Vera-Ellen: was her famous tiny waist due to anorexia? She became a singer, dancer, and all-around celeb of the 40s and 50s and starred in a series of popular musicals, including the 1954 runaway hit and top moneymaker “White Christmas”, with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney. “White Christmas”, a perennial Christmas TV favorite, is set to run this Sunday night (December 12). Watch for Vera-Ellen and her fantastic dancing, her tiny, to-die-for waist, and her chemistry with co-star Danny Kaye. But unknown to most of her friends and co-workers, Vera-Ellen was seriously ill. According to imdb.com, she suffered from anorexia for most of her career, and it took a devastating toll on her body.
Vera-Ellen: Anorexia Nervosa?


In the 1950s, anorexia nervosa was not a household word. The term existed, but most people had no idea not-eating could be a disease. No one knew how to help or handle a person who simply would not—could not eat enough to stay healthy. Vera-Ellen was known and recognized as a very thin woman, in an era when voluptuous was a sexy word. “Bean pole” and “broomstick” were terms used for skinny women. And since dancing is really hard work, she likely teetered on the edge of starvation, most of the time.
Vera-Ellen: Rumors

Publicity pictures, the movies, themselves, and photo ops with Vera-Ellen all have one thing in common: her throat is covered. Watch “White Christmas” Sunday, and the fact will be obvious. Here is the mystery. Why ? Why did Vera-Ellen always cover her throat, even in the most revealing dance costume? No one knows for sure, but Hollywood speculation is that anorexia – a disease which leads to premature aging – had wrinkled her throat long before her time.

White Christmas, One More Time

You’ve seen it before, you’ll see it again. The singing and dancing are superb. Seattlepi.com calls then spectacular. Irving Berlin’s songs live on today. But the story-line is totally stupid. The audience is supposed to believe a WW II General’s former men are so loyal they drop everything on Christmas Eve and drive to Vermont for a little cash-flow-problem-controlling vacation? Not likely, but who cares.

Meanwhile, watch Vera-Ellen dance. Some have called her the best of her era. And she was known for the smallest waist. Maybe now we know why.

Vera-Ellen: was her famous tiny waist due to anorexia? She became a singer, dancer, and all-around celeb of the 40s and 50s and starred in a series of popular musicals, including the 1954 runaway hit and top moneymaker “White Christmas”, with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney. “White Christmas”, a perennial Christmas TV favorite, is set to run this Sunday night (December 12). Watch for Vera-Ellen and her fantastic dancing, her tiny, to-die-for waist, and her chemistry with co-star Danny Kaye. But unknown to most of her friends and co-workers, Vera-Ellen was seriously ill. According to imdb.com, she suffered from anorexia for most of her career, and it took a devastating toll on her body.
Vera-Ellen: Anorexia Nervosa?


In the 1950s, anorexia nervosa was not a household word. The term existed, but most people had no idea not-eating could be a disease. No one knew how to help or handle a person who simply would not—could not eat enough to stay healthy. Vera-Ellen was known and recognized as a very thin woman, in an era when voluptuous was a sexy word. “Bean pole” and “broomstick” were terms used for skinny women. And since dancing is really hard work, she likely teetered on the edge of starvation, most of the time.
Vera-Ellen: Rumors

Publicity pictures, the movies, themselves, and photo ops with Vera-Ellen all have one thing in common: her throat is covered. Watch “White Christmas” Sunday, and the fact will be obvious. Here is the mystery. Why ? Why did Vera-Ellen always cover her throat, even in the most revealing dance costume? No one knows for sure, but Hollywood speculation is that anorexia – a disease which leads to premature aging – had wrinkled her throat long before her time.

White Christmas, One More Time

You’ve seen it before, you’ll see it again. The singing and dancing are superb. Seattlepi.com calls then spectacular. Irving Berlin’s songs live on today. But the story-line is totally stupid. The audience is supposed to believe a WW II General’s former men are so loyal they drop everything on Christmas Eve and drive to Vermont for a little cash-flow-problem-controlling vacation? Not likely, but who cares.

Meanwhile, watch Vera-Ellen dance. Some have called her the best of her era. And she was known for the smallest waist. Maybe now we know why.

Vera Bradley Inc. plans to sell up to an estimated $175 million of stock in an initial public offering, with the maker of handbags and accessories looking for capital for growth efforts.

The filing flow of IPOs has remained steady in recent months despite the stock market's increased volatility, but getting the deals closed has been another matter. In the U.S., a number of deals have priced below expectations while some companies shelved plans altogether.

Vera Bradley, which also makes travel and leisure items for women, has applied for its stock to be listed on the Nasdaq Global Market. No potential ticker symbol was specified.

The 28-year-old company has seen sales more than double in the past five years. In its fiscal first quarter ended May 1, Vera Bradley reported its profit more than doubled to $16.8 million as revenue grew 19% to $85 million. Its products are in some 3,300 independent stores, nearly all in the U.S., and "select" national retailers and third party e-commerce sites. Vera Bradley also has 29 stores, all but one full-priced locations.

The company said in its filing Thursday with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it feels the U.S. can support at least 300 of its full-priced stores.

Vera Bradley Inc. plans to sell up to an estimated $175 million of stock in an initial public offering, with the maker of handbags and accessories looking for capital for growth efforts.

The filing flow of IPOs has remained steady in recent months despite the stock market's increased volatility, but getting the deals closed has been another matter. In the U.S., a number of deals have priced below expectations while some companies shelved plans altogether.

Vera Bradley, which also makes travel and leisure items for women, has applied for its stock to be listed on the Nasdaq Global Market. No potential ticker symbol was specified.

The 28-year-old company has seen sales more than double in the past five years. In its fiscal first quarter ended May 1, Vera Bradley reported its profit more than doubled to $16.8 million as revenue grew 19% to $85 million. Its products are in some 3,300 independent stores, nearly all in the U.S., and "select" national retailers and third party e-commerce sites. Vera Bradley also has 29 stores, all but one full-priced locations.

The company said in its filing Thursday with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it feels the U.S. can support at least 300 of its full-priced stores.

Vera Baker is a former political fundraiser. With Muthoni Wambu, she founded Baker Wambu & Associates in 2000. According to The Politico, Baker’s organization became a top fundraising firm for the Congressional Black Caucus. Baker was the Finance Director for Barack Obama’s 2004 Illinois Senate campaign and was identified by The American Prospect as one of the “rare” African-American major fundraisers. She also served as the Deputy Political Director at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Baker was born and raised in San Francisco. She received duel Bachelor degrees in political,legal and economic analysis and African American studies from Mills College. She also worked toward a Masters of Art in political science from Howard University and a Masters of Art in African American studies.

After leaving political fundraising, Baker worked for Alta Capital Group, a municipal bond broker-dealer. She then launched Cape Caribbean, LLC, with offices in Fort de France, Martinique and Miami, Florida.

Vera Baker is a former political fundraiser. With Muthoni Wambu, she founded Baker Wambu & Associates in 2000. According to The Politico, Baker’s organization became a top fundraising firm for the Congressional Black Caucus. Baker was the Finance Director for Barack Obama’s 2004 Illinois Senate campaign and was identified by The American Prospect as one of the “rare” African-American major fundraisers. She also served as the Deputy Political Director at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Baker was born and raised in San Francisco. She received duel Bachelor degrees in political,legal and economic analysis and African American studies from Mills College. She also worked toward a Masters of Art in political science from Howard University and a Masters of Art in African American studies.

After leaving political fundraising, Baker worked for Alta Capital Group, a municipal bond broker-dealer. She then launched Cape Caribbean, LLC, with offices in Fort de France, Martinique and Miami, Florida.