Profile: Michelle Peavy

By Murtaza Adamjee

On July 20, 2010, acclaimed author and celebrity photographer Mary Ann Halpin launched Fearless Women, Fearless Wisdom; a compilation of 40 female entrepreneurs from eWomenNetwork across the United States. The book represents women celebrating courage, and overcoming diversity to achieve phenomenal success. Each woman is photographed holding a sword; the common denominator symbolizing courage. After serving as a speaker on the Fearless Women Panel in Dallas in 2008, Mary Ann Halpin was inspired to photograph more than 130 women to create Fearless Women, Fearless Wisdom.

Of particular interest is Michelle Peavy, the only Canadian woman featured in Mary Ann Halpin’s Fearless Women, Fearless Wisdom. Michelle was born in Kingston, Ontario and at the age of four, moved to Alberta. In 1995, Michelle made the move across the border to settle down in Houston, Texas. 

About a week into her move, Michelle received a call from her mother in regards to a physical she had completed prior to her move. Michelle’s doctor had been calling in order to speak with Michelle; news that could only be delivered in person. Upon returning to Calgary, Michelle would soon learn she had stage 3 cervical cancer. Absolutely shocked and horrified, and grappling with the complex American medical system, Michelle elected to work for free to receive medical benefits. In a span of roughly two years, Michelle was forced to work on commission and recover from surgery while enrolling in a clinical trial that would help her recover from her cancer cells – all the while, without a consistent network of support.

Following the clinical trial, Michelle’s cancer cells were temporarily destroyed only to reappear eight years later. Once again, Michelle would be forced to undergo surgery and continue her ongoing battle with cancer. Remaining fearless, Michelle would become cancer free in 2001. In 2001, Michelle also started her own executive recruiting firm, Rimi and Company, headquartered in Houston, Texas.

After investing her heart and soul into revealing her story in Fearless Women, Fearless Wisdom, Michelle describes being featured as both a therapeutic and freeing experience.

Michelle also notes that Canadian women involved in the eWomenNetwork organization aren’t as involved as American women. Having a bit of American flavour with the understanding of a Canadian woman, Michelle finds it imperative to reach out to her sisters in Canada; to join hands and embrace fearlessness.

After overcoming her battle with cancer, Michelle, having always wanted to sing professionally, has now taken her talents far and wide. She can often be seen singing the Canadian and American national anthem for the NBA Houston Rockets. More recently, after singing at a women’s convention as the final singer, Michelle left the crowd in awe, receiving a standing ovation with many women in tears. It was then that Michelle decided she wanted to be the final note; she wanted to sing to motivate and inspire. As Michelle puts it, “When people speak through dialogue, you reach them through their brains. When you sing, you reach them through their heart and soul.” Michelle continues to leave a lasting footprint, using her music to help others move forward.

Amidst her many challenges in life, Michelle has constantly endured, and remained fearless. She admits that although cancer was a temporary slowdown, she never lost the gift of insight. She constantly kept sight of her blessings which ultimately helped her survive.

Michelle continues to promote Fearless Women, Fearless Wisdom on the Canadian tour. She will also be celebrating the first-ever Fearless Women Day, August 26, 2010, the 90th anniversary of the 19th amendment.

She left me with a powerful quote that a friend of hers (now a quadriplegic after a devastating accident) once told her: “Don’t feel sorry for me because I can’t use my arms and legs, there are many people out there who have arms and legs, and yet are still disabled.” Simply put, it is often your attitude that determines the outcome of your fate.