11-year-old Challenge Club Member Makes it to The Today Show (reprinted from regnumchristi.org) Who said the under-12 crowd can´t make a difference? Eleven-year-old Ella Gunderson of Redmond, Wash., has proved what one girl with some initiative can do. Ella, a member of the Catholic girls club Challenge, wrote to executive of Nordstrom department stores with a mission in mind, as reported by Nick Perry of the Seattle Times on May 21 (click here for the full story): Ella Gunderson´s missive to Seattle-based Nordstrom made it all the way to Pete Nordstrom, an executive vice president and president of the company´s full-line stores, the Seattle Times reported. "Dear Nordstrom," wrote Gunderson, of Redmond, Wash. "I am an eleven-year-old girl who has tried shopping at your store for clothes (in particular jeans), but all of them ride way under my hips, and the next size up is too big and falls down. "I see all of these girls who walk around with pants that show their belly button and underwear," she continued. "Your clearks sugjest that there is only one look. If that is true, then girls are suppost to walk around half naked. I think that you should change that." (sic) Two Nordstrom executives responded, promising they would educate employees on the fashion choices young people should have. Kris Allan, manager of the Bellevue, Wash., Nordstrom store where Ella shopped, wrote: "Wow. Your letter really got my attention. ... I think you are absolutely right. There should not be just one look for everyone. This look is not particularly a modest one and there should be choices for everyone." The letter was totally Ella´s idea. Her Mom simply addressed the envelope. Interest began to spread. First a few radio stations began calling for interviews, then local television, followed by CNN and finally the NBC Today show. On May 23rd Ella was one of 37 girls from her Challenge club to star in a "Pure Fashion" show before a sell-out crowd at the Hyatt Regency Wintergarden in nearby Bellevue, Wash. The keynote speaker was Dr. Coleen Mast, a chastity activist and radio talk-show host on Catholic.com (click here for more information). Nick Perry of the Seattle Times followed up with a second article on May 24 (click here for the complete article): Ella Gunderson has never watched "Today" on NBC, but tomorrow she will be in New York making an appearance on the television show before making another on CNN. For the shy Redmond 11-year-old, the last few days have been a shock. She never even expected a reply when she wrote a letter beginning "Dear Nordstrom" to express her frustration at what she saw as the lack of modest clothing items available at the Seattle-based store. Yesterday, Ella, wearing a sensible pink outfit, was one of 37 young stars in the "Pure Fashion" show in Bellevue, which her mom, Pam Gunderson, helped organize to highlight the modest fashion items that are available for ´tweens and teens. The show sold out, and many people donated money to help the Catholic Challenge Club network. Two clothing stores unexpectedly donated modest clothes, which were auctioned. The girls got an ovation from the crowd, 250 strong. "It´s exciting. It´s just, like, really surprising. It´s busy," said Ella yesterday. "People are saying ´good job´ and ´good luck in New York.´ " Pam Gunderson, who will fly to New York with Ella and her sister Robin, 14, said that the family does not watch much television and often avoids television news - but is making an exception this week. Ella has also been featured in several Internet "blogs." Pam Gunderson said that the amount of support the family has received makes her wonder why clothing manufacturers don´t take more notice of the apparent demand for modest clothes. Ella and her Mom appeared on the NBC Today show with Katie Couric on May 25th. To see the video click here (this may take a while to load and a commercial may come on before the actual video begins. It is at msnvideo.com) A Google search of "Ella Gunderson" drew over 70 links to stories from all over the world. Eleven-year-old Ella Gunderson is proof that everyone can make a difference. If you would like to learm more about Challenge Girls Clubs see their website: www.challengeclubs.org or contact them at: Challenge National Office 2450 Atlanta Highway, Suite 402 Cumming, Georgia 30040 challengeoffice@arcol.org 770-889-1356 ext. 2 800-501-2753 ext. 2