Inspiring minds

Muscle & Fitness/Hers, Sept, 2004 by Mary Duffy

eVERY FEW MONTHS, I JOIN ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO 30 SMART, interesting and accomplished women who gather at an appointed venue in New York City to have a few drinks, a little food and a lot of talk. Girls' Night Out began as a way for women working in a male-dominated profession (sports television) to share advice and swap war stories, but over the years it has evolved into something much more. It's a night when highly competitive women--and we are a highly competitive bunch--can let down their hair and find (and give) support. Through GNO, friendships have grown and careers have flourished.

One of the GNO regulars is former Olympic swimmer Summer Sanders. At a recent gathering she suggested that she interview her friend and former teammate, Jenny Thompson, for HERS. I was immediately game: I wanted to hear about what it's taken for Jenny to get back in the pool for her fourth go-round at the Olympics and I knew that--as my GNO experiences have proven over and over again--when women get together for a heart-to-heart it's bound to be interesting. Jenny Thompson, by the way, has won more Olympic medals (10 total, 8 of them gold) than any American woman. Their conversation begins on page 56.

You'll also meet some other inspiring women in this issue. Nell Newman, page 40, founded Newman's Own Organics--a spinoff of her famous father Paul's company that donates profits to charity--so she could support her own environmental causes (talk about putting your money where your mouth is). On page 70, Sarah Bowen Shea gets the whys and wherefores from a group of ultramarathoners (including the famed Ann Trason), who really, really go the distance.

Luckily for me, I don't have to travel far to meet some incredible women who are always up for a challenge--we have them right here in our own office. Two in particular are our youngest staffers, editorial assistant Brandy Colbert and associate art director Michelle Bonilla. They may be at the starting gate of their careers, but I have no doubt they will soon be at the top of their game, just like Summer and Jenny are now.

Enjoy,

Mary Duffy

Editor in Chief