Aimee Bailey gave herself her first tattoo at the age of 16 and has been hooked on body art ever since.

The Catasauqua resident had her first professional tattoo at 18 and many more followed.

Now, those tattoos have brought her together with a group of other modified women for a greater purpose.

Bailey, now 37, joined the Tri-State chapter of The Modified Dolls a little over three months ago. The group holds fundraising events to benefit various charities with a local focus.

Modified women say they are frequently victims of stereotyping and sometimes discrimination.

Bailey says she has been turned down for employment in the past because of her tattoos.

"They ignored my skills and intelligence and only looked at my skin," she says.

A goal of the group is to shatter the negative images that some people hold regarding women with tattoos.

The group's Facebook page states, "We seek to demolish stereotypes and open minds to what a modified woman is and should be."

Having a positive influence on the community is the way through which The Modified Dolls organization tries to change the way its members are viewed.

They support many local charities through fundraisers.

In June the group held an art auction at Volpe's Sports Bar in Emmaus that raised approximately $800 for Lehigh Valley Breast Health Services.

They also raised money by offering face painting and holding a craft sale at the Sept. 29 Fest-O'-Fall in Catasauqua and a tattoo event at Critical Acclaim, a tattoo and body piercing business in Allentown, held earlier this month.

Bailey has a passion for charities that help animals and children.

"Pit bulls are discriminated against the same way," she says.

The group's motto, according to its website, is "the different making a difference."

The Tri-State members are having a Five Guys Burgers and Fries fundraiser Oct. 29-31 to benefit The sCare Foundation which helps at-risk youth and teens. Participating locations include the chain restaurants located on Airport Drive and Tilghman Street in Allentown and on Dryland Way in Easton.

To credit Modified Dolls with a purchase on these days, residents may visit www.facebook. com/fiveguysburgers to print out the promotional flyer and submit it when buying a meal.

A Yankee Candle sale will also be held in November. Watch the group's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tristatemodifieddolls for details.

In December, the group will hold a 'princess for a day' makeover at Sweet and Sassy at the Promenade Shops mall, Saucon Valley, and a princess ball for youths on Dec. 22 at the Macungie Institute, Macungie.

Also, on April 20, 2013, they will hold a tattoo pageant called Ms. Modified Lehigh Valley in Bath. Anyone interested in being a vendor or a contestant may email tristatedolls@yahoo.com.

Bailey says she is thrilled to be a part of a group that has a positive impact on the community and celebrates modified women.

She offers some advice for those considering getting a tattoo.

"Think long and hard about what you're getting," she says. "You'll be stuck with this for the rest of your life."

And one more thing about getting a tattoo.

"Yes, it hurts."