OBSERVATIO

I WENT TO TEACH

AND STAYED TO LEARN

Tyler McFate

Ed. Note: The following short commentary was written by a GG cos- metologist who was asked to come to an ALPHA-FPE meeting and teach the girls about makeup. She was so interested and impressed that she was made an honorary member of Alpha and expressed her feelings about the group in this brief article. Although primarily an Alpha event I felt that her comments would be enjoyed and appreciated by other FPs elsewhere and that they might in some way be handy in speaking to any “reluctant" GGs, wives or otherwise, so I have printed it here for all to enjoy:

Two years ago, while I was directing a Make Up School, we were con- tacted by an FPE and ended up by giving her instructions in makeup. We lost track of each other after that, and I had no idea at the time that I would eventually be thanking her for enriching my life. Late August she called to ask me if I would give a makeup demonstration to her group of FPs. (Alpha FPE). I agreed to do so and I did. The interest shown at the demonstration developed into special classes in cosmetics and makeup for a number of the girls. We are now in our fifth session and my enthusiasm is growing with each one. My students are attentive, curious, and have a real desire to learn.

One cannot just stop at proper cheek color placement or how to cover a beard. It all goes so much deeper. To help each one of these girls to- ward the attainment of that image they each have of their femme-self meant that I had to be able to be receptive to their unexpressed needs. It has given my own life a new dimension by making me more aware not only of other people but of a new pride in my own self as a woman. To be able to enjoy both worlds and to seek perfection as a woman - who could deny anyone that? Your ability to enjoy your other selves puts you way ahead of the game.

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