The New 97.7 Woman Of The Week - Week Of January 14, 2019
Name: Bettina Mahoney
From: Canton, MA
About Woman Of The Week: Bettina grew up in Canton and is a 21-year-old senior at Dean College in Franklin attending on a performing arts scholarship. She is an advocate for women with mental health disabilities and a #MeToo survivor.
Bettina has been a warrior nearly all of her life. She has suffered from febrile seizures since the age of two, but was officially diagnosed with epilepsy as a teenager. She also has a moderate non-verbal learning disability. She was bullied in school and sought dance as a refuge and a means of expression.
Bettina realized at age nine that she wanted to be a dancer. She went to a dance studio, and felt at peace. The dance studio was the one place where she felt safe. Over the years she has studied all types of dance, from ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop, but she loves modern dance the best. She feels modern dance is the most expressive and only form of dance where men don’t dictate what you can do with your body.
“I am a former shy little girl whose teachers told me never to give up,” Bettina said, adding that her dad is her strongest supporter.
Even though she is currently attending college, Bettina is also a dance instructor and the founder and producer at Fortitude Dance Project dance company. She will graduate in May with a double major in dance and psychology and eventually wants to start a touring dance competition.
This past summer, Fortitude Dance Project ran a successful dance intensive in Cambridge for girls and young women who suffer from depression and a lack of self-esteem.
“More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease, combined,” noted Mahoney. “Dance empowers young women to become more powerful and strong.”
Bettina is using her life circumstances as a motivator to help empower other young women. She has organized the Winter Wonderland Charity Gala, partnering with the non-profit To Write Love on Her Arms.
It will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2019 from 6:30pm to 10:30pm at The Lantana, 43 Scanlon Drive in Randolph. For more information and tickets, go to www.fortitudedanceproject.com.
To Write Love on Her Arms is a national non-profit dedicated to finding help for adults struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. It invests its resources directly into treatment and recovery.
Favorite 97.7 Artists: Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, and Rihanna
Bettina's Song Pick: Alicia Keys - “No One”
Congratulations to Bettina Mahoney, our New 97.7 Woman Of The Week!
Get details on how you, or someone you know, can be our next Woman Of The Week here!