 Countdowntozero (Photo Credit) The Williams' sisters, Venus and Serena, have completely transformed the world's outlook on athletes and what they should look like. These sisters took the game of tennis by storm and never looked back. Venus (born in 1980) and Serena (born 15 months later) grew up in Compton, California and West Palm Beach, Florida. Their father, a former sharecropper from Louisiana, moved the family to Compton for a purpose. Richard Williams wanted to expose his daughters to the ugly possibilities of life “if they did not work hard and get an education.” The sisters began learning their skill from their father, who only knew the game from tennis books and videos. Incredibly, it was enough to mold these girls into top athletes. By the age of 10, Venus’ serve speed topped 100 miles per hour. She used this powerful weapon to create a record of 63-0 on the United States Tennis Association junior tour. In 1994 she turned pro and in her first match she defeated 50-seeded Shaun Stafford at the Bank of the West Classic in California.  Telegraph (Photo Credit) In 1997, Venus became the first unseeded U.S. Open women’s finalist in the Open era. In 2000 she won both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, paving the way for her to land a $40 million contract with Reebok. Venus has won countless titles and medals- including 43 singles titles from the U.S. Open and Wimbledon; 19 doubles titles from the French Open, Australian Open, and Wimbledon; and four gold medals from the U.S. Olympics. Serena began playing tennis when she was just four years old. She turned pro in 1995 and in just two years she was ranked number 99 in the world rankings – up from number 304 just 12 months prior. In 1999, she beat out her sister in their race to the family’s first Grand Slam victory – the U.S. Open title. Over the next decade, Serena alone would win 23 Grand Slam titles-including 10 doubles championships with her sister. In 2002, she won the French Open, the U.S. Open, and Wimbledon, defeating Venus in the finals of each tournament. She captured her first Australian Open in 2003, making her one of only five women players to have complete grand slam sets. The win also fulfilled her desire to finish off what she'd dubbed "The Serena Slam." In 2008, she won the U.S. Open and teamed with Venus to capture a second women's doubles Olympic gold medal at the Beijing Games.
In 2011, Williams suffered a series of health scares after doctors found a blood clot in one of her lungs. Following several procedures, including one to remove a hematoma, and several months away from the game, Williams returned to the court to compete in the U.S. Open and placed second in the singles tournament. Just like her older sister, Serena has a mass collection of titles and medals – 19 Grand Slams, 65 singles titles, six U.S. Open titles, five Wimbledon titles, six Australian Open titles, two French Open titles, 22 doubles titles, two mixed doubles, and five gold medals. What a collection! The sisters have expanded their superior abilities off of the tennis court with their unique style and attitude. Venus pursued art classes and earned a certificate in interior design – which spawned her interior design company, V Starr Interiors. Her company works on residential projects throughout the country. She also started her own clothing line called ‘EleVen’ as well as a collection of women’s apparel for Wilson’s leather. Serena, on the other hand, expanded her brand into film, television, and fashion. She developed her own line of clothing called ‘Aneres’ and in 2002 People magazine selected her as one of its 25 Most Intriguing People. Essence magazine later called her one of the country’s 50 Most Inspiring African-Americans. She’s also made television appearances including voice work on The Simpsons. These powerful women have truly made their mark in the history of tennis – collectively and individually. They are forces to be reckoned with on and off the court. By C Morrison Source: Biography.com, venuswilliams.com, serenawilliams.com
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 Today there is a very high rate of divorce and failed marriages because a lot of people entered into the marriage without preparing properly.They thought love was enough to carry them through and failed to build a solid foundation for marriage.There are many questions you need to ask yourself before seeking out your potential spouse. Here are 20 questions that I think every single person should ask him or herself before deciding to get married. 1. Do I truly know what commitment, sacrifice and faithfulness is? 2. Am I spiritual, emotional, mentally and financially ready for it? 3. Do I have unresolved issues with my parents or elders, and if so, am I taking steps to work through them? 4. Have I lived on my own, and if not, do I want to? 5. Where do I stand on having children? Do I want kids or not? Have I considered all possibilities? 6. Am I ready and willing to embrace my spouse’s family (including children he or she may have) as my own? 7. Do I know who I am and what I want out of life? 8. Does my joy and happiness only come from this person? 9. Am I still carrying sexual, emotional, behavioural and spiritual baggage from past relationships? 10. When it comes to the life I have dreamed of, what are the things that I consider non-negotiable? 11. Do I believe in traditional roles of a husband and wife in marriage, or do I expect something different? 12. Do I pretend when I am with him/her or am I myself? 13. Why do I want to marry this person? Are they great reasons? 14. What would be missing from my life if she or he weren't in it? 15. Do we share the same values, principles and world views? 16. Does he or she respect and value me? Do I? 17. Am I getting married because I want a wedding or because I want to have a great marriage? 18. Do I feel pressure from my parents, family, friends, pastor or age to get married? 19. Does he or she bring something of value into my life? 20. Do I know how to submit and to love? Take the Singles Survey! http://www.singleness.org/survey.shtml  Magforwomen(photo credit) Have you noticed that lately you have a short fuse? Are you easily annoyed? Here are a few anger control tips. 1. Acknowledge That you Have a Problem 2. Keep a Hostility Log 3. Use Your Support Network 4. Interrupt the Anger Cycle 5. Use Empathy 6. See the Humor in Your Anger 7. Relax 8. Build Trust 9. Listen Effectively 10. Be Assertive 11. Live Each Day as if it's Your Last 12. Forgive and Forget Tip: These strategies are only a general guide. If anger continues to be a problem, you might need to seek the help of a suitably qualified health professional, especially if your anger hurts others, or if it causes you harm.  Mr. and Mrs. Broderick McGee Presents A Touch Of Class. Touch Of Class is a charity event for the Azleway Boy's Ranch in Tyler - a home for boys that have been living in and out of foster care. The ranch opened over 30 years ago and has recently received some new improvements.
Mr. McGee says he is already planning for next year's event and trust me, View Woman will keep you posted!
  The Bully Awareness Talent Show! Angel Eyez Production presented it's second annual Bully Awareness Event. Angela Lilly is the founder of this cause to fight against violence and to educate on the seriousness of bullying. The Bully Awareness Talent Show was Saturday, March 14th and View Woman was there for it all! People came from all around to support the uplifting cause which showcased children in the show. There were guest speakers present such as Andy Mack and Randy Ross; both had very encouraging words for the kids. The talent in the room was unbelievable and all in attendance had a great time laughing, dancing as well as networking. If you missed this year's event stay tuned because it just keeps getting better and better!
 NYtimes(photo credit)
Reference: Women's Health Are you looking for a new career, but not sure which move is best for you? Here is a list of some occupations that are in high demand!
Registered Nurses Number of new job ads posted: 222,544 Compared to prior year: +30.2 percent Average salary range nationally: $72,000 to $79,700 Computer Systems Analysts Number of new job ads posted: 109,153 Compared to prior year: +11 percent Average salary range nationally: $83,200 to $100,000 Web Developers Number of new job ads posted: 88,696 Compared to prior year: +3.5 percent Average salary range nationally: $83,200 to $100,000 First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Retail Sales Number of new job ads posted: 83,492 Compared to prior year: -14.0 percent Average salary range nationally: $30,000 to $40,000 Computer Application Software Engineers Number of new job ads posted: 71,069 Compared to prior year: +6.1 percent Average salary range nationally: $91,800 to $106,000 Truck Drivers, Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Number of new job ads posted: 69,189 Compared to prior year: +36.1 percent Average salary range nationally: $35,350 to $50,000 Retail Salesperson Number of new job ads posted: 66,072 Compared to prior year: -12.3 percent Average salary range nationally: $21,850 to $30,000 Reference: Usnews.com  We're all guilty of undermining at some point in our relationship and at times without even realizing it. Life would be so much easier if everyone could follow that golden rule -Treat others the way you want to be treated. However, this is the real world and unfortunately life is not that simple. Here are a list of relationship underminers and enhancers. Bad mouthing your spouse to others Singing your spouse’s praise or at the least venting with the appropriate people without any character assassinations Making negative assumptions about the intent of your spouse’s behavior Giving them the benefit of the doubt Fighting Dirty- name calling, bringing up the past, using terms like always or never Fighting fair-Stay on topic, be respectful Focusing on the negative things the person does Focusing on the positive things they do and the joy they bring Not listening when they talk and not trying to understand the meaning of what they are saying Making a point to listen and understand Playing the blame game Look at your own behaviors and how you affect the other person first Getting caught up in the dailies Make your relationship and your partner a priority Talking down to the person Treating your spouse like a partner who has things to bring to the relationship Only seeing things from your own point of view Putting yourself in their shoes to see things their way Taking your loved one for granted Showing your appreciation for all the wonderful things they do K. Graves Reference: Wordpress.com 
 snipview(photo credit) Waris Dirie was born in 1965 into a nomadic family in Galkayo, Somalia. She has been a voice fighting for the elimination of female mutilation for the past 15 years. Her own traumatic experience allowed her to tell a story familiar to many women in Africa and ultimately led her to activism. Waris Dirie was brutally mutilated at a very young age in Somalia. By the time she was 13 her family had promised her hand in marriage to a man old enough to be her grandfather. She fled her home to avoid the arranged marriage. Her escape led her through the desert to Mogadishu and eventually to London. The journey left her scarred, weak, and hungry. Waris lived with family in London. She had no education, but she found work as a housemaid and also at a fast food restaurant. Later, she was able to find the time to take classes to learn to read and write English. At 18 she was discovered while working at McDonalds by one of Britain's leading fashion photographers - Terrence Donovan. Her modeling career was ignited internationally. This ultimately led to her on-screen debut in a James Bond epic, The Living Daylights, starring Timothy Dalton.
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