DECEMBER 2018
Today’s Woman / December 2018
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contents DECEMBER 2018
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spotlight 28 7 THINGS
7 things this rapping teacher can’t live without
30 SURVIVAL SKILLS
Share space with those who are different
30 WHAT WORKS
“As an actor I love the connection with the audience...”
32 INSPIRATIONS
features 32 LOVE ABOUT
We love her dedication
42 27 THINGS
Happenings, news and tidbits that caught Today’s Woman’s eye this month
34 TURNING POINT
Biking to a new balance
36 WORK WARDROBE Moms as equals
48 FOOD
Cookies for breakfast
38 TRAVEL
A perfect gift: travel
40 CELEBRATIONS Alden Krausse and Ian Terpilowski
What inspires her creativity & style
Read full stories online at TodaysWomanNow.com Search with the person’s name in the story.
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6 Gifts To Our Community
These organizations are making invaluable contributions to our community.
Today’s Woman / December 2018
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DEC. 2018 | VOL. 29 | NO. 1
PUBLISHER Cathy S. Zion publisher@todaysmedianow.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Anita Oldham editor@todaysmedianow.com
Dear 27-Year-Old Today’s Woman,
As you celebrate your birthday, here are some rules to remember:
1. Set your own standards
Keep fighting to stay true to your values of helping and encouraging other women. You might be tempted to take a shortcut to the easy dollar, but it is never without strings attached, so stay true to who you are.
2. Love and forgive
It is important to keep loving what you are doing. To keep reaching women in this community — and encouraging them. Also, forgive both yourself and others. It is not easy when others try to tear you down, but they are going through their own growing pains and possibly have forgotten #1.
3. Expand your boundaries
Your mission is to inspire, and it involves continually pushing outside the circle — into all areas of the city and region. Keep looking because women all over this area are reaching incredible milestones.
4. Ref lect.. often
You do a good job changing and expanding — wow, a whole new logo this year — and it is good to see change. It is exciting how you try new things, but have kept using your megaphone to shout about the successful and insightful women of this community.
EDITOR Tiffany White tiffany@todaysmedianow.com CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Lucy M. Pritchett Miranda G. Popp miranda@todaysmedianow.com COPY EDITOR/SR GRAPHIC DESIGNER April Allman april@todaysmedianow.com DESIGNER/PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Jill Cobb jill@todaysmedianow.com DIGITAL DESIGNER/STYLIST Aubrey Hillis aubrey@todaysmedianow.com PHOTOGRAPHER/PHOTO EDITOR Melissa Donald melissa@todaysmedianow.com OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Scheri Stewart Mullins scheri@todaysmedianow.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Susan Allen susan@todaysmedianow.com BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Rachel Reeves rachel@todaysmedianow.com SENIOR MEDIA CONSULTANTS Teri Hickerson teri@todaysmedianow.com Joyce Inman joyce@todaysmedianow.com
It matters what you do. It matters who you are. Keep on building and encouraging and you will continue to make a difference.
ON THE COVER:
Our cover woman for this issue — Michelle Browning Coughlin — is a mother and a lawyer and helps others in the same situation with her Facebook group, MothersEsquire. “By the time we get to age 50, only 25 percent of women are still practicing at all,” she says. “There’s not a pipeline problem,” Michelle says. “There’s a leaky, gushing hole in the pipeline.” Photo: Melissa Donald Hair and Makeup: Emily Roberts, Strandz Salon & Threadz Boutique Styling: Aubrey Hillis Michelle is wearing: Blouse, $55; bracelet, $25, both available at Colonial Designs. Pants, $90; necklace, $25; earrings, $13; shoes, $60, all available at New York and Co.
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MEDIA CONSULTANT Deana Coleman deana@todaysmedianow.com CIRCULATION MANAGER W. Earl Zion Today’s Woman is published monthly by: Zion Publications, LLC 9750 Ormsby Station Road, Suite 307 Louisville, KY 40223 Phone: 502.327.8855 TodaysWomanNow.com TodaysMediaNow.com The opinions expressed herein are exclusively those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the position of the publisher. Today’s Woman magazine does not endorse or guarantee any advertiser’s product or service. Copyright 2018 by Zion Publications LLC, all rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited without permission from Zion Publications LLC.
ADVERTISE: Call 502.327.8855 or email advertising@todaysmedianow.com. REPRINTS: Call 502.327.8855 or email reprints@todaysmedianow.com.
SUBSCRIBE: Send $18 to the above address for 12 monthly issues.
Today’s Woman / December 2018
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GIFTS TO O U R
COMMUNITY By Carrie Vittitoe Photos Melissa Donald
As we embark on the season of gift giving and receiving, let’s take a moment to appreciate some of the community-wide gifts that benefit residents of Louisville and Southern Indiana. If you haven’t appreciated these gifts as much as you could have, now is the time.
GIFT #1
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f you’ve ever listened to any of the local public radio stations, you’ve probably heard mention of WATERFRONT WEDNESDAYS, a free monthly concert series hosted by 91.9 WFPK that runs from April through September and is held on the Big Four Lawn near the Big Four Pedestrian Bridge. Stacy Owen, WFPK’s program director, says the station was approached by the Waterfront Development Corp. in 2001 as a way to bring attention and interest to the newly renovated riverfront, and the first Waterfront Wednesday concert took place in 2002. Over the years, “The event has become the go-to social gathering for Louisville and the region through the spring and summer. Attendance to each show averages 10,000 and is comprised of people of all ages — toddlers to grandparents,” she says. The station is always looking for new ways to bring more music to more people. Owen says this past summer, Jecorey Arthur, the music education manager at 90.5 WUOL, hosted a children’s play area at the Wednesday concerts where they could explore classical music. In the future, the station is considering adding a live feed component so music lovers who can’t make it downtown can still revel in the sounds. This much-loved and well-attended concert series has taken on a life of its own. “This event has really built a sense of community around WFPK,” Owen says. Cold weather doesn’t put a stop to good music, which is why WFPK also hosts a Winter Wednesday concert series that runs from November through January. The concerts are free, begin at 6:30pm, and are held at Holy Trinity Clifton Campus.
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Photo J. Tyler Franklin Today’s Woman / December 2018
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GIFT #2
WAYSIDE CHRISTIAN MISSION
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n 2009, Wayside Christian Mission’s property on East Market Street was purchased for what would become the Nulu development, and the nonprofit was looking for a new home. The Holiday Inn, at Second Street and Broadway, was in foreclosure, so Wayside purchased the 12-story building and began using it for dual purposes: as a revenuegenerator and as a training facility for its women in recovery. Wayside renamed the building Hotel Louisville. “It has been a very beneficial exercise born out of necessity,” says Chief Operating Officer Nina Moseley. The women in Wayside’s recovery program live on two of the hotel floors and spend most of their time participating in 12-step meetings or attending classes where they learn about the hospitality industry, nutrition, and parenting. The hotel itself provides recovery participants with real-life work experience in housekeeping, catering, security, and hotel management.
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Rooms on five additional floors are rented to the public. Overnight guests are served a free continental breakfast at the Waycool Cafe, while non-guests can purchase breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner. The three large ballrooms at the hotel are frequently rented by businesses, churches, and civic organizations for meetings and events. Many of these local entities appreciate the quality of service they get at Hotel Louisville without spending an arm and a leg. Moseley says working at Hotel Louisville is a powerful psychological boost to the women in the recovery program. “As they work through recovery and provide good customer service and are learning skills, you can see their self-esteem rise,” she says. Moseley says numerous women who have completed Wayside’s program have gone on to work at the Omni, Marriott, and Galt House hotels.
Hotel Louisville provides a place to stay as well as experience training in the hospitality industry for participant in Wayside Mission’s recovery program.
Today’s Woman / December 2018
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GIFT #3
Rendering Submitted
THE HEALING PLACE: DRUG AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT
Even though The Healing P lace is just completing a new expansion of the men’s campus, it will be full right away.
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he Healing Place offers a unique treatment program for men and women over the age of 18 who are struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. Unlike short-term medical models that offer treatment for 28-30 days, The Healing Place’s residential treatment program is long-term and peer-driven, meaning that individuals who have gone through the program assist individuals as they make their way through recovery. The Healing Place offers non-medical detox, which President Karyn Hascal defines as “cold turkey with tender loving care,” for every substance except benzodiazepines. The TLC comes from staff who know all too well that detoxing days are some of the worst of a person’s life. Hascal says watching new residents go through detox “reinforces their own recovery and focuses them on what they need to do.” The individuals in the midst of detox gain hope from seeing others who are on the other side of recovery. From detox, residents move to the motivational stage of recovery, followed by intensive recovery, and then the transitional stage, in a program that lasts a minimum of
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six months but sometimes as long as a year. Residents are encouraged to get their GED if they do not have a high school diploma. “We give people the gift of time,” Hascal says. Even the simplest behavioral changes, like giving up soda, can take months to turn into a habit, and The Healing Place is asking for much more significant life changes in its residents. This month, The Healing Place will complete the expansion of its men’s campus, which more than doubles its capacity, although it is still trying to raise several million dollars so that it has no debt. It has also begun implementing three federal grants that were awarded in September, two of which focus on treatment of or housing for veterans. Despite the expansion, Hascal says, “Our beds are all going to be full the day we open,” a situation that saddens her staff because they have to turn people away who desperately want and need treatment.
Today’s Woman / December 2018
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GIFT #4
SMOKETOWN FAMILY WELLNESS CENTER
Dr. Charlotte Gay Stites, founder of Smoketown Family Wellness Center, and Kish Cumi, the Center’s executive director.
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moketown Family Wellness Center is, at its core, a full spectrum, evidence-based pediatric clinic, according to founder Dr. Charlotte Gay Stites. While it celebrated its official grand opening in March of this year, Dr. Stites and Dr. Michael Bricken began seeing patients in June and are working to slowly increase the support the clinic offers Smoketown families. Kish Cumi, the center’s executive director, says the wellness center was created because “a child born in Smoketown has an expected 10-12 years stripped away from their lives based on where they live.” A lack of economic growth, healthy food options, and transportation access are just some of the reasons for this life expectancy gap. “I believe fundamentally that all parents want what is best for their children, but some parents have more resources,” Dr. Stites says. The Smoketown Family Wellness Center is hoping to bridge the gap between resources and healthy life outcomes. The non-profit clinic accepts private insurance and Medicaid, which covers approximately 60 percent of its operating costs. It is fundraising, writing grants, and partnering with local entities including Spalding University, which helps the clinic offer behavioral health assessments and interventions to both children and parents.
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When she found that a child born in Smoketown had a 10-12 year lower life expectancy, Dr. Charlotte Gay Stites created a wellness center.
The center has been able to offer a number of classes, including a cooking class that is so popular it has a waitlist. Tutoring, yoga, and music classes have been offered in what might be considered the center’s test phase of offerings. While it is not a community center, the staff at Smoketown Family Wellness Center realizes that health is not just bodily health, but includes the mind and spirit. “If it benefits the children and families we serve, we are interested in providing it,” Cumi says.
The Smoketown Family Wellness Center has many goals, but Dr. Stites says, “Our ultimate goal is to add 10 years of life to Smoketown kids.” Cumi hopes the center helps Smoketown as a whole regain its legacy of richness. “Smoketown is Louisville’s first primarily black neighborhood, and it was established with tremendous pride and respect for a healthy community,” she says. The Smoketown Family Wellness Center hopes to foster that pride and respect in the coming years.
Today’s Woman / December 2018
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GIFT #5
IMPACT 100 SOUTHERN INDIANA
Residents work alongside Chef Andy Bremmer in a teaching kitchen founded by Impact 100.
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mpact 100 Southern Indiana is an initiative of the Women’s Foundation of Southern Indiana that benefits women in two important ways. Not only do women in the community benefit from the grant made by Impact 100, but the organization helps women in the community envision themselves as philanthropists. Amy Stein, an attorney and the marketing chair of the organization, says annual membership in Impact 100 is $1,000, which is then pooled in order to make a large contribution to a local nonprofit. In 2017, Impact 100 made a $50,000 grant to St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities, which was used to build a commercial-grade teaching kitchen that serves young mothers and teaches them culinary skills. In 2018, Impact 100 was able to make a $100,000 grant to Hope Southern Indiana, which was used to create and implement a self-esteem boot camp for at-risk teenage girls.
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Impact 100’s members come from a variety of professional fields and are of different ages, races, and experiences, but they share a desire to support nonprofit organizations that bring transformational change to the community. The organization has an annual event where members vote on which project will receive the grant. “The money goes to a specific purpose — an expansion of service or a capital project, so you really see what your money does for the organization and the people they serve,” Stein says. “Many of our members have never before donated such a large sum to a single charity. The Impact 100 model encourages female-led philanthropy, which is good for the donor as well as the community.”
A large grant from Impact 100 Southern Indiana enabled St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Charities to build a teaching kitchen for its residents.
Today’s Woman / December 2018
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GIFT #6
LOUISVILLE METRO ANIMAL SERVICES
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The new complex for Metro Animal Services will be completed in mid 2019.
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or Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS), 2019 will be a big year because it will complete the $11.5 million construction of its new shelter, replacing the old one on Manslick Road that was built in the 1960’s. The state-of-the-art building will feature 33,000 square feet of space for a new ventilation system, a public veterinary clinic, seven play yards for dogs, a grooming room, a half-mile exercise track, and a separate room for small mammals. LMAS director Ozzy Gibson says the new facility, which is located on Newburg Road next to Animal House, its adoption center, is long overdue. What the public may not realize is that, by law, LMAS is required to take all abandoned/stray animals, which means it is very easy for its space to become overcrowded, especially during the summer months. Gibson, who became the director in 2016, has tried to interject some unique ideas into how LMAS is operated. “I’ll run a gauntlet to try to adopt any adoptable pet,” he says. One approach that LMAS now offers is free adoptions for any dog over 40 pounds and any adult cat through its Pay It Forward program. Even though the adoption cost is zero, and the animals are spayed/neutered and
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microchipped, Gibson says adoptees “have to go through an adoption process as if I was asking $1,000 per animal” because he and his staff want to ensure that adopted animals are going to responsible pet owners. This program helped move an additional 1,000 animals out of the shelter in 2017, and 2018 looks to duplicate that. Gibson credits Friends of Louisville Metro Animal Services with helping LMAS reduce the number of animals in its shelters. Another program that the 501(c)(3) nonprofit has created is VIP Status, which benefits individuals who adopt a dog that has been at LMAS over 100 days. They receive three years worth of vaccinations and well checks for their adopted dog, as well as a harness and crate. These efforts have resulted in LMAS earning the coveted no-kill shelter designation. While Gibson hopes that the continued efforts on spaying/ neutering will one day decrease the stray population, he also realizes that people may abandon their pets for a variety of reasons, including financial strain or illness. “I want you to have your pet,” he says. “We are here to work with you.”
Today’s Woman / December 2018
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GIFT #7
MUSICIANS EMERGENCY RESOURCE FOUNDATION
This all volunteer organization helps area musicians when they face a time of need.
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usicians Emergency Resource Foundation (MERF) has been around for a long time, but it has been a bit underground, which seems apropos to the music scene. Shaun Wallace, the current president of MERF and a member of the band Soul Circus, says the organization began in the early 1980s when Marvin Maxwell, a drummer and the founder of Mom’s Music, was in a car accident. A giant benefit concert was held and donations went to Marvin. Fortunately, he wasn’t in dire need, so he created MERF, passing the money along to other musicians who were in greater financial straits than he was. MERF has an all-volunteer board and no overhead, which means “99.9 percent of every dollar we raise goes back to musicians in need,” Wallace says. While some musicians in need may be experiencing health problems or recovering from an accident, Wallace says MERF also helps musicians who are simply experiencing the hard financial times that often come with being a musician.
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“We want to help people become musicians if they want it to be more than a hobby,” says Wallace, but he notes that being an original musician is hard and often an unstable career path. He says cover musicians can make pretty good money, but it is nearly impossible to be an original musician and that be your only job. While MERF does not give out cash to musicians, it has helped pay medical bills, mortgage payments, or replace damaged instruments. “We have fed and housed people,” he says. In the next year or so, Wallace is hoping to redo the organization’s bylaws, as well as adopt an expansion plan, which could help musicians acquire health insurance, tax guidance, and legal advice. MERF continues to host benefit concerts as needed to raise money to help local musicians when they need support.
Today’s Woman / December 2018
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GIFT #8
THE FALLS OF THE OHIO
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he Falls of the Ohio is a unique place for a variety of reasons. It is federal land managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, with a facility that is managed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. This state park is also an accessible Devonian-age fossil bed supported by a foundation that worked for the past decade to renovate the Falls of the Ohio Interpretive Center.
School districts have been very supportive of the Falls of the Ohio Interpretive Center, with as many as 30,000 students visiting every year, and the upcoming virtual classroom will help spread knowledge about the fossil beds even further. “The virtual classroom will allow other education centers to take advantage of the information even if they aren’t ever able to visit the center,” Ellis says.
Mike Ellis, a Falls of the Ohio Foundation board member, says the Interpretive Center’s exhibits had become stale and outdated, and the board recognized that an update was needed. Three years were spent in developing a master plan, and seven years were needed to fundraise the $7.5 million total cost of the project. The center’s new exhibits showcase how the shallow tropical sea transformed and eventually became the home of Shawnee tribes and European settlers. A new film that introduces visitors to the exhibits premiered in October and the Interpretive Center’s virtual classroom will be completed in 2019.
As it winds down the renovation of the Interpretive Center, the Foundation will be working to develop its marketing strategy to make it easier for educators, tourists, and nearby residents to access information about the Falls and its various programs.
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In the future, the Foundation hopes to have a music garden installed on the grounds, which will consist of permanent structures that visitors can use for making music a part of their exploration of the park. Ellis, like his Foundation colleagues, hopes to make the Falls of the Ohio a destination point. “We want it to be a launching point for education and exploration,” he says.
The Falls of the Ohio has been going through a transformation and hopes to extend educational activities.
Today’s Woman / December 2018
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GIFT #9
IMAGINE GREATER LOUISVILLE 2020
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e have a world-class arts community, but we didn’t have a master plan,” says Eric Gurevich, the director of communications and engagement at the Fund for the Arts. However, after 18 months of discussions — including input from a diverse group of local leaders, public comment from residents, and the insights and experiences of arts communities in places like Denver and Miami — a master plan was created named Imagine Greater Louisville 2020. There are five main priorities of the plan: to increase access to art; to cultivate artists; to bring art into education; to make art equitable and inclusive; and to promote the arts locally and worldwide. The steering committee who created Imagine Greater Louisville 2020 determined 56 recommended actions that it would like to see occur in the community, such as to increase and support diverse artists and grassroots organizations. The first round of grants in 2017 went to a variety of programs and totaled a half million dollars. One of those recipient programs was Music Together under the guidance of Yani Vozos, who offers free afterschool music instruction in the South End of Louisville. Another was the Puppet Hero Parade in which Squallis Puppeteers, volunteers, and children from Portland created puppets based on community heroes. Side by Side Studio received a grant to provide weekly arts instruction to children and youth in the Parkhill, Chickasaw, and Parkland neighborhoods.
m One of the recipients of a grant from Imagine Greater Louisville 2020 was the Squallis Puppeteers Hero Parade. Two local women were made into puppets along with national heroes: The two women were Anne Braden and Mattie Jones. Squallis is run by Nora Christenson and Shawn Hennessey.
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The master plan for the arts community created grants for art and other priorities for our community.
Among the 2018 grant recipients were Commonwealth Theatre Center, the Historical Society of Harrison County, and the Shelby County Community Theatre. The third round of grants will total $100,000, and the fourth round of grants will total $200,000 and will be for public art projects.
Today’s Woman / December 2018
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GIFT #10 ELDERSERVE
Besides many other services, ElderServe helps combat crime by becoming an advocate for seniors who are crime victims.
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lthough ElderServe has been around since 1962, it has morphed with the times, offering different programming in various locations and expanding its services along the way. Its focus, however, has never wavered. “Our goal is to empower older adults to live independently with dignity,” says CEO Julie Guenthner. ElderServe has four primary objectives to help older adults in the community: reduce social isolation, improve wellness, foster independence, and protect. While it offers a strong safety net for the senior community at large, Guenthner says ElderServe strives to meet the individual needs of older adults and their families. Some benefit from ElderServe’s financial programs such as Representative Payee, which helps seniors manage their finances to ensure their rent and utilities can be paid. Referrals for this program come from Adult Protective Services or the Social Security office, but other interested individuals can simply call ElderServe to join the program. For older adults without family support who may suffer from dementia or abuse, ElderServe offers guardianship, which is court-appointed and aids seniors who either don’t have family or whose family is unable or unwilling to make medical and financial decisions.
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Guenthner says ElderServe is one of only four organizations in the nation that offers a crime victim service specifically for people ages 60 and older who have experienced financial exploitation, abuse, neglect, or assault. This federally funded program allows ElderServe to work with the local police department in order to establish contact with older crime victims. “We reach out to them and ask if we can help,” Guenthner says. Some seniors are afraid of the court system or are hesitant to file charges because their caregiver is the person who committed the crime against them. ElderServe becomes their advocates and helps them know that options for their care are available. “If we weren’t here, there are some seniors who wouldn’t survive the circumstances,” she says. The Oak and Acorn Adult Day program incorporates seniors and children interacting. ElerServe is hoping to raise money to expand the space. In 2019, ElderServe will begin raising money to repair and renovate the Oak and Acorn building it operates at 28th Street and Magazine in the Russell neighborhood. Its goal is to raise $2.5 million, which will be used to improve the space where it houses its medical model Adult Day Program and Senior Center.
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GIFT #11 ONEWEST
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neWest is a nonprofit organization that grew out of the 2014 Bingham Fellows class of Leadership Louisville and is focused on the revitalization of West Louisville. The first phase will start at the intersection of 18th Street and West Broadway. OneWest’s approach to re-development and growth is multi-pronged, focusing on renovating building structures, bringing commercial and retail establishments to West Louisville, community outreach, and advocacy for the nine neighborhoods that make up the area. President/CEO Evon Smith says that part of OneWest’s work is to market the area to businesses and help them identify buildings that would serve their needs. Another aspect of its work is to uplift entrepreneurs who are looking for small space to house their newly birthed companies. Its board consists not only of leaders who live and work throughout Louisville but also
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members from each of West Louisville’s neighborhoods. Part of OneWest’s advocacy is listening to what residents of West Louisville want in their community, which includes more quality retail establishments, healthy food options, fewer liquor stores, and bottom dollar retail, such as Dollar General stores. Residents of West Louisville spend $475 million every year on retail and services but, unfortunately, a sizable chunk of that leaves the area because of the dearth of retail shops and restaurants. “We are here to be a connector and to be intentional about uplifting the community based on what the residents have told us is important to them,” Smith says. “We invite everybody in Louisville to participate with us and be a part of that vision.” Like all great endeavors, Smith and her OneWest colleagues know that it isn’t just money that will lead to results. The combination of time, talent, energy, and funds are what will move West Louisville into its prosperous future.
OneWest is making strides in changing the community in a positive way. Evon Smith stands in front of a building that will soon be renovated.
Today’s Woman / December 2018
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7 THINGS THIS RAPPING TEACHER CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT By Emily Gahafer Photo by Sunni Wigginton
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ridgette Johnson’s teaching style is anything but ordinary. She loves music as a form of creative expression but feels it is also an incredibly valuable tool in the classroom. Turning curriculum into something accessible and memorable while combining it with other tools allows her to relate to children in a new and exciting way — as DJ BJ, the rapping, singing school teacher. The seven things Bridgette can’t live without have all played a pivotal role in her achievements as an educator.
1. PRAYER AND MEDITATION “I just like using prayer and meditation in order to get direction on what I’m supposed to do,” Bridgette says. “I like to open my Bible and pray the word and ask God for direction because I’m responsible for so much in the lives of children and my own family.”
2. MUSIC AND MOVEMENT
“[My family] listens to all of my ideas, they move my stuff, and help me in the classroom, and my husband builds things for me when I need them for the classroom,” Bridgette says.
4. MASTER BUILDERS ACADEMY In 2016, Bridgette founded Creatively Invented LLC, an edutainment and publishing company that specifically designs innovative and zany products and services for children and adults. Every other Saturday Bridgette attends a business and personal development program called Master Builders Academy. “Getting the unconditional support and learning how to run a business every week has been phenomenal,” Bridgette says.
5. COLORFUL ATTIRE “I like to dress for success every day,” Bridgette says. “I feel like I was born to impact millions, so I’m just trying to dress for where I’m going.”
Photo by Gray Willow Photo Co.
As DJ BJ, music has obviously played a huge role in the development of her teaching methods. “I think kids need that left brain, right brain movement, they need excitement and motivation,” Bridgette says. “It teaches them how to be innovative, and I think it works because there is an element of surprise in everything I do.”
3. MY ASSISTANT DREAM CHASERS
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At age 45, Bridgette Johnson went back to school and obtained her bachelor’s degree in early childhood development. She is now working on her master’s degree to get her teaching certificate while teaching at DuValle Education Center.
6. HELPING OTHER PEOPLE
7. CREATING
“I’m always for the underdog,” Bridgette says. “I try to make something good happen for somebody every day.”
“Whether it’s in the classroom, in the community, at home, or creating products and books to go with my songs, I’m always thinking up new ideas.”
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Today’s Woman / December 2018
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SHARE SPACE WITH THOSE WHO ARE DIFFERENT By Holly Hinson Photo by Melissa Donald
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Photo by Patti Hartog
atrina Moore believes that people of diverse cultures have more in common than they might think. As director of social responsibility for YMCA Louisville, she manages the afterschool program for immigrant and refugee youth at Louisville’s Newcomer Academy, among other responsibilities. For Katrina, her efforts are focused on how our common connections bind us as human beings, and how we can work to come together. “Whether it’s the media, politics, or whatever it is that is feeding into our fears and insecurities, we continue to perpetuate division from the ‘other,’” Katrina says. “Muslim or Christian, liberal or conservative, black, white, or brown, native born or newcomer — we all want the best for ourselves and for our families. We want to feel safe and secure, and we all need a community that supports us. I think we should all make a better effort to be in the same space as someone we perceive as being different from us.” Katrina says her work is a nice mix of office time and hands-on time, not only with students and their families but also other partner organizations such as Kentucky Refugee Ministries, La Casita, and Catholic Charities. “I love that our mayor and many local organizations are so supportive of
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SEARCH: Katrina Moore
this diversity and are continually and successfully striving to make Louisville a welcoming city,” she says. The Newcomer Academy, in its seventh school year, is a source of pride for Katrina. “I still get messages or emails from kids in the program six years ago who want to share their successes,” she says. “I’m proud of the fact that I started and brought the program to where it is. But what pleases me most is just having those connections with the students, hearing those stories, and knowing that the program was impactful for them.”
Katrina, 31, is expecting her first child this month. She and her husband Josh hope to teach her open-mindedness. “I would hope to instill in her a desire to get to know people and be willing to engage with people different from her,” Katrina says. “It doesn’t matter in what neighborhood you grow up, or if someone doesn’t look like you, or play like you, or like the same things as you. You can still get along. I want to start young and teach her that differences are cool.”
“As an actor I love the connection with the WHAT WORKS FOR audience, and as a director I like that I get TINA JO? to tell the complete story and create the Read about what works for her busy life at experience. The best part is that I never get TodaysWomanNow.com. bored. I tell my students to learn everything about theater — voice, acting, dance. Learn about lighting, costumes, and sets. The more skills you have the more likely you will have a consistent career.” SEARCH: Tina Jo Wallace
December 2018 / TodaysWomanNow.com
— Tina Jo Wallace, actor and director at Derby Dinner Playhouse By Lucy M. Pritchett
By Miranda Popp
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ara Van Treese starts each day at 4:30am with coffee and gets her cardio in before training fitness clients.
“I see women starting out in baggy T-shirts, and they begin to see results and notice definition in their arms, and I suggest they wear a tank next time, and they do! It’s baby steps to self-confidence.” To make her style effortless, Lara wears only black, grey, or white, but adds a pop of color to her wardrobe with colorful athletic shoes. Her go-to brands are Adidas, Nike, and Lululemon. SEARCH: Lara Van Treese
By Emily Gahafer
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racy Smith is in the business of making all things beautiful. Whether she is working on her latest calligraphy project, decorating her home, or picking out her outfit for the day, she loves simple, classic, and timeless style. As the owner of Calligraphy By Tracy, she creates beautiful lettering. While the seven things Tracy can’t live without aren’t all calligraphy related, they all allow her to express her creativity, attention to detail, and love of classic, beautiful style.
Photo by Sunni Wigginton
WE LOVE HER DEDICATION
What Inspires Her Creativity & Style
1. SILVER STATEMENT JEWELRY “I wear silver earrings every day,” Tracy says. “I like more artsy, statement pieces.”
SEARCH: Tracy Smith Tracy Smith creates beautiful lettering with her business Calligraphy By Tracy.
2. ARTOGRAPH LIGHT PAD
Posting about her day-to-day life (on Instagram @larapro4) makes Lara relatable to many, whether it’s someone needing a little fitness inspiration or an animal lover or someone searching for a new diet to help with digestive issues.
One of the most important parts of calligraphy is lining up each element and making sure the entire piece is straight. The lightpad allows Tracy to keep her projects pristine for her clients.
3. WUSTHOF KITCHEN KNIVES Tracy loves cooking and trying new recipes,
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and having the best kitchenware makes this pastime even more enjoyable. “That is my best purchase in the kitchen by far,” Tracy says.
besides pens,” Tracy says. “I got it for $25 at the Salvation Army. I remember it well because the number 25 is still carved in the top corner of the table.”
4. FRYE BAGS
6. HER CALENDAR
“I have a tan one and a black one, and they’re my go-to purses,” Tracy says. “I don’t switch out my purses very often unless I’m really, really dressed up.”
5. DRAFTING TABLE Tracy’s drafting table tilts and is adjustable. “When I started calligraphy that was my first purchase
“I live by my calendar,” Tracy says. “It’s the first thing I look at each morning.”
7. MY HAIRSTYLIST Tracy has been with her hair dresser Viki Hutchason, who currently works at The Hive Salon, for over 20 years. “She knows me, she knows my hair, and what I like,” Tracy says.
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By Lucy M. Pritchett
I
SEARCH: Allyson Herdelin
“Women have told me they are interested in getting started in cycling but are intimidated by ‘the men and the spandex.’ So Grit Cycling has women-only rides as well as other regular rides.”
public health from the University of Louisville, this was not as strange a career switch for this 27-year-old as it might seem. “I had long been into sports and physical fitness. I played soccer starting at 4 years old and
Artwork by Teri Jo Ross
f you are going to experience a Turning Point while riding a bicycle, you had best try to keep your balance. It was touch and go, however, when Allyson Herdelin’s cycling buddy jokingly suggested that she join him in running his cycling shop. But after wobbling for a bit, Allyson regained her balance and made an unusual career switch. She tells the story: “Michael (Carroll) and I had been friends and fellow cyclists for years. He already owned Old Bikes Belong and was looking to expand the business but was so busy with sales and repair work that he didn’t have time for marketing or hosting events. That’s where I come in.” With a nursing degree from Bellarmine University and a master’s in
Photo by Patti Hartog
BIKING TO A NEW BALANCE
was on the soccer team at Bellarmine. I loved cycling and found it to be a good form of exercise after I burned out on running. I also wanted to get people involved with it for their own health and fitness. That helped me make the decision
to leave my 9 to 5 job that I really felt no passion for. I am passionate about cycling.” So after composing many lists comparing the pros and cons of taking such a risk, in January 2018 Allyson become co-owner of the newly
ARE YOU AN ARTISAN OR CRAFTER? We would love to feature you and your creations! We have four categories to enter: Jewelry, Artwork, Style, Home. Nominate yourself or someone else at TodaysWomanNow.com!
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named Grit Cycling, 2020 S. Preston St. in the Germantown area. “After a while, there were only so many lists I could make. At some point I just had to decide. I thought that even if the change didn’t work out, at least I would know I tried.”
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MOMS AS EQUALS W Photo by Sunni Wigginton
By Marie Bradby
SEARCH: Michelle Browning
As an intellectual property attorney, Michelle keeps her work wardrobe simple and professional, wearing mostly suits. “My philosophy is, if it’s clean and it fits, I’m going to wear it.” Michelle is with her daughters Lane (14, at right) and Sloane (11).
MICHELLE CITES A RESEARCH STUDY where three identical resumes were sent out — one with a man’s name, a second with a woman’s name, and a third with a woman’s name, which listed her as a PTA volunteer. “The assumption was that the woman with the PTA reference was a mother,” Michelle says. “She received 72 percent fewer callbacks than the man, and 50 percent fewer than the other woman. She was offered $13,000 less in salary than the man, and $11,000 less than the other woman.
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hen Michelle Browning Coughlin started her law career, she already had two daughters — an infant and a toddler. “I was struggling with trying to figure out how to manage the expectations of being a lawyer and a mother,” says Michelle, 42, now an intellectual property protection and litigation attorney with Wyatt, Tarrant and Combs. “A lot is built into our culture about what it means to be a good mom. That creates such pressure on women, and there’s already a lot of pressure in the legal profession.” So, in 2013, Michelle started a Facebook group, MothersEsquire, to support lawyers who are mothers and to try to make the workplace more equitable. The group has grown to nearly 3,000 private members who get not only advice, but referrals, resources, and connections. “There are systemic barriers pushing people out of the field. We don’t need to tell women to get more grit and lean in more. We need them to keep doing their best and break down the wall.” With MothersEsquire, “we want to remove these systemic barriers to women’s success in the legal profession,” Michelle says. “Hopefully that will have ripple effects into other sectors.”
“THAT SAYS WOMEN LAWYERS ARE LESS COMMITTED TO WORK AND LESS COMPETENT TO WORK. YOU COULD BE A SUPERSTAR ROCKING ALONG, AND HAVE A BABY AND HAVE UNCONSCIOUS BIAS DIRECTED TOWARD YOU. THIS IS AN UNDERCURRENT IN ALL PROFESSIONS, NOT ONLY FOR WOMEN WHO ARE LAWYERS.”
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Photos submitted by Rocky Mountaineer “The train would slow, and everyone would run to the side of the train to witness a mama bear with her cubs or a moose or elk.” While the wildlife was definitely Candace’s highlight, she also loved the train itself. Each day starts with a toast of mimosas followed by a breakfast. Candace says the food was outstanding, and the open bar allowed her to sip on Bulleit bourbon while bear-watching.
A PERFECT GIFT: TRAVEL I By Megan M. Seckman
t is easy to get lost in this age of do-it-yourself travel arrangements. When we’re lucky, the perseverance of working through online travel sites pays off with a magical bargain adventure. Other times, we spend hours lost down rabbit holes that turn our dream vacation into pure frustration. Enter Candace Dupps. At age 25, she is one of America’s top 30 under 30 travel agents. “People don’t realize there are still travel advisors, but we are still here. People don’t realize how much we can help.” Candace says there are many benefits but the most helpful service, according to Candace, is that a travel advisor handles all the payments and travel documents, taking the stress out of vacation planning. So where does Candace, the “luxury travel advisor,” recommend you spend your next vacation? Aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, a luxury passenger train that travels through the remote and majestic Canadian Rockies. The train snakes its way through the mountains and national parks during the day, exposing the passengers to places most eyes haven’t seen. At night, the passengers disembark and stay at hotels and inns throughout western Canada. Many packages are available that vary in length of stay, side excursion options, and modes of transportation (add a pre-train cruise or post-train coach tour to round out your trip). “The views are incredible. The pictures on the brochure are not doctored — it is just as beautiful in person. You travel through a landscape that no vehicle can get to and are able to see all kinds of wildlife.” Candace, who caught the train herself in Vancouver (boarding options include Vancouver or Seattle) says the conductors and attendants on the train are knowledgeable and engaging. Throughout the journey, they shared stories and relayed the history
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of the region, interrupting themselves every so often with calls of “Bears on the left!” While the trip seems to be geared toward an older crowd, Candace would recommend this trip to anyone. The views, the possibility for outdoor adventure, the locally sourced food and the social environment on the train ride appealed to her under-30 demographic. “It is a very social experience. You can turn your train seats to face one another. People become best friends by the end of the day’s ride. I would take this trip again and am excited to get younger people interested in this vacation.” Whether you love outdoor adventure or would like to take a culinary tour of this remote region, the Rocky Mountaineer trip can be tailored to meet your needs. Bears, northern lights, glaciers, waterfalls, breathtaking views high atop a train trestle, high-end hotels, and gourmet dining — this might be the perfect combination for your dream vacation. And it has the travel agent’s seal of approval.
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Photos by Blush and Blooms Photography
CELEBRATIONS
SEARCH: Celebrations In the U.S. wedding, Alden’s dress (from Rebecca’s Bridal) was a modern twist on a classic style. After the ceremony they walked into bubbles before heading to their reception a few blocks away.
A
lden Krausse and Ian Terpilowski had two weddings to celebrate their union — one in her hometown of Southern Indiana and one in Australia (in his hometown) — three weeks apart. Both were afternoon weddings in November, but they had the benefit of different seasons.
Even though she had two weddings, Alden says it goes fast, so she recommends brides take some time to soak it in. She saved money by ordering her own hydrangea stems and making arrangements herself, keeping
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with a simple, white theme. In New Albany, Alden and Ian got married at the Saint Marks United Church of Christ followed by a reception at Culbertson West with plenty of dancing and a late night snack of Adrienne’s doughnuts. “It has such a beautiful vintage feel.” In Australia, the celebration was at the Mt. Macedon Pub, “with the whole beer garden as our outdoor venue.” Flowers grown in a family member’s garden decorated the tables. “It was spring in Australia so the foliage and temperature were perfect,” Alden says. Her favorite memory at her second wedding? “Dancing with my husband underneath a large Oak tree lit up with fairy lights.” Read more about Alden and Ian’s wedding(s) at TodaysWomanNow.com.
Alden says because she splurged on her U.S. dress, her Australian wedding dress was off the rack but “glammed up” with a jeweled belt, and she added lace trim paired with removable lace bolero for the ceremony.
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27 THINGS
(Why 27? Because we are 27 years old this month!)
Happenings, news, and tidbits that caught Today’s Woman’s eye this month By Anita Oldham
— one —
Our mission is to INFORM, INSPIRE, and ENCOURAGE all women of this community. Not just those living on one side of town. Not just women who are well-known or attend certain events. The women we cover prove that they can grow, adapt, and succeed.
TODAY’S WOMAN WANTS TO SEE EVERY WOMAN IN THIS REGION MEET HER POTENTIAL.
2 the s for all ing k n a h T s s a p d n love! A a friend. us onto
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If you want to share your story, you can email me at Anita@TodaysMediaNow.com (or go to TodaysWomanNow.com)
As we start our 27th year, thanks to each woman who has shared her journey — her failures and her wins, and how she has moved forward. Let us all join in on cheering each other on to success!
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“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
5SO MANY COMMUNITY GIFTS
In this issue we feature 11 gifts in our community. We know that so many local organizations are doing great things — we applaud you! We also try to join in with many who keep changing our city for the better — through health awareness, support for the compromised, opportunities for all, and celebrations.
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~ANNE FRANK
Here are some of the long-time partners we support and cheer on: 100 Wise Women • American Cancer Society • American Heart Association • American Lung Association Center for Women & Families • Children’s Hospital Foundation • Clark Memorial Hospital Foundation Family Scholar House • Hosparus • Hats for Hope • James Graham Brown Cancer Center Junior League of Louisville • Kentucky Derby Festival • Kentucky Humane Society • Komen Race for the Cure Kosair Charities • Leadership Louisville • Louisville Office for the Aging • Norton Healthcare Foundation Maryhurst • NAWBO — National Association of Women Business Owners • Ovarian Awareness of Kentucky Prodigal Ministries • Twisted Pink • Uspiritus • Wednesday's Child Women 4 Women • Women Leading Kentucky • UofL Institute for Sustainable Health & Optimal Aging Women’s Business Center of Kentucky • WAGS — Wonderful Animals Giving Support • Witches Night Out
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27 THINGS
15-25
6–9
DO YOU KNOW ABOUT TODAY’S TRANSITIONS? When someone you know suddenly needs more help or care, Today’s Transitions magazine helps you make decisions. The magazine includes: • Comprehensive listings of care communities as well as home health and retirement living. • Practical solutions for caregivers, plus support and fitness groups.
We interviewed several women willing to reflect on what’s been on the forefront of their minds. Sometimes that inner voice is loud, inconvenient, and frustrating, but listening and making those necessary changes will eventually build something beautiful. Story and Photos by Brigid Morrissey
• Inspiration for aging well and living productively. “I’ve definitely made mental changes. I’ve learned you have to give a little and take a little. You won’t grow as an individual if you can’t change your way of thinking. And that light bulb just went off last week....” – Tina Byrd
• Places to go for short day outings.
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PET LOVER? Do you and your pet look alike or do you have an exotic pet? If so, we want to feature both of you in our upcoming pet photo shoot for 2019. Sign up at TodaysWomanNow.com!
l We featured Lenora Kirkpatrick and Cody in our October 2008 pet photo shoot.
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LOOKING FOR ARTISANS AND CRAFTERS If you’re a Kentucky or Southern Indiana artisan or craft business, we want to feature your art in an upcoming issue. Men and women are creating great things, and we want to highlight the best products in four categories: Home • Jewelry • Style • Art
“I moved from Portugal because of work in August 2018. Adjusting to a new culture has required having a new mindset as well. I think my ‘meeting new people’ is just about to start.” – Marta Veiga
Whitney Mattingly (left) and Angela Holbrook (right)
“I’m trying to push myself out more to a bigger audience. I have my Twitter and Facebook page for business, but for anything I do freelance-wise I’ve been going to different businesses and showing off my work. I’ve been working to break out of my bubble.” – Angela Holbrook “I’m trying to be comfortable in my own skin. I’m working on being healthy but not stressing about the physical look. “I enrolled in therapy about a year ago. I’m working on things I’ve never addressed before. It’s helped me stay more stable in an unstable environment. “Lately I’ve been reflecting on negative self talk and noticing when I start falling into those patterns that lead to negative self talk and trying to snap myself out of it.” – Whitney Mattingly
Go to TodaysWomanNow.com
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27 THINGS
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“I’m working on having a positive outlook on everything — just finding the good in everything and being happy where I am instead of thinking about what I don’t have.” – Grace Casper
Behind the Scenes Photos Michelle is wearing: Blouse, $35; earrings, $20 both available at Colonial Designs. Pants, $90; necklace, $27; all available at New York and Co.
ed She look is th great in ! o gray, to
mW earing the puppets are Nora Christenson and Shawn Hennessey.
“I just moved to Louisville four months ago. In the last year, my husband and I drove across the country and lived in Berkeley, California, for his work. Then we spent a month exploring Northern California. The physical body being in a new place is a huge change.
BEHIND THE PUPPETS. We featured one of the Imagine Greater Louisville 2020 grant recipients — Squallis Puppeteers — who teach children life lessons as well as historical perspective (on page 22). These two puppets are teaching about local legends. Anne Braden, activist, and Mattie Jones, who are two Louisville women who have made great differences in quiet ways. Students help create the puppets as well as learn about their lives.
27. COME AND JOIN US We publish a new story every day at TodaysWomanNow.com, and we offer behind the scenes, tidbits, and contests on our Instagram @TodaysWomanNow. We would love to have you be part of our story.
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“I try to see the good in every situation. Even if people complain about something, I still try to look at things and understand what I got out of it.” – Samantha Klakulak
Grace Casper (left) and Samantha Klakulak (right)
December 2018 / TodaysWomanNow.com
“The move was stressful. You don’t feel it happen until afterward, like the aftermath of a tidal wave. Something about that has made me not so worried about my lifestyle and philosophical differences.” – Allison Williamson
“I’ve been growing my hair out this year. It’s been challenging to find the right length with my curly hair.” – Laura Duncan
“I feel like emotionally if you’re stable, you don’t project negative emotions onto other people. If you find an equilibrium in your head, your family and friends don’t have to go through a rough time with you.” – Sana Bhojwani
“I had a baby — my fifth baby. I’m wrapping my head around becoming a mother 20 years after becoming a mother for the first time. It’s still a change integrating another human into your life. I had a natural home birth with the first four; with my fifth, I had a c-section. Going to the hospital and having a major surgery was so much harder! I’m still recovering.” – Kelly McCarthy
“In January I achieved tenure at the University of Louisville. Since then, I’ve been feeling more confident about speaking up in meetings where I would have previously kept mostly silent. It’s sad that it took until now for that to happen, but such is life in academia at the moment for a woman.” – Amanda Jo LeBlanc
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COOKIES FOR BREAKFAST Story and Photo by Paige Rhodes
SEARCH: Paige Rhodes
T
he one aspect of Christmas that everyone can get on board with is the amazing food everywhere you look, and the excuse to be able to eat dessert for breakfast! These Cookies and Cream Biscotti are perfect for dunking in coffee, serving at Christmas brunch, or wrapping up and gifting to a friend. Grab a helping hand and make some memories baking in the kitchen this season. Cookies and Cream Biscotti Prep Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 45 mins Yields: 28 Cookies
Ingredients 1 cup sugar 1⁄3 cup unsalted butter, melted 3 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3 cups flour 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder 1⁄4 teaspoon salt 16 chocolate sandwich cookies, like Oreos Instructions Start by scraping the filling of the cookies into a small bowl, set aside. Coarsely chop the remaining cookies and set aside in a separate bowl. Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat the sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer at medium speed until well-combined. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold in chopped cookies. Divide mixture in half. With floured hands, lightly knead dough until the cookies are nicely incorporated. Shape each half into a 9x3-inch loaf on a large parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean. Remove from oven; cool for 10 minutes. Cut each loaf diagonally into 15 (1/2-inch thick) slices.
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Place slices cut side up, on the same baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes more on each side or until lightly toasted. While the biscotti are finishing in the oven, you can make the drizzle. Heat a double boiler over medium heat until water is simmering. Set the heat-proof bowl with the cookie filling on top and stir until it is completely melted. At this point, you could go ahead and drizzle it on top of the biscotti, or you could add food coloring to it and then drizzle. If you choose to do this, you may need to add a splash of milk to it, as the food coloring may thicken it.
COOKIE, OR BISCUIT?
In Italian, the word “biscotto” means “biscuit” or “cookie.” When Italians first created biscotti in the region of Tuscany many centuries ago, they twice-baked the cookies to form their unique shape and develop their crisp texture. Source: biscottizone.com