This article appeared in the May/June 2002 issue of New Moon Magazine. It was part of their “25 Most Beautiful Girls - Beauty from the Inside Out” issue. Rana Betting, our former Girls Rock! Director, nominated Velma with the following reflection on how Velma is such a courageous and beautiful girl.

Velma Miller is a Beautiful Girl

As we drive back from a long day of rock climbing, I put an Aretha Franklin tape in the stereo. “R-E-S-P-E-C-T!” Velma belts out. She knows all the words AND she’s singing the loudest.

Velma Miller has participated in many rock climbing programs with Passages Northwest. It’s my job to instill leadership and courage in girls, and I’ve never met a girl quite like Velma before.

At 13, Velma is a skilled rock climber. She’s also a responsible and trustworthy climbing partner who’s willing to challenge herself and her peers. She believes in herself and isn’t afraid to keep trying.

What I admire most about Velma is her emotional courage. As an African-American girl who has grown up in the foster care system, Velma has had her share of challenges. I’ve never seen that slow her down. She knows who she is and what she believes in. She follows her heart and knows how to express it.

One time a girl tried picking on Velma. "You’re fat!" the girl said. "Oh yeah!?" countered Velma. When I came over to diffuse the argument, I asked Velma what she needed from the girl to feel respected by her.

"I need her to understand that I bring a lot of strengths to this group. It doesn’t matter what my size is; it matters what I can do and who I am."

"R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Find out what it means to me," Velma continues. She knows all of the words. More importantly, she knows what they mean.