Charleston, SC May 2023

The Women’s Issue

EDUCATION

DR. TONYA MATTHEWS SHEPHERDS THE INTERESTS AND PASSIONS OF FEMALE YOUTHS THROUGH INNOVATIVE STEM PROGRAMS

LIFE + CULTURE

CITADEL GRAD JENNIFER BEARE SHARES A GLIMPSE OF HER LIFE IN THE CORPS OF CADETS

FOOD + BEVERAGE

JANICE HUDGINS SHARES HER LOVE OF VIETNAMESE CUISINE WITH CHARLESTON AT LITTLE MISS HA

ARTS + CULTURE

GERVAIS HAGERTY DISHES ON THE MAKING OF HER SECOND NOVEL

CHARLESTON’S HAPPY PLACE

SEAFOOD • BBQ • DRINKS • HAPPINESS

Whether it’s the casual atmosphere, breathtaking views, refreshing cocktails, or the good vibe crowd, SWC is THE place to be.

CINCO DE MAYO - Cowboy Paloma + other drink specials. Tunes on the deck.

MOTHERS DAY - Sunday Brunch. Every mom will receive a carnation.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND - Live tunes on the deck + in the corral all weekend long. Red white + blue dockside lemonades on special.

Lifestyle Letter

Our friends, mothers, and daughters are some of the most influential women in our lives. I don’t know about you, but I try to seize any opportunity to recognize the women in my life who just make it more rich and beautiful. Of course with Mother’s Day falling this month, all eyes are on moms, but it isn't just our biological mothers we celebrate this month, but rather, all of the maternal figures in our lives who have made indelible impacts, shaping us for the better. I'm referring to the family members, teachers, friends, and neighbors doing incredible things in our communities, pouring their efforts and energies into our lives and making themselves unforgettable and irreplaceable.

This month we're celebrating women who are making waves in our community, each doing soulful work built from their own passions from which we all benefit. How fortunate we are. Local author, Gervais Hagerty, will enlighten us about the trials and tribulations that accompany the writing of a fictional novel. Janice Hudgins dishes all about her work growing and running the beloved local Vietnamese eatery, Little Miss Ha. 2022 Citadel graduate, Jennifer Beare, shares recollections of her time at the storied institution. And Dr. Tonya Matthews, biomedical engineer and CEO of the International African American Museum, discusses her work in the development of STEM programs for our future female leaders.

While it’s always important to shop local and support our area businesses, this month is the perfect time to patronize businesses owned by women in our communities. That’s easily one of my favorite parts of this role - connecting with and championing the best of the best when it comes to Charleston's women.

Both seen and unseen, these women are movers and shakers, builders and makers. Their service graces those who are under their care. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to send a text, make a phone call or get your kids on a video call with the caregiving women in your life who deserve recognition. It only takes a minute to brighten someone’s day and remind them how much you love them.

With love,

May 2023

PUBLISHER

Katy Derbyshire | katy.derbyshire@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Lauren McDuffie | lauren.mcduffie@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Victoria McMillan, Pamela Jouan, Najeema Washington

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

John Nesco, Lauren McDuffie

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Hunter Richie

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard

KATY DERBYSHIRE, PUBLISHER @CHARLESTONCITYLIFESTYLE

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Thank you to our Founders Club Partners.

Katy Derbyshire Charleston City Lifestyle Publisher Amy Z Powers, Keller Williams liveandlovecharleston.com

Apartment Jeanie apartmentjeanie.com

Barrier Islands Psychiatry barrierislandspsychiatry.com

Blend Juice Bar @blendjuicebar blendjuice.bar

Carolina One Real Estate - Vanessa Beechem www.dedeandbv.com

Charleston Oyster Tables www.charlestonoystertables.com

Charleston Party Cat charlestonpartycat.com

CM Financial Group cmfinancialgroupllc.com

Classic Kitchens o Charleston classickitchensofcharleston.com

Coastal Collective @coastalcollectivechs

Elevate Spinal Care elevatespinalcare.com

Evolve Bank and Trust getevolved.com/mortgage

Your Mortgage Lady - Gracen Watts yourmortgagelady.com

NAP Interiors napinteriors.com

NHS Voyages nhsvoyages.com

New York Life Insurance - Matthew Tarkowski newyorklife.com/agent/mtarkowski

Newton Family Medicine newtonfamilymedicine.com

ROG Coastal Property Management coastalpm.net

Reiki Zen Healing reikizenhealing.com

Rutledge Law Firm LLC rutledgelawcharleston.com

Sarah Logan sarah-logan.bemergroup.com

Sculpt Dental Spa sculptdentalspa.com

Stretch Zone stretchzone.com

Stunning and Brilliant Events stunningandbrilliantevents.com

The Cassina Group - Robertson Allen RobertsonAllen.com

Trademark Home Services

Weeks & Irvine LLC weekslawfirm.net

Your Insurance Guy yourinsuranceguy.com

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Shifting Your Life One Space at a Time

The all-women team at Shift Into Organized believes in the transformative power of organization. Whether they are designing solutions for your home, business, or finances, they understand how organization has the potential to truly SHIFT our lives. Their goal is to create balanced, functional spaces that will stand the test of time. This means simple and elegant solutions that last. shiftintoorganized.com

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Caroline Mahoney Helps Clients Identify and Reach Their Financial Goals

Specializing in working with young professionals, families, business owners, and pre-retirees/retirees,

Caroline's mission with her CM Financial Group clients is to help prepare for both the worst-case scenarios and the best. Life happens somewhere in between. She wants clients to sleep peacefully knowing that wherever life happens, they'll be taken care of. Through her process, she helps clients identify goals, educates them on their options and together, creates efficient strategies to reach them.  caroline@cmfinancialgroupllc.com

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Barista Bear Coffee Transforms Unusual Coffee Flavors into Unforgettable Beverages

Barista Bear Coffee Company is a women-owned mobile coffee shop specializing in handcrafted beverages. Their goal is to transform "unusual" flavors into the best coffee you've ever tasted. Their springtime Banana Pudding Latte is to die for, and the Strawberry Shortcake latte is absolute decadence. They put that same passion into their teas and lemonades. They also offer a variety of treats: muffins, cookies, cake, and occasional roll slices. baristabearcoffee.com

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With over 50 years of collective Estate Planning experience, we provide our clients with more than just legal documents, we also provide peace of mind. We can tailor plans specifically to your needs, whether it’s an Asset Protection Dynasty Trust or something as straightforward as a Last Will & Testament. We often serve as Personal Representatives and Independent Trustees to ensure that your plans are executed correctly. Rest easy knowing that you and your families’ wishes will be followed through to the end. Our initial consultations are free for prospective clients who would like to have their existing Estate Plan reviewed or those who would like to know more about Estate Planning.

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local experiences

The best places and things to do in our area.

Grab your gal pals and plan a relaxing or upscale day, weekend, or GNO (Girls Night Out) with any one of these local experiences fit for the females.

Our Picks for The Gal Pals

CHS COASTAL CHARCUTERIE : Kelsey Pettus of CHS Coastal Charcuterie not only creates delicious boards for all of your occasions, she also hosts public and private Build-a-Board classes.

CHARLESTON BAG VALET : Charleston Bag Valet is the original mobile luggage storage solution, helping travelers bridge the gap between lodging and flight times by providing daily luggage storage.

ON CALL CONCIERGE CHARLESTON: Whether you're a local or just visiting our beautiful city, On Call Concierge Charleston curates unique and unparalleled Charleston experiences just for YOU.

SOUTHERN PICNIC CO : Southern Picnic Co's mission is to provide the community and its visitors a safe, luxurious way to connect in breathtaking Lowcountry spaces.

THE LONGEVITY CLUB: Stop by Longevity Club on 5/17 for a tour of Charleston’s premier fitness and wellness space, followed by happy hour on the terrace. R.S.V.P. LC@thelongevityclub.com 163 Rutledge Ave. Charleston, SC 29403

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Southern Picnic Co

The Road Less Traveled

WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE CITADEL CORP OF CADETS IS MADE UP BY WOMEN?

The Corp of Cadets is only about 8% women, but that number continues to grow each year. I was the only female studying finance in my class, and the first ever woman to graduate with a B.S. in Finance from the Corps of Cadets.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO ATTEND THE CITADEL? WAS IT A LONG-HELD GOAL OR PLAN OF YOURS? OR WAS IT MORE OF AN UNEXPECTED CHOICE?

Attending The Citadel was an unexpected choice. I transferred to the Citadel from the College of Charleston. This is practically unheard of, and I’m certain I'm one of the only ones who’s ever done it ... leave my cushy apartment, relaxing walks to class, and life free of curfews. I’ll tell you why I did it.

CITADEL GRADUATE, JENNIFER BEARE, GIVES A GLIMPSE OF HER EXPERIENCE AS A CITADEL CADET.

BY LAUREN MCDUFFIE

My parents separated toward the end of high school, and life became exceedingly tumultuous. My anxiety rose, and my self esteem dropped. My previously stellar grades began to slip. I felt lost, without purpose. With that, I began looking for a change, my first stop being the U.S Navy recruiting office, where I was accepted into their Nuclear Power program. During the month prior to bootcamp, I was studying in Daniel Library on The Citadel’s campus with a friend who asked why I'd enlist instead of applying to The Citadel. So, on a whim, I applied. Four days before I was supposed to ship off to bootcamp, I received my acceptance letter. I had a choice to make, and I chose the road less traveled.

WHAT WERE THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECTS OF YOUR TIME THERE? THE MOST REWARDING?

The challenges felt endless while being there but looking back, I have an appreciation for all of them. Almost every challenge evolved into something rewarding. There are challenges predetermined by the institution all four years as a cadet. Freshman year is when you go through the “fourth class system," - nine months of constant exhaustion and hard work. It’s when you experience things like “hell week,” bracing, shining brass and shoes, memorizing facts about the institution, countless pushups, etc. – all alongside your schoolwork. Nothing compares to the day when you hear the bagpipes play and the words “the fourth-class system is no longer in effect.” Finally, being recognized as a member of the Corps ofCadets.

There were also social, mental, and physical challenges that weren't intentional orschool-organized. Living in a small room with a roommate, surrounded by 500 of your classmates day in and day out in the barracks is no easy task. There’s never a disconnect from your work as both cadet and student. But it absolutely reaps

benefits, forcing you to focus and remain totally disciplined. This stretched me far beyond my comfort zone, but I learned to appreciate the chaos of daily life and was rewarded with lifelong memories. Cadets learn to lean on each other, sharing the good and the bad, navigating four years of ruthlessly high expectations, together. Love them or hate them, your classmates are like family by the time you graduate.

HOW DID BEING A WOMAN IMPACT OR AFFECT YOUR TIME AT THE CITADEL?

Being a woman at The Citadel comes with its own set of challenges. However, the strength and confidence I gained greatly outweigh any negative experiences. A woman's time at The Citadel is always going to be inherently different than a man’s, but not necessarily more difficult. This isn't because of any bias or discrimination, but simply because we face different obstacles naturally. Women are held to the same standards as the men on campus, though we face different challenges ... and they’re not ones that many would be willing to face all the way through.

Mine was the last class of women required to cut all of their hair off upon matriculation, but the men also had their heads shaved. The treatment was equal, but many women might scoff at the idea of cutting all of their hair off. I think this is because, for most women, it’s not "just hair," it’s part of your identity, your femininity. We also couldn’t wear cosmetics as a freshman and we put on the same uniform as our male classmates each day. So, all aspects of your feminine identity are stripped away and it forces you to come to terms with who you are as a person outside of that. As a result, my self-confidence had never been higher. I felt comfortable in my own skin, and that’s something I feel most young women really struggle with. That experience, redefining my own feminine identity, is not a struggle my male classmates faced – and that’s okay!

“I had a choice to make, and I chose the road less traveled.”

They faced plenty of their own challenges during their time as cadets, to which we as women can’t relate. Everyone who has ever been a part of the Corps of Cadets has faced their own set of obstacles but have always been held to the same standards at the end of the day.

HOW DID YOUR TIME AT THE CITADEL SHAPE YOU?

WHAT LESSONS DID YOU LEARN?

The Citadel taught me more in four years than I ever thought possible. There are the lessons that encompassed

our Core Values of Honor, Duty, and Respect – but also lessons in discipline, leadership, perseverance, and empathy. I'm not the same person I was five years ago when I first walked through those gates. Upon graduation, I reflected on how I had changed as a person. How making my bed every day, ironing a uniform, waking up at dawn, leading others and being led all shaped me. I learned that you can push yourself beyond what you think you're capable of - that you can be firm in your goals and beliefs. There is always opportunity to better yourself and those around you.

“I learned that you can push yourself beyond what you think you’re capable of - that you can be firm in your goals and beliefs.”

WHAT ARE YOU UP TO NOW, ABOUT A YEAR AFTER GRADUATING? DO YOU FEEL YOUR TIME AS A CADET PREPARED YOU WELL FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

This last year has been a whirlwind. Soon after graduation, my fiancé (also a Citadel graduate) and I moved to Fort Benning, GA so he could begin his career as a U.S Army 2nd Lieutenant. I also started my job as a consultant with Deloitte Tax in Atlanta. A few months later, we found ourselves packing up our lives again to move to Fort Polk, LA . We just bought our first home and live with our two dogs.

My time as a cadet most certainly prepared me for life beyond the gates of The Citadel. People often ask if I'd do it again and honestly, I would without question - over and over again. It was four years of both joy and pain, but I would expect nothing less of “the road less traveled” and it truly made all the difference. The days were long, but the yearswere short. The lessons were invaluable and will guide me through life both personally and professionally. I'll never forget my time on The Citadel’s campus, and I am beyond proud and honored to be a part of the Long Grey Line.

Make an Impact for Mom

Memorable ways to celebrate the mother figure in your life

The moms and the mother figures in our lives mean everything to us. They deserve the best every day, of course. But at least one day out of the year, we get to shower them with the same love and thoughtfulness they give to us so selflessly.

This year, we hope you’ll consider some memorable ways to make lasting memories with the mom or mother figure in your life. If you haven’t already planned something special, take a look at our list of ideas and circle your favorites. If you have kids, let them join in the fun too!

Whether you decide to spend a day at home or enjoy a day on the town, these innovative celebration ideas will include fun for the whole family and make Mom feel loved. Whatever activity or surprise you land on to show your mom, wife, sister or maternal figure your appreciation for all they do, the most important thing is that you all get to spend some quality time together.

Take a Flower Arranging Class

Mother’s Day arrives just as spring is in full bloom. Take advantage of the season by going to a flower arranging class with mom.

Play a Family Board Game

If Mom likes strategizing, challenge her to a friendly board game competition. (And, no, you don’t have to let her win just because it’s Mother’s Day.)

Pick Your Own Fruit

This activity is especially fun if you have a lot of kids who want to get in on the action. Then, when you all get home, you can whip up a treat for Mom with your selections. (Maybe give her a strawberry in a Champagne glass while she waits.)

Book Her a Weekend Away

There’s no day like Mother’s Day to be impulsive! Book a weekend trip for the two of you at a cute B&B in a city Mom has always wanted to visit.

Complete a Jigsaw Puzzle

Find a puzzle with an image you know your mom will love (or make a custom one using a photo of the two of you) and put it together over wine and snacks. You’ll be amazed at how much chatting you can get done while puzzling.

Get Theater Tickets

Go to a play or a musical — lots of towns even host outdoor theater events.

Invite Her To High Tea

Whether you make the brews and treats yourself or head out to an official tea house, Mom will love sipping her beverage out of fancy china and snacking on tea sandwiches.

ARTICLE BY NAJEEMA WASHINGTON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN NESCO

Novel Ideas

GERVAIS HAGERTY LETS US INTO HER WORLD OF WORDS

Warm stories and fond memories from life growing up in the Lowcountry color the tapestry of Gervais Hagerty's charming first novel, In Polite Company, as well as the second, the title of which is still being developed.

I met Gervais prior to the pandemic on the City’s Bicyclist and Pedestrian committee. I was unaware at the time that my fellow cycling lover was also an author, and I was pleased to discover that we were connected well before we ever sat down to talk about her literary pursuits. Speaking with Gervais, listening to her passions and her stories, I was struck by, and reminded of, just how special the place we call home really is. In addition to the dynamically rich men and women featured in her work, The Holy City is a strong, complicated character as well, holding her own and making her presence known, always.

When we sat down to chat in a charming downtown coffee shop, she shared with me how life has changed for her since the pandemic, including moving away from her teaching position at The Citadel to become a fulltime writer. Her faculty schedule afforded her the time to write her first book, the coming of age novel, In Polite Company, which garnered much critical acclaim including accolades from some of the book world's most respected writers. As a veritable love letter to her grandmother,  In Polite Company was Gervais' first

book, her adoration helping guide her words as she sculpted the novel's protagonist.

Gervais admits that she's probably a feminist by Southern standards, and that she never liked authority personally, her admission making me chuckle, as I’ve always felt the same way. The author speaks lovingly about the time she spent with her grandmother and how the time she spent with her in Hospice inspired her to write her first book.

We laughed as we recalled our once "sleepy little town" before it made every travel and tourism list in the nation. Gervais and I are a lot alike, I discovered, in that our roots are deep here in Charleston - in these Southern grounds - though we both lived away for a significant portion of our formative years. We talked about how those roots, and all that is attached to them, mean so much to Southerners. In fact, her second novel is a brand new story of a fallen Charleston family that has lost its financial prowess. As such, they're struggling to hold on to the family name and prestige while suffocating from potentially ruinous secrets which aren’t meant to be aired. Gervais stressed how the second book was much more difficult to write than the first, and she tried many different ideas, paths, and approaches before settling on what would become the finished product.

This woman has determination, there's no doubt about it, and I caught glimpses of her gritty perseverance throughout our conversation. But how does one even begin to step into the world of fiction writing? She recollected the persistence with which she pursued, and ultimately obtained, her first mentor, someone who guided and supported her through the writing process for  In Polite Company. I shared with Gervais my own interest in writing books, and she reiterated that the very best way to do it - is simply to just do it, to begin. Any writer can attest to the importance of this daily grind of stringing words together, regardless of whether or not you have some great plan for them, in the hopes that something will materialize ... a story, an idea, a trail of breadcrumbs. She detailed for me her own process of striving to write 5000 words a week - 1000 words a day - Monday through Friday. If she failed to meet this mark, she'd punish herself by working on weekends.

Additionally, Gervais shared how challenging it can be to strike a balance between her writing life and her family life, as this is critically important for this mother of two. Although this second novel was tougher to pen than the first, Gervais knows that the process of pushing through the hurdles, difficulties, and stymying hardships that came with it absolutely made her a better writer. Gervais feels fortunate to have found a passion in writing, and she knows she'll be telling stories for the rest of her life, her passion for the craft staying put for the long haul.

“I shared with Gervais my interest in writing my own books, and she reiterated that the best way to do it... is simply to just do it. To begin.”

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Hello, Little Miss Ha

ARTICLE BY VICTORIA MCMILLAN | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Speaking with Janice Hudgins feels like a conversation with an old friend. “I have been so excited to connect with you!” she exclaims genuinely as we jump into easy conversation about work, kids, and weekend plans. She's as fascinating as she is gregarious, leaving me wanting to know more with every story she told.

In three short years, Janice has become a local “go-to” for Vietnamese cuisine. For someone with no formal training, this is quite a feat in the competitive Charleston restaurant scene. But after learning Janice’s story, it's easy to see why she's been so quick to find success.

DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE A CHEF?

No (she laughs genuinely). I graduated from C of C with a Communications degree, thinking I'd do sales of some sort. I got into real estate for a while. My husband was with Mellow Mushroom Corporate - he was always the "restaurant guy." So, never in a million years did I think I'd be the one to do this.

WHERE DID YOUR PASSION FOR FOOD COME FROM?

I always loved cooking for my huge family. Every Saturday growing up, we'd gather and have a big pot luck. It’s my fondest memory, as I always loved the warm feeling that comes with caring for your family in that way. I started cooking in my early 30’s for my four kids and my extended family was always over, so I was often cooking for more than 10 people at a time.

In three short years, Janice has become a local “go-to” for Vietnamese cuisine. For someone who didn’t go to culinary school or have formal training, this is quite a feat in the competitive Charleston restaurant scene.

The story behind Mt. Pleasant's beloved Vietnamese restaurant.

WHERE WAS THE TURNING POINT THAT MADE YOU WANT TO EXPAND?

It was something that found me, actually. My husband's friend opened Butcher and Bee, and thought it would be good to do “pop-ups” at the restaurant. My mom started doing this once a month, and I'd help. It was called “Nguyen Family Pop-Up,” and hundreds of people would come. We'd always sell out.

IS THERE A DISH YOU ORDER AT OTHER VIETNAMESE RESTAURANTS TO GAUGE AUTHENTICITY?

Every Vietnamese person always orders Pho. It's the standard people hold highest, and families across Vietnam make their own versions of it. That and fresh spring rolls with peanut sauce. Nuoc Cham is our house sauce, and it's essential in Vietnamese culture. If you can’t get this sauce right, you'll

ruin a lot of your dishes. My dad's in my head saying “if your sauce isn’t good, you’re going to ruin a lot of your dishes.” So, though it's expensive, we make our sauce out of the best fish sauce on the market because it’s the highest quality.

IS THERE AN UNSUNG HERO MENU ITEM?

I'd say the dish people don’t order enough is the coconut lemongrass mussels. Anytime they do, they adore it. My brother came up with it last year - it's coconut milk, lemongrass, shallots, and just delicious. Another that I love is the Banh Xeo (sizzling crepe), it's savory with local shrimp, some pork belly, mushrooms, and bean sprouts.

ANY PLANS TO EXPAND TO ANOTHER RESTAURANT?

You're the first to know! We'll be opening another location in St. Augustine, FL. St. Augustine is such a great location, right downtown close to Tribal College.

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The Spark

A candid conversation with Dr. Tonya Matthews about how she's helping our young girls lean into their STEM-based passions.

ARTICLE BY PAMELA JOUAN

PHOTOGRAPHY

BY PORTRAIT PROVIDED BY IAAM

Dr. Tonya Matthews has the mind of an engineer, the heart of a scientist, and the soul of a poet. Her message for all women is simple: Keep your spark lit.

Dr. Tonya Matthews has a monumental task at hand. As the President and CEO of theInternational African American Museum (IAAM) that opens in Charleston next month,she is shaping a narrative that was created out of injustice, pain, and suffering with“relentless optimism.” In many ways, this is the job she was born for, although she willbe quick to tell you that if you had asked her at 10, 20, or even 30, what she would bedoing today, she could not have given you an answer.

Growing up, Matthews wanted to become a doctor and change the world. She has aPh.D. in biomedical engineering from John Hopkins University and a B.S.E inbiomedical and electrical engineering from Duke University, alongside a certificate inAfrican/African American Studies.

“For me, it went from being a doctor, to buildingthings for a doctor, to educating people about building things for a doctor, to justeducating people,” she explained. We simply don’t evolve in a linear fashion. “But all ofthat still harkens back to that fundamental ‘why’, in my case, wanting to change theworld. There is so much

pressure to pick the perfect college major or conform to aparticular job description. Instead, leverage the space you are in according to your corephilosophy in life, your purpose or motivation, and then you will find that the other thingsfall in place.”

That’s not to say it will always be easy. Matthews points to “perseverance plus passion”as a factor in the success equation. “Anything worthwhile requires effort. Perseverance,or ‘powering through’ only happens if you have passion. I have been in difficultsituations where, because my heart was in it, I could see what was on the other side.”As for discovering what the passion is, Matthews says it’s a unique learning journey.“Some of us come out of the womb knowing what our passion is, others run smack intoit or have a transformative life experience that puts it on the table. Once you haveperseverance and passion, all the other things--skills, training, networking, creativity,strategy, and vision, follow.”

Where does that initial spark come from? Matthews credits her parents for giving heropportunities - as long as she saw them through. Access and accountability helped herquickly discern what set her heart on fire. While serving as President and CEO of theMichigan Science Center, she founded The STEMinista Project and

STEMinista Risingto engage and support that spark in girls and professional women in STEM.

“Young girls start taking things off the table for themselves between grades four and six.The spark gets dimmed, especially around STEM interests. Maybe that’s because westart teaching things a little differently, a little more subject specific, and gender normsbecome more prevalent.” To counter that, she created a program that offers young girlsthe opportunity to engage with female mentors and keep the fire burning. “I see that in young women who I speak with at times when they are thinking about jumping ship,and it becomes incumbent on me to not let that spark go out.” The very act of listeningand being heard is essential to the process.

“I often get asked two spoken questions and one unspoken. The first continues to be:'Can I have it all, the big-girl job and a family?' To which the answer is unequivocally, yes!The second, because I work with a lot of women of color, is born out of ongoingconversations about racism and bias. They ask, 'Will it get better?' My response is, don’tfocus on whether ‘it’ will' and instead on whether ‘I’ will get better. Manage what youhave control over, and you will find your ability to navigate those spaces improves.”

The unspoken question goes back to the issue of listening, and here Matthews gets serious. “You might not realize it, but young women are always looking to thegeneration ahead for answers about everything, including themselves. And when youtake the time to listen to them, even during an informal chat in the grocery store, theyare actually asking you: ‘If you are talking to me, does that mean I am good enough?’ And the answer again is, yes.”

When it comes to her current position at the museum, Matthew celebrates that it is thegreatest use of her spark to date. Combining her love for education, storytelling, history,and people, with all her left-brain math and science skills, Matthews fully commitsherself to this new role. And it's not lost on her that her own sisterhood of mentors havebeen there for her. “There is something so powerful about the network of women whohave supported me, not only applauding but shrugging their shoulders with an ‘ofcourse it’s you!’ attitude.”

The work is just beginning. “I am still stunned and humbled to have this opportunity.Here, we are authentically positioned to transform some of the most importantconversations we are having today--so being in this space is as much aboutperseverance and passion as it is preparation.” By leaning into her spark, Matthewsis more than ready.

“SOME OF US COME OUT OF THE WOMB KNOWING WHAT OUR PASSION IS, OTHERS RUN SMACK INTO IT OR HAVE A TRANSFORMATIVE LIFE EXPERIENCE THAT PUTS IT ON THE TABLE. ONCE YOU HAVE PERSEVERANCE AND PASSION, ALL THE OTHER THINGS — SKILLS, TRAINING, NETWORKING, CREATIVITY, STRATEGY, AND VISION, FOLLOW.”

$5,034,615

$32,725,000 average sales price (in 2023)

in closed sales (thru 3.31.23)

Robertson Allen REALTOR ® Broker-in-Charge, Founding Partner of The Cassina Group

(843) 442-6534 | www.RobertsonAllen.com

member of the most exclusive luxury real estate group

2411 Atlantic Avenue, Sullivan’s Island

5 BEDS | 4.5 BATHS | 4,350 SF | SOLD for $10,100,000

2411 Atlantic Avenue is the highest-priced home sold on Sullivan’s Island this year, and the fourth highest home sale ever recorded on the island. Robertson represented the sellers.

1659 Paradise Lake Drive, Mt. Pleasant

4 BEDS | 4.5 BATHS | 3,171 SF | $2,150,000

This custom-built Watermark home exudes Lowcountry living with light-filled open living spaces, high-end coastal finishes, spacious bedroom suites, and outdoor living spaces oriented around expansive views of the lake.

20 Short Street, Harleston Village

3 BEDS | 3.5 BATHS | 2,217 SF | SOLD for $3,000,000

20 Short Street was a record-breaking sale. It sold for $3,000,000 ($1353.18/ sq. ft.)--the highest price per square foot sale recorded this year on the Lower Peninsula--and closed in just 19 days with Robertson representing the sellers.

20 Murray Boulevard, South of Broad

3 BEDS | 3.5 BATHS | 2,151 SF | $3,450,000

Located South of Broad, this stunning home boasts uninterrupted views of The Battery and Charleston Harbor, while being within walking distance to worldclass restaurants, shops, parks, galleries & museums.

906 Middle Street, Sullivan’s Island

4 BEDS | 3.5 BATHS | 3,646 SF | $4,750,000

Magnificent Sullivan’s Island property that boasts unparalleled quality and luxurious living. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Intracoastal Waterway, multiple outdoor living spaces, an open floor, great natural light & more.

20 Guerard Road, The Crescent

4 BEDS | 4 .5 BATHS | 4,846 SF | $3,950,000

Sitting alongside the lake in The Crescent, this custom-built home epitomizes luxury living with light-filled open living spaces oriented around the view of the lake, thoughtful finishes, and a spacious screened porch.