My mom has made it possible for me to be who I am. Our family is everything. Her greatest skill was encouraging me to find my own person and own independence.
-Charlize Theron
In honor of Mother’s Day I’m beyond privileged to feature the woman who inspired me to create the RDM brand my mother and role model Joan Clifford. Joan is absolutely stunning and has a beautiful heart to match. Everything she does is perfected with elegance, style and grace. Throughout my life she continuously stressed the importance of every woman having “her own thing” and Joan beyond question walks the walk.
Joan has constantly reinvented herself, whether it was volunteering, coaching, serving on the school board or owning her own travel agency. She is currently the chair of the Goodman Theater Board of Trustees and works tirelessly in defense of the arts, a cause dear to her heart. She also sits on the board of the Naples Children and Education Foundation, which through its annual Winter Wine Festival, raises millions of dollars for Collier County’s underprivileged youth. Further, Joan is a devoted mother and wife and boy can she throw a party!!
Joan is my rock of support and has always been there for me no matter what obstacles I faced. Growing up she never missed a “pom pom” competition or a theatrical performance. On stage I always felt confident because I knew she was out in the crowd cheering me on. Joan is not only the first phone call I make in a personal or health crisis, but she’s the first person I want to share my joys and achievements. And let’s be honest she truly deserves a metal for putting up with all my boy drama over the years!!! Moreover, she taught me how to be a woman and take phenomenal care of myself through eating a healthy diet, exercise and those monthly facials! And I distinctly remember being brought to the Clinique counter at Marshall Fields in junior high for a “natural” makeup lesson when my friends began caking on the blue and purple eye shadow!!
Not to mention Joan is one of Gatsby’s biggest loves. She frequently visits Tails in the City to leave Gatsby treats with my doorman and never forgets a holiday for either of us! Gatsby follows Joan around like her shadow and is always right by her side when she’s cooking up at the lake (and will make surprise visits to her closet unannounced!!). Not surprising as Gatsby happens to be a ladies’ man and can’t resist LOTS of attention from a gorgeous woman like Joan ;).
As you can see Joan is simply the BEST Rockstar Momma. And she accomplished all of this while still excelling at her career and giving back to the community. Joan really was able to find the happy and healthy balance between maintaining her own independence and running our family. This is truly something for all us ladies to model and admire.
If I could describe Joan in a word it would be: beautiful, kind, even-tempered, wise, reliable, confident, strong, courageous, happy, spirited, fun, inspiring, graceful, intelligent, true-blue, friend, mother, wife, entrepreneur, leader, philanthropist…well you get the point! Why should any of you have to choose to be one thing?! Joan embodies the ultimate statement that wearing many hats makes life more rewarding and much more FUN!!