A sea of hot pink, black and white balloons and decorations filled The Studio in Downtown Troy Wednesday as more than a hundred women celebrated the second anniversary of Female Factor.

The group meets the second Wednesday of each month for a lunch and learn focused on information women need to know – from money issues, to health and fashion.

Wednesday, Female Factor welcomed hometown success Tonya Terry to speak. Terry grew up in Troy, graduated from Troy University and spent her first days in broadcasting at WTBF. Now, Terry is a morning anchor for WSFA in Montgomery.

Terry told the women charming stories of her youth, including running errands for her grandmother who lived on East Walnut Street and had chickens in her backyard.

“That little dirt yard and that little street…those are some of the best memories of my life,” Terry shared.

Terry also smiled as she spoke about a beauty shop around the corner from The Studio where she used to have her hair done and the ice cream at Byrd Drug.

“I love Troy. Troy was good to me,” Terry said, noting that she is pleased with some of the progress the city has made. “I think we’ve struck a really good balance with growth and keeping our small town feel.”

In the spirit of Female Factor, Terry spoke about how she’s become involved with fashion projects for real women to help celebrate beauty in all shapes and sizes. She said she enjoys seeing local bank tellers, teachers and moms turn into models for the projects she works with.

“Its amazing to see the transformation of what a little confidence will do,” Terry said.

The “hometown girl” also spoke with the Female Factor ladies about how the support of her girlfriends was helping her cope during an almost unbearable year – Terry lost bother her mother and her 8-month-old grandson recently.

“I’ve never cherished life the way I do now,” Terry said, adding that she does her best to live each day like it’s her last. “I do not fear death. When I tell you I am having the time of my life, even in my sorrow, I am.”

Female factor is sponsored by Troy Regional Medical Center, The Messenger, Troy Health & Rehabilitation, TroyCable, KW, Inspiration Station, Troy Bank & Trust, The Pink Parlor, Mary Kay (Tracey Koch), Jones Medical Supply, the City of Troy, Troy University, Shaklee and Horn Beverage, Co. Dottie Black decorated The Studio for the second anniversary celebration of Female Factor.