking for flashy acknowledgement for all she is capable of doing, she is confident and fearless. If she doesn’t know something, she researches and asks questions. No one is too big or important for her to cold call on the phone and make things happen. She knows what she likes and doesn’t like, and is extremely honest about her preferences. She has taught me that no matter how sugar’d your words or grand your schemes, organization, common sense and hard work is really what holds it down at the end of the day. When I finally decide to grow up, I hope I’ll be just like Tamara! LOL. Thanks for being my hero T!

I love T's smile!

Tamara humours my stupid faces and I love her for it!

Tamara makes us all dinner, the yummiest pasta ever!

Tamara producing TV segments

Yaaaah! I made T laugh.

Kyle muggin' for my new Hipstamatic iPhone App

HI KYLE…

Occupation: Tour Manager, Soundman, Emcee D-sisive’s no. 1 fan

Nicknames: DJ Kyle, Lundle Bear, Kyle Minogue

Superpower: Speaking Spanish in his sleep even though he doesn’t speak Spanish in waking life

Kryptonite: Vegetables

Famous quotes: “Dead in the middle of Little Italy little did we know...” via Big Pun lyrics.

I can’t forget the man with the master plan, Kyle “Lundles” Lundie. I guess the saying goes, “Behind every successful man is a good woman”…well the opposite works on this tour and Kyle has been holding it down with cross Canada driving, hustling everyone to get to shows on time and singing in falsetto til I can laugh no more. Thanks for being a Man supporting Girls Rights Kyle…ps: Don’t forget to call you Mama today, it’s her birthday!

Kyle has a Tattoo that says "Stick to your vision" inspired by Maestro Fresh Wes' song. Good words to live by.

Lindsay's smile lights up the room!

Lindsay

Lindsay is our Plan Canada rep that is coming out to all the schools with us. She is a ball of sunshine with a heart of gold. Miss Lindsay I’m so glad you could join us and help encourage schools to develop Girls groups of their own. ps: I LOVE when I catch you humming my songs when they get stuck in your head LOL. My master plan is coming together.

Deep in thought...my paparazzi is strong!