2009 Susan G Komen Pink Pledge Pals

The Enemy

According to Wikipedia, breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the cells of the breast in women and men. Worldwide, breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer after lung cancer (10.4% of all cancer incidence, both sexes counted) and the fifth most common cause of cancer death. In 2005, breast cancer caused 502,000 deaths worldwide (7% of cancer deaths; almost 1% of all deaths). According to the United Nations , more than 500,000 people worldwide die from breast cancer every year, and breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide.

Breast cancer is about 100 times as frequent among women as among men, but survival rates are equal in both sexes.

The Allies

As the cases of breast cancer worldwide is rapidly increasing, various organizations were founded to help stop the disease. And among these affiliations Susan G. Komen for the Cure is one of the most known organization worldwide. Susan G. Komen for the Cure, formerly known as The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, often referred to as simply Komen, is an organization supporting breast cancer research. Since its inception in 1982, Komen has raised over $1 billion for research, education and health services, making it the largest breast cancer charity in the world. Komen has more than 75,000 volunteers nationwide—122 affiliates in the United States (47 of 50 states) and 3 in other countries. Susan G. Komen for the Cure received Charity Navigator's (an independent, non-profit organization that evaluates American charities) highest rating, four stars.

Who is Susan G. Komen?

Susan Goodman Komen was a woman from Peoria Illinois, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 33 and died three years later, in 1980. Komen's younger sister, Nancy Goodman Brinker, feeling that Susan's outcome might have been better if patients knew more about cancer and its treatment, and remembering a promise to her sister that she would find a way to speed up breast cancer research, founded the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in Komen's memory in 1982.
In 2007, the 25th anniversary of the organization, it changed its name to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, created a new logo, and adopted the explicit mission "to end breast cancer forever".

The Warriors

To support the continued research and awareness programs on breast cancer the organization conducts various fund raising events such as the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. The Race for the Cure is a series of 5K runs and fitness walks that raises significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrates breast cancer survivorship, and memorializes those who have died from the disease.

Each race is a five kilometer run/walk (5k) for people of all ages and fitness levels. All courses are certified by USA Track and Field (USATF), the national governing body for track and field, long-distance running, race walking and cross-country events.

Funds raised by the events help to support community outreach programs in 18,000 communities. The money supports local community breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment projects as well as the Komen Award and Research Grant Program.

Since its origination by the Susan G. Komen for the Cure nonprofit in 1983, the annual event has grown from one local race in Dallas, Texas with 800 participants to nearly 120 races, extending beyond the U.S. to include locales in Germany, Italy and Puerto Rico.

The 2008 Pledge Program raised over $2.4 million in pledges with total net race revenues reaching over $3.8 million! Of course the fund raiser wouldn’t be a success if not for the support of those who committed to help find the cure to stop the disease. Maxim Model Jody Palmer was among the many warriors that participated in the 2008 Race for the Cure and was included in the organization’s Pink Pledge Pals for her contribution. What an incredible accomplishment, especially considering that just a few years ago, the pledge total was only $175,000 for the 2002 Race. We applaud you as these critical funds will support the promise of the Houston Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures.

Jody Palmer

Jody Palmer : Walk For a Cause

Jody Palmer

Jody Palmer recently participated in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation(JDRF) annual Walk to Cure Diabetes in Houston. JDRF is the leader in research leading to a cure for type 1 diabetes in the world. It sets the global agenda for diabetes research, and is the largest charitable funder and advocate of diabetes science worldwide.

The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults suddenly, and can be fatal. Until a cure is found, people with type 1 diabetes have to test their blood sugar and give themselves insulin injections multiple times or use a pump - each day, every day of their lives. And even with that intensive care, insulin is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications, which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation. Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1.3 billion to diabetes research, including more than $156 million in FY2008. In FY2008, the Foundation funded more than 1,000 centers, grants in laboratories, hospitals, and industry, and fellowships in 22 countries. The annual Walk to Cure Diabetes is a fundraising event held by the foundation to raise the awareness on type 1 Diabetes and to raise funds for laboratory and research.

Jody Palmer’s participation at the annual walk was a bit personal. As a token of appreciation for her participation, Maxim Model Jody Palmer was given an award at the 2008 Houston Walk to Cure Diabetes Awards Reception. Thanks to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and to people like Jody Palmer who continue searching for a cure and putting hope to the lives of those with diabetes.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Jody Palmer Tips on Becoming a Model

Basic Tips

The most important part of becoming a model is to make a good start which involves making the right choices about your personal presentation. Read below to determine the category most suitable for you. The following information is organized to give a directional approach to your efforts to achieve your goals.

Basic Requirements-Fashion Model

Jody Palmer

To start with, if want to be a fashion or runway model you should be tall, slim and exceptionally attractive. It gives you additional advantage if you have patience, aptitude, communication skills, confidence and business skills. The age range is usually 14-21 give or take a year. Fashion industry criteria for best models are 5'8" to 6' size 0-4 with 32-35" bust, 22-25" waist and 33-36" hips. Always remember, this industry re quires your perfect figure to present their creations. Your beautiful face is an additional advantage but nobody is looking for classical beauties. If you do not meet this criteria, don't threat. There are many other modeling jobs you can qualify for.

Jody Palmer has almost all of the basic qualifications in this profession. She is exceptionally attractive, tall, and has a great body. Aside from her physical features, she also has the character of a model. She has good communication and business skills, confidence, and she is smart yet humble that makes her attractive inside and out.

Basic Requirements-Print Model

Jody Palmer

To be a print model for catalogs, product ads, store advertisement, clothing ads, etc., the criteria is not as strict. Many companies are looking for "real people" types of all looks and sizes to advertise their products and services. For clothing ads and catalogs 5 '6" or over is preferred, but with a "catalog model" look as opposed to a "high fashion" look. Take a look in your typical department store catalog or weekend advertising supplements, such as Sears, JC Penny's, Kmart, Kohl's, Wal-Mart, Target, etc., to familiarize yourself more.

Basic Requirements-TV commercial/Video/TV Series/Film Actor

Jody Palmer

Now here is where you will be judged more on your personality than your looks. All ages and heights/sizes are used. We all have seen our favorite commercials and sitcoms and wondered how the actors got the part. Maybe it was because they had the right look or talent. It may have been being in the right place at the right time. Or maybe it was because they got up the nerve to go on an audition and the director said " Hey, I like that guy". What will it be for you? Did you know that most (if not all) of first time actors have no lines? One things for sure,it's not going to happen by itself. You need to put in the work, a lot of work , and with a little luck maybe, just maybe, you could be next!

Have faith In Yourself

The first step to enter this tough world is to have faith in yourself. Don't be too self conscience about your looks but also do not let your head grow too big. Some may believe you are the most attractive person on this planet but let us remind you that we have dozens of Miss World/Miss Universe/Miss America's who have disappeared without a trace from limelight despite having everything this profession demands.

If we talk about the sense of beauty, even the infamous Cindy Crawford was advised to get her billion dollar mole surgically removed as some prominent industry people did not find that attractive enough. Always remember, the basic step to become exceptional is to believe yourself that you are exceptional. Do not consider this profession as a hobby, if you do, you are going to crash land as part time model only, just one of the crowd. This career should be your passion, your life. Develop that killer instinct of Do or Die. You have limited time as your golden youth is not going to last forever. You have innocent charming smile, most expressive eye s but now start that roaring fire in your heart. Take for example model Jody Palmer, who at first dreamt of something big for herself. Despite the tough and discouraging competition in the fashion and modeling industry, she didn't lose faith but instead worked hard for her to be known as model. As result, she was highlighted in various modeling and commercial stints including Maxim Magazine's search for the Hometown Hotties on 2007. And despite her popularity, Jody Palmer was still humble and down to earth.

Media Popularity: Jody Palmer Ticket to Fame

Model Jody Palmer with media

The mass media plays a significant role in a human's daily survival. Mass media is a term used to denote a section of the media specifically envisioned and designed to reach a very large audience such as the population of a nation state. It is the sum of public mass distributors of news and entertainment across media such as newspapers, television, radio, broadcasting, and also internet media which include personal web pages, blogs, video hosting services, message boards, etc.

Jody Palmer

The mass media can be used for various purposes: for Advocacy both for business and social concerns which include advertising, marketing, propaganda, public relations, and political communication; Entertainment, traditionally through performances of acting, music, and sports, along with light reading and since the late 20th century also through video and computer games; and Public Announcements.

Mass media and Supermodels

Jody Palmer

Mass media greatly influences lifestyle, trend and fashion. Celebrities and common people both rely on media for new trends in fashion. Supermodels would not be supermodels if not for the influence of mass media. Celebrities wouldn't be recognized if their faces and names were not seen on television and ads, or heard on the radio. German model and actress Claudia Schiffer stated, "In order to become a supermodel one must be on all the covers all over the world at the same time so that people can recognize them". Celebrities depend on media for them to be recognized and for their stardom. On the other hand, the common people rely on mass media for new trends and to be “in" with what's new in fashion and pop culture. Mass media plays a role in depicting one's self image and perspective. For example, many women wanted to be thin because models are commonly seen in televisions as thin. Given the messages aimed at women through the mass media, it is not surprising that many women desire to be thin and that women typically feel dissatisfied with their bodies.

Jody Palmer

Proof that mass media has an impact on modeling are various reality-based talent searches, highly publicized beauty contests, and the trend in online modeling agencies. Famous supermodels Tyra Banks and Janice Dickinson both host reality-based model search shows. Tyra co-produced and hosts The Search for America's Next Top Model while Janice Dickinson has The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency show. Both have an excellent viewer rating. Magazines and online media also conduct model searches and contests. Maxim Magazine, for example, has the search for the Hometown Hotties where the beautiful model Jody Palmer became finalist in the year 2007. Jody was also appeared on various commercial and modeling stints. Also, the continuous rise of the internet expands the range of mass media, thus expanding the industry of modeling. A number of modeling agencies are having online model auditions and searches.

The "rise" of the supermodel

In the 1970s, some models became more prominent as their names became more recognizable to the general public. These models included Janice Dickinson, who claims to have coined the term "supermodel", Cheryl Tiegs, and Christie Brinkley.

The prominence of supermodels increased in the 1980s, with models such as Claudia Schiffer, Paulina Porizkova, Elle Macpherson, and Cindy Crawford. By the 1990s, which has been called "era of the supermodels", supermodels were prominient in the media. During this period, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, and Christy Turlington were highly-visible models. Beverly Peele graced over 250 magazine covers and was first black model on the cover of Mademoiselle Magazine in 1989.

In the 1990s, Kate Moss, a teenager with slim hips, prominent cheekbones, and small breasts, became a popular model. Moss's appearance came to be called the "waif" or "heroin chic" look, which was prominent during the later 1990s.

Supermodel

Before model Jody Palmer exist there are so-called "Supermodel" . These supermodels are known all over the world, appearing on every magazine cover and commercials. Modeling is a constantly changing industry and is a fast a moving and competitive business, modeling requires hard work and passion for their names and reputation.

The term supermodel, coined in the 1980s, refers to a highly-paid élite fashion model who usually has a worldwide reputation and often a background in haute couture and commercial modeling. The term took hold in the popular culture of the 1980s and 1990s. Supermodels usually work for top fashion designers and labels. They have multi-million dollar contracts, endorsements and campaigns. They have branded themselves as household names and worldwide recognition is associated with their modeling careers. They have been on the covers of various magazines. Claudia Schiffer stated, "In order to become a supermodel one must be on all the covers all over the world at the same time so that people can recognize the girls." First-name recognition is a solid indication of supermodel status in the fashion industry.

FIRST SUPERMODEL

Lisa Fonssagrives is considered by most in the fashion industry as the world's first supermodel. Fonssagrives at the pinnacle of her modelling career could be both a supermodel and also a housewife, which nearly every woman could identify with in that era. Fonssagrives was in most of the major fashion magazines and general interest magazines from the 1930s to the 1950s, including Town & Country, Life, Vogue, the original Vanity Fair, and Time. The relationship between her image on over 200 Vogue covers and her name recognition led to the future importance of Vogue in shaping future supermodels.

Although many models were referred to as supermodels during this time, only the so-called "Big Six" were officially recognized and accepted by the fashion world as supermodels: Claudia Schiffer, Cindy Crawford, Kate Moss, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington. They were the most heavily in demand, collectively dominating magazine covers, fashion runways, editorial pages, and both print and broadcast advertising. Excluding Moss, the y are known as the "original supermodels.

Other notable female models include Tyra Banks, Gisele Bündchen, Janice Dickinson, Heidi Klum, Elle Macpherson, Claudia Schiffer and Twiggy.

Jody Palmer, a young and beautiful model, is paving her way to become one of the notable names in fashion and modeling. She appeared in various commercial and modeling stints and photo shoots. She was also a finalist in Maxim magazine’s Hometown Hotties.

ABOUT FEMALE MODELS

Female models are used mainly to promote products (primarily clothing and accessories but almost anything else as well). High fashion and commercial are the two main types of female models.

Photographers that photograph the model in artistic themes that relate to the clothing being promoted are branded "High Fashion". The female model uses their body and face to express the different emotions as required.

Types of work for high fashion designers can be campaigns, collections and magazine editorials. Vogue, ELLE and W are such high fashion magazines that feature female models. Annual fashion shows traditionally show collections from clothing designers, to display for buyers, the fashion industry and the general public. Female models walk the runway and pose to display the clothing. These high fashion female models have distinctive, unique features.

MALE SUPERMODELS

Men's fashion represents just a fraction of the industry. Men, nevertheless, have played a part in the fashion world, while commanding less compensation than their female counterparts. Well known male supermodels include Mathias Lauridsen, Marcus Schenkenberg, Tyson Beckford, Mark Vanderloo, Alex Lundqvist, Will Chalker, Evandro Soldati, Tyson Ballou, and Michael Bergin.

CULTURE

Because of the fame and wealth associated with being a supermodel many people especially the female side wants to become a fashion model. As proof, the necessities for modeling agencies arise as the modeling industry is constantly changing. Also various reality-based talent search on television such as America’s Next Top Model co-produced and hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks, The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency hosted by supermodel Janice Dickinson, and Make Me A Supermodel among others attracts aspiring individuals to join and compete for a chance to start their career in the modeling industry.

Information Technology and the Internet also expanded the modeling industry from magazines to online portfolios. Many social networking sites gives aspiring individuals freedom to post their modeling portfolios and to have contact with modeling agencies online.

CRITICISM

Criticism of the supermodel as an industry has been frequent inside and outside the fashion press, from complaints that women desiring this status become unhealthily thin to charges of racism, where the "supermodel" has generally to conform to a Northern European standard of beauty. According to fashion writer Guy Trebay of The New York Times, in 2007, the "android" look is popular, a vacant stare and thin body serving, according to some fashion industry conventions, to set off the couture. This was not always the case. In the 1970s, black, heavier and "ethnic" models predominated the runways but social changes since that time have made the power players in the fashion industry flee suggestions of "otherness”.