3/8/25

Bad Ass Women

Words From Our Four Warriors [we all fight our own battles] of the STORIES Project: Expressing our story, our way, in our own words.

Lisa Carrington Firmin

I am a tough, no-nonsense leader. Climbing up in the ranks in the military, I was taught to never show weakness, especially as a woman and a Latina. It was all right for others to seek assistance or to talk about their traumatic experiences, but not me. As a commander, I was expected to always convey strength. I suffered in silence and buried deeply my combat and military sexual trauma experiences along with the discrimination I encountered. It wasn’t until ten years after my military retirement, in late 2020, that I was ready to face my demons. I started writing and speaking about my experiences, in books, in poetry and storytelling.

My art emerged as a way to save myself from my most traumatic experiences and to live an authentic and fuller life.  My poetry is an intimate reflection into the invisible wounds of MST, PTSD, trauma, combat, hardship, and the wonders of my Latina culture. I write about the pain, sorrow, and joys that I have experienced. Never could I have imagined how therapeutic, liberating, and empowering my writings would be. Finally able to show my vulnerability, I found I wasn’t alone, and that my art could not only help myself, but others as well. I speak and write about how it took more courage to battle my demons then it did to serve as a commander in Iraq and I work to destigmatize getting help and living with PTSD. My post traumatic growth continues and reflects in mym work and art as an award-winning author, poet and storyteller.

[The Experience: I write because I feel compelled to do so, not only to express myself, but to help others understand that they are not alone and that there is life after trauma. The power of my pen allows me to share deeply personal, lived experiences. I share my art in hopes that others might gain insight into the mind of a diverse woman who served. Importantly, I also bring awareness into my intersectionality as a Latina, a combat and disabled veteran with PTSD and a sexual assault survivor.  I’m a storyteller, bringing the stories of diverse and underrepresented individuals out of the dark and into the light to affirm our contributions and to educate others]. 

Major Christina Helferich-Polosky, US Army (Retired)

WoundedNotWorthless.com LLC Founder, Artist, Soldier, Mom

In 2009 I was medically retired by the US Army because of multiple physical and mental injuries and illnesses I suffered after 11+ years of successful active-duty service as a Transportation and Information Operations Officer. Most of my disabilities were later attributed to unknown chemical, environmental and burn pit exposures that occurred during my combat deployments to Kuwait/Iraq (OIF) in 2003 with the 7th Transportation Group (Forward) out of Fort Eustis, VA where I was awarded the Bronze Star and Bagram, Afghanistan (OEF) in 2008 with CJTF-101 out of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) from Fort Campbell, KY where I was MEDEVACd home after becoming seriously ill several months into my deployment. But some injuries—some wounds and abuse—I buried deep and couldn't bring myself to talk about—or even recognize within myself to report, until very recently. Instead of seeing my professional accomplishments, the differences I could have possibly made in the lives of my Soldiers, and the

role model I was (on my good days) to my five children—I just became overwhelmingly sad and overcome by darkness. So, after decades of hiding the pain, clarity and eventual forgiveness following an acrimonious divorce in early 2021 and several unconventional therapies that incorporated different forms of art—I am finally beginning to truly believe that my traumas are  not what's wrong with me—they are simply things that happened to me. And it was art—in all its healing forms; for me painting, sculpture and mixed media collage—that genuinely aids in helping me see that I am more than my broken past and the stigma of a 100% disability rating.

The power of art—to include the written word, has finally set me on a true and healthy path forward to finding the voice I thought I lost—or had taken from me—over all those years spent laying in the darkness, finally being able to express what I could barely say out loud:

 "I may be wounded, but  I am NOT worthless

Carissa DiPietro

Creativity has been a part of my healing journey from my trauma with serving in the military.  I feel when words fail me, art has the ability to tell my story.  During basic training the Army breaks you down to build you back up to be a soldier.  Unfortunately, when you leave the military they don't help you leave the soldier behind.  Art has given me my humanity back.  I feel excitement when creating my artwork.  I've found comradery with my fellow veterans which has created a community which has been a safe place for me to heal.  Then when I have the ability to showcase my different creative outlets such as tapestry, jewelry, photography, poetry, theater, painting, etc it gives me a sense of pride for what I have not only lived through but also the ability to tell my story and help other veterans heal through their trauma. 

Twelve years ago I couldn't get out of my bed.  If I wanted to spend time with my children they would eat dinner in bed with me.  I found a flyer from my local VA to have the ability to use Shakespeare and theater to heal from PTSD.  That step changed my life and has helped me build a better relationship with my husband, my children, friends and family.  I never thought I would live to see the age of 40 and I am now 47 wand will be getting a bachelors degree in studio arts next spring, who has showcased my poetry and photography through creative arts festivals and who is excited about having my whole life ahead of me.  I have dreams for my future which I never ever even considered.  Someday I will own an RV and travel all over the United States and expand my creative outlets and continue on this lifelong journey of healing and loving who I am. 

Martha Lluch

“Reconnecting with my creativity has given me the opportunity to create space within my self to better process my experiences and the world around me.

It is a skill I continue to cultivate that has also allowed me to draw a path to connect with my spirituality and through painting, dancing and other mediums I have been able to reclaim my story and agency over my life.”

5/14/24

Women and Creativity; A Dialogue

“I have been listening to women talk about their creative process for years. And I am always amazed by how many of them describe wonderfully rich experiences with their creativity and then tell me they don’t see themselves as being creative! These women dismiss, discount, and rob themselves of their most powerful aspect, the characteristic which defines who they uniquely are as individuals-their creativity”. C Diane Ealy PhD, the Women’s Book of Creativity, this was in 1995 but the fact is women are still denying their creativity, as I recently asked a group of women, if they considered themselves creative, and their first response was no!     

In a recent article in Forbes-A New Study Re-examines Gender Differences in Creativity; they ask the question; Why are women more self-critical when it comes to creativity? [2/22]         

     Creativity is vital in all aspects of our lives. You must believe in yourself and tap into your own creativity. Whether you are an artist, a businessperson, or a parent, creativity allows you to approach problems and challenges with a fresh perspective and find innovative solutions. It helps you think outside the box, communicate better, stand out, adapt to change, and build relationships and connections. In addition, creativity has been linked to improved physical and mental health, as well as to increased happiness and well-being. So if you want to succeed and thrive in all aspects of life, it is important to cultivate your creativity and make it an integral part of your daily routine.

It is vital that we tap into and express our creative voice.                                                                                                Hence, the reason to start this dialogue. The goal is to share these responses via a newsletter and conversations.

Dialogue by Carissa

1.When you hear the word creativity, what comes to mind? When I hear the word creativity I think of the ability to look at the world through a different filter then others can. For example I can see beauty in the ordinary, beauty in the repetition, beauty in the mundane, beauty in the simple and the maximum.
2. For me, Creativity is........ imagination, magical, exploratory, fun. It’s
looking at a blank piece of paper and seeing the possibilities instead of the
daunting thought of what am I going to do with this. I see the possibility
and the desire to learn and explore and try and fail and try again.
3.Do you consider yourself a creative individual? Absolutely yes! I love to do theater, write poetry, create jewelry and metal smithing, basket weaving, tapestry weaving, quilt making, mixed media collage, photography, etc.
4.What does being creative mean to you? Being creative gives me the opportunity to explore what I am thinking, explore the trauma I have lived to and be able to put it into the creative project I am working on. It gives a voice when sometimes there are no words.

Dialogue by Martha
When you hear the word creativity, what comes to mind?
Creativity is a very broad term.
For me, Creativity is having flexibility and being able to communicate and express the self via many domains. It may show up in all sectors of human development, learning and leadership.
Do you consider yourself a creative individual? Yes
What does being creative mean to you? There is an aspect of creativity that is juggling not just things or responsibilities, but also being able to adapt to different situations and work with a wide variety of people. My doorway into my creativity is through the arts although it goes beyond that sphere.

Dialogue by Carrie
When you hear the word creativity, what comes to mind?
I think of the performing arts–of theatre, film, music, and dance, the literary arts–fiction, drama, poetry, and prose, and the visual arts–painting, sculpture, drawing, and photography. I would even include fashion.

For me, Creativity is……..self-expression in the performing arts, literary arts and/or visual arts. It’s a way of seeing the world and then living that “vision” and “manifesting” it. It’s listening to your inner muses and being inspired by that and using that inspiration to create.

Do you consider yourself a creative individual? Yes, I consider myself a highly creative individual. It is something that makes me who I am and it feels like breathing. It manifests itself in all I do from wrapping a present, to how I dress and express myself through fashion, to how I decorate my apartment, in the freedom and energy to perform as an actor, host, and singer, to the way I capture feelings and observations in poetry, creative writing, blogs, and spoken word.
What does being creative mean to you?
Being creative means that you have freedom to let your inner self shine through–to ”Let Your Little Shine Shine.” It means to be open to a path of creativity and part of that is self-awareness, insight, and awareness of the world around you and to let that guide your work. It means embracing who you are and all of you and celebrating it, even that which makes you different. In fact, it is there–in what makes you different–that makes you unique and special and in where your truth and ultimately, creativity can be found.

Dialogue by Barbara
1.When you hear the word creativity, what comes to mind? Creativity is a construct of many ideas; The primary idea that comes to mind for me is one’s ability to use their talents whatever they may be, to passionately connect with something in some way that it becomes an expression of your relationship with it. It can be an idea, a canvas, a movement, a sound, a film … There is no one way to create. 2..For me, Creativity is…….. Thoughts that come to mind: A vision of something you make and bring to fruition. Problem solving Thinking out of the box Committed Excited Connected Exhilaration Release 3.Do you consider yourself a creative individual? Yes I heard a story (true or fiction) a long time ago about Leonardo Davinci that seemed to resonate with me. Walking through the square of Milan the town he lived in someone asked him where he was going with a big slab of marble he was carting back to his studio. His answer” I am going to unlock the angel that lives inside the rock” I think I approach life and people this way. For me life is a creative act. Finding a way to metaphorically unlock the angel that lives inside of me, the people I meet and the world around me. 4.What does being creative mean to you? So many things but here are a few: Connecting the dots Seeing the many truths of life Seeing/hearing the invisible Writing

Dialogue: by Amy
When you hear the word creativity, what comes to mind? No rules.
For me, Creativity is……..
Curiosity. Exploring.
Do you consider yourself a creative individual? Yes
What does being creative mean to you?
Following an inspiration that arises within me.

Dialogue By Leigh
When you hear the word creativity, what comes to mind?
Creativity is a living process. Through creative engagement with our internal and external realities we are able to envision something brand new and bring it to life. In and between disparate ideas we can find new connections that spark creativity. The creative process involves inspiration, incubation, illumination and creation.
For me, Creativity is……..a moment of magic when inspiration brings vivid clarity.
Do you consider yourself a creative individual?
Yes. Also, all people are born creative.
What does being creative mean to you?
My individual creativity is unique to me – the ideas I have and the work I do are original to my being, inclusive of both innate and experiential facets. Thus, only I can bring my particular creativity to fruition. In this way, creative expression is my life purpose.