<<<Back to Table of Contents
Shelley Seale
Shelley Seale is a freelance writer in Austin, but she vagabonds in any part of the world whenever possible. Shelley has written for The Seattle Times, Washington Magazine, Intrepid Travel and Andrew Harper Traveler Magazine among others, and she is the Sustainable Travel writer at The Examiner. Her new book, The Weight of Silence, follows her journeys into the orphanages and slums of India, where for millions of children, the life portrayed in Slumdog Millionaire is their reality. Her mantra is “travel with a purpose.”
Resume highlight:
I first visited India in 2005, for what I thought was going to be a one-time volunteer trip to an orphanage. But as I began to learn the stories behind the children living in the orphanage, there was simply no way to go on with my life as if they didn’t exist – and so this one trip turned into a four-year journey back-and-forth to India and ultimately culminated in my book.
Would you consider yourself a risk taker?
I might term myself more of an adventurer. I have a huge wanderlust, and so most of my risks seem to be taken on the road in foreign countries.
Are there any women whom you admire because of their courage or consistent risk-taking?
My role models tend to be those who take risks by standing up for what they believe in, bucking the status quo and having a strong and sometimes controversial voice in the world – Amelia Earhart, Rosa Parks, Alice Paul, Harriet Tubman.
Get to know the austinwoman staff
Mary Anne Connolly
Born in Alexandria, VA and raised on Air Force bases in Hawaii and Texas, Mary Anne Connolly graduated from The University of Texas with degrees in art history and English. She began her career working in public relations for a design firm in New York City. At 27, she moved to TV, working for ABC Daytime, then 20/20 and John Stossel Specials at ABC News. She joined newsmagazine Fox Files as an associate producer where she worked with current stars like Chris Cuomo, Bill O’Reilly and Greta Van Susteren.
In 2003, Connolly returned to Texas to be closer to her family and achieve a healthier quality of life. She joined austinwoman as its editor in July 2005. When not working for the magazine, Connolly runs her own publicity and media consulting business, M.A.Communications. She enjoys all Austin has to offer, especially live music and outdoor pursuits like cycling, hiking and sailing.
What is the biggest risk you have ever taken in your career?
Becoming the editor of a magazine after 15 years working as a PR asst./publicist; associate producer; freelance writer and managing editor. I was always a cog in a big machine; suddenly I was responsible for the whole thing!
Are there any jobs that you feel are particularly risky and that you admire those who do them?
Those in our military forces, as well as fire and police, like the great women featured in this issue! Anyone willing to sacrifice their life for the freedom and safety of others is, to me, the ultimate heroine and risk-taker. Everything else pales in comparison.