She Takes a Stand: 16 Fearless Activists Who Have Changed the World
MEGAN GRASSELL Ripening a Yellowberry One of the biggest problems I had getting started was getting people to take me and my ideas seriously Megan Grassell n the following pages you will meet women who have taken a stand for basic rights and respect against greed and corruption and against vio lence around the world But sometimes a practical problem in your own family can prompt you to act That's what happened to Megan Grassell an inspir ing example of how one teen got fired up and wouldn't give up Her efforts now contribute to the comfort and emotional well being of thousands of young teen and tween girls Megan was born on August 16 1995 in Jackson Hole Wyoming Her father Chopper grew up in the Green River Valley of Wyoming Her mother Lynn was from Georgia Grandma Susan Chopper's moth er was raised on a ranch lacking both electricity and running water In this rugged rural area many people
learn to be resourceful and though independent in spirit are always ready to lend a hand Megan during her senior year of high school Courtesy of Megan Grassell Growing up in the small town of Pinedale on the west side of the Wind River Mountains Megan enjoyed fun times outdoors with her older brother Will Megan’s carefree days with Will and their younger sister Caroline nicknamed Buggs didn't last long When Megan was in kindergarten Will was diag nosed with brain cancer Fortunately after treatment he was cancer free But then just a month before Megan's seventh birthday Caroline fell off a float in the Rendezvous Parade and she died as a result a tragic loss for the family and community Later their
mother gave birth to another daughter Mary Mar garet After her sister Caroline's abrupt death Megan focused on taking life slower and savoring each moment Caroline's godparents had written some simple mantras to celebrate Caroline's life Water the flowers every day Watch quietly and observe Go barefoot Love the outdoors and nature Seek and find a hug when you need one and finally Campfires are rare eat as many marshmallows as you can These became guiding principles for legan With its pigs lambs chickens goats cattle and horses their home was like a small farm All of the Grassell kids grew up camping skiing and riding horses Megan placed first in rodeo events such as barrel racing and pole bending She also enjoyed competing in downhill skiing races When Megan needed money she knew that her parents expected her to work for it I worked every summer since sixth or seventh grade First pumping gas and then I bussed tables and waitressed at a place called Nora's Just before the start of eighth grade Megan and her family moved to nearby Jackson Hole At the age of 17 a shopping trip with her mom to help 13 year old sister Mary Margaret buy her first bra changed Megan's path in life I couldn't believe the bras that she was supposed to buy The choices for her and for all girls her age were simply appalling to me They were all padded push up and sexual Not only that they did not fit her body prop
erly which automatically made me wonder Where were the young cute and realistic bras for girls There were none recalled Megan in a magazine interview At that moment Megan decided she would make bras for girls It didn't matter that Megan knew so lit tle about sewing that she didn't even know how to patch a pair of pants or that she had to come up with a design figure out where to manufacture the bras and learn how to sell them Megan knew how to ask for help She chose to name her company Yellowberry to highlight her belief that young girls shouldn't be pushed into growing up too fast They didn't need to wear sexy adult bras or padded bras to make them look older Like a yellow berry they were still ripen ing In their transition between childhood and adulthood they needed a bra that was fun and com fortable One step at a time Megan moved toward making her bras a reality A local seamstress in Jackson Hole helped her create prototypes which young friends helped her test for comfort and style She got impor tant advice from Jackson Hole resident Stephen Sulli van a founder of outdoor apparel companies He realized she had come up with a needed product and knowing of her skill as a champion ski racer sensed her determination to pursue whatever she put her mind to With help from a family friend she con tacted a garment manufacturer in Los Angeles that
