A Woman's Work: Amazing Women Making Their Work a Part of History
For centuries, women have been the driving force behind a multitude of extraordinary societies and movements. Women who are trailblazers, activists, artists, scientists plus so much more. This March, in celebration of Women’s History Month, it is our honor to spotlight the following women as they are making their life’s work a part of history!
Dr. ShaDawn Battle is an author, college professor, film director and producer. This Proud Chicago native is an Assistant Professor of Gender and Diversity Studies at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. She earned her PhD in literature from The University of Cincinnati in 2017. Dr. Battle’s publications focus on themes surrounding anti-Black politics and Black masculine and feminine politics, intersecting hip hop, anti-colonial theories, critical race theory, and literature that spans the Black Diaspora. She is currently directing and producing a documentary on the dance form (of which she is a practitioner), titled, Footwork Saved My Life: The Evolution of Chicago Footwork. Check out the amazing trailer here:
Queen’s Village Cincinnati (Queens Village (blackwomenforthewin.com): Queens Village is a supportive community of powerful Black women who come together to relax, repower and take care of ourselves and each other. Queens Village is an initiative of Cradle Cincinnati, a collective impact organization that fights high rates of infant mortality that disproportionately affect Black women in Cincinnati and beyond. The nucleus of this amazing organization consists of five extraordinary women who've come together to provide a safe space for Black mothers to support and be supported by their peers, to connect, to relieve stress, to process trauma and to build a better world together for himself and their children. Queen’s Village hosts a number of wellness workshops, community conversations centered around womanhood in addition to opportunities for women and children to express themselves creatively through the arts.
Ashley C. Smith of Black Soil: Our Better Nature: Established in August 2017 along with her partner Trevor Claiborn, Black Soil: Our Better Nature’s mission is to reconnect black Kentuckians to their legacy and heritage in agriculture. Smith serves as Chief Operating Officer, bringing over 20 years of leadership, consulting and management to Kentucky's only statewide agritourism company with a mission to reconnect Black Kentuckians to their heritage and legacy in agriculture. Black Soil: Our Better Nature provides year-round events which include Farm Tours, Farm to Table Dinners and Off-Season Workshops where you are connected to Kentucky's black farmers/growers/producers. For more information about tours or purchasing fresh produce straight from the farm: Kentucky Farming | Black Soil: Our Better Nature (blacksoilky.com)
Latoya Stiggers of Stiggers Virtual Assistant Services: Her mission statement is simple: “I make your life easier.” From providing administrative support, spearheading marketing teams to project/ event management, Latoya provides her clients with simple solutions for their most complex problems. Her most recent project entitled a full magazine highlighting the accomplishments of newly elected Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece. SVAS does marketing and branding for Harlem fashion house Fully Privilege and is responsible for organizing the I Am Queen Award Show Annual Event awarding scholarships and recognizes deserving and hardworking queens of Cincinnati among other summits and mega conferences. To learn more about her services in addition to her laundry list of other accomplishments, head over to her website: Stiggers Virtual Assisting Services – "Organizing Your World So That You Don't Have To."
Ashley Garland of Images Photography & Video: Ashley first began photography back in 2008 shooting senior portraits as a hobby. After months of bookings and connecting with her clients, Ashley fell in love with this photography industry and she, along with her husband, established their company Images Photography & Video. From unique family portraits to stunning wedding shoots, Ashley and her team are passionate about capturing emotional, authentic moments - from happy tears to laughing out loud. Ashley is beyond creative and super exciting on set, making every one of her shoots that more memorable, fun and relaxing. Also, Images Photography and Video was awarded 2021 Best in Wedding by the knot.com and expertise.com! Check out her amazing work right here: Images Photo and Video (imagesphotographyandvideo.com)