It's been tough for her but what she is experiencing now is a culmination of a lifelong dream.

As a child Lisa Nagir was forced to leave secondary school to assist her ailing mother. She traded in her school books for the kitchen and household duties. Nagir had to get up early in the morning to cook for her father and work in the garden and the market. But along the way she acquired the skills which assisted her in her future endeavours. Lisa Nagir learned to cook everything under sun.

As an adult she suffered physical and emotional pain leaving her with scars which she still carries today. But what Nagir suffered fortified her and taught her to be strong. She is now the proud owner of a

successful business which has given her the financial security she once craved and enabled her to put her children through college.

Writer Lorraine Waldropt-Ferguson spoke with Nagir and was impressed not only with her endearing personality but with her food as well, which she swears is prepared with the health conscious in mind.

Thank you Calvin French for introducing us to Nagir. She not only graces our cover but is the subject of our Real Women Real Stories as well.

I don't think there is a woman alive who is not on any given day fed up with her hair. Contributor Kimerlee Ami Soo Ting was so fed up with doing battle with her hair that she tossed her comb aside and instead opened up her laptop to vent.

She shares her story of the battle with her hair with us. I am sure many of you ladies will identify and find solace in the fact that you are not alone.

US correspondent Allan Wesley gets a little controversial this week as he deals with the subject of threesomes. I am sure that after reading this the e-mails would be pouring in.

Wesley has found a sound following among Woman readers.

Writer Afiya Ray weighs in on the balancing act women face combining the triple roles of wife, mother and career, while entertainer Shazelle tackles our 21 questions.

Enjoy and remember be kind to each other.

Angela Martin

Editor

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angela.martin-hinds@trinidadexpress.com