Access April 2022

women & Aging special

MOBILE'S Cassaundra inge Burks

GRAY PRIDE! Meet Local Women Rocking the Ages & Blazing Trails

PLUS:

Is Middle-Age

a Dirty Word?

The Benefits of Female

Friendship

& More

More Than A Magazine!

ACCESSTHEBAY.COM April 2022

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from the EDITOR...

H

appy Gray Pride! This new favorite saying of mine stepped into the spotlight as a reaction to the national conversation sparked by various female celebrities sick and tired of the relentless age bashing. Witnessing the horrific comments swarming social media, it’s nice to see some of the women we look up to fight back. To say the Access team is obsessed with pop culture is putting it lightly, so we were inspired to dedicate this issue to just a few of the local women who are rocking the ages.

Wishing we could have included so many more, we’re thrilled with this bright bunch, who forged a path of their own and have food for thought to share. One commonality is perhaps a benefit of aging as women—besides not caring about what other people think of us—is that our years of experience allow us to lean into our own mindset to determine what we truly think and feel about everything, regardless of what society has taught us. Yes, we trust our gut at last. That, and knowing the difference between a good and bad wine. Joke aside, it’s tough out there at times.

We’ve tried to hit a little bit of a much bigger picture, but we hope it inspires meaningful conversations between you and your female counterparts, young and old. Enjoy!

APRIL 2022 / VOLUME 82 NUMBER 73

CONTENTS 6

Party Pics Growing like crazy, the Bay area is also booming with new businesses. Check out two grand openings that promise to keep the Bay area beautiful for years to come.

17

Women & Aging Special Meet just a few local ladies that are rocking the ages, thought leaders and trailblazers as we ponder if middle-age is a dirty word, the benefits of female friendship, all the armor needed to battle gravity if you should choose to do so, and more.

74

Columns Local experts on money, gardening, wellness, cocktails and of course, food.

Oh, what fun we had on set with cover girl Cassaundra Burks. A true testament to how fabulous she is, her son even stopped by for a visit and a quick pic with mom.

the STAFF...

Access goes behind the lens with influencer Elizabeth Damrich

FOUNDER / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / PUBLISHER Hayley Hill CREATIVE DIRECTOR / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Stevye Murray ART DIRECTOR Rebecca Foose MANAGING EDITOR Amber Wielkens MARKET EDITOR Kristi Welford Hicks FINANCIAL COORDINATOR Mary Frances DeLong

4 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

Cover Image By Stevye Photography, StevyePhotography.com Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, Cocokat1978@gmail.com Hair Felisha Allen, Identity Salon, 251.478.2409 Dress, $550, Earrings, $78; The Holiday, 251.432.4911. Heels, $110; Dillard’s, 251.471.1551.

S U B S C R I B E T O D AY !

A C C E S S T H E B AY. C O M

Manuscripts, photos and art material will be considered, but will be recieved only with the understanding that the magazine or its employees shall not be responsible for loss or damage, unless otherwise agreed to in writing. All contents @Hayley Hill Style Access, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. ACCESS mobile.baldwin is published 10 times per year. Subscription rate is $21.95 per year. All subscription inquiries should be mailed to P.O. Box 8586, Mobile, AL 36689-8586 or visit AccessTheMagazine.com. If the post office alerts us that your magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligation unless we receive a corrected address within two years.

PRETTY I N P I N K

T

he adored and well-known Drs. Mary Wells and Dusty Smith recently celebrated the grand opening of their new adventure, MD Aesthetics of Mobile Bay. In their stunning new space in downtown Fairhope, they’re proud to offer everything a girl can dream about, from Diamond Glow facials, laser skin tightening, photorejuvenation and vein treatments to customized facials, injectables, products galore, and more. The Access team is especially excited about the waxing and spray tanning options, too, as a good bikini wax is hard to come by.

Industry experts were also on hand to share the latest treatments, products, and procedures. One magical product even has the power to lift the eyes in a matter of seconds—you must see it to believe it! Located in the coveted 106 Flats, the oh-so-sleek and modern practice boasted fresh new paintings by local artists, was draped in magnificent pink florals from

none other than Wildflowers Floral Design, and featured a decadent balloon garland by FairPOPpers, provided the perfect backdrop for pictures.

Guests enjoyed complimentary pink monogrammed linen makeup bags filled with goodies, live music, champagne, and delicious bites from popular eatery Southwood Kitchen in Daphne. With a steady stream of generous prizes, one lucky guest even walked away with a year of customized services valued at close to $4,000! In the spirit, the well-dressed party-goers added to the fun and donned their prettiest pink frocks in happy hues ranging from fuchsia to bubblegum. A testament to both the doctors and their team, the event was bursting at the seams with friends and future customers lining up to learn and book appointments at one of Fairhope’s most exciting new business openings. The only thing left to do?

Run, don’t walk, to book your appointment just in time for summer. Congratulations to all!

By Hayley Hill Photos Layla Lambert, L-egantPortraits.com

MD Aesthetics of Mobile Bay 106 N. Bancroft Street, Suite 101, Fairhope 251.281.8776 MDAestheticsMobileBay.com Dr’s. Dusty Smith & Mary Wells 6 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

G U L F WHO’S GOT THE BEST PLACE TO WORK IN 2022? WE DO! Distributing More Than Beverages — GULF Delivers Career Paths.

MEET OUR PEOPLE Jeanie Hope – Marketing Manager “After graduating from The University of Alabama with a marketing degree, I really wanted to put my major to use. Luckily, a current teammate told me about this job opening at the perfect time.

GULF and my position here have been a great fit for me!”

Cliff Fields – Sales Representative

Find your career path at GulfDistrib utin Holdings.c g om!

“The best part of my job is the adventure, discipline, and adrenaline that makes me want to be more every day. I like that GULF is always moving toward new and better things to improve the company and community, too.”

GULF Delivers Opportunities In Multiple Locations Through Community, Diversity, Career Development & More. JOIN OUR TEAM TODAY! Gulf Distributing Holdings | 3378 Moffett Rd, Mobile, AL 36607 | 251.476.9600 | GulfDistributingHoldings.com

PARTY PICS

The MD Aesthetics of Mobile Bay Team

8 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

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PARTY PICS

SOHO Event Rentals upped the pretty factor with tables topped in pink linens.

10 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

THOSE WHO SMOKE ARE 25 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP LUNG CANCER THAN NON-SMOKERS*

* EVEN IF THEY QUIT SMOKING.

Lung cancer can be detected early through Low-Dose CT screening. Low-Dose annual screening has proven to reduce lung cancer deaths by 20 percent in high-risk patients.

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PARTY PICS

12 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

YOUR FREEDOM & TODAY HAPPY TOMORROWS STARTS LEGACY ARE MY MISSION

JUSTIN LAW Wealth Management Advisor, MBA

TOMORROW

STARTS

TODAY

FREEDOM

LIVE

TOMORROW

S t r a t e g i c We a l t h S p e c i a l i s t s | 3 2 1 3 E x e c u t i v e P a r k C i r c l e M o b i l e , A L 3 6 6 0 6 | 3 3 4 .6 7 2 . 5 6 6 5 | J u s t i n . L a w @ Yo u r S W S . c o m

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PRETTY I N P I N K

T

he adored and well-known Drs. Mary Wells and Dusty Smith recently celebrated the grand opening of their new adventure, MD Aesthetics of Mobile Bay. In their stunning new space in downtown Fairhope, they’re proud to offer everything a girl can dream about, from Diamond Glow facials, laser skin tightening, photorejuvenation and vein treatments to customized facials, injectables, products galore, and more. The Access team is especially excited about the waxing and spray tanning options, too, as a good bikini wax is hard to come by.

Industry experts were also on hand to share the latest treatments, products, and procedures. One magical product even has the power to lift the eyes in a matter of seconds—you must see it to believe it! Located in the coveted 106 Flats, the oh-so-sleek and modern practice boasted fresh new paintings by local artists, was draped in magnificent pink florals from

none other than Wildflowers Floral Design, and featured a decadent balloon garland by FairPOPpers, provided the perfect backdrop for pictures.

Guests enjoyed complimentary pink monogrammed linen makeup bags filled with goodies, live music, champagne, and delicious bites from popular eatery Southwood Kitchen in Daphne. With a steady stream of generous prizes, one lucky guest even walked away with a year of customized services valued at close to $4,000! In the spirit, the well-dressed party-goers added to the fun and donned their prettiest pink frocks in happy hues ranging from fuchsia to bubblegum. A testament to both the doctors and their team, the event was bursting at the seams with friends and future customers lining up to learn and book appointments at one of Fairhope’s most exciting new business openings. The only thing left to do?

Run, don’t walk, to book your appointment just in time for summer. Congratulations to all!

By Hayley Hill Photos Layla Lambert, L-egantPortraits.com

MD Aesthetics of Mobile Bay 106 N. Bancroft Street, Suite 101, Fairhope 251.281.8776 MDAestheticsMobileBay.com Dr’s. Dusty Smith & Mary Wells 14 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

BREAST CANCER. THROUGH HER EYES. At the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute (MCI), we use genetic testing to give our high-risk breast cancer patients the ability to make more informed decisions about their available options for early cancer detection and risk reduction.

In my own family history, I’ve seen loved ones fight cancer.

Their fight has inspired me to help patients by receiving specialized training in this field, obtaining a master’s degree in genetic counseling from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), gaining a board certification through the American Board of Genetic Counselors, and becoming licensed across the state of Alabama.

I am ready to fight with you. My goal is always to help patients and families get ahead of the disease by identifying genetic risk factors before symptoms arise and differentiating what role their genes can play in cancer. To me, this is the most rewarding part of the job.

See Breast Cancer Differently.

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VESTA TAYLOR LIGHTS UP ART WALK Home design enthusiasts and art lovers alike were in for a treat at Vesta Taylor Lighting & Design’s first Fairhope Art Walk. Vesta went all out, welcoming our area’s treasured artist Amber Ivey.

Guests were delighted by this talented duo’s expertise as they showcased the latest in home trends, lighting, and fresh new art in many mediums, including Amber’s newest offerings in Lucite, jewelry, handbags, and paintings. Along with sweet treats and champagne for all, one lucky attendee won a free Vesta Taylor design concept at this master class in Coastal living.

By Hayley Hill Photos Layla Lambert, Layla Lambert, L-egantPortraits.com

16 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE The new XC40 was created with one single purpose: to provide you with an SUV that perfectly fits you and your lifestyle. Designed to be intuitive to use and to make life easier, the XC40 is a pleasure to live with every day. Make your choice, and enjoy wherever the journey takes you. At Volvo Cars Mobile.

1525 East Interstate 65, Service Rd. S., Mobile AL 36606 · (251) 459-8997 · M–F 8:30 a.m.–7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

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EXPERIENCE. PERSONAL. EXCELLENCE. Aging gracefully and happily is about a journey of transformation.

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251.929.7850 | EasternShoreCosmeticSurgery.com 18 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

Ah, womanhood. It’s not a black and white topic. Cult-classic Sex and the City’s recent reboot And Just Like That... sparked an aging debate so intense many may have gone prematurely gray from the insult slinging alone. The claws came out as the iconic actors transitioned from screen sensations in their thirties to nitpicked 50-somethings. From having too many wrinkles to too much work, they couldn’t win. And it’s so much more than that. Hollywood A-listers are speaking out about the impossible industry standards and we all know about the recent Instagram scandal, where a whistleblower revealed the company knew there was a correlation to low self-esteem in girls. To quote actress Valerie Bertinelli’s new book title—Enough Already. Regardless of celebrity status, this issue is more than skin deep and impacts us in ways we may not even be aware of. Intrigued, Access set out to curate an issue providing positivity and insight into the negative lens of aging, which can invoke shame and loss of joy. Our hope is to provide food for thought that can be shared with women of all ages to reframe the conversation. From those rocking the ages to those on the front lines of local politics and education, let’s dig in.

COMING of

AGE

Radiating positive energy and approachability, Cassaundra Inge Burks is happy to talk about aging because for her, it’s been an opportunity for positive change. From her prestigious position as Vice President and Private Banker with Renasant Bank to her love for her family andthe countless ways she serves her community, Cassaundra is determined to pay her well-earned success forward by mentoring the next generation.

Dress, $550, Earrings, $78; The Holiday, 251.432.4911. Heels, $110; Dillard’s, 251.471.1551.

By Amber Wielkens Photos Stevye Photography, StevyePhotography. com Hair Felisha Allen, Identity Salon, 251.478.2409 Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, Cocokat1978 @gmail.com

20 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

Top, $49, Pants, $89; Dillard’s, 251.471.1551. Necklace, $98; Debra’s, 251.343.7463. Bangles, $85-$245, Earrings, $55; The Holiday, 251.432.4911.

U

pon meeting Cassaundra, it’s immediately clear she’s no shrinking violet. Instead, we have before us a woman unafraid to share her opinion, self-confident, and genuinely open to tackling any subject. With a Southern twang and a smile, she readily speaks on her childhood, her parents’ influence, her road to success, and her treasured family. Married to William Burks III for 27 years, they have four children and one new grandchild, whom she calls “sweet baby boy Mekai.” Most importantly, she shares her thoughts on aging and what forced her to remember to put herself first after a lifetime of caring for others.

On her unique name, Cassaundra says, “My name is a blend of Cassie and Saundra, my grandmother and mother, a good ol’ Southern

tradition of which I am extremely proud.” Shortly after she was born in Mobile, her family moved to Mississippi and five years later, Cassaundra became a self-proclaimed “Tallahassee Lassie” when they relocated to Florida, where her dad, “a bright and eager compounding pharmacist,” joined the faculty of the Florida A&M University School of Pharmacy and her mother continued her career as an elementary school music teacher.

Gratitude for her parents is baked into her personality. “I’m a proud alumnus of Florida A&M University (FAMU) just like my dad and siblings. Dad, along with other like-minded professionals, filled the void of accessible continuing education opportunities for Black pharmaceutical professionals,” she states. “He started the Pharmaceutical Symposium at FAMU over 45 years ago. Because

of his impact, it’s been officially renamed The Leonard Lebaron Inge Sr. Clinical Pharmacy Symposium,” she smiles. While her father instilled in her a passion for science and social justice, her mom was equally influential.

“My mother, an accomplished musician and vocalist, exposed me to art and culture— she could see the beauty in everything and everyone. Everything she touched became a little bit better.”

After graduation, Cassaundra got busy.

Recruited by Parke-Davis Pharmaceuticals to work as medical sales representative, she quickly proved herself and after five successful years, she was relocated to the Flora-Bama Gulf Coast. “Wonderfully chaotic” is her colorful description of the following years, “A few twists, turns, corporate acquisitions, Big Pharma lay-offs, and management changes kept me spinning.

I married William, started a family, and threw myself headfirst into volunteering with many agencies and a new career in banking,” she says, adding, “I’ve spent the past 15 years serving the financial needs of corporate clients, institutions, and individuals throughout Florida and South Alabama.”

It’s easy to understand her no-nonsense approach to aging when Cassaundra illustrates what’s important to her. “Throughout my life, I’ve been told ‘You haven’t changed at all!’

Well, we know I have—it’s impossible to not have physically changed,” she chuckles. “I believe they’re talking about feeling comfort and familiarity when we’re together. I like to think I make people feel seen.” Her take on life’s speedbumps? “When I encounter difficult situations or people, I remind myself I’m not inviting that issue or those people into my home for Christmas dinner—I just need to work through the situation. It instantly calms me and I get through it with a smile on my face.” We’re definitely using that one.

Cassaundra’s plainspoken manner adds weight to her words regarding how she lives her life and gives us a wake-up call to privilege. “Just like most women of color in the South, I’ve experienced my unfair share of racism and sexism. It’s an exhausting generational burden that shouldn’t be. Every day, I work hard to represent my family and my culture to the best of my ability. I welcome the opportunity to share historical and personal facts about Black culture with any and every person willing to listen. This is the precise reason I choose to be my authentic self, always!” How many of us think about how our actions might reflect on everyone with our skin color?

At this point, Cassaundra shares the moment everything changed for her. “I was a clichéd Southern woman doing for everyone but myself: dressing kids, cooking meals, working full time, and volunteering often. Add in trying to care for my aging and ill father in another state, and there came a time where I literally couldn’t see while driving—I was terrified.” While receiving medical care, she was strongly advised to change her lifestyle, advice she immediately took to heart. “It was 22 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

Jumpsuit, $179, Blazer, $179; Dillard’s, 251.471.1551. Necklace, $100; The Holiday, 251.432.4911. Heels, Call For Price; Debra’s, 251.343.7463. Belt, $154; Rise, 251.341.7096.

Sunglasses, Call For Price; JJ Eyes Optical Boutique, 251.929.0015.

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a divine intervention. Months earlier, I’d started hinting I wanted a rowing machine for my 50th birthday. As fate would have it, while driving to get a handful of prescriptions filled, I saw a group of people unloading rowing machines out of a moving truck,” she grins.

“A quick U-turn away from the pharmacy and into the parking lot of Mission Fitness changed everything for me. My now-dear friend and Mission Fitness owner Alison Jones was setting up her new gym when ‘Hurricane Cassaundra’ powered through her front door and I said, ‘You have rowing machines. Help me.’” Before officially opening for business, Alison began working her magic on Cassaundra, who still considers Mission Fitness her happy place. “Needless to say, I never needed to fill those prescriptions. I changed my mindset, my diet, my fitness routine—I made my personal well-being a priority.” She calls her new, healthier self ‘Cassaundra 2.0.’ Who among us doesn’t want to follow her lead in becoming better versions of ourselves?

Among her too-many-to-list contributions to our community, Cassaundra is passionate about mentoring. “I tell young women they can’t be me at 23, that they need to find their tribe, people that impress them, and spend time with them or time with me,” she says. “I always ask how I can help. There are so many awesome and diverse girls and women I’ve been blessed to work with professionally and personally. I love ‘em all! They keep me young and I’m honored to be of service.”

When it comes to aging, no topic is off limits.

Menopause? “I’m happy to chat about it and always willing to overshare when asked. I’ve had surgeries, taken medication, received injections, meditated, prayed, and experienced hair loss.

I’ve cried about acne breakouts, sleepless nights, ‘personal summers,’ and anything else you can name,” she claims.

Going gray? “I have zero interest in coloring my hair, despite people mentioning it to me,” she says before emphasizing, “But make no mistake, this girl reserves the right to do whatever she wishes with her appearance,” voicing the feelings of women everywhere who are constantly offered “help” with their looks. Speaking of appearances, Cassaundra adds, “I have a side hustle as a model, M.C., and actor, and I was once asked to wear a natural hair color instead of my ‘usual gray wig.’ I told the casting agent that my hair was my natural hair color and was my own, not a wig.”

Asked what she loves about growing older, Cassaundra waxes eloquent, telling us, “I know exactly who I am and have very close ‘friendships’ with my flaws and imperfections. I absolutely adore the cast of characters in my life and I know for a fact that I don’t know what I don’t know and I’m okay with that.” While we ponder her wise words, she wittily adds, “My favorite movie quote is from Steel Magnolia’s Clairee (the late, great Olympia Dukakis), who claimed, ‘The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize!’ I’m very comfortable in my fifties.

This age feels like a favorite item of clothing I get to accessorize any way I want—and every style option is amazing!”

24 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

“I KNOW EXACTLY WHO I AM AND HAVE VERY CLOSE ‘FRIENDSHIPS’ WITH MY FLAWS AND IMPERFECTIONS.”

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THE MANY SHADES

JJ

Sparkling eyes, a warm smile, and a welcoming demeanor reflect JJ Vanche’s true nature—she’s vivacious, outspoken, funny, and quick-witted. And that’s just her personality. We haven’t yet touched on her success as an entrepreneur and her thoughtful take on everything from the hardships of aging to lighter subjects like fashion do’s and don’ts. Understanding others are as multi-faceted as she is, she ensures JJ Eyes is stocked with frames as unique as you are.

By Amber Wielkens Photos Stevye Photography, StevyePhotography.com Hair Felisha Allen, Identity Salon, 251.478.2409 Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, Cocokat1978@gmail.com

26 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

Skirt, $110; Hemline, 251.287.6875. Necklace, $115; The Mix, 251.217.2916. Watch, TAG Heuer. Heels, Call For Price; The Gallery Shoe Boutique, 251.344.4257. Sunglasses, Call For Price; JJ Eyes Optical Boutique, 251.929.0015.

OF

P

latinum is the 20th anniversary gift of choice, and as JJ Eyes Optical Boutique celebrates 20 years as our go-to for premium designer eyewear, we can see the parallels.

Both are refined, impossibly elegant, and incredibly luxe, but unlike the precious metal, JJ isn’t cool to the touch. She’s the opposite, friendly and a staunch advocate for shopping locally and being fashion-forward, no matter what your age. And she wears it all well, with a great figure from her hot yoga practice and a calmness she says returns to her when spending time at her beach house.

Hailing from Luverne and Troy, JJ is the third generation in her family to be in the eye business; her grandfather and both parents were eye doctors. She remarks, “I was fearless as a child, but with age and responsibility, I’ve become less of a thrill seeker.” Don’t take that to mean she’s risk-averse, as evidenced by the eclectic and chic frames she carefully chooses for her stores. Where does her confidence come from? “After 20 years and two locations, I’ve learned to surround myself with smart and brilliant people. I have the most amazing staff, loyal clients, and fantastic friends who never let me down,” she claims. Her biggest takeaways from two decades in business? “Celebrate your victories!” she exclaims. Also, “Life is short, so I try to laugh every day. I’m so grateful to all my staff and patrons; I cannot thank God enough.”

Two thriving stores aside, JJ is truly thankful for her family. “I have an amazingly supportive husband, Chip; a beautiful daughter, Zoe Jane, 21; and three phenomenal boys—Josh, 34, Alex, 28, and Joe Dixon, 16,” she says, her eyes lighting up as she mentions them. Further, “I also have two amazing eye doctors for parents, Drs. Roy and Jane Lamb. They’ve taught me there’s no substitution for hard work. My family cheers me on and even helps me out if one of my employees is sick.”

Her strong personality is reflected not only in her avant-garde wardrobe, but also in the cutting-edge designer frame styles at her store, which can be game changers for aging women.

How? “Eyewear is the first thing people see when they are talking to you and it should reflect your personality. It’s the most important accessory investment you make for yourself,” she states.

JJ’s personal style is as varied as the frames she has in her store. She knows other women approach fashion the same way she does, so she stocks her shop with classic designers like Dita, Matsuda, Dior, and Persol as well as newer and daring designers like Barton Perreira, Blake Kuwahara, and Krewe. She says, “Just adding a cool frame takes your look to the next level.”

Understanding other women are just as busy as she is, JJ Eyes has an on-site optometrist to make for one less appointment.

And it’s more than just the convenience of an in-house eye exam. Walking into JJ Eyes is an experience. No wandering a wall of frames,

Dress, $400; Debra’s, 251.343.7463. Heels, $109; Dillard’s, 251.471.1551.

choosing a random assortment, then trying them on and having to trust your own feedback. You? The one whose friends had to pry your beloved Bedazzler from its rhinestone-encrusted holster? No. The JJ Eyes experience is unique, from the friendly welcome you’ll receive to incredible customer service from a highly trained staff, who will use precise measurements to ensure a perfect fit. “We help clients choose frames that best suit their face, coloring, and personality,” JJ says, adding, “I believe in finding your most confident self through your eyewear, and the team is here to help you do just that. You’ll feel like you’re talking to your stylish best friend who’s not only helping you find the perfect frames; they’re also giving you honest feedback.”

Curious about her life before opening the Fairhope store, she tells us she worked as a sales rep for Pfizer, where she

28 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

learned to work more efficiently and accomplish more. Then she casually mentions her background with a few celebrities.

“I was a personal assistant for Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger in my mid-twenties. They were both brilliant and I learned a great deal about managing people from them,” she says, smiling at our starstruck reaction.

A true visionary (no pun intended), JJ she saw the potential of Fairhope before it became a thriving market with an upscale clientele perfect for her business, but it wasn’t immediate.

“I was my only employee and worked six days a week for a long time,” she claims. “I remember being shocked that many vendors I dealt with would say one thing and do another. Over the years, I’ve learned it’s better to pay a little more to ensure great quality.” On that note, we ask what she wished she’d known when she was younger. She chuckles, remarking, “I

Top, $48; The Mix, 251.217.2916. Pants, $99; Dillard’s, 251.471.1551.

“WEAR WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL CONFIDENT, EXERCISE DAILY, PRAY CONSTANTLY, AND COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS.”

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never truly learned from what I did right.

My parents tried to spare me from some bad choices, but I had to learn the hard way.” As usual, JJ’s refreshing honesty hits home for us, too.

When we bring up aging, JJ has opinions. She answers our questions in the rapid-fire style of a woman unafraid to be heard. On the pressure from all sides to look young? “I think it’s meanspirited. I strive to be the best version of myself daily, but it’s delusional to think I’m going to look like my gorgeous 21-year-old daughter.

Society gives us unrealistic ideas of how we will age. It trains us to act like life is problemfree. It’s all a big lie. Life is both great and hard all at the same time, and so is aging,” she says.

Admitting that as she’s aged, sometimes she has trouble staying asleep, she’s nonchalant about it, telling us, “I just get up and do something, whether it be laundry or go for a walk.”

As for her own aging, she tells us, “Some days I’m proud and some days I feel 70. Life is tricky and sometimes harder than we want it to be. It definitely has its perks, one of which is that sometimes I can ‘skip school’ and play with my hubby now.” As she’s gotten older, she “feels more secure” and adds, “By the time you’re 50, you’ve figured out your real friends and the kind of people you want to be your friends, which is quite comforting.” Her final tips for feeling your best self at any age? JJ has a definitive list, saying, “Wear what makes you feel confident, exercise daily, pray constantly, and count your blessings.”

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30 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

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HIGHER LEARNING Vibrant, compassionate, beyond intelligent, and makes you feel an immediate connection?

Sign us up for a chat with Dr. Krista Harrell, who manages to do all of the above and more, both in her personal life and at the University of South Alabama (USA), where she is the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Title IX Coordinator. While some might cower at either of those multi-faceted positions, Krista embraces the challenges of her career. Thriving on her connections to others, she supports and advocates for her students with enthusiasm. And she does it all while being the model of self-reflection and confidence we aspire to be.

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32 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

A

lways listen to your mother, or do so if your mom is like Krista’s. ”She always said everyone has their own problems and you never know what someone is going through,” she tells us. The empathy positively radiating from her springs from more than her mother’s advice, though. Raised in Newport News, Virginia, Krista says, “I had a lot of loss and challenges early in my life, so I became empathetic and compassionate quickly. I definitely felt protective of those close to me and anyone who is an underdog.” In a world often short on these qualities, they make her uniquely predisposed to excel at her job helping students at USA. Always an avid learner, she did well in school and understands the impact higher education can have on families. “No one in my family had gone to college, so it was important for me to do that. Education is a game-changer. It changes the trajectory for generations and in my 20-plus years in higher education, I have seen it be true over and over,” she claims. She attended Old Dominion University for all three of her degrees, crediting her undergraduate degree in counseling for teaching her the value of active listening and her graduate degrees in higher education with understanding how best to navigate the university structure. Her educational bona fides are impeccable, but Krista also recognizes that her life experiences have contributed to her unwavering support and advocacy for her students.

A professional educator since 2003, Krista has been at USA for almost a decade now, and she was promoted to Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs last year. Asked to elaborate on what her job entails, she replies with a list too long to print here—it might have been simpler to ask what her job doesn’t entail. She’s responsible for student support, engagement, and community building, she supervises numerous departments (we counted 10), and runs a number of universitywide programs encouraging students to find a sense of belonging. As Title IX Coordinator, she says, “Title IX is often referred to in college sports but it’s so much more. It’s about equity in education related to gender. Truly, the spirit is to ensure nothing stops someone from getting their education because of gender or sex discrimination.”

Daily interaction with students gives her insight into their world. “Students certainly face more societal pressures with the advent of social media. They also tend to have fewer deep relationships, even though they may have a number of connections via social media,” she says, further adding, “The past four years, we’ve seen an increase in demand for mental health services, which was only exacerbated by the pandemic. At USA, we work hard to help students find a community and a sense of belonging that helps weave them into the fabric of the university, and our

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counseling staff are extremely dedicated professionals. Additionally, they’ve developed a number of group counseling sessions to allow more students to utilize services while also finding others who can empathize with their situation.”

At 43, Krista remains grateful for each day. “I came into my own in my thirties after my divorce and developed a physical self-confidence I never had before. I took care of myself. I’m completely financially independent and that is a beautiful thing as you get older,” she claims.

But she’s had a harder time more recently. “In the past two years, I’ve had a number of health issues that have transformed me physically and mentally. It has aged the way I look and I’ve had to reconcile it and make peace with it. I think being comfortable in your own skin is a lifelong process.”

Rocking a wide gray streak in her hair with pride, Krista says, “There is immense pressure from every angle for women to push back on the aging process. Now, I am completely supportive of women doing whatever they want to make them feel and look their best. For me, I used to constantly be ‘asked’ and ‘encouraged’ to color my hair.

34 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

It isn’t something I’ve ever been interested in. Now that my streak is more widespread, some people actually are floored that I don’t want to color it.” Recent health issues revealed she has androgenic alopecia (genetic female hair loss) and she’s lost about 70% of her hair, but here’s where all the work she put in after her divorce shows the results of self-reflection. “So now I am managing significant hair loss and near complete graying. And I will not be pressured to color my hair or wear alternative hair. At the same time, I reserve the right to make my own decision regarding those choices. As women, we need to empower each other to live our lives in our own skin however we want. And for me, I’m 43 with thinning gray hair and I’m a little curvier than before—I should still be able to feel like I am beautiful as I am.” Amen to that!

With experience comes wisdom, and Krista has lots to share with younger women after two decades in her career. “First of all, if any opportunity to travel comes your way, grab it with both hands.

Travel changed my entire life—my perspective, my heart, my soul, my education. I didn’t have much growing up, so the first time

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I traveled outside the country was during my doctoral program, when I went to Hong Kong and China. I was transformed and since then, until my health issues and the pandemic began in 2020, I traveled frequently. Doing so again is my motivation to get better— to again have the freedom and joy that comes with experiencing new places and people.” Other lessons she’s learned over time mirror the same ones so many of us wish we’d understood when we were younger. “I absolutely don’t take things as personally anymore. I’ve also realized that 99% of the time, it’s not about me. Some of my work is tough, helping with people in crisis or trauma, and I’ve learned to breathe and do my best to leave it at the end of the day.”

Krista’s only problem with getting older? “Well, while it is a blessing to be able to age, it’s sometimes startling to look at myself in the mirror and not see the 20-year-old I still feel like.” And her favorite thing? “I love having a large circle of family and friends who have been through life with me. I feel comfortable with who I am at heart, and each day gives me another shot.”

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“I AM COMPLETELY SUPPORTIVE OF WOMEN DOING WHATEVER THEY WANT TO MAKE THEM FEEL AND LOOK THEIR BEST.”

AND STILL SHE RISES From attending segregated schools in Mobile to being elected Mobile County Commissioner for District I, Merceria Ludgood has come a long way. Spending her entire career giving a voice to the voiceless and being unafraid to take her seat at the table, her commitment to serving her community is informed by the myriad challenges she faced and her understanding that diversity in leadership roles is crucial for change. Her story and advice for those wanting to be leaders in any field is a testament to both her humility and her leadership.

By Amber Wielkens

I

f you want to understand Merceria’s dedication to fighting injustice, look no further than her childhood.

The oldest of four children, she grew up in the Crichton community. “I attended segregated schools through 12th grade,” she begins. “In elementary school, I distinctly remember having used textbooks, apparently discarded from white schools. My most vivid memory is my fourthgrade social studies book called Know Alabama.

It included derogatory images of Black people and students had written awful words beside them. After that experience, my mother started purchasing our textbooks new from Anders Bookstore.”

Her mother was a teacher, her father a construction worker, and they protected their children as much as they could from the dehumanizing segregation and racism that were woven into their lives. “They reared us to believe that if

38 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

we got a good education and worked hard we would be able to achieve whatever our hearts desired. That turned out to be far more complicated than they let on,” she admits.

Although she wouldn’t have called herself an activist, Merceria’s mother ticked all the boxes of the definition of the word. “She, along with others in our community, regularly petitioned city leaders and attended City Commission meetings and their concerns were summarily dismissed,” she says. “City Commission members were elected at-large and felt politically comfortable turning a deaf ear to the needs of Black communities. The same scenario was played out all over the city. The effect of decades of neglect and lack of investment persists even today.”

Her parents’ steadfast belief in speaking out and Merceria’s spending her childhood bearing witness to unspeakable acts like the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham that killed four young girls close to her

own age shaped her tremendously. “These experiences and others engendered in me a burning desire for learning and a commitment to resisting injustice that have characterized my life’s work,” she says.

Asked if she already knew her vocation when she started attending The University of Alabama (UA), which was desegregated but still a racist stronghold, she replies, “There were aspects of my calling that I’ve known from an early age.

My experience at UA brought it into sharp relief.

Having managed in a segregated world before UA, I had literally no idea how to live alongside white people, many of whom had no desire to live alongside me. Notwithstanding the racism that was baked into my UA experience in the early 1970s, my years there, the education I received, and my personal growth while there uniquely prepared me for the work I am called to do.” She went on to continue her education, earning two masters degrees and graduating from the prestigious Antioch School of Law. From there, Merceria launched her career as an attorney, quickly rising to leadership positions in the state and then nationally in Washington, DC. Why did she return to Mobile? “It was time to come home. I’ve always known my contribution should be here. After evaluating my next steps, an opportunity to return to county government presented itself. My stint as City Attorney was serendipitous,” she says, further explaining, “Our then all-Republican County Commission was purging itself of known Democrats and did not renew my contract, which expired April 2007. It was disturbing at the time, but I now know it was part of God’s grand design for my life.”

She’s modest to a fault, saying, “I don’t refer to myself as a leader because it feels presumptuous.

Some years ago, I interviewed a woman who was a leader in her West African community and she said, ‘My path was set by the ancestors; I must walk in it.’ That sentiment captures how I see my own leadership experiences. Those before me did what they could to bring about change and it’s my responsibility to continue what they started.”

An iron fist in a velvet glove might be one way to describe her. Facing challenges head-on is part of who she is, but first, she considers all aspects of the problem. “It’s important to understand the opposing view. I like to think that my ideas add value to the community and I make compelling arguments for them,” she says. She tries to assume everyone is well-intentioned, but if the facts say otherwise, she won’t hesitate to call it out. “During my time in public life, I’ve learned there are those for whom the status quo is a sacred cow. If maintaining the status quo means blocking positive change for our community, I will use the tools at my disposal to dismantle it.”

Another pro tip for future leaders? “Listen closely for points of agreement in situations where there are differences of opinion, and build on those points to get to a solution. I’m willing to incorporate other perspectives and approaches. In other words, things don’t have

“IT’S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE OPPOSING VIEW. I LIKE TO THINK THAT MY IDEAS ADD VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY AND I MAKE COMPELLING ARGUMENTS FOR THEM.”

to my way—unless the dichotomy is my way or the wrong way. If it’s a choice between right and wrong, I am going to choose right.” Isn’t this what good leaders do? Creating spaces where challenging conversations can lead to common ground to solve problems together seems to us the epitome of leadership.

As a Black woman in politics, she is well aware of the lack of representation of both women and people of color. While many are well qualified, there is a fear of running for office. Merceria says, “The first question I asked myself when contemplating my run for office was whether I would personalize a loss as a rejection by the community.

Once I became comfortable that I could go back to my life as a private citizen and continue to contribute, I was ready to take the leap,” adding, “Running for office says ‘I’m willing to work at this level to make our community better.’”

Future leaders should understand that diversity in leadership provides for better community outcomes. “For example, if you’ve always lived in a community that had adequate recreational opportunities, you may not know that there are many communities for which that is not the case. Decisions made by elected officials impact every diversity dimension imaginable,” she says. “We have a long history of deciding what is best for people without asking their opinions. Compare the condition of neighborhoods whose interests were represented in leadership to those whose were not. The finding makes clear why diversity in leadership matters.”

“LISTEN CLOSELY FOR POINTS OF AGREEMENT IN SITUATIONS WHERE THERE ARE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION, AND BUILD ON THOSE POINTS TO GET TO A SOLUTION.” 40 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

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MOBILE’S MARVELOUS

MRS. MAISEL

Rebecca and Freida Maisel

On a recent trip to Gulf Distributing Holdings, headquartered in Mobile, aka Gulf, we were mesmerized by the sheer size of this local gem. So much more than a place that gets beverages from here to there, the varied buildings boast everything from full marketing and sales teams to human resources and executive suites. It was clear a world of opportunities lie just beyond the gates. The best part? This empire was built by one local woman light-years ahead of her time. Committed to this community and setting an incredible example for future generations of family members, women, and anyone willing to work hard, Freida Maisel did it. Here, the story behind her mojo, why we all want to work there and why anyone considering a career should, too. All aboard the Freida train!

By Hayley Hill Photos Layla Lambert 42 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

I

magine life in 1973. Gas was 39 cents a gallon, the average college tuition was $358, All In The Family was the top TV show, and women were pushing for equal rights in the workplace.

Interestingly, the US economy was plagued with high inflation, an oil crisis, and the worst recession since the 1930s due to an oil embargo, Vietnam War expenses, and a large purchase of goods from the Soviet Union. Talk about eerie.

However, 1973 was also the year Freida G. Maisel blazed a new trail when she purchased a small, struggling beer distribution company and took the reins herself. It was a different time for women and a six-pack fetched just $2.11. “I was a 45-year-old mother of three when I purchased the company. I had taught in the Mobile County Public School System for over 20 years. My husband, Herman, had a full plate when the prospect of purchasing the beer distributor came up. Deciding it was a unique opportunity, the decision was made that I would be the one to purchase and run the operation,” Freida shares about that time.

Burned into his memory, Freida’s son, Elliot, fondly recalls, “I attended the closing and I’ll never forget that day. Prior to entering the bank, my mother turned to my father, and said, ‘I’m going to go in here and buy this business.

However, I have one condition: This is my

“I ADMIT GOING FROM TEACHING TO RUNNING A BEER DISTRIBUTORSHIP WAS UNCONVENTIONAL. IT WAS JUST ANOTHER CHALLENGE, AND I’VE NEVER BEEN ONE TO SHY AWAY FROM A CHALLENGE.” business. I don’t want you talking to my bankers, suppliers, employees, or customers. I don’t want you telling people you own it. If I need your advice, I’ll ask you.’ Reluctantly, my father agreed. And from that point on, he stayed out of her way.”

A known name in Mobile, the Maisel tribe is one of the families that had a direct hand in building this community from the ground up through hard work and determination. “I was born in Mobile, the second youngest of seven children to immigrant parents. My father peddled clothing on a pushcart door-to-door until he saved enough money to purchase a corner grocery and dry goods store downtown. As a girl, I worked in the store and as soon as I could count, my father put me in charge of counting the money in the register,” Freida shares about her humble beginnings.

At just 14, Freida started dating her future husband of 50-plus years, Herman. “Soon after, Herman went into the Marine Corps in World War II. I graduated from Murphy High School at 16 and then left for The University of Alabama. I was the first person in my family to attend college. After earning a degree in education, I stayed in Tuscaloosa and worked as a social worker until deciding to re-enroll to get my master’s degree. Herman returned from the war, and we were married in 1947. After he received his master’s degree at Alabama, we returned to Mobile and both got jobs teaching in the public schools,” Freida shares.

From there, the couple raised three children; Kathy (Bronstein), Elliot, and Ivan. Elliot is quick to praise Freida as a visionary and a true Steel Magnolia, saying, “She’s tough, beautiful, intelligent, and extremely perceptive. As a child, it was not difficult to fool her—it was impossible!

She was stern, but also had a very gentle way of parenting me. My father was a little tougher, but both were loving and encouraging. Back then, my siblings and I didn’t fully realize our family didn’t have much money because my parents worked hard to ensure we had what we needed. And that work ethic was passed on to all of us.”

In step with Freida, Elliot graduated from Murphy High School and The University of Alabama just in time to work at Gulf when it all began. “Currently, my job is geared toward hitting our budgets, driving cultural change, acquiring new brands, mentoring and leading our team, and working hand in glove with my children, who are taking more active roles in the company,” he proudly shares.

Coming from a place of gratitude, Freida adds, “My son Elliot has been by my side at Gulf throughout most of my journey, and I turned the reins over to him officially in the ‘90s. I’m so proud of how he’s grown the business beyond the few counties we originally serviced. And to have several of my

44 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

grandchildren now working in the business is so gratifying.”

So what kind of success are we talking about? From a staff of twenty with seven trucks servicing Mobile County, Gulf has experienced tremendous growth 49 years later through numerous mergers and acquisitions. Headquartered in Mobile, they employ over 1100 people and operate seven distribution companies that provide service to the entire state of Alabama, the panhandle of Florida, and areas of Mississippi. With locations in Mobile, Montgomery, Birmingham, Huntsville, Pensacola, Jackson and Gulfport, Gulf continues to bring innovative brands to the market, ensuring retailers and consumers have their pick. Additionally, Gulf is invested in distribution companies in Texas and Colorado. What’s next? One thing for sure, they’re future-focused—maybe obsessed! Expect more brands, jobs, and state-of-the-art facilities as they’re committed to constant evolving and innovating.

Our visit made us more than aware of all the incredible opportunities behind the pallets of pale ale. Think of it, someone locally produces all the fun in-store promotional product displays in the form of giant piñatas, posters, and pinwheels.

And someone has to work with the food and bar industry to ensure the latest mudslide mix is available to us in our time of need. How about the technology required to set up the logistics of what goes where ... this is big!

Impressed, we want Freida’s path-clearing examples. “The business is a different landscape than it was even twenty years ago. Our regulatory structure in Alabama and Florida allows beer distributors to keep their independence from the ever-growing and consolidating multi-national conglomerate breweries. This independence, thanks to state law, gives beer distributors the freedom to partner with smaller regional and local breweries without fear of penalty from our largest suppliers. That’s a framework I proudly helped put into place.

It’s wonderful to see Gulf partnering with so many local small craft brewers. I think the industry will continue to grow as long as distributors maintain their independence.”

As for being a woman in business who shattered the glass ceiling in a male-dominated industry, Freida doesn’t miss a beat. “I admit going from teaching to running a beer distributorship was unconventional. It was just another challenge, and I’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge. I had to work harder to earn respect and to be taken seriously because I was a woman, but I produced profitable results, and I was a good partner to my breweries and retail customers. I took care of my employees. I gave back to the Mobile community that supported me. And all of that eventually earned me a modicum of much appreciated respect. Also, I’m honored to have received numerous awards

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in the beer industry, which I accepted on behalf of our employees as well as recognition for my community and charitable work. All of the honors and awards belong to Gulf and its employees,” she tells us.

A firsthand witness, Elliot shares, “Working for my mother, who was a trendsetter, leader, and advocate for women before it became in vogue and more accepted was inspiring. The beer business then was totally a man’s world, and it didn’t slow her down. She sat on many boards, including charitable boards in Mobile, as well as industry associations and spearheaded so many community initiatives locally and regionally. She understood her responsibility to her family, her employees, and her community, and her determination remains the example that sets the tone for me and our leadership team.”

To that, Freida adds, “I never let the fact I’m a woman stop me from doing what I was capable of doing. It was difficult to get an audience with the big breweries at first–it certainly seemed like they didn’t take me seriously. Perhaps they questioned whether I would last. But the strong work ethic instilled in me by my parents was the driving force for me to put my head down, work hard, and I eventually showed them I was there for the long haul. In less than five years we went from 64,000 cases to 1 million cases in annual sales. I purchased a small company with a few energetic employees and a yard full of broken-down vehicles whose marketplace was underdeveloped and highly competitive. With a little luck and a lot of elbow grease, Gulf gained its footing and embarked on a successful path of growth that still exists today.”

Wondering about her management style, she shares, “The growth and success we experienced was also thanks to exceptionally hard-working and loyal employees. I cared for them, and most

46 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

importantly, I listened to them. I had an open-door policy; I was an approachable boss and mentor. And I was never afraid to get my hands dirty. I did everything but drive the truck! This kept my employees motivated and satisfied.”

Recalling the trenches, Elliot smiles and says, “In the early days, each and every bottle and can had to be hand-stamped to prevent bootlegging. She was the fastest stamper! She gave me a lot of leeway, but at the end of the day, Mama made the final call on everything. It was her company, and she ran it with great pride and integrity and people loved working for Mrs. Maisel!”

Following his parents shining example, Elliot married Nell, now his wife of 42 years, and they have three children; Rebecca, Evan and Louis. “My mother intended this to be a family business. At the dinner table growing up, politics, social affairs, and life were topics of discussion, and so was business. And the same was true for my children. Each worked at Gulf starting around age 12. Now grown with children of their own, each one is with me at the helm.

Rebecca is our in-house attorney and Evan and Louis are both Vice Presidents and have their own areas of expertise. Together, we’re driving our company’s evolution. I’m so proud of them, as is their grandmother.”

But, family support aside, this is a big responsibility. “I maintain a strong moral compass, driven by my Jewish faith. I strive to honor my parents and set an example for my children and grandchildren.

In addition to supporting my own family, we have over 1,100 employees, and I do not take that responsibility lightly,” Elliot reveals.

The proof lies in the type of workplace Elliot and his team are building. Forward thinking and committed to supporting employees

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who want to continue their education, need mentoring, or just a chance, they invest in their people. Elliot shares, “We’re making a direct investment in our company culture, including creating an Organizational Development position to make Gulf an even better place to work. We’ve also retained an experienced leadership coach, particularly in the area of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). We’re one of the first beer distributors in the country to make a substantial investment in DEI, and feel it’s morally imperative and a reflection of our family values and the evolving business landscape across the country.”

Well aware of the national labor shortage and ever-changing workplace, we want people to know what Gulf has to offer employees.

“First and foremost, the beer business is incredibly fun! Although the concept of buying, storing, selling, and delivering beer seems simple, it’s incredibly complex.

There are so many opportunities for growth within our company. For example, we’ve had employees start in merchandising services and transition to our marketing department. We have warehouse people who wind up in sales, and so forth. We offer competitive pay, fantastic family benefits, including high-quality health, dental and vision insurance, accrued paid leave, 401K, mental health services, and so much more.”

And, this is the perfect time to introduce Freida’s granddaughter, and Elliot’s daughter, Rebecca. From sweeping floors, she went on to intern in the finance department, become a brand ambassador and now, after law school, leads the legal department as the General Counsel and VP of Governmental Affairs.

Using her experience to lead the corporate culture programs, Rebecca is a single mom to daughter Lucille with her partner Hattie Collins and her daughters, Winnie and Trotter. “Being a single mother with a 3-year old and working full-time has its challenges, but I’m proud of the example I’m setting for my little girl–I hope one day she will look up to me the way I look up to my grandmother,” Rebecca beams.

Noticing the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, Rebecca adds, “Freida’s fierce drive inspires me every day and I’m blessed she paved the way for me. We talk regularly, mostly about the beer business – sometimes she can’t believe what we face these days!

I know she’s proud of me; she takes every opportunity to tell me so.”

Rebecca passionately states, “Being a woman in the beer business has not held me back from being a hands-on mother, an executive at Gulf, and, like Freida and Elliot before me, serving on the Board of the National Beer Wholesalers Association for the past seven years. Last year, I was elected Secretary of the Board, making me one of the youngest and one of the first female officers in the history of the

48 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

Louis, Rebecca, and Evan Maisel

association. I like to think I inherited Freida’s work ethic and confidence, while maintaining a healthy amount of humility and willingness to learn from others, just as she did. As women, we have to keep pushing barriers to effect change.”

In regards to what the company means to her, Rebecca says, “We’re a caring company. Our employees are family to us. We want them to succeed and if they move on, we want them to be proud to have worked here and leave a much better person with a stronger skillset.”

True to their humble nature, most aren’t aware Gulf donates approximately $1 million annually to the community. “As we’ve grown, we have a lot of opportunities to donate our products to events, which helps charities retain more of their fundraising profits. However, we also make countless monetary donations, provide funds for employees in need during difficult times, and encourage and reward our employees for engaging in charitable endeavors,” Elliot states.

When it comes to future plans, Gulf is banking on their employees. “We plan to continue growing and to deepen our effort to be more diverse and inclusive, a better place to work, and a better corporate citizen.

We’ve been in Mobile for 49 years, and have no doubt our future is bright! There are so many new innovative brands and product lines, servicing systems to enhance our suppliers’ businesses, and more. We hope to announce a new location for our Mobile warehouse operation later this year and we’re excited our newly built state-of-theart warehouse facility in Birmingham will open in June,” Elliot tells us.

Bringing it full circle, Freida has wisdom for

us all. “I have a handwritten quote on my desk: ‘Success is a little bit of luck and a lot of hard work.’ My best advice is to simply ‘do’–push forward each day and don’t get bogged down by the weight of other people’s expectations. Set goals for yourself. Work hard, maintain integrity, and always do the right thing. Be someone that lifts people up and brings out the best in them.”

Our wisdom tells us to find our inner-Freida and blaze a trail, too. And, we’re pretty sure Gulf is a place where the trail can begin for many. With our eyes open to the fact that behind these seemingly quiet buildings lining our community there often lies a rich history we can all benefit from knowing and sharing. Freida, from all the women behind you, thank you.

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FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS

B’Beth Weldon, Pat Hall, and Charlotte Kilborn Carey

If you have strong female friendships, you know this is where the real gold’s at. But are you aware scientific evidence supports there are actual health benefits associated with it? From prolonging life to keeping depression at bay, especially as we age, it seems a girls’ trip is just what the doctor ordered.

Wanting to put this incalculable asset into words and real-life examples, Access columnist Charlotte Kilborn Carey graciously invited us into her inner circle with besties B’Beth Weldon and Pat Hall. This deeply smart and fun-loving trio shares a glimpse into the ties that bind and left us wondering why are the health benefits of sisterhood just being recognized now?

By Hayley Hill Photos Stevye Photography, StevyePhotography.com Hair Jason Chambers, HeadDress Salon, 251.689.7427 Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, Cocokat1978@gmail.com Wardrobe Courtesy of CK Collection 50 ACCESS Magazine / March 2022

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ou may know or perhaps have even seen this trifecta of trailblazers out and about. At any given restaurant at any given time, their table is the lively one many wish they could just pull up a chair to and get lost in what’s clearly great conversation, complete with laughter and rounds of self-esteem that can’t be ordered off the menu. The best part?

They’d welcome you with open arms. I know this to be true because they welcomed me. And the conversation is as good as it looks. Discussing everything from the deeply concerning, like narcissistic men and the unfair hardships of aging, to joyenhancing finds like beauty treatments and shoes, I leave them with a high on life that keeps me going back for more.

Chances are most women understand the value of a good friend.

So much more than gushing about marriage, home décor, and good old-fashioned family drama, we rely on each other not only for honest answers to questions like “Do these jeans make my butt look big?” but to share and discuss topics that not all men know how to handle in quite the same way. There’s simply something undeniably special about the female bond, so it’s no surprise science is catching on, too.

According to a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, women with early-stage breast cancer were four times more likely to die from cancer if they didn’t have very many friends. Those with a larger group of friends with early-stage breast cancer had a much better survival rate. When researchers studied factors like blood pressure, body mass index, and inflammation, they found people with strong social connections had lower health risks for these conditions. Fascinating, isn’t it?

Furthermore, professionals agree spending time with friends extends women’s life expectancy. UCLA research even points to this as a way to explain the global gender gap in mortality, since women more reliably turn to their social circle when experiencing stress than men. Research also shows that women, more than men, need to maintain these connections as they age, as it increases serotonin and oxytocin, the bonding hormone that helps us feel nurtured and validated.

Socializing with friends also helps older women deal with loneliness and depression, according to a report in Psychology Today that states, “Female friendships can be the key to happiness in older women, but they’re not often treated as such.” And it’s true; we hear a lot more about the importance of exercise and nutrition than hanging out with girlfriends.

It seems even the most understanding spouses or children can’t quite tip the serotonin scale like a good female friend. Vital to one’s physical and mental health, our comradery, especially between the estrogen-deficient, helps us fight depression, which is often triggered by isolation and loneliness.

If you think about it, in the not too distant past it was common for people to meet up more in person. Nowadays, with technology giving us the ability to stay in contact more, we’re actually more isolated and feel more alone than ever before.

The dichotomy between being hyper-connected and the rise in reported emotional alienation means our real-life, face-to-face friendships are even more important to sustain. The point? If you’ve got some good girlfriends, call or visit with them like your life depends on it.

Charlotte Kilborn Carey understands this pretty well. “They say you attract what you need in life and I must have needed a good guffaw because Pat Hall and B’Beth Weldon are two of the funniest people on the planet. People sometimes ask what we do together and I tell them we just laugh and laugh. The saying laughter is the best medicine could not be truer,” she claims, adding, “But it’s also so much more than that. Pat is the most generous, loving and pure of heart person I know. I think my soul would still be searching for her if we hadn’t met. I have more confidence in my abilities as a woman because of knowing her and I sweat the small stuff less. With too many accomplishments too list, let’s just say she’s a hell of a broad; the term ‘moxie’

comes to mind. She’s gone from beauty queen to conquering the boardroom when it was still a men’s only club and she can turn a sow’s ear into a silk purse in the bat of an eye.”

Regarding B’Beth, AKA Beebs, Charlotte shares, “I always admired her; she’s such a force and incredibly accomplished. We didn’t become close friends right away but when we did, we quickly formed a dynamic duo! She is the strongest woman I know, mentally, physically and morally. Along with that, her compassion, thoughtfulness, patience and incredibly caring nature seem perfectly juxtaposed with her more steely traits. Through our friendship I find courage and inspiration to be more myself and more of whom I’d like to be. I think we both really value our relationship and make sure we take the time to enjoy and nurture it.”

Diving a bit deeper, Charlotte continues, “I see them not just as best friends but as mentors, and when they’re handing out pearls of wisdom I’m there with my net. I see them as role models and watch how they live and in doing so hope to make myself a better person by emulating their actions and deeds. I think it’s not so much the great advice I get from them but having them as great examples of how we should be.”

To that, Pat chimes in, “My mother used to wisely say that everyone over 30 is the same age. Though Charlotte and B’Beth are younger than me, I believe that friendship and deep connections with like-minded women transcend age. So not only do Charlotte and B’Beth keep me young, I learn and laugh more when I’m around them. Their company

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not only lifts me up, I’m awed by their beauty and style and humbled and inspired by their talent, depth, and endless generosity.”

Not to be left out, B’Beth confides, “I’m definitely a better person having met Charlotte and Pat. They have enriched my life and the bond we share is flawless! Our friendship is ageless and based on love, life’s curves and blessings, adventures, fun antics, and admiration. Pat has a thirst for knowledge, travel, and adventure in addition to a wonderful sense of humor. With her infectious smile, she truly lights up a room and can hold a conversation with the best. As for Charlotte, there’s nothing simple about her as she has so many beautiful layers. We share adventures and the silliness along the way, but we’re also comfortable supporting each other through difficult times. It’s refreshing to have a friendship with someone who thinks like you, is willing to listen, and will honestly tell you when you’re wrong.”

As I listen to them excitedly talk about each other, I confess I wonder if a man would ever do this? According to popular thought, men tend to value friendships that are shared activity-based while female friendships thrive on intimacy and emotional connection. What aging woman can’t relate to needing an emotionally available human to gauge all that life is throwing at us?

Addressing the age benefit, Charlotte states, “I’m so much more comfortable being myself with them and they make me want to be a better woman and friend. I know I’m accepted exactly where I am and

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they don’t ever judge me. I’ve learned it is okay to have faults and shortcomings and with them, I’m comfortable being perfectly imperfect. It’s a luxury I don’t take for granted. I think we’re keenly aware that we’re on our life’s journey right now and that the journey is better when you share it with your best girlfriends. They support every aspect of my life and I trust them and their wisdom.

Having people you trust in your life makes you feel you’re in a safe space. Feeling that sense of security enables you to be more yourself and expand your horizons.”

So with their varied ages, interests and even a little distance between them as B’Beth resides in Greece parttime, the benefits add up to healthier and happier women.

Wanting to connect the health dots, perhaps it boils down to less stress and sadness due to the validation that, nope, you’re not crazy and those laugh lines are proof of a life most enjoyed.

As noted earlier, we’re living in lonelier time and the Bay is an interesting area. I often hear about female cliqueyness newcomers face. It can be hard to find your tribe so if you’re in need of finding some like-minded women check out Revel. A great option for women over 50 started by two female entrepreneurs, the organization has the mission of facilitating connections through common interests and events. Their website states, “There are 58.75 million women in this country aged 50 and over. We’re in big cities, suburbs, small towns, and rural enclaves. But while we’re everywhere, we’re hard to find. Hidden in our homes, lost in dreary routines, or trapped in obligations that fail to bring joy. With children grown, and careers winding down, this is our time to revel in the rest of our lives.”

You may also consider other groups that focus on women over 45, like NextTribe: The Voice of Women Aging Boldly, to share the experiences and challenges of aging through articles, virtual and live events, as well as fun trips, or The Covey Club, which supports women’s advancement and growth after forty. Many Facebook groups have also formed around special interests such as writing, book clubs, and so much more. Google local meetups to run, walk, hike, or socialize at local wine tastings, art walks, and so on. Believe me, women out there are also eager to connect.

It’s never too late and you can form your own group.

When Dale Pollekoff moved to Los Angeles in her seventies she found it difficult to meet people. Frustrated that all the Meetup groups were for young women, Dale started Finding Female Friends Past Fifty, which grew to almost 3,000 members before she joined forces with Revel.

Bottom line: We often think of spending time with our girlfriends as a nice pastime, a getaway from work and family routines and pressures. But we need to recognize that along with the fun and loving support, hanging with our girlfriends is important to our wellbeing. In fact, consider it self-care.

As for our local trio? Charlotte remarks, “We’re all meeting in Greece this summer and it’s going to be epic! All of the time we spend together is brilliant and it’s so hard to pick the best of the best. Pat even threw my 50th birthday party at her home. It was over the top with a Moroccan theme and all my friends wore beautiful costumes. You know how truly loved you are when someone goes to that much effort to make you feel celebrated, which is exactly how I felt.”

A former Manhattanite and affectionately nicknamed Miss Boll Weevil, Pat shares, “We will also all gather in New York City to celebrate a big birthday I have coming up. I can’t imagine hitting this milestone with joy and excitement without them.

Their friendship not only keeps me going, it’s priceless. I imagine us running all over the city like 25-year-olds. Watch out, NYC!” Laughing in agreement, B’Beth concludes, “Whether in the states or abroad, the serious conversations eventually segue into more light-hearted discussions which guarantee laughter, frivolity, and opportunities for additional adventures! This summer we will take Greece by surprise, and what happens in Greece, stays in Greece! But on a serious note, I think the best health benefit of having close female friends is the comfort of knowing we can count on each other through thick or thin—we’re a united front.”

54 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

“I think we’re keenly aware that we’re on our life’s journey right now and that the journey is better when you share it with your best girlfriends.”

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OF ELIZABETH

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While just 34, Elizabeth Damrich has learned a valuable lesson early in life that many of us learn too late.

Clearly in charge of her life, this self-described micro-influencer listened to her inner voice as it guided her away from the intoxicating opportunities in New York City to exactly where she was meant to be. Tune in as her wisdom may help you find the focus you’re looking for as well as some of her favorite spring must-have looks so classic they won’t let you down.

By Hayley Hill Photos Stevye Photography, StevyePhotography.com Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, Cocokat1978@gmail.com

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ailing from Athens, Alabama, Elizabeth met her Mobile-born and raised husband Michael Damrich just three days before they both graduated from The University of Alabama. With plans and a prestigious program awaiting her in Milan, Italy, Elizabeth decided to change course and follow her heart, and Michael, to New York City instead. Excited to continue dating Michael while exploring career options and living independently in a big city, Elizabeth did just that.

Finding fulfilling work in the creative industry at various top fashion and beauty agencies, she eventually landed at a smaller boutique agency which allowed her to participate in meetings with mega-brands like Estée Lauder, L’Oréal and Shop Bop. “It was incredible to sit in meetings with executives as they shared their brand visions and goals for everything from social media to video production since it was exploding at the time. From the meeting outlines, we created customized content for each brand that included developing the feel, color schemes, and overall aesthetic in addition to photoshoots, model casting, and more. I was hooked!” she shares.

As her relationship with Michael progressed, discussions about their future made Elizabeth push pause and truly consider what life would like married with a family in the Big Apple.

Applauding her foresight, she shares, “I was essentially a girl living in New York City with goals outside of a career. I could have stayed forever, but I chose to listen to that little voice inside that encouraged me to envision what I really wanted my future to look like. I realized I need space, lots of greenery, and sunshine to thrive and I wanted those things for my future family as well. Simply put, Manhattan taught me how to live and what I took for granted living in the South.”

Searching for the best of both worlds, the now-married couple decided to relocate to Charleston, South Carolina. “I loved it!

It felt like a little European city. Plus, I’m drawn to coastal cities and much like Mobile, Charleston is a port city, too. We lived downtown and were able to walk everywhere and enjoy the fantastic architecture. It was Southern yet still a city so I slid right into a city life. However, when I was eight months pregnant and the bassinet arrived, my husband and I looked at each other and said what are we going to do? My body spoke to me to the point it was yelling and I knew I had to listen.

Especially since I was in pregnant nesting mode,” Elizabeth fondly recalls.

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58 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

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“I WAS ESSENTIALLY A GIRL LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY WITH GOALS OUTSIDE OF A CAREER. I COULD HAVE STAYED FOREVER, BUT I CHOSE TO LISTEN TO THAT LITTLE VOICE INSIDE THAT ENCOURAGED ME TO ENVISION WHAT I REALLY WANTED MY FUTURE TO LOOK LIKE.”

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Knowing they wanted to be near family paired with the fact that Charleston was 10-plus hours away from future grandparents, the soon-to-be parents took a leap and moved to Mobile in 2019. “We had been to Mobile several times and with a visit planned I happened to look on Zillow and saw this incredible Greek Revival historical home that was built in 1885 for sale. When I walked in, I immediately started crying as I knew I was home,” Elizabeth shares about the stately find on Government Street they quickly called their own.

Elizabeth’s creative content experience proved perfectly timed, too.

“From the start of my career, I was immediately aware of my personal brand. I’ve always had a strong aesthetic and I knew it would serve me

60 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

well to establish my point of view. While in Charleston, I was doing my thing on Instagram as a creative outlet and something I really did just for myself. For example, I posted images of the things I loved in everyday moments. From there, brands started reaching out asking me to use their products to create and post content on my Instagram. Kate Spade was my first campaign and I just started handling it the way I did my job at creative agencies in the past,” she tells us.

Now with over 16,000-and-counting Insta-followers, Elizabeth has found a way to not only curate beautiful content, she’s curating that life she envisioned years ago. Doing it on her own terms and as a business not only for herself, she did it for her husband and two children, too.

“I never imagined brands would hire me to do this; it’s a dream come true. I love creating beautiful imagery that serves the brand and shows how the product fits into my world.

It’s a creative outlet that provides instant gratification and it’s amazing how we can tell stories and share our lives from anywhere now.

I’m doing a design project for a resort brand I’ve loved every minute of! They hired me to do trend research and design the silhouettes for their collection,” she adds.

With her keen eye for all things aesthetically pleasing, we swoon over her carefully created images that boast soft hues of creams and whites and architectural details that somehow bring what’s old and new together flawlessly. Her list of clients include Sezane, Lake Pajamas, Ann Taylor, Cuyana, Crane Stationery, Kate Spade, and more. The commonality? They see value in her branding abilities. On how it works, she shares, “Clients send me a brief that includes their goals and a bit of direction. From there, they give me creative control for developing the imagery and campaign. At the end of the day, I view myself as a creative director. I’m beyond thankful for my agency and branding experience as my goal is to honor the brand as well as my personal brand. It has to work for both of us.”

Soon to celebrate nine years of marriage, we ask about life on the Bay. “I’m still finding my way but we’ve met a lot of young couples like us investing in these wonderful historic homes. That fact alone gave us the confidence that we’d find our tribe here,” she tells us. As for favored spots, she lists home and antique stores on both sides of the Bay like Crown & Colony, Aubergine, Atchison Home, RF Architectural & Garden Antiques, and Charles Phillips. For food and fashion, it’s The Holiday, The Hope Farm, and Nova Espresso Market.

Bringing it back around, Elizabeth’s deep understanding of herself and what she needs to thrive and be happy has served her well. Many women of all ages ignore their inner voice and simply sacrifice what they need for the benefit of others or out of fear of change. Her story shows us that being true to oneself by realizing and prioritizing our needs isn’t selfish—it’s survival in the best possible way.

FOLLOW ELIZABETH ON INSTAGRAM, @LIZ_DAMRICH

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Middle-Aged, A DI RTY WORD?

What does the term middle-aged mean and why should we care?

If you’re middle-aged like me, chances are you know exactly what it implies. To me, it sometimes feels like a dirty word and even carries connotations of shame in spite of the fact aging is natural. Knowing this is nuts, I want to vent. How about you?

T

By Hayley Hill

hose who know me will agree, I’m straightforward, driven, and curious about everything. And aging is no exception. Part of creating this issue was about confronting (and hopefully loosening) the grip of society’s implied expectations and being real-life female human beings, especially as we age. Researching middleage, most of what I read was negative. Why I am I so frustrated?

I have the receipts.

For starters? Men. While I can’t over-emphasize that I’m happily single, I go places and I watch people. I often see men my age (54) and older with a beautiful younger woman on their arm. And this just burns me up at times on behalf of my incredible single friends who would entertain the idea of gentleman caller, yet they’re overlooked. I get it. Often the man has financial means and it’s an honest money-for-youth trade. Everyone’s happy. And I even know couples with an age gap that indeed seem meant for each other.

That said, my gal pals and I have continually noticed that the eyes of our uncoupled male counterparts never meet ours as they survey a room. Never. I think to myself, “Hey, Mr. Man, I see your wrinkles and lack of follicles, and you’re clearly not wearing Spanx,” and I turn on my heels in a self-righteous

62 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

cloud of glory before being ignored by said Mr. Man. But feeling self-righteous gets me nowhere. I’m disgruntled because I can’t change society’s view of what’s acceptable for a man’s appearance being simply unacceptable for a woman’s appearance. I mean, how dare women age, right? Men, listen up, you’re old, too.

Do you know there’s actually a name for this? It’s called the Invisible Woman Syndrome.

I read a great article by Julie Hunter that confirms my feelings. She shares, “A survey that studied 2,000 women revealed that by the time they reach the age of 51, many women believed they had become invisible to men. Only 15% of the women felt that they had high or very high confidence in any area of their lives and 46% thought no one understood or addressed what aging and older women go through.” That’s beyond tragic.

And it goes way beyond romance opportunities. Raise your hand if you’ve been treated like an idiot by the all-knowing tech set.

Ever left a phone store crying? I have. I fear if I live too long, I’ll starve since I won’t know how to work my refrigerator. Between the smug disposition and blank stares, I want to scream. What,

mid·dle age /ˈˈmidl ˈāj/ Middle age is the period of age beyond young adulthood but before the onset of old age. The exact range is disputed; some sources place middle adulthood between the ages of 45 and 65. This phase of life is marked by gradual physical, cognitive, and social changes in the individual as they age.

no patience? Walk a mile in my shoes, geek squad. But alas, I need them. I just hate they know it. And, techies, shame on you. What you don’t know is that you’ll be out-teched one day, too.

As a long-time editor and stylist, I’ve created the stories, walked the Hollywood red carpets, and attended celebritystudded events. Saying our culture is youth-obsessed is an understatement. It’s baffling that we’re instructed by (and comparing ourselves to) women who are mostly under 30 and have every age-fighting advantage along with $10K in hair extensions. Heck, peruse any beauty product aisle and you’re slammed with products that diminish you with labels that shout “anti” and “hide.” Yet I find myself intoxicated by all of it as I gleefully stock up on the jars and bottles of hope promising not only a youthful glow, but a more fulfilling life, too. Talk about a love-hate relationship.

From television to social media, I feel like I’m constantly sent the subliminal message younger is better over and over to the point I feel like my head will explode. Yet I keep going back for more. The good news is that many celebrities from the And, Just Like That... cast to Valerie Bertinelli and Justine Bateman are speaking up. I was almost brought to tears of joy and sadness, as I watched Valerie discuss her book Enough Already: Learning to Love the Way I Am Today in a recent interview on the Drew Barrymore show.

Her emotional confession about the war she waged against herself as she tried to fit into the unachievable Hollywood mold covers everything from weight to aging and is a mustread.

I keep hearing 40 is the new 30 and 60 is the new 50 and so on, but is it because we’re practically killing ourselves to look at least ten years younger than we are? And this is coming from someone who backs those that choose to fight the good fight to feel good about themselves. I don’t want to lose all those good feelings that come from self-care but can we get a little break here? Imagine the pressure on our daughters. So, yeah, Hollywood, throw us an age-balanced bone from time to time, would you?

The big question is why women who accomplish so much hate ourselves if we don’t look at least look somewhat good for our age? The shame, no matter how secret, is unbearable.

So many women I know are not only raising or launching grown children, they’re also caring for elderly parents while working, running a home, putting meals on the table, and memorizing each family member’s entire calendar to ensure uniforms are clean, doctors are seen, fun is had, and so much more.

Why is there so little value drawn from these achievements while so much is attached to she looks good for her age? Is agelessness our only means to measure? These women are rock stars and superheroes and yet many have little to no self-esteem because of something as silly as crow’s feet or sagging breasts. These women should have statues and be celebrated with ticker-tape parades.

On a roll here, I have to also admit I hate the word “perfect” because it sets us up for failure. I call it the P-word. For most, perfection is unobtainable or unsustainable unless they really

do have superpowers, and it tends to be overrated. Our need to be and make everything perfect robs us of our joy and leaves us feeling depleted.

I’m reminded of those perfect children’s birthday parties the child will not remember insisted upon by the I’ll-showthem-who-does-it-better host. Not fun! Is that us competing against each other? Perfect also applies to how society dictates how women should act and be. Minimize your needs so you can be perfectly pleasant. Hit the treadmill for another three hours so you can be perfectly acceptable. Don’t speak too directly so you can be perfectly agreeable, and the list goes on.

Seeking perfection simply puts women in the perfect pressure cooker. It takes our focus off what’s truly important as we chase the impossible. And hey, I’m guilty here, too.

For much of my life, I tried to fit the mold. In the South, we like a good mold. (Hello, ambrosia salad!) With a deep love for all things beautiful and short on time, I pause to consider if the scale of what’s enjoyable has been tipped to exhaustive misery-making at our own hands.

If you want to blow your own mind in regards to how we even got here, check out This Changes Everything by Geena Davis on Netflix. Apparently, she’s not only an icon but she’s Mensa-level brilliant. In this documentary, she puts science behind the impact of the images we’ve all been raised with and how they affect our behaviors and beliefs. And again, the point is to be open-minded to contemplating information that might reveal aspects of our own mindset that could be working against our own happiness. Thankfully, that skill comes with age!

As a young woman, I imagined how I would age gracefully.

But now, faced with the reality of aging, it’s a different story.

Talking to and hearing from other women that have similar feelings has been liberating. It’s even somewhat removed the dirty word preface from the term middle-aged and made me realize that we must stop the insanity. If not us, then who?

So, my middle-agers, while I don’t have all the answers, if we refuse to be invisible, speak our truths more often, and even shift conversations from a woman’s appearance to her accomplishments one at a time, don’t you think we can help change the narrative for ourselves and our daughters? If for no other reason than turning down negative self-talk and the dread of aging, I, for one, am all in.

GOOD READS

Enough Already: Learning to Love the Way I Am Today

by Valerie Bertinelli Face: One Square Inch of Skin

by Justine Bateman Shine On: How to Grow Awesome Instead of Old

by Claire Cook You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life

by Jen Sincero

TAKE

HEART Dr. Stephanie Grosz is a woman after our own hearts. A well-known clinical cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist in Mobile, the Access team is always mesmerized by her wit, cool demeanor, and intelligence. Knowing health is often at the bottom of the list for busy women, especially as they age, we call her in to share what we all need to know now. From the difference between male and female organs to the symptoms you may be missing, she gets to the heart of the matter. And, then, of course, there’s her fashion.

By Hayley Hill Photos Stevye Photography, StevyePhotography.com Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, Cocokat1978@gmail.com

64 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

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onsidering couture her creative outlet, Dr. Grosz is as up to date on the latest collections rolling out of Paris and Milan as she is on heart health. Fluent in Dior, Prada, and Louis Vuitton, our squeals of delight can be heard miles away as she unpacks at our recent photoshoot. Ready for the hard facts on the things we love like caffeine and cosmopolitans, we land on the sunniest yellow suit ever made and get down to business.

Proving to be even more passionate about heart health than couture, especially when it comes to women, she has us on the edge of our seats as she shares facts like the average human heart beats about 100,000 times a day and is connected to about 60,000 miles of blood vessels. And go figure, women’s hearts beat about eight beats per minute faster than our male counterparts.

Why is this important? “Heart disease is the number one killer of women and accounts for about 1 in 5 female deaths in the US. About 1 in 16 women over age 20 have coronary artery disease and risks increase with menopause,” she shares. Clearly, a bit of awareness is in order.

For starters, Dr. Grosz declares, “Women have typically been underrepresented in studies evaluating treatments. While slowly improving, a woman is not a small man and should not be treated and evaluated as such.

For example, women’s heart attack symptoms tend to be atypical, making evaluations more difficult. While the common crushing chest pain occurs in both sexes, women also present with simpler symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, lightheadedness, and neck or back discomfort. They can also experience chest pain at rest and during emotional stress. Due to denial or their role as caretakers, women tend to seek medical attention later than men, too.”

And, it doesn’t stop there. “Men develop coronary artery disease earlier than women because of the protective effects of the female hormone, estrogen, which takes 8–10 years to equalize post-menopause. Our smaller vessels present several risk factors that affect us disproportionately. For example, pregnancy and the development of pregnancy-induced hypertension and eclampsia or preeclampsia increases long-term risk as does diabetes during pregnancy.

Also, inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, have a higher incidence in women and increase the risk of heart disease.

Smoking and diabetes are risk factors for both sexes, but may affect women’s hearts more. Emotional stress may affect more women, too.

For instance, Takasubo’s cardiomyopathy mimics a heart attack in postmenopausal women soon after exposure to sudden emotional stress.” The takeaway? We must rethink our outdated notions.

We’re curious about the Southern connection to higher rates of cardiac issues, and Dr. Grosz explains, “There’s a higher concentration of heart issues in the South for various reasons. CDC data from a five-year period showed the national death rate from heart disease (heart attack, stroke, hypertension, coronary artery disease) was 153/100,000 persons. In Mississippi, which leads the US in heart disease mortality, the death rate was 301 per 100,000. Alabama was second with a death rate of 291 per 100,000! Reasons for this disparity include a higher number of people living below the poverty line. In the counties with the highest mortality, 20% lived in poverty and there are inferred differences in education and the understanding of disease risk factors. Also, there’s significant disparity in access to medical care, meaning there is no access to cardiovascular care, no hospital, and prolonged times to emergency care in the instance of a stroke or heart attack.”

Since she’s one of us, Dr. Grosz knows how women tick and has a compassionate approach to heart health. “I do my best to eat healthy and maintain my weight, I don’t smoke, and I try to exercise as much as time permits. While seemingly simple, a little goes a long way over time. For example, I try to find ways to walk at work by taking the stairs instead of the elevator. I also try to get a good night’s sleep and that means limiting

my beloved caffeine. I also limit alcohol, trust me, the less you drink, the less you tolerate. These goals are not always achieved, but they are goals. If it doesn’t happen, keep trying. The best thing to do is accept yourself, minimize unnecessary stressors, and strive to be healthy, not perfect,” she states. FYI, life hack, she has yoga mats in the trunk of her car for when the opportunity knocks.

Not wanting to add stress, Dr. Grosz wants us all to know everyone has some risk factors. Know yours. “The risk factors for heart disease continue to be diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, physical inactivity, high cholesterol, family history of heart disease, an unhealthy diet, and alcohol.

And don’t vape! It’s just as bad as smoking no matter what anyone tells you. Visit your doctor and make sure your blood pressure, cholesterol, renal function and blood work are normal as you age. Treat blood pressure and cholesterol aggressively if elevated.”

Understanding many women aren’t aware of the symptoms or when they should ask to see a heart specialist, Dr. Grosz shares, “There are both emergent, in the process of becoming prominent, and non-emergent reasons to see a heart specialist. Anyone with chest pain and radiating upper body pain should get help immediately. Other non-emergent reasons to see a heart specialist would be palpitations, shortness of breath, unexplained exertional intolerance or swelling in the body. It’s our job to evaluate and take care of you. Many women deem their problem insignificant and put off being seen until their problem is more serious. It’s better to be told all is good than wait too long.”

Her group, RGG Cardiology, offers the full range of cardiology care. From the more invasive arrhythmia treatment to interventional cardiology procedures with cardiac stents and more, their office also provides the range of non-invasive testing for outpatients, too. “I do a wide variety of arrhythmia treatments, including electrical device therapy, ablations for arrhythmias and electrical disorders of the heart, and structural heart disease treatment such as left atrial appendage occlusion therapy. I see clinical cardiology patients and treat a wide variety of cardiac problems in addition to cardiac rhythm disturbances. I also practice noninvasive cardiology with interpretation of ultrasound and nuclear stress testing,” she states.

At the end of the day, the heart is one of the most fascinating and important organs in our bodies. “It even has its own electrical conduction system which causes it to contract and move blood throughout the body,” an excited Dr. Grosz shares. With her heart on her very full and fabulous sleeves, she understands the struggles women face finding time for self-care. Just remember, a little goes a long way. Unless it’s fashion, of course.

RGG Cardiology 600 Providence Park Drive East Mobile, AL 36695 251.634.1544 RGGCardiology.com

THE

EYES HAVE IT

Our eyes are often the first area of the face to show signs of aging Well, our drooping lids, puffy bags, and dark circles can be transformed into the more youthful and well-rested look we see in old photos of ourselves. Meet Dr. Valerie Vick, FACS, a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in cosmetic surgery of the eyelids (blepharoplasty) and browlifts. When contemplating cosmetic surgery around your eyes, there’s no one better qualified and we’d do well to remember that with surgery of the eyelid, millimeters matter.

By Amber Wielkens Photos Stevye Photography, StevyePhotography.com

66 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

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lastic surgery has come a long way since face lifts first became available to wealthy patients, who emerged with their skin stretched so tight it looked the opposite of refreshed or youthful. The same can be said for other procedures, and in the past 20 years, the art of plastic surgery and cosmetic eyelid surgery has seen advancements in medical knowledge and surgical techniques, leading to subspecialties like oculoplastics, where Dr. Vick shines. “The anatomy around the eyes and orbit is both delicate and complex. I am trained in both ophthalmology and plastic reconstructive surgery,” she says. “Oculoplastics is an art combining the meticulous detailed microsurgical techniques of ophthalmology with the aesthetic understanding of plastic surgery.” And her patients couldn’t be happier (or look more youthful and refreshed).

Like many of us, Dr. Vick balances being a mom to her three children with her career providing her patients top-notch care before, during, and following their procedures. She understands the benefits of self-care and is driven to give her patients results because she understands what they’re going through. “I enjoy seeing patient results,” she says. “My goal is to set realistic expectations for my patients and at the same time, give them the result they came to me for. A happy patient is truly why I do what I do.”

Now in that Dr. Vick has been practicing oculoplastic surgery for almost 18 years, we wondered if she views her job like she did when she first began. “When I first started in practice I was determined to do my best treating the patient’s eyelid problem. That remains true today, but as I’ve grown older, I can sincerely empathize with the issues they want to address, since I’ve had to face my own issues as I age,” she shares, smiling, “Nowadays, I am much more tuned in to treating the patient while still giving attention to the problem.”

With glowing reviews from her patients, she’s in demand for her surgical skills and the results they produce as well as her friendly bedside manner, putting patients at ease by explaining every aspect of procedures so they know what to expect. In addition, both her office and surgical teams are equally skilled and go above and beyond to ensure patients feel comfortable and valued.

While plastic surgeons are certainly qualified to perform lid and brow lifts, Dr. Vick’s training in ophthalmology gives her (and her patients) an edge. “The advantage of having a cosmetic or corrective eyelid surgery performed by an oculoplastic specialist is that the physician can perform a full medical eye evaluation and then determine how much correction will be tolerated without over-correcting the eyelids, which is Important considering how essential our eyes are,” she maintains.

Curious about how the procedures are performed and the ensuing results, we asked Dr. Vick for a brief primer on both eyelids lifts (blepharoplasty) and browlifts, and she supplied us with everything potential patients might want to know.

Starting with eyelid surgery, she reminds us it’s technically called blepharoplasty, from the Greek words “blepharo,” meaning eyelid, and “plasty,” meaning to change. Having learned that, we still have trouble pronouncing it, so she graciously allows us to use the term “eyelid lift” for the remainder of this interview (see why we love her?) There are legitimate medical reasons for having this surgery. If your eyelids are causing a visual obstruction that affects your daily life, an eyelid lift will make your field of vision clear. For the rest of us? Dr. Vick says, ”Many people seek an eyelid lift procedure because of the cosmetic appearance of the excess upper eyelid skin or the feeling that the eyelids

Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty BEFORE

AFTER

Endoscopic Brow Lift With Bilateral Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty BEFORE

AFTER

CO2 Full Face Laser Resurfacing BEFORE

AFTER

are heavy. Often, patients mention that makeup doesn’t go on (or stay on) the way it once did. Healthy, motivated patients are the best candidates.”

And the surgery itself? “Eyelid surgery is a procedure to remove excess skin, usually along with some eyelid fat pads and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids. The surgery can correct drooping upper lids and puffy bags below your eyes—features that make you look older and more tired than you feel.

The surgery can be done alone or in conjunction with other facial surgery procedures such as a browlift,” she claims. “A big benefit to doing that is the downtimes for both surgeries are combined, meaning you don’t have to heal twice.”

If you’re considering eyelid surgery, this information will give you a basic understanding of the procedure—when it can help, how it’s performed, and what results you can expect. Dr. Vick says, “Upper eyelid surgery corrects dermatochalasis, which is redundancy and laxity of the eyelid skin and muscle, sometimes referred to as ‘baggy eyes.’ It’s one of the most frequently performed cosmetic procedures by an ophthalmic plastic surgeon. Additional wrinkle reduction by employing laser resurfacing or chemical peels can be used to address these changes, as well.

There is generally bruising and swelling and the associated downtime before healing is complete.”

Once again, since our eye area is one of the first places that show signs of aging, it’s difficult for otherwise healthy patients to be told they look tired or see it in the mirror. Dr. Vick says hope is nigh, since eyelid surgery is a “simple outpatient procedure with the ability to reverse these changes and restore a more youthful and rested appearance.”

Addressing browlifts, Dr. Vick says, “A forehead lift or ‘browlift’ is a procedure that restores a more youthful, refreshed look to the area above the eyes. The procedure corrects drooping brows and improves the horizontal lines and furrows that can make a person appear angry, sad or tired.” Most commonly performed to smooth the forehead, raise the eyebrows, and minimize the visible effects of aging, a browlift can also help people who have developed furrows or frown lines due to stress or muscle activity. Dr. Vick performs them endoscopically, considered by experts as the procedure of choice as it “utilizes minimal incisions to achieve lifting of the eyebrows and forehead. Since incisions are minimal, endoscopic lift patients typically experience less pain, shorter recovery periods, and minimal numbness of the scalp,’ she reports.

Another tool used often in conjunction with brow and eyelid lifts is laser resurfacing, “a great way to reduce wrinkling, tighten skin and address sun and environmental damage on the skin surface.” Available at her office and at the aesthetic side of her practice, the Eye & Face Aesthetic Center, patients can also receive Botox and dermal fillers, facials, microdermabrasion, and a selection of medical-grade skincare products.

As a surgeon at the center of the fight against looking as old as we are, Dr. Vick’s personal thoughts on aging in our culture are not at all related to looking younger. “I wish people would take better care of themselves and listen to their body when things don’t feel quite right. See a physician and get a plan of action in regards to your overall health.” As much as we’re ready for our youthful eyes and brows to reappear with her help, we applaud her sage advice regarding addressing our overall health, not just the procedures appealing to our vanity. .

68 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

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Eye & Face Aesthetic Center Premier Medical Group 2880 Dauphin Street, Mobile 251.470.8906, 251.473.1900 ValerieVick.com

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The iKon Automotive Team

iKon Automotive 20870 AL-59 Robertsdale, AL 36567 251.300.7949 | iKonAutomotive.com

SMOOTH O P E RATO R Some of us learned way too late we need to treat the skin on our neck like we do our faces.

Or heredity is the cause of our sagging and loose skin, making us wish turtlenecks were a year-round possibility. Some of us rage against time’s relentless march across our bodies. Regardless of our “why,” Dr. Kimberly Donnellan, FACS, is here for us. With a flawless skillset, she’s regarded by many in Mobile as their go-to cosmetic surgeon. Here, she shares with us the details of a neck lift, showing what might be possible for those of us who’d rather see a turkey neck on Thanksgiving than in the mirror.

By Amber Wielkens Photos Stevye Photography, StevyePhotography.com Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, Cocokat1978@gmail.com Hair Jason Chambers, HeadDress Salon, 251.689.7427

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eet Connie, or rather, meet Connie’s before and after pictures, showing the meaningful change a neck lift can provide. She’s gracious in allowing us to use her photos because she could not be happier with both Dr. Donnellan’s skill and her obvious care for her patients before and after surgery. Connie feels empowered and more self-confident these days, aided by not having to figure out the best way to disguise her aging neck.

Dr. Donnellan agrees Connie was a perfect candidate for a neck lift. “When she came for her consultation, she was concerned about the excessive fatty tissue and loose skin in her neck. She didn’t like her profile, either, and inquired if a neck lift would address the issue,” she says.

“Given that the problem was multifaceted—loose skin, muscle, and excess fat—I absolutely agreed it was the answer she was looking for.”

Describing the procedure, Dr. Donnellan says, “During a neck lift, Incisions are made beneath the chin to remove excess fat and to approximate the platysmal muscles so there is a smooth profile. The other incisions are carefully hidden behind the ear and they provide for removal of excess skin and to pull the muscle taut to reduce wrinkles.” Her education and experience in cosmetic surgery informing every decision she makes, she adds, “This technique is preferred over less invasive surgical options, as it provides optimal, long-lasting results.

Recovery involves some mild bruising and swelling lasting up to two weeks. Patients are given pain medication, but the majority only take Tylenol.”

A pro tip for anyone considering cosmetic surgery? Dr. Donnellan shares, “Patients’ confidence in their surgeon is vital. I recommend trusting a board-certified surgeon with expertise in the area they want addressed. Further, “It’s crucial the patient and surgeon fully understand and share the same expectations.”

Like many things in life, it all comes down to self-confidence for patients seeking cosmetic surgery to improve their image. “It’s very important to listen carefully to best understand what cosmetic options are best for the patient’s goals,” explains Dr. Donnellan. “I then work closely with the patient to pick the best option available. My focus has always been to make sure my plan matches my patient’s expectations.” What’s more? “My role as a surgeon doesn’t usually end after their surgery. A lot of my surgical patients continue to visit my practice and I love to follow their journey. It’s gratifying to see patients happy with their outward appearance and watch the exponential growth in their self-confidence.”

70 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

Dr. Kimberly Donnellan, FACS

Skin & Laser Center 2505 Old Shell Road, Mobile 251.391.4094 USAHealthSystem.com/Providers/ Kimberly-Donnellan FB @Dr.Donnellan Insta @Dr.DonnellanSkinandLaserCenter

MOBILE BALLET SUMMER 2022

Princess Ballerina Camp Let’s Dance Camp

Committed to being the most trusted and available cardiologists to our patients and referring physicians in our state-of-the-art facility, we provide superior cardiovascular care in a compassionate and friendly environment.

From Left to Right: Michael Monson, MD, FACC, Stephanie Grosz, MD, FACC, FHRS, Michael Rihner, MD, FACP, FACC, Ritesh Gupta, MD, MPH, FACC 600 PROVIDENCE PARK DRIVE EAST MOBILE, ALABAMA 36695 | 251.634.1544 | RGGCardiology.com

HELP FOR

HORMONAL HEALTH In our younger years, we believed menopause happened to women who looked like The Golden Girls.

We were wrong. Despite the 1.3 million women entering menopause each year (at an average age of 52.5), it’s one of the last taboos in women’s health. Enter Dr. Angela McCool-Pearson, FACOG, a gynecologist at Southern Women’s Specialists, who’s unapologetically candid about her own menopause experience and how hormone replacement therapy (HRT) provided relief.

By Amber Wielkens Photos Stevye Photography, StevyePhotography.com Makeup Tessa Moody, TessaRayMoody@gmail.com Hair Felisha Allen, Identity Salon, 251.478.2409

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ot flashes, fatigue, poor memory, mood swings, depression, low libido, trouble concentrating, sleep issues—the list goes on. Whether you’re in perimenopause (the transitional period before menopause) or menopause (when you’ve gone a year without a period), symptoms like the ones above can affect every aspect of your life. It’s only recently that the medical community at large has awakened to the idea that the women in this age group complaining of deep sadness, memory loss, and brain fog might not need antidepressants, a good therapist, or sleeping pills, but rather a hormone check-up.

Dr. Pearson has been at the forefront of women’s health for over 25 years, and she is more than willing to share her long experience with compounded hormone replacement therapy via pellets in the hopes of reaching women who might feel they need to “just get through” what can be a miserable time. We applaud her open-book approach on a subject many women were taught was not to be discussed in polite company.

Now 53, Dr. Pearson says, “I began experiencing perimenopausal symptoms when I was 43 and true menopause began for me at age 51.” Surprised to hear how long her perimenopause lasted, we learned every woman is different, and though the average length is four years, it’s not rare for it to last a decade before menopause arrives, all while keeping in mind that the unpleasant symptoms can be present through both. No woman should have to suffer or “tough it out” for years because they’re unaware help is available.

“I was experiencing hot flashes, decreased libido, decreased energy, and insomnia,” she says.

“I hear so many of my patients with these symptoms in the office every day. The great thing about modern medicine is that women no longer have to ‘just live with’ the symptoms like our mothers and grandmothers,” she explains.

Choosing compounded hormones was an informed decision for her. “I feel they are the most physiologic way to maintain hormone levels in the body. I never tried any other treatments because through my training, I felt that pellets were the best option for myself and my patients,” she claims. Apart from her extensive training and experience as a gynecologist, Dr. Pearson’s been treated with hormone pellets for 10 years now, making her the perfect choice to explain how the process works.

“Just like a normal patient would, I had blood drawn to start. I made sure my mammogram— it’s crucial and without one we will not proceed—and gynecological wellness exam were up to date, and my bloodwork lab results were used to determine the dosage for my pellets,” she says, adding, “The procedure is quite easy. It takes about three minutes for the pellet insertion. After the area is sterilized, a lidocaine shot is administered to numb the skin, then a tool is used to insert the pellet, which is smaller than a grain of rice, under the skin. A small bandage covers the area and we ask that patients not to excessively exercise for three days afterward.”

Pellets aren’t one-size-fits-all but “are tailored and based on symptoms and the lab results of each patient. We have been using the same compounding pharmacy for a decade and have found that their pellets are the most effective and consistent,” she says. “As we age, hormone shifts will happen, so dosages of testosterone or estrogen are changed when needed.” After ten years, did she have any side effects? “Not personally,” she answers, “but I’ve had patients experience unwanted facial hair growth or acne due to testosterone, both of which can be treated with laser hair removal and topical treatments we offer our in our practice.”

When we think of women’s hormones, our minds go to estrogen, but Dr. Pearson explains that’s not always the case, saying, ”Testosterone is the most predominant hormone in women, and its decrease in menopausal women has not been replaced until the last decade in the U.S., while other countries have been using testosterone therapy for years with great results. We provide testosterone with estrogen if a patient needs it.” All of which adds yet another advantage to seeing the forward-thinking doctors at Southern Women’s Specialists.

72 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

Dr. Angela McCool-Pearson, FACOG

SWS Aesthetics and Southern Women’s Specialists 7540 Cipriano Court, Suite C, Fairhope 251.990.1985 SouthernWomensSpecialists.com

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Making Your Money MATTER Golden years or fears? It’s a big question many people face whether they realize it or not.

Understanding what your retirement needs are should be a bigger conversation, especially for women. Finance expert Justin Law provides important insight we should all seriously consider.

As our yesterdays pass, many middle-aged (and beyond) people spend their todays worrying about their tomorrows. Thinking life should be slowing down as we blow out those extra candles, the clock contradicts us. And this is particularly true for women. Nope, you’re not alone.

In addition to airtight schedules, middle-aged women are faced with multilayered challenges not often discussed, which include caring for aging parents, launching children, career and financial hardships, divorce, death, and so much more.

Let’s face it, putting yourself last doesn’t always seem like a choice and it makes you vulnerable. Research shows the number of women financially secure and set to retire is diminishing, and fast.

Compared to men, women live longer, earn around 21% less, receiver lower retirement benefits, have fewer years of income due to child rearing, are more likely to work part-time jobs, and about half— 8.8 million—retire completely reliant on social security, which averages to about $20,000 per year. The result?

One in five women in the U.S. have zero, zip, nada saved for retirement. What’s golden about that?

And even if you’ve planned, saved, and invested, the worry remains—will it be enough? Or perhaps you trust it to a significant other and you’re banking on hope. The stress of it all adds up to health issues, both mental and physical, and old-fashioned exhaustion. Middle age comes fast and many wake up and realize they’ve overlooked and underprioritized their finances. The financial alarm bells start blaring at the same time they’re faced with escalating healthcare costs and limited earning opportunities due to age.

The big question is what cost are you willing to pay to delay engaging?

Some single women marry for these reasons. Some spiral into depression and addiction. Some walk around in a state of shock with their fingers crossed hoping for the best, asking how did I get here?

But there is hope! It’s essential to know that it’s never too late to start planning or engaging. Many battle the idea of paying someone to help. Consider the fact we go to the doctor and pay for tests we don’t necessarily want because our health will benefit. Collaborating with someone like myself is about improving your financial health. Many women are intimidated by financial experts.

Regardless, find one who will help without making you feel inadequate. They can assist you in establishing goals regardless of your income, uncover where you’re losing hidden money, and advise you on everything from setting a budget to more aggressive investments. Hold your head up high. Forward march. It doesn’t take long.

It doesn’t stop there. Women have a wealth of experience to offer the next generation. Pun aside, let’s start these conversations. Not sharing our financial successes and struggles with loved ones is a disservice. Tell your daughters and loved ones that no one plans for the hardships we all know happen eventually, that learning a skill enabling them to care for themselves and setting up a financial plan while young can’t be underestimated. Overall, we’ve done a great job, as today’s women know they might have to support themselves. Interestingly, more women are currently enrolled in college than men. But do they know how fast time flies and that our earning potential diminishes with age like you do?

“One in five women have zero, zip, nada saved for retirement.

What’s so golden about that?”

Strategic Wealth Specialists 3213 Executive Park Circle Mobile, AL 36606 334.672.5665 Justin.Law@YourSWS.com

Material discussed is meant for general informational purposes only and is not to be construed as tax, legal, or investment advice. Although the information has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, please note that individual situations can vary. Therefore, the information should be relied upon only when coordinated with individual professional advice.

This material is intended for general use. By providing this content, Park Avenue Securities LLC and your financial representative are not undertaking to provide investment advice or make a recommendation for a specific individual or situation, or to otherwise act in a fiduciary capacity. Registered Representative and Financial Advisor of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS). OSJ: 3664 Coolidge Ct., Tallahassee, FL, 32311, 850-562-9075. Securities products and advisory services offered through PAS, member FINRA, SIPC. Financial Representative of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian), New York, NY. PAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian. Strategic Wealth Specialists, LLC is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian.

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Bay Area Physicians for Women, the largest women’s health clinic in the area, with physicians for all your gyn and obstetrical needs.

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Peace, Love & PEONIES Spring has sprung and it’s time to prepare your outdoor spaces. Ewa Wiggins, an experienced horticulturist, knows a beautiful home is more than bricks and mortar and what will thrive in your yard, garden, and beyond. Here, she shares her expertise and what’s happening in midtown Mobile at the family-owned and operated Stokley Garden Express. An extension of their nursery in Semmes, it’s not only convenient—it’s paradise.

Hello!

One of the wonderful benefits of living in lower Alabama is the fantastic climate that allows us to create and enjoy beautiful outdoor spaces longer than most.

From the abundance of fresh herbs and vegetables to the endless plant and floral options, creating your bounty is not only fun and rewarding, it can be simple with a friendly expert to guide you. That’s where my team and I come in.

It’s important to know the benefits of working with a local nursery, since your outcome may hinge on it. After all, I have a degree in horticulture from Auburn University and you might be as surprised as I am by the options and advancements. Hybrids, soil and watering systems aside, sharing your space particulars with us will not only save you time and money, we know you’ll be happier with the results. Another bonus? We grow our plants locally to ensure they’re healthy and of superior quality.

Understanding how busy everyone is, we offer several services to save time and help with the heavy lifting. For example, you can bring in your favorite container, or let us text you pictures of ours, and we’ll be happy to plant it and deliver it to your home. We’re well versed in what will thrive where, and able to bring your vision to life. The same goes for any of our fabulous fountains. From traditional to modern, water features can be intimidating and we’re happy to help (and deliver).

With summer coming fast, tidy up around flower beds, trees, shrubs, and other areas before planting. Cut back dried foliage, prune fruit trees and bushes, and add a fresh layer of mulch to garden and flower beds. This looks great and helps the soil retain moisture for your plants and keeps down weeds.

When ready to plant, we’re bursting at the seams with endless options like squash, zucchini, tomato, eggplant, and peppers as well as favored herbs like mint, cilantro, thyme and basil. Planting soon will ensure an abundant harvest by early summer. Flowers like SunPatiens, geraniums, petunias, zinnias, along with hydrangeas, roses, and more are ready for their prime spots in your outdoor spaces, too.

With so much more behind our façade, bring the family to browse our greenhouse dedicated to succulents. From there, wind through the rows of containers, fountains, and other greenhouses brimming with endless ferns, tropical indoor and outdoor favorites like hibiscus, fiddle leaf figs, philodendron, and more. And kids of all ages love our custom fire truck, which is the perfect backdrop for pictures. Through this introduction, just know we’re here to help and we can’t wait to see you soon!

Peace, love and peonies,

Ewa

76 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

Garden Express Semmes Location 9720-A Moffett Rd.Semmes, AL 251.929.9353 Midtown Location 1451 Goverment St. Mobile, AL 251.461.6434 251.461.6438 StokleyGardenExpress.com

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FAIRHOPE OFFICE 311 Magnolia Ave Suite, 108-120, Fairhope 251.928.9008 251.990.0824 cfraley@jefferymatthews.com ccarrick@jefferymatthews.com

The Wellness WHISPER While everyone has their own definition of what it means to age gracefully, for Sydney Wasdin, owner of True Yoga + Therapy in Daphne, it has nothing to do with how expensive your skincare regimen is. A National Board-Certified Counselor and yoga instructor, her outlook on the aging is that it’s all about attitude and self-care. Here, she shares advice from which we would all benefit.

By Sydney Wasdin

Hello, Finding or creating a magical “fountain of youth” is something society has historically stormed the earth searching for and attempted itself through medical science in the form of aesthetic procedures and skincare products. But what if I told you that the fountain of youth has been right under your nose the whole time? Well, that’s the hard truth. The downside? It’s not magic and there is no one perfect solution. The factor often not considered for contributing to the aging process as well as health conditions is stress. Go on, ask your doctor about it. The remedy?

Simply put, self-care and your attitude.

What is self-care? It’s exactly what it sounds like. It‘s the process of taking care of oneself with behaviors that promote health.

On a basic level, this can be your hygiene routine or those skincare products that work for you. Next level, this means the conscious efforts you make to do what your body needs and restore your energy—mentally and physically. Real self-care includes exercise, therapy, yoga and meditation, healthy eating behaviors, spending time with loved ones, taking time for yourself, building intimacy with your partner, and setting healthy boundaries—all those things your doctor or therapist harp about. If these things are lacking for you and you’re flying through life on autopilot, I encourage you to pay mindful attention to these important lifestyle and healthcare behaviors. What does your selfcare regimen look like? When you do these things, what is your intention? Is it a mindless habit or is it because you’re making a conscious effort to care and show up for yourself? I urge you to take a first step in simply becoming aware. It might sound silly, but it makes a difference.

Now let’s talk about attitude. Doing the right things won’t necessarily get your cortisol levels down, which you need in order to reap the oh-so-desirable anti-aging benefits. You can practice self-care all day long and still have high stress.

Why? Another concept reflected in research of all kinds is that mindset matters. Mindset, or your thought patterns, is crucial to the benefits you receive from engaging in these activities. Ultimately, it all circles back to stress versus happiness, health outcomes, and—you guessed it—aging.

You can do all things with either a loving mindset or with a negative, harsh one. And the mindset you approach life (and aging) with matters. You can move through the years gracefully with acceptance and love (taking care of yourself with this same attitude) and reap the benefits or not, and get nothing from it. Take it or leave it.

SELF CHECK-IN Grab a pen and paper and honestly answer the following questions to gauge your mindset.

— List everything you do to take care of yourself.

— Which of these things would you consider restorative in nature?

— On a scale of 1–10, how would you rate your overall life satisfaction?

— In a word, how would you characterize your attitude about aging or life?

If any of these questions raise red flags or you find yourself stuck and unable to make changes, I encourage you to seek therapy and bring this up. If you’re looking for a way to up your self-care regimen or shift your attitude, try some yoga and meditation.

And don’t let your age or your mindset hold you back.

Take care of you, mama.

78 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

Wine isn’t the only thing that improves with age—our taste does, too. Here’s to curating a life beautiful life.

225 Fairhope Ave, Fairhope, AL InterwovenCollaborative.com 251.517.7081 Monday-Saturday 10-5 @interwoven___ @interwovencollaborative

COCKTAIL KING What’s old is new again in the world of crafted cocktails, according to Matt Lemond, and he would know. As the owner of downtown hot spots including Post Crafted Cocktails & Wine Bar, O’Daly’s Irish Pub, and The Outsider Sports Lounge, Matt shares that libations we used to see in old movies are now crowd favorites—think Old-Fashioned, Sazerac, and French 75. Here, he tells us a bit of the history behind these always fashionable drinks.

Greetings!

Some things never go out of style, and Southerners know this better than anyone.

We cherish our traditions and that includes classic cocktails. Fans of both our cocktail classes and Post’s artisanal take on cocktails in glasses can’t get enough of these oldschool drinks, making them some of our most popular offerings. While we handcraft your beverage of choice, we offer some historical lagniappe to up your small-talk game.

First up? The old-fashioned. Mad Men’s Don Draper did more than bring back men’s suits; the hit show also resurrected the old-fashioned from obscurity (more on that in a minute). Crafted with bourbon, muddled sugar, bitters, and orange peel, it’s traditionally served in (you guessed it) an old-fashioned glass, also known as a rocks glass. As early as 1806, a New York newspaper editor was asked for the definition of the word “cocktail.” His answer? Every ingredient in an old-fashioned.

Post–Civil War, bartenders were creating elaborate recipes and cocktail purists revolted, calling for a return to sanity and “old-fashioned” drinks. And that, my friends, is how the oldfashioned came to be named. Oh, and Mad Men? The series ran from 2007–2015 and featured countless scenes where the old-fashioned was the intoxicant of choice. In the early aughts, you’d have been hard-pressed to find a bar that served them.

Let’s move on to the popular French 75, made with gin, Champagne, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Why was that name chosen? In 1914, as news of World War I spread in France, a Parisian bartender created a specialty cocktail coined Soixante-Quinze, French for Seventy-Five, in honor of the French 75mm field gun, which was a major symbol of hope for the French in the war against Germany.

The drink immediately started being compared to its namesake, referred to as “the most powerful drink in the world” and “hitting with remarkable precision.” American coverage of the war made the weapon an icon of victory, ensuring the French 75 cocktail would be a global sensation.

Lastly, let’s get local-adjacent with the Sazerac, a concoction created in the mid-1800s at the Sazerac Coffee House in New Orleans (and the city’s official cocktail). Named for the Sazerac de Forge et Fils brand of cognac, which was its main ingredient, it also included absinthe (now banned), Peychaud’s bitters, and sugar. A cognac shortage in the late 1800s due to European vineyards being destroyed by disease forced bartenders to pivot to rye whiskey. Our take on the Sazerac is rye whiskey, a Pernod rinse, bitters, and muddled sugar. The defining feature of the Sazerac is its method of preparation, which the mixologists at Post are happy to teach you, along with any of the handcrafted cocktails (old-fashioned or new) we offer our treasured customers.

Cheers!

Matt LeMond

80 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

Post Crafted Cocktails & Wine Bar 571 Dauphin Street, Mobile 251.408.9198 PostDrinks.com

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Almand J. Westbrook, Jr., M.D. 2651 Old Shell Road | Mobile, AL 36607 P (251) 243-7058 | F (251) 243-7059 Dr. Kimberly A. Westbrook, MD 101 Lottie Ln Unit 6, Fairhope, AL 36532 P (251) 990-1980

Dishing with WESTON From his open kitchen in his latest gastronomic adventure, West Food Bar, top chef Weston Simpson, is taking in the view with joyful pride that’s hard to conceal.

Why? His chic eatery is filled with fellow foodies. Noting many are of a certain age, he tells why the over-40 ladies are leading the food charge.

Hello fellow foodies!

When I was tossing around ideas to tie in to the age issue I couldn’t help thinking of my fabulous fellow foodie friends and clients. Varying in age and all with a love of food, they’re a lively bunch passionate about food. Some enjoy sourcing and shopping for ingredients, cooking up a storm, and hosting memorable dinner parties. Others like to eat out and seek off-the-beaten-path experiences in food. And they all like to talk about it, too. Whether it’s a hobby or an obsession, good food is an adventure.

Having just opened West Food Bar in downtown Mobile, I’m reminded of a favorite Julia Childs quote: “People who love to eat are always the best people.” I couldn’t agree more. Food is not just the stuff we eat when hungry. It’s decorative, festive, inspiring, and informative. Watching diners enjoy the dishes we prepare from our open kitchen is what makes me tick.

I work under the assumption that all my guests are foodies. When the restaurant is closed and the kitchen is quiet, I work at perfecting new menu items and imagine I’ll be serving the pickiest foodies, especially the food critics. Outside of the restaurant, I spend my time seeking out those holes-in-the-walls that get high praise and jetting off to big cities to check out the food hype for myself. I devour food news like a teen with a bag of Hot Cheetos. I scroll through the food journals, blogs, vlogs, and more online like an addict.

And it doesn’t stop there. I take the same zealous approach in finding the best wine and cocktails to serve my guests. I can’t have anyone knocking me for a poor pairing. This constant hunting for new discoveries is my greatest joy. It’s interesting, too.

Perhaps the greatest surprise is the people I’ve picked up along the way. If you’re lonely, follow food to new friendships that will be nothing short of delicious.

From 18 to 80, age is irrelevant in the many friends through my food journey.

I love nothing more than serving foodies; they are inquisitive and appreciative. I’ve noticed it’s those fabulous ladies on the other side of 40 who really appreciate what I do. Chatting with them is not only a blast, it’s a true exchange of passion and ideas. Their tastes are developed and many have experienced dishes around the world to add to the table talk. They inquire about ingredients and prep how-to’s that make me proud of my kitchen accomplishments. They linger over brunch and enjoy the opportunity to pop a cork or two while relaxing with friends. They know a good wine. I envy this stage of life! I’ve also noticed younger generations following their lead as they arrive dressed and ready to explore flavors outside the dorm food, like roasted grape cheesecake and beef carpaccio.

To me, all this adds up to a movement I’ve been hoping for, and much of the credit goes to the women of this community. I’ve tried to raise the bar in terms of providing a fantastic dining experience and they’ve more than met it. Bon appétit, ladies!

Until Next Time,

Weston

82 ACCESS Magazine / April 2022

West Food Bar 69 St. Michael Street, Mobile 251.459.0245 TheWestFoodBar.com