“I grew up in a not-so-nice area as a kid, but I know that it has made me who I am today because if I was raised anywhere else, I don’t think I would have as thick of skin today as a mom of three.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: My biggest passion has been and still is helping people. I have been a registered massage therapist for the past 13 years and this was my goal when I was in high school as I had taken a course on the body and fell in love with what I would be able to help with.
I am loving what I do and, over the early part of the pandemic, I got my life license. I had no idea what I was going to get out of it, but WOW! I was shocked at all that I learned and now could educate others and help plan/protect their families.
Then I started an online business in the essential services industry. This is where I have been able to provide my customers with better rates on services, they pay for in the home such as natural gas, electricity, internet, mobile, home phone, travel, and health care.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: My younger years were amazing because I was always out and about playing, or we were at the Boys and Girls Club after school and evenings program where we went on many fun outings and once took a Tim Hortons camp trip to Alberta.
We often traveled back to Jamaica and the US for a few weeks and see family. I played many, if all the sports I could in school, up until high school, as I then became focused on my studies.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: I grew up in a not-so-nice area as a kid, but I know that it has made me who I am today because if I was raised anywhere else, I don’t think I would have as thick of skin today as a mom of three.
I don’t look at where I came from as a bad thing because I know it gave me humble beginnings and some to look back and see how far I’ve come. Even though many kids didn’t end up in a good place as an adult, I can safely say my siblings and I all went on the great things in life.
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: Feminism to means….to be honest, I don’t give it much thought because I teach all three of my kids to not think they can or can’t do anything because of their size and sex.
Yes, the world doesn’t see a woman as equal to a man in some cases, but [it’s important to] know that we can do anything they can do if not do it better.
“I kept thinking, ‘When I’m 80, will I regret not trying to open this place?’ And the answer was yes, every time. If we opened, and it closed in a year, at least I can say I tried.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: This sounds petty and silly, but I’m passionate about having fun! And I want others around me to have fun!
I’ve always been the socializer, the party planner, the gathering of people for a good time. I just took that passion a step further to open a permanent structure for all people to have a good time!
Because we live in rural Kansas, fun isn’t always prominent all around us in the form of concerts, activities, and shops like in bigger cities. So, I’m also passionate about finding fun and beauty in the little things all around us and bringing activities to rural north/central Kansas.
Kettle hosts 2-4 activities every month, most of them free. This is in the form of live music, wine and beer tastings, street dances, art classes, private themed dinners, and murder mystery nights.
Our family also loves to support those around us who bring fun to our area like festivals, music, pottery and paint classes, reading programs, fun walks, etc. If you look in unfamiliar, non-obvious places, there is always fun to be had no matter where you live!
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I grew up in rural western Kansas. My brother and I grew up in a special small town where everyone knew everyone and we had two supportive parents.
We grew up with my parents hosting block parties, sports parties after big sporting events, and summer days outside with our friends—maybe that’s where my love of fun and socializing came from!
We also had to find our own fun in our small town, which instilled in me a passion to not be complacent with “a boring day.” If you wanted to do something, you had to go out and find something to do!
Before my senior year of high school, my family moved to Iowa, two states and about 10 hours away from the town I grew up in Kansas.
The town was by no means big, but about five times bigger than the town I grew up in. This was hard. And it really forced me to grow up and make good decisions for myself.
I could have moped around and just skirted by until I got done with my senior year. But I made the decision to play in the band, do school activities and make friends.
I’m certain this helped my maturity level and personal drive immensely before I headed to college, where I completed a bachelor’s degree of the arts in corporate communication at Simpson College in Iowa.
Q: What is something valuable you’ve learned that you’d like others to know?
A: When my husband and I were thinking about opening Kettle, we researched for about a year. Talked to other restaurant owners; went to every coffee shop when we traveled; looked at every price imaginable; talked to financial services and looked at our own finances; talked to other downtown business owners, beer distributors, and countless other people to do our due diligence on what we were jumping into.
I wrote a very detailed business plan and talked to every bank in town. And although all of this was helpful, you can never FULLY prepare yourself for owning a business. It’s hard, but it’s fulfilling as well. Prepare to cry, laugh, pull your hair out, be humbled, be irate, be exhausted, be exhilarated, and all the emotions in between! It’s a serious up-and-down journey!
But you know what ultimately led to me quitting my very stable paycheck at a great job and opening a completely weird restaurant in a small rural town in Kansas? YOLO. You only live once. I kept thinking, “When I’m 80, will I regret not trying to open this place?”
And the answer was yes, every time. If we opened, and it closed in a year, at least I can say I tried. At least it wouldn’t be eating at me every day with a cloud of regret hanging over my head. I’m one of the brave ones. I took that leap of faith, and so far, we’re still in business and people seem to like us! And if we close tomorrow, I’d have no regrets. And that makes for a more fulfilling life.
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: The respect, appreciation, and love of women. Most everyone loves and appreciates a woman in their life. Whether that’s your mom, a friend, or sister. But respect is the key word here. Are women respected enough for them to be “trusted” with a hard job?
Are they respected enough to be paid equally? Are they respected enough for their wisdom that they are offered positions over a man? And will they be respected enough so they don’t have to worry about sexual advances and being uncomfortable in the workplace and beyond? We’ve come a long way, baby, but we have so far to go!
Support your fellow sisters, ladies! There is no room for hate, pettiness, jealousy, or sabotage in feminism.
Thank you for taking the time to get to know me, and I’d love to know you and any comments you may have for me!
Q and A with Marcela born in Bogotá, Colombia, and living in Sydney, Australia
“Learn to believe in yourself more than anyone, keep pushing, and surround yourself with people who support you.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: Finding my passion wasn’t easy as I was not fixed on one specific subject or a collector. I always dreamt of finding my “passion,” trying different tests, people, books, etc.
I was lucky enough to finally find my passion after my third baby. She inspired me to keep fighting for her and my sanity to find real and long-term life solutions to help mothers and babies sleep better. This is how Lulo was born.
It’s a sleepy baby koala with a compilation of the best science-based sleeping methods to help your baby get to sleep. Find out more at www.kalmbaby.com.
I am passionate about motherhood, my family, baby sleep, “me time,” and having a balanced life.
Currently, we are working on refining our mother and baby daily guide routines; these are full-day routines from 0 to 3 years old.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: Growing up, I loved playing sports with my younger brother. We had the best time together.
My dad was very strict, and there was zero room for mistakes. He taught me lots of manual stuff like fixing the iron or stove when they were not working at a very young age.
I think I was 12 years old when I aimed to open a TV, and I was fascinated with all the cables, electronics, etc. I remember breaking the bulb inside…luckily, there was a spare TV. And it was a secret between my brother and me.
I grew up in Bogotá, Colombia, where I had my first baby at a very young age. He is now 19 years old. Then I moved to Australia in search of a better life for my son, who I had to leave in Colombia for two painful years until I managed to bring him to Australia and achieve a massive and life-changing goal.
I have been living for the last 14+ years in Australia. I met the love of my life, who I married and we had two kids together (ages 4 and 2 years old). He supports me every step of the way, and I am extremely grateful to God for giving me such a unique and special husband.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: Learn to believe in yourself more than anyone, keep pushing, and surround yourself with people who support you.
I have learned that healing yourself internally is possible with God’s help and the people he puts on our paths.
Everything has a reason. It may be something that you don’t think you need, but time covers our pain and time will uncover them again.
Q: What does feminism mean to you? A: To fight for equal gender benefits. We are still seeing many industries where there is a salary gap between women and men.
“I want others to take from my story that faith, persistence, and purpose-driven action can change the trajectory of your life.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I am passionate about helping people build, protect, and pass on their legacies.
As both an attorney and real estate broker, my work sits at the intersection of law, property, and empowerment.
I found this passion by living it—I started as a teen mom with a GED, and step by step, worked my way to becoming a lawyer, broker, and business owner.
Today, I’m focused on bridging the gap between communities and the systems that impact them; whether that’s probate, real estate, or business law.
I’m currently working on expanding my law practice, growing my brokerage, and building technology and education platforms like my AMELIA AI Blueprint to help professionals embrace innovation while staying true to their faith and purpose.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I grew up facing challenges that forced me to grow up quickly.
Becoming a young mother while still in school was a turning point, but it gave me grit and resilience.
Education became my lifeline: from GED to college, and ultimately to earning my Juris Doctor degree.
Along the way, I worked in financial services, real estate, and legal support roles, each teaching me skills I still use today.
Those early years taught me perseverance, and that legacy isn’t just about wealth; it’s about showing up, pushing through, and proving to yourself that you can rewrite your story.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is this: your current circumstances do not define your destiny. Obstacles aren’t stop signs; they’re detours that can build strength and wisdom if you don’t give up.
I want others to take from my story that faith, persistence, and purpose-driven action can change the trajectory of your life.
You don’t have to come from privilege to build a legacy; you need the courage to keep moving forward.
Q:What does feminism mean to you?
A: To me, feminism is about agency, equality, and empowerment.
It’s about ensuring women not only have a seat at the table but also the tools, resources, and confidence to use their voice once they’re there.
As a Black woman in law and real estate, feminism also means breaking barriers and lifting as you climb—because true empowerment multiplies, it doesn’t compete.
More about Alisha: I believe in blending faith with professionalism. My journey is not just about contracts, closings, and courtrooms; it’s about legacy and purpose. Everything I build—whether it’s my law firm, my brokerage, or my empowerment platforms—is rooted in service, excellence, and leaving something greater for the next generation.
Q and A with Ana from Georgetown, Guyana, living in Westchester County, New York
“We always have the ability to pivot, change direction, and move forward.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I am a passionate, diligent, and determined mother with an infectious smile and personality. After practicing law for 20 years, I stepped out on faith and transitioned into grant writing—a path that perfectly aligns with my purpose of serving others.
My background as an attorney sharpened my research, writing, analytical, and communication skills, all of which prepared me to craft compelling grant proposals and strategic arguments for causes that matter.
I believe that each of us has a single purpose in life: to do God’s work through service. For me, grant writing is how I fulfill that calling.
What I love most about grant writing is how it brings together my unique talents and achievements to make a tangible impact while also providing a healthy work-life balance. I partner with nonprofits addressing homelessness, food insecurity, and social justice, offering a full range of services—including grant readiness assessments, research, proposal writing, and grant management—to help them secure the funding they need to fully support their missions.
Currently, I volunteer as the development officer for the United Community Center of Westchester, where I research funding opportunities, write proposals, and oversee fundraising activities. Through this work, I continue to honor my passion for service while empowering organizations to create lasting change in their communities.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: My passion for law began in the seventh grade, when I took a pre-law course that ended with a mock trial competition. Our class visited a law firm in Manhattan, and I was completely captivated by the atmosphere. I served as one of the defense attorneys in the mock trial, and I loved every moment of the experience.
From that point on, I was determined to become an attorney. I took every pre-law course available, joined the debate team, and pursued every opportunity that could move me closer to my dream.
My dedication paid off early—I graduated from high school a semester ahead of schedule after completing an internship during my senior year, which allowed me to begin college sooner. I went on to earn my bachelor’s degree in political science from SUNY Albany with a double minor in psychology and criminal justice, along with a concentration in sociology.
From there, I pursued law school at Brooklyn Law and then completed my LLM at NYU Law School. I sometimes joked that I was a professional student because I truly loved learning, researching, and discovering new information.
My legal career began at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and later I went into private practice.
I started as a solo practitioner, then cofounded a firm with a law school colleague, Hercules & Irick, before returning to my own private practice. Over the span of 20 years, I focused primarily on real estate law, probate, trusts, and estates.
While I poured myself into my legal career, I also began to realize the personal sacrifices I was making—particularly time with my family. That reality hit me right before the pandemic, when my son asked me to chaperone a school trip.
I apologized and told him I was too busy, to which he replied, “Mom, you’ve never done anything with me.” That moment was a wake-up call.
Soon after, the pandemic arrived, giving me the space and opportunity to reset, re-evaluate my priorities, and choose a path that allowed me to spend more time with my children while still serving others.
And thus, my grant writing career was born. Grant writing became the bridge between my professional skills and my deeper purpose: to serve God by serving others. It allows me to use my legal training, research abilities, and writing expertise to help nonprofits addressing homelessness, food insecurity, and social justice secure the resources they need to make lasting change.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: If there’s one lesson I’d like others to take from my journey, it’s that life is a process. We set goals, pursue experiences, work diligently toward them, and then pause to evaluate and adjust.
Nothing is set in stone. We always have the ability to pivot, change direction, and move forward.
My own path—from law to grant writing—reminds me daily that it’s never too late to embrace a new purpose, and that growth often comes when we allow ourselves the flexibility to evolve.
Q:What does feminism mean to you?
A: To me, feminism is the belief in and advocacy for the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes. Society has historically—and continues to—prioritize the male perspective and place men in positions of power. That imbalance should be corrected in order to create a more just and equitable world for everyone.
Feminism is also about empowerment and voice. It means ensuring that women are not only given equal opportunities but are also encouraged to lead, to shape policy, and to define their own paths.
As a woman who has built a career first in law and now in grant writing, I’ve seen firsthand how vital it is to stand firm in spaces that were not always designed for us and to create new opportunities for the women coming after us.
Feminism, to me, is both a belief and a responsibility—to advocate, uplift, and help build a more inclusive future.
More about Ana: I was born in Georgetown, Guyana, and immigrated to the United States in the early 1980s when I was just eight years old. Moving to Brooklyn, New York, at such a young age shaped so much of who I am today. Brooklyn gave me resilience, grit, and drive—it’s where I learned to dream big and work hard for the life I wanted to create.
Today, I live in Westchester County, New York, where I’ve built both my family and my career. My journey from Guyana to Brooklyn to Westchester reflects not only where I’ve been but also the values I carry with me: perseverance, faith, and a deep commitment to serving others.
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