from the publisher

I think I was 13 years old at the old Bellevue Center mall with my family when I first saw her. Keep in mind, it was the ’90s; she had big curly hair, and Abercrombie and Fitch for her autograph! The woman is a class act. I’ve been a huge fan ever since. She’s no doubt a huge star, a celebrated vocalist, an author, a television host, and a philanthropist. I’ve seen her building houses for Habitat for Humanity myself. (Am I gushing a bit?) Well, I can’t think of a better cover star for our annual Women’s Issue—or a better role model for that matter.