150 years of Warrior Women

150 Years of Warrior Women by founder, SarahNicole Over the past 150 years, the world has witnessed the incredible strength and resilience of warrior women, particularly those from indigenous communities. Indigenous women have played a vital role in the fight for land rights, cultural preservation, and social justice, leaving an indelible mark on history. From the late 19th century onwards, Indigenous warrior women emerged as powerful voices for their communities. Women like Sarah Winnemucca, a Northern Paiute activist, tirelessly advocated for the rights of Indigenous peoples in the United States, highlighting the injustices they faced and demanding change. One woman who speaks volumes to me is Kizh/Tongva Native, Toypurina. She played a crucial role in resisting Spanish colonization in Southern California. As a medicine woman and spiritual leader, Toypurina led a rebellion against the Spanish presence, seeking to reclaim and protect her ancestral lands. Her bravery and leadership inspired her people, and her actions left a lasting impact on the indigenous communities of the region. Toypurina’s legacy serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of the Tongva people in the face of adversity, and her story continues to be celebrated as a symbol of indigenous resistance and empowerment. Throughout the 20th century, Indigenous warrior women continued to lead the way. Wilma Mankiller, the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, transformed her community through her leadership, prioritizing education, healthcare, and self-governance. In Australia, activists such as Faith Bandler fought for the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, working towards equality and recognition. In recent decades, Indigenous warrior women have been at the forefront of environmental activism. Vandana Shiva (Check out her website for an extraordinary documentary), an Indian environmentalist, has fought against destructive practices and advocated for sustainable agriculture, recognizing the deep connection between land and indigenous cultures. Winona LaDuke, an Anishinaabe activist, has dedicated her life to protecting tribal lands and promoting renewable energy. I (SarahNicole) have had the pleasure of not only meeting Winona LaDuke, but also laying the foundation for her home on Madeline Island. While also on island, I had the incredible honor of smoking a pipe with her, Paul Demain, and some others, in ceremony with a sacred blend of tobacco.  Warrior women have existed, exist, and will continue to exist. The warrior spirit is undeniably present in some. I, myself, align with this Spirit immensely which is why I have built out the “Warrior” intensive program. These warrior women have not only fought for their own communities but have also been powerful advocates for Indigenous peoples worldwide. They have brought attention to issues such as cultural appropriation, colonization, and the preservation of traditional knowledge. Their courage and determination have inspired generations of Indigenous women to reclaim their heritage, challenge injustices, and assert their rightful place in society. The last 150 years have seen Indigenous warrior women rise as powerful forces for change, advocating for land rights, cultural preservation, and social justice. Their contributions have been instrumental in raising awareness about Indigenous issues (which is really ALL people’s issues), empowering their communities, and challenging the dominant narratives. The legacy of these warrior women continues to inspire and guide the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights and the recognition of their vital contributions to the world.  Whether you are Indigenous to Turtle Island, or elsewhere in the world, here at Free Feminine we encourage you to connect with your roots, the warriors in your history, and continue their power forward in your own life.  At Free the Feminine our boudoir photography and empowerment company is dedicated to helping you embrace your authentic beauty, celebrate your strength, and ignite your inner power. Through our transformative photography experiences, we invite you to step into a realm of self-acceptance, vulnerability, and empowerment. It is our belief that every individual possesses a unique story, a radiant essence, and a reservoir of untapped strength.  Now is the time to honor yourself, to shed the layers of doubt and societal expectations, and to stand in your truth. Join us on this empowering journey of self-discovery, as we capture your essence and help you see the beauty that has always resided within you. Embrace the transformative power of boudoir photography and embark on a path of self-love, empowerment, and celebration.  It’s time to unleash the extraordinary being that you are. Book your session with us today and let us capture the essence of your divine beauty. Together, we will create images that not only inspire and uplift you but also serve as a powerful reminder of your limitless potential. Embrace your journey to empowerment and let your light shine through the lens of our empowering boudoir photography experiences. Are you ready to find the power within you?  Ready for more?! Let’s connect! [email protected]

How It Started – FreeFeminine

How It Started – FreeFeminine by founder, SarahNicole For as long as I can remember, I’ve been standing on my own feet, proudly sporting a seriously independent spirit.  It manifested in many different ways, but the seed was planted during my childhood years in a divorced and highly dysfunctional household that was defined by integrity, transparency, honor, but also, an undeniable undercurrent of tension and deep pain.  At age 14 everything came to a head. After an emotionally draining weekend visiting my father  (our relationship has always been rocky) for Christmas and New Years, I returned to my mom (my forever best friend) and was struck with a feeling that something was wrong. I didn’t know how wrong it really would be. My mother battled fibromyalgia, depression, and constant pain from bulging discs in her spine. I watched as my mother’s light slowly dwindled with each pill she took. The pain was too much for her to bear and unexpectedly, my mother took her own life on New Years Day, overdosing with pills. Even at 14 years old,  when I didn’t fully understand what or why this tragedy was happening, I knew I had to dig deep and stand tall. At that moment, I realized the only person I could depend on was myself.  For the next 5 years through school, various jobs, and beyond, I became an expert at putting on any and every mask that would make me feel safe enough to belong – even just for a minute. I jumped between various friend groups, interests, passions, and living situations. I became an expert at over-occupying my time and energy so I didn’t have to feel and look at the true pain that was buried below the surface. I was a seemingly well rounded person, excelling in sports and academics, but was developing an addiction to alcohol, battlling depression, and anxiety.  I tried to distract myself from my physical, emotional, and spiritual pain well into my 20s. I struggled with my fair share of narcissistic relationships, several questionable living situations (one ending in the tenant drawing a gun on his girlfriend), debt, codependency, near homelessness (sleeping in a car), anxiety, abuse, terrifying self-talk, PTSD, trauma, and emotional repression… just to name a few.  But the harder I worked to fill the holes with outside influences, the more empty and alone I really felt. It was only through total surrender that I found myself at the foot of a mountain of brutal honesty. What I was doing, my way of thinking, how I dealt with my emotions and the past simply weren’t working.  Are you ready to find the power within you?  Let’s walk hand in hand through the highs and lows, as we rediscover your inner strength and rewrite your narrative. It is my greatest joy to see people owning their power in full force. As a survivor of abusive and narcisstic be In your transformational coaching session we will start from the roots up, repolishing and reframing our inner voices while creating soul serving systems that actually serve us.  Let’s uncover the limitless potential that lies within you. 💫 What’s one self-love practice that has helped you reconnect?🌟 [email protected]