From Rockette to
Writer
Lillian Colon
In January, 1996 I had just finished the Radio City Rockette Christmas Spectacular. I
was exhausted. I was also feeling frustrated with my career. Don't get me wrong, I was
quite proud of the accomplishments I had made in the performing industry. After all, the
struggle from an orphanage to the stages of the Radio City Music Hall had been quite a
journey. But I was beginning to feel unfulfilled. Something was missing.
I remembered that some of my most fulfilling moments came from the love and attention I
received from teens and children on occasions when I was interviewed. Perhaps it was my
growing up in an orphanage that was so intriguing and interesting to them. Perhaps in some
way my story hit home with them. I began to realize that telling my story, however
difficult and painful it was at times, could inspire and help others. I also had a deep
desire to address the needs of Latin American women. I had never thought of myself as a
speaker, one who rallies others for causes, a writer, or even a role model. But I felt I
needed to tell my story.
A very close friend of mine was working for a company called, Lifedesigns, and
suggested I attend their program. It was a workshop designed to address the needs and
concerns of women and help them fully realize their dreams. I was naturally cynical and
since I was under the impression that it consisted mainly of corporate women, I was afraid
that I would have nothing to offer or say. I was surprisingly wrong. Within minutes I
realized there were many women there who felt as I did about so many things. It was
through this group interaction that the idea came for me to write a book about my life. To
just tell it all: being an orphan, the fear of abandonment and loneliness and the trauma
of sexual and domestic abuse.
Me, a writer? What a ridiculous idea! But the tools, support and confidence I gained
from the women in that workshop made me feel I could do anything. I read a quote during
the two days there that really stuck with me:
"The moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts
of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of
events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents
and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his
way." Goethe
Through this workshop, I created a close network of friends; one just happened to be a
ghost writer who was very interested in working with me on my book.
Today, I can now say I have written a third of the book...and
what a cleansing and fulfilling experience it has become.
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