I have no idea what this lady looks like physically, but by listening to her voicemails I know that she is an ugly woman inside. The amount of hatred and disdain in her voice sinks into my bones and angers me from the inside out.

This is a voicemail left at the pole studio I taught at in Nashville, TN this morning at 2:30am. This studio was my second home in the south and the owner, instructors, and students were family. This woman, Alicia Hilliard, clearly was not a part of this family and wants to pass judgement on people she has never interacted with. She is angry that Urban Studio is participating in the Light The Night Walk which raises money, spreads awareness, and honors the memory of survivors and victims of Leukemia and Lymphoma. All she sees when she thinks of this studio is a bunch of sinners participating in "whore-ish activity." WHAT CENTURY IS THIS? Does she know the kind hearted instructors and students that occupy this space? They are estheticians, phone company workers, athletes, teachers, mothers, and business women. They are some of the nicest women I've ever met. They are a community that supports each other much like women in a church would support each other, perhaps with less judgement involved.

In addition to many of her other ignorant statements such as a bomb threat and gay bashing, Alicia ASSUMES the reason Urban Studio is participating in this event is simply to take advantage of those who have suffered to advertise and get attention in the media. Here the studio is trying to do something nice in the community and she wants to pass judgement. If she's as religious as she says she should take a leaf out of her own book and know the only person who can judge you is god.

Alicia doesn't know that we lost a beautiful and talented instructor to leukemia in February earlier this year named Nicole Gallo Hagler.

She was a strong and talented pole dancer who touched a lot of lives. The best pole dancer in Tennessee in my opinion! I danced with her at her last pole performance the week before she passed away and couldn't believe that someone so young (33) that took such good care of their bodies could go so suddenly and unexpectedly. We were actually at the studio together making pictures and signs for Nicole when we got the call that she didn't make it.

So when Alicia, an outspoken survivor of the disease, thinks the experience is not personal for us she has no idea what we've been through or what context her words are landing in. She needs to educate herself on the pole dancing community as a whole and the specific people she is speaking so hatefully to.

Let's all pray for Alicia Hilliard who conveniently left her number in the voicemail in case anyone would like to speak with her. If anyone knows this woman personally, please feel free to share my words.

If you would like to donate to Urban Studio's Light The Night Walk (or better yet participate if you are in the Nashville area!) please visit their page here: Light The Night Walk: Urban Studio

**UPDATE! The studio owner reported her call to the police. I attempted to contact Alicia Hilliard myself after I wrote this blog, but her voicemail was full so I couldn't leave a message. My plan was to invite her to a class free of charge with the studio owner's permission so that she could meet some of the women in the class and experience first hand what it is we do. We had a brief text conversation since I couldn't leave a voicemail. I was very kind to her and asked if we could have a conversation to understand each other better and she agreed, but wouldn't call me back. From what I've heard, she blocked a whole bunch of other people attempting to exchange words with her and has been thoroughly shamed. She messed with the wrong group of people!!!

On a positive note, Light the Night was a success and Urban Studio was able to meet their monetary charity goal for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. Thank you for all your contributions whether it was through donations or supportive words.

An Ugly Woman (Updated)