Moxie Summer 2015 by The Times

celebrating women of north georgia

Summer |2015

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Publisher’s Musings

Publisher Charlotte Atkins relaxes in one of her favorite places in North Georgia, the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Gainesville – A Smithgall Woodland Legacy. Photo by: Scott Rogers

oxie. It’s one of my favorite words. It means energy, courage and know-how. I think that captures the women of North Georgia nicely, don’t you? And this new magazine celebrates women and our lives as well as the moxie we bring to them. It’s my hope that this inaugural edition of Moxie and our related Aug. 29 North Georgia Women’s Expo become new threads in the fabric of our community, where women bring their energy and voices – and yes, their moxie – to creating a renewed synergy of collaboration, communication, connection and celebration. For our lives as women are so worth celebrating, even in the midst of incredibly busy lives all wrapped up in 21st century technology and distractions; kids, grandkids and spouses; and college, careers and community commitments. We need to have moments where we exhale, where we stop to revel in joy ... or peace … or contentment. Perhaps you’ll find those moments with our new women’s magazine in hand in the porch swing, poolside with girlfriends or curled up on the sofa with your beloved pooch!

celebrating women of north georgia

I want Moxie to be that place where we get to know captivating women doing myriad things around North Georgia, where we each are reminded of our own fabulousness and divine destinies and that we are kindred spirits, no matter that we hail from different places, cultures or backgrounds. We are women and that connects us in a profound way. WomenSource, a network of smart and caring women, is a crucial local engine for that connectivity. They help us succeed both personally and professionally with informative and inspirational programs and resources geared toward all women in North Georgia. They help women find the tools they need in life and their voices. As women, we have a powerful voice. You will see that reflected here. While the tone of Moxie is intended to be celebratory, fun and a bit sassy, we do need to use our voices for important issues with heartfelt impact. Our cover girl Anmarie Martin is a shining example. She uses her voice to build bridges between people and communities. We hear Katie B. Davis’ voice on WDUN as she uses her storytelling prowess to capture the spirit of sports and those involved on and off the field and court. Mimi Collins uses hers to shape health care and our community’s future. There are many other women’s voices featured here, not only in our showcase portraits where our photographers have captured 10 women’s spirits through their lenses. There are also features on topics we all love: food, health, art, being moms, running businesses and making a difference in our community. In She Said you will get to experience many voices as women from all over North Georgia answer ponder-worthy questions we posed. Some witty. Some warm. All welcomed. Even Georgia’s First Lady Sandra Deal, who hails from Gainesville, participated. To her, the word moxie means “spunky, ethical, determined, creative, courageous, confident, competent, intuitive and considerate.” I think she’s right and you will find all that and more in the women on the pages of this magazine. Our mission with Moxie is simple: Create a new seasonal forum for women’s voices and to remind us that as women we are connected – and that individually and collectively that we can have meaningful impact on our part of the world and each other. Welcome to Moxie!

Charlotte Atkins | Publisher

on the cover

Anmarie Martin is a former law enforcement officer turned activist. She aims to be a bridge between communities and a voice for inclusion. The cover photo by Scott Rogers captures Anmarie on the white pedestrian bridge that spans Jesse Jewell Parkway in Gainesville. It stands as a symbol of connectivity in our community and Anmarie uses her heart and her moxie for the same mission.

table of contents

Moxie is a publication of The Times, 345 Green St., Gainesville, Ga. A Morris Multimedia Inc. property. Charlotte Atkins Publisher Norman Baggs General Manager Keith Albertson Editor Jenny Syversen Advertising Director Chris Campbell Art Director Steven Welch Design Director Alison L. Marchman Graphic design No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by an information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Morris Multimedia Inc.

Portrait Showcase 10 women, 10 stories to tell. Capturing their spirit through the lens and showing sides of them not all get to see.

She Said Questions We asked, they answered. Peppered throughout Moxie are little insights from area women â&#x20AC;&#x201D; everything from their favorite technology to some of their guilty pleasures. Summer 2015

Lifestyles

10| Bon Appétit, Y’all It’s apple season and we show how the tasty fruit can be used for more than use just pies in cooking.

05| For the Health of It Lake Lanier serves as the perfect place to experience the benefits of rowing. Whether for exercise or fun, people all over North Georgia flock to the water.

Women’s expo Welcome to the inaugural event connecting and celebrating women in the region.

30 38

They’ve got moxie

06| Moms with Moxie Expectations versus reality for the first day of kindergarten.

22| Brava

Making a difference

Rosemary Dodd’s passion for art has spanned across decades.

WomenSource strives to empower the community.

28| Minding her Own Business Kristy Slaton mixes work, family for success in business.

34| Historical Moxie Beulah Rucker spent her life devoted to education.

50| 50 Plus & Fabulous Even as we mature, a gal can always use a little help.

celebrating women of north georgia

Moms with Moxie Expectations versus reality for the first day of kindergarten. Expectation: “Will there be a garden in kindergarten?” Reality: This is the question my son asked repeatedly over the summer. To him, the word “kindergarten” sounded like a magical place of kindness and flowers. There isn’t a garden and sometimes kids aren’t nice. But I didn’t tell him that. Instead, I told him it was the place where he would grow.

By Savannah King “My son is 5 now. He’s about to start kindergarten. When did time start moving so fast?” Anytime someone asked me how my son was doing, I heard myself saying something along those lines. Most of the people I told offered me some advice from their kid’s first day of school. The looks on their faces, whether it was their smile or the glint in their eye, told me I would always remember and cherish this special time in my son’s life. As the first day of school drew nearer, I had an idea in my head of the way this milestone was going to go. We’d wake up early, eat waffles and be out the door. My son’s backpack would be a little too big, just like his nervous smile. I’d take his picture. His teacher would be standing in the doorway ready to take his hand. Here’s what really happened.

Expectation: Shopping for school supplies is going to be so fun! Reality: I kept the school supply list on my fridge all summer. I made a mental note of everything he officially needed and all the other things he might need. The official list was several generic items in basic colors because the supplies go into a big pot and are distributed among the children. So when my son begged me for the “awesome T-Rex folder” that his new friends would find “so terrifying they’ll all run away,” I got it for him. But he can’t actually use it at school. Since red is his favorite color, we ended up with a lot of red items. And he was perfectly OK with that. Expectation: If you start readjusting sleeping patterns early, everything will be so much smoother on the first day. Reality: Sleep? Bedtime? I’ve heard rumors of children who sleep when they’re supposed to but never seen any evidence of that. I’ve read books and blogs on the art of bedtime. I’ve put everything from warm milk, nightlights and lavenderscented bath soap to the task and if he’s actually asleep before 10:30 p.m. I consider it a success. My kid is a night owl. Always has been. I’ve learned to adjust. But so far, he has not. I know he’ll adjust eventually, but it may take awhile. Expectation: Practicing sight words and numbers over the summer will make it so much easier on them when

they start learning. Reality: This was really hard to get him interested in doing. Until I turned it into a fun, silly game. He asks to do sight words now. We’ll have to see how it plays out over the school year, but I’m pretty sure the kid is brilliant. (I also recognize that I may be biased about this.) Expectation: Having two years of pre-K under his belt will mean the first day jitters won’t be that bad. Reality: Not entirely true. He cried. I cried. He was nervous. I was nervous. We survived. Expectation: You’re going to be very emotional on his first day. Reality: Absolute truth. I tried to hold it together while I walked down the hallway. I passed other parents and nervous children holding hands and smiling, but my eyes were blurry from building tears. The moment I got back to my car in the parking lot, I took one shaky breath and tears started falling. I wasn’t sad. There were just too many emotions involved in that one breath for me to list them all. Expectation: He’s going to sleep so hard when you finally get him home from school that first day. Reality: I was looking forward to his falling asleep on time (see above efforts on adjusting sleeping habits). He was up until 11 p.m. and he was completely wired after the exciting day he had. Expectation: He’s still going to need you. Reality: I know he needs me right now. But he needs me less and less every day. Five years ago he needed for everything. Ten years from now he’ll be getting his learner’s permit. The truth is I’m working myself out of a job. I’m doing everything in my power to make him self-sufficient so that one day he won’t need me. Summer 2015

She said...

If you had the opportunity to get a message across to a large group what would it be?

Don’t ever look down on anyone. You never know what their life is or was like to get them to that place. Amy J. Smith

Even though we are all different, we are stronger together, than when we stand alone. Said by many, but a saying is just a saying if you aren’t living it and passing it on. Kay Blackstock

Tell everyone you know: “My happiness is my responsibility, so you’re off the hook.” And then live it. Be happy, no matter what every one else is doing or how they are behaving. Practice feeling good, no matter what, everyday. And before you know it, you will not give anyone else responsibility for your happiness, and then, you will be happy and you’ll love them all.

Strive to understand those who are different from you. Paint your world with a large enough brush to include and accept people who don’t hold your same heritage, culture, beliefs and attitudes. Love your neighbors and show them compassion. It’s contagious. And finally, show gratitude everyday for both large and small blessings. Jane Hemmer

Because I am a financial adviser and I help people plan for their retirement, I have found over the last 17 years that it’s not always the most important thing to save for a huge retirement bucket. It’s so very important to enjoy life in the here and now because you don’t have a promise of tomorrow. So I encourage my clients that if it fits in the budget, take that time off from work, be with your family, enjoy life. Too many times I’ve seen people work much longer than they have to and then retire only find out they’re not healthy and can no longer travel. Life is short. Enjoy all the ride! Reneigh Satterfield

It’s Better in Braselton. Jennifer Dees

Deb Bailey

Women are a driving force in North Georgia …. and at Milton Martin Honda!

Teams members, left to right, include: Caryl Roark, Rhonda Waltz, Kristina Morrison, Heidi Kennedy, Wendy Truelove, Kathryn Gardner, Susan Gittens, Jane Garrison, Audra Bachman, Karen Bryant, Nell Castleberry, Andi Farmer, Denise Rider celebrating women of north georgia

2420 Browns Bridge Road Gainesville, GA 770-534-0086 www.miltonmartinhonda.com

Kim Waters

Incoming Rotary district governor takes flight

By Charlotte Atkins

im Waters is as rooted in Northeast She also loves Hopetown, Elbow Cay, in the Georgia as a gal can be. A highAbaco Islands. “It is like going back in time. It is profile Realtor, she was born at Hall not a touristy place because it is not easy to get County Hospital (now Northeast there.” Georgia Medical Center), grew up in Dawson Another fave would be Norman’s Cay, in the County and now lives at Lake Lanier just north Exumas in the Bahamas. “Uninhabited mostly, of Gainesville, within 3 miles of where she was this is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been. born. Some of the happiest times of my life were That said, she flies to other places as often there. I flew onto the small island for the first as she can. That’s because she’s often doing the time in 2000 as a brand new pilot, in a rented flying herself. Cessna 172 with a total of 82 hours total time in “I’ve been flying since 1999 as a private pilot. I my log book.” obtained my instrument rating in 2001, my most Many of her trips involve another passion: proud accomplishment.” Rotary. Kim has been selected as a Rotary She’s also a floatplane pilot. “I obtained my International District Governor in the minimum rating in Alaska flying a Super Cub out of glacier time required as a Rotarian, seven years. “I will lakes on the Kenai serve as District Governor Peninsula.” of District 6910 (northern I obtained my instrument But her vintage plane third of Georgia) in 2016is her big love. “I have I became a Rotarian rating in 2001, my most proud 17. a 1968 Cessna 150 — when my club, Rotary same age as me — with Club of Hall County, was accomplishment. only 1,300 hours. We chartered on June 30, restored the airplane, 2009.” including engine rebuild last year, and lovingly The Rotary Foundation is her favorite charity. call her ‘Janie.’” “It makes a difference in lives around the world Kim’s bravest moment came during her solo — promoting peace and conflict resolution in flight when she was training to be a pilot. “It was the world, helping with disease prevention and windier than I wanted it to be and more cloudy, providing clean drinking water in developing but I flew to Anderson, S.C., and back. And I felt countries, saving mothers and children in those like a million dollars when I landed back at Lee countries, supporting basic education and Gilmer Airport in Gainesville.” literacy, reducing gender disparity in education, Flying makes her love of travel easier, and increasing adult literacy. especially since her husband David Stovall is “Rotarians travel around the world, into also a pilot. The Georgia coast is her favorite villages, jungles and urban cities, delivering destination. immunizations to children to ensure a polio“We got married at King & Prince Resort on free world. My husband, David, is also an active St. Simon’s Island and love winter weekends Rotarian.” there. It’s like going home when we arrive on the Between Rotary and Kim’s love of travel, there island.” are undoubtedly many more flights in her future.

Summer 2015

Kim Watersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; love of flying and pilot training allows her to fly off whenever she can to explore to world. Photo by: Scott Rogers

celebrating women of north georgia

Melissa Crowder picks apples from the orchard at Jaemor Farms in Alto, Ga. Jaemor gives customers the opportunity to pick a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables on the farm. Photo by: Erin O. Smith

Bon Appétit, Y’all How about those apples? Delicious options for region’s fruit bounty

By Kathy Patrick

e’ll soon be shifting from scorching summer to cooler autumn days, and with the milder weather comes a change in local produce: crisp apples that are abundant in North Georgia now through December. You can have fun picking your own apples at one of North Georgia’s many

orchards, grab a bag at a roadside stand or enjoy them at one (or more!) of the great North Georgia fall festivals. Most of Georgia’s apples are grown in the northern part of the state, with Ellijay in Gilmer County considered the “apple capital” of Georgia. Gilmer, formerly a cotton county, had its crops (and economy) wiped out by boll weevils in Summer 2015

the early 1920s. Fortunately, apple crops planted 20 years before were bearing fruit when the cotton disaster occurred, so the local economy shifted gears into apple production. In the 1970s, the county held an apple festival to celebrate the fruit that saved them. The Ellijay Apple Festival, held this year on the second and third weekends in October, is now a premiere apple event. Jaemor Farms, while known mainly for its peaches, also has about 10 acres in apple orchards, says market manager Judah Echols. Apple harvest has already started but the main crops arrive in September and October. Jaemor produces and sells 10 apple varieties including Ginger Gold, Gala, Golden Delicious, Mutsu, Red Rome, Winesap, Fuji and Arkansas Black. It has also introduced Blondies to its apple lineup. “It’s the second year we have had them,” says Judah. “They’re similar to Golden Delicious, but whereas the Goldens are sweeter, the Blondies are more sweet and tart.” You can stop by locations in Commerce or Alto to pick up a basket of fresh apples. On certain weekends, you can even “pick your own.” Also look for Jaemor’s apple butter, apple jelly and apple cider made from its crops. Apple trees, part of the rose family, originated in central Asia and have been grown for thousands of years in Asia and Europe. Apples were brought from Europe to North America by the colonists, with the first apple orchard planted in Boston around 1625. North Georgia and the Appalachian area are home to many varieties of fantastic apples mainly sold to fresh markets rather than for commercial use. Per the University of Georgia, the most popular Georgia apple varieties, and the times they’re usually ripe, include: ■■ Ozark Gold and Paulard (July and August) ■■ Red Delicious and Golden Delicious (July-December) ■■ Rome Beauty and Mutzu Crispin (August-December) ■■ Empire, Jonagold and Jonathan (AugustSeptember ■■ Arkansas Black, Fuji, Granny Smith, Stayman Winesap and Yates (OctoberDecember). When picking out apples to take home, according to the folks at Jaemor Farms, many people are surprised to learn that celebrating women of north georgia

color isn’t the best indicator for ripeness due to the fact that apples have such a variety of color shades. A ripened apple will be crisp and firm. Apples may last for weeks or months if stored properly. One bad apple really can rot the bunch due to the large amount of ethylene gas produced as they decay. Separate any apples that have bruises or soft spots from the apples that are undamaged and make sure to store the apples in a cool dry place. John Chapman was a frontier nurseryman who established orchards throughout the Midwest, returning after several years to sell off the orchard and the surrounding land for a profit. His plantings led much of the westward settling movement in Ohio and Pennsylvania, helping new settlers “put down roots” by growing apples on homesteads around his orchards. The trees Chapman planted did not yield edible fruit; rather, the small, tart apples were useful primarily to make hard cider and applejack. Chapman helped struggling settlers by giving them seedlings, earning him the nickname Johnny Appleseed. Today apples are great for munching and baking in pies, but the original American use for small tart apples was hard cider. Hard cider, or just “cider” as it was known

What’s cookin’ with Kathy Patrick

Kathy Patrick is a personal and entertainment chef in North Georgia. Through her Meals on Heels service, she makes entertaining in people’s homes fun, easy and delicious. “I handle all the details for dinner parties, holiday occasions, birthdays, anniversaries or other small events so you can have fun at your own party,” she says. “You can entertain clients or office staff in your home with expert menu and party planning ideas, or give someone the perfect gift of a dinner party in their home. Hands-on (or semi hands-on!) cooking parties are a great way to learn new tips while having fun with friends.” Kathy is past president of the Atlanta Chapter of the U.S. Personal Chef Association. She is happily married to a biology professor, and when she steps out of the kitchen she enjoys

then, was an alcoholic beverage that, unlike milk, was stable, plentiful and inexpensive to make. A staple in colonial and frontier homes, hard cider was consumed at any time of the day and pretty much with all meals. Prohibition and other factors ended hard cider production but in the 1990s enterprising craft brewers started making hard ciders that are quite good. Be sure to look for locally brewed hard cider in your North Georgia travels! Apples are known for their nutritional benefit. High in Vitamins A and C as well as fiber, apples are low in calories and make excellent snacks, desserts and salads. Most of the fiber and vitamins are in the skin so eating them skin-on is most nutritious. And hard cider apparently had healthy benefits too: John Adams in 1796 wrote in his diary that drinking a tankard of “cider” each morning put his “stomach at ease and alleviated gas.” We all have our favorite recipes for pie, cobbler, crisp and buckle. Some are handed down by family members and others are our own creations tweaked to perfection. There’s no need to improve upon those recipes, so here are some different takes on cooking with apples. Enjoy these recipes — and the cooler autumn weather that we trust is coming here in North Georgia! growing her own herbs, vegetables and flowers, as well as bicycling, swimming, boating and waterskiing. Contact her at greatfood@mealsonheelsga.com

New takes on apples Crispy Baked Chicken and Apple “Fries” Serves 6

spiced rum) Ice cream for serving – vanilla, praline caramel, cinnamon, or butter pecan, are all excellent!

Apple “Fries”: ■■ 2 cups apple cider ■■ 2 tbsp. butter ■■ 1 tsp. coarse salt (optional) ■■ 4 tart but firm apples, peeled, cored and cut into 8 wedges (per apple) ■■ 1 tbsp. chopped fresh thyme

Preheat oven to 400 F. Core the apples using an apple corer, a paring knife or a melon baller, being sure to leave the bottom one third of the apple in place. When coring, carefully cut a circle around the stem and cut about an inch downward. Using a knife, spoon, or the melon baller remove the core and the seeds. Just don’t cut or dig all the way to the bottom of the apple. In a bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, flour, salt and cinnamon. Add softened butter and vanilla, and mix thoroughly with a fork or your hands until it becomes clumped together. (Add nuts here if you want.) Stuff the mixture equally inside each apple. Sprinkle with additional cinnamon if desired. Place apples in a large baking dish. Pour apple cider and bourbon in the bottom of the pan, then bake. The baking time will depend on the exact size of your apples: if using small/ medium apples, start by baking for 30 minute and for large apples plan on 45 minutes. Every 10 minutes spoon the cider/bourbon mixture over each apple. Once the skin looks all wrinkly and slightly darker in color, remove from the oven. Serve immediately with ice cream on top.

Crispy Chicken Fingers: ■■ 1 cup crushed corn flakes (or crushed or whole grain flakes) ■■ 1/2 tsp. salt (optional) ■■ 2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley ■■ 1 lb. chicken breasts, sliced into strips ■■ 2 tbsp. sweet chili sauce (or buttermilk-enough to dip in) In large saucepan over medium-high heat, boil cider until reduced to 1/3 cup, about 20 minutes (it should have a syrupy consistency). Remove from heat and whisk in butter and salt. Preheat oven to 400 F. In bowl, toss apples with 2 tablespoons of the cider glaze and 1/2 tablespoon of thyme. Arrange in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Set aside. In another bowl combine corn flake crumbs, salt and parsley. Set aside. Dip chicken strips in sweet chili sauce and then coat with corn flakes. Arrange in a single layer on a greased baking sheet. Place chicken on the top third and the apples on the bottom third of the oven. Roast for 10 minutes. Turn chicken, drizzle apples with remaining glaze and switch baking sheets so the apples are on the top third of oven. Continue to roast for 10 minutes and remove chicken from oven. Let chicken fingers cool while apples finish caramelizing, about 5 to 10 minutes more. Sprinkle apples with remaining thyme and additional salt if desired. 6 servings. Bourbon Baked Apples Makes 6 apples 6 large cooking apples such as Fuji, Winesap, or Rome Beauty – or your favorite eating apple! ■■ 2/3 cup oats ■■ 2/3 cup loosely packed brown sugar ■■ 1/4 cup flour ■■ 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon ■■ 1/4 teaspoon salt ■■ 1/4 cup softened unsalted butter ■■ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ■■ 1 cup apple cider ■■ 1/3 cup bourbon (or try maple flavored bourbon, rum, or

Apple Soup Serves 4 ■■ 1 large onion, chopped ■■ 4 tablespoons butter ■■ 2 large green apples, peeled, cored & chopped ■■ 3/4 tablespoons of curry powder (you can modify this amount) ■■ 1 quart chicken stock ■■ Juice of 1/2 lemon ■■ 1/4 cup all-purpose flour ■■ 1/2 cup light cream Melt the 1 tablespoon of butter in saucepan over med-high heat. Add onions and sauté until soft but not quite brown. Stir in the apples, curry powder, stock, and lemon juice and bring all to a boil. Turn down the heat and let simmer for approximately 10 minutes. Melt remaining butter in another saucepan over medium heat until the foam subsides. Blend in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring the whole time. Slowly stir in soup until it is well blended. When mixture reaches a boil, remove it from the heat and, using an immersion blender, blend until smooth. (Alternately, blend in a blender until smooth but let the soup cool a bit before putting in the blender) Stir in cream and cook just until heated throughout. Adjust seasonings to taste. Summer 2015

An apple hangs from a tree in the orchard at Jaemor Farms in Alto, Ga. celebrating women of north georgia

Debra Dobkins

Brenau Women’s College dean touts the power, allure of books

obel Peace Prize recipient Malala Yousafzai said, “Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.” Dr. Debra Dobkins believes in the power of books. “Books are my abiding passion, guiding my career paths and enriching my life immeasurably every day. Another passion emerges from this one: talking about memorable books with bright, engaged students,” said the Dean of Brenau Women’s College and professor of English at the university. A former librarian, she loves Brenau’s library, especially its rare books room, a sanctuary of first edition works and other rare and notable items. She’s also committed to education and its empowerment and impact. Perhaps that’s because she herself was a nontraditional student while earning all of her degrees. Going back to college as a working mom was her bravest moment. “I’m thrilled that I can help support other women who want to return for their degrees,” she shared. “I know how hard it can be, but I also know the incalculable value and satisfaction that come with such accomplishment.” Though she finds so many to admire in

By Charlotte Atkins literature, when asked, she said inspiration comes through a modern woman who stepped up in almost unimaginable real life ways. “The first heroes I think of are usually literary ones, but someone who impresses me deeply is Nobel Peace Prize recipient Malala Yousafzai. What an amazingly brave and passionate young woman! Her dangerous work and outspoken advocacy for the most basic of rights — girls’ education — really resonates with me as dean of the Women’s College, as one whose career is dedicated to ensuring that young women receive quality education, create their best selves, and grow into confident, compassionate leaders. “Malala has risked everything for this possibility, nearly being killed, but she steadfastly refuses to be silenced, raising her voice defiantly despite being constantly under threat for her daring. I find her example humbling and inspiring.” While reading is her passion, Debra does have other pursuits. “I also really enjoy walking fast and usually get in 5 miles a day. I adore my shaggy black rescue dog, Lucy, and walking or sitting with her by the lake. I love the water; it helps me feel peace and practice gratitude. A sweet furry sidekick

adds special pleasure. I also watch classic films and do a little yoga.” When it comes to vintage movies, she does have her favorites. “I am obsessed with films of the 1930s-40s, with special fondness for Astaire and Rogers.” Her bucket list is varied: “See the pyramids, travel farther, read all the books I’ve missed, study French, open my paint box, rework my book manuscript (on young Southern women using texts by Southern women writers for selfinvention), and get good at yoga.” Things she’s already checked off her list are raising a son and then earning a doctorate. “Daunting to start at such a mature age but fulfilling because I did it for love — of literature and teaching.” She’s also “traveled pretty widely in Europe and Asia, spending months in the land of English literature.” Oh, and she once met Stephen Hawking. Debra has lived here for more than 30 years with her family going back generations in North Georgia. She says she loves the “natural beauty of the lake and mountains, Brenau University, and some of the best facets of Southern living. The draw of land that’s been in my family for over 100 years is also quite profound.” Summer 2015

Books are Dr. Debra Dobkins’ passion. The Women’s College dean is a former librarian who loves Brenau’s Rare Books room at the university library. Photo by: Scott Rogers

celebrating women of north georgia

Inset and below: Members of the Lake Lanier Rowing Club practice at the Lake Lanier Olympic venue. Photo by: Scott Rogers

For The Health of It Participants find passion in rowing on Lake Lanier

By Clark Leonard

ake Lanier is known far and wide for rowing. It was the site of the sport in the 1996 Olympic Games. The Lake Lanier Olympic Venue regularly draws competitors for meets and college teams for training in a warmer winter environment. But some of those who enjoy the lake through rowing yearround are the members of the Lake Lanier Rowing Club. Each participant has a personal reason for taking part, but the health and recreational benefits are something everybody can enjoy. Ann Marie Hynes, a club member, and her husband started learning the sport in September 1999 with an eye toward doing more than a driving a boat and fishing on Lanier. Hynes said sprint races are some of the most enjoyable for spectators. Hynes and others pointed to the full-body workout and low impact provided by rowing as perks. “It helps you build up your core strength, as well as your aerobic fitness,” Hynes said. Becky Millard had four sons row in high school and a little bit beyond that. Then, she and her husband decided to try rowing, even moving closer to Lake Lanier eventually. “We’re so fortunate to have so much water to row in here,” Millard said. Millard said being on the water rowing not only is a good workout, but it also helps prevent her migraines. Club member Linda Griffiths said she’s grateful to be part of a group with people who are both knowledgeable and helpful. When her daughter asked her if she wanted to learn to row, she said she was too old. That was before she called and talked to one of the club members.

Photo by: Scott Rogers

Summer 2015

Members of the University of Charleston rowing team make their way down the course during the 29th annual John Hunter Regatta at the Lake Lanier Olympic Venue and Rowing Center on March 28. Photo by Erin O. Smith

Griffiths said the sport helps discipline the mind, improve focus and build balance and stamina, all while requiring dedication. With as many as eight people who can row in one boat at once, and a ninth as a coxswain in an eight-person crew, being on the same page is vital. “If you’re rowing as a team, you have to learn to work together,” Griffiths said. Tracey Tallman is the new juniors coach for the rowing club. Her two most recent previous coaching jobs were at the University of Central Florida and Duke. Tallman was on the rowing team at the University of Minnesota, where she graduated in 2007 and went to the NCAA championships her junior and senior years. celebrating women of north georgia

“The best part of rowing is you just get to be one with nature,” Tallman said. “You’re out on the water. There’s nothing like it. You can’t beat it.” Tallman enjoys the team aspect of rowing. “You’re holding each other accountable to keep moving forward and meet a goal,” Tallman said. Millard echoed the value of that framework. “Being involved with a group of people like Lake Lanier Rowing Club really helps me stick to the exercise routine,” Millard said. Kathy Mellette, another club member, said the camaraderie is one of the highlights of rowing, and she thrives on taking part in the Masters races. Another benefit, Mellette

said, is making a good night’s rest a certainty. “When you work hard, you come back really tired,” Mellette said. The club held three multiday “learn to row” classes this summer. While those have already passed, Griffiths encouraged new people to come out at 8 a.m. Saturdays and see what the sport and group is about. Griffiths said people in the club come from Atlanta, Dahlonega and Buford to be a part of Lake Lanier Rowing Club. She’s from Braselton. She still marvels at how far she’s come on the water. “It was a challenge for me,” Griffiths said. “And I cannot tell you the great sense of satisfaction I got out of learning to row.”

She said...

What do you love about living in North Georgia? I love the people here, the generosity of so many, the educational and recreational opportunities, the arts, the climate and Lake Lanier. Martha T. Nesbitt

GAINESVILLE, GA

“We moved to North Georgia when I was 15. I remember noticing the seasons the first year we were here. I love the way our environment changes from season to season, with different feelings for each. As much as I miss the beach, I wouldn’t trade “the seasons” in for anything else. Theresa Conklin

I love sitting on the back porch with my morning cup of coffee admiring the beauty of the seasons as they pass. I love breathing the cool mountain air, watching water moving peacefully by in a stream. I love the people. We have many different types of folks living here, the history of the area and the people that helped make the area what it is today. Cheryl Vandiver

The people are always so friendly and helpful. We are small enough to have that small-town, country feel but large enough to have a variety of opportunities. We have stories to tell, great regional places to eat like Rabbittown restaurant and Lorettas. We have so many fascinating places to visit -- trails to hike, streams to cross, beautiful Lake Lanier, great restaurants and now our own botanical gardens.

920 Queen City Parkway, Gainesville GA 30501, (770) 533-4800 Pilgrim’s Case Ready Complex The Gainesville, Ga., poultry processing operation is located in the beautiful foothills of north Georgia, the “Chicken Capital of the World.” The original facility was built in the spring of 1950 and processed its first bird in June 1950, as part of Georgia Broilers Inc., which was established in February of the same year. In March 1962, Georgia Broilers became part of the Pillsbury Company and in June 1967, the name was changed to Pillsbury Farms. In April 1974, the Pillsbury Company sold the three operating divisions of Pillsbury Farms (El Dorado, Arkansas; Gainesville, Georgia; and Alexandria, Louisiana) to the

Imperial Foods Group of England. At that time, the company was reorganized as J-M Poultry Packing Company Limited. The Company was purchased by ConAgra Poultry Company in July 1982. It operated as a ConAgra facility for the next 21 years, until Nov. 23, 2003, when it was purchased by Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation. In December 2009, Gainesville Pilgrims joined the JBS USA family. The Gainesville Complex is comprised of one Processing Plant, one Hatchery, one Truck Shop and one Feed Mill. We employ about 1,400 team members.

We are always looking for more GREAT Team members! Community Involvement: American Red Cross-Women’s Heart Awareness Gainesville City PD “Shop with a Cop” Gainesville City “Back to School Supply Drive” Hall County Special Olympics Hall County Chamber of Commerce Hall County Relay for Life HC “Georgia Sheriffs Youth Homes” Hall-Dawson CASA

Julie Horne

Living in Gainesville affords me many opportunities to enjoy the arts, to stimulate my intellect, to interact with people of superior intellect and integrity, to enjoy old friends and meet new ones. I love living in the hills of the Appalachian Mountains near where I was born and have lived for most of my life. I chose to retire here where I’m at home among people with giving hearts and open minds. Jackie Sosby

Proximity. I love being an hour-ish from both the city and the mountains. It allows for ample opportunities for fun adventures. Savannah King

Coming Soon to North Lake Square GA 53/Dawsonville Highway, Near Ahaluna Drive

Watch For Grand Opening Details 18

Summer 2015

Katie B. Davis

Radio sportscaster shares love of athletics, shoes By Charlotte Atkins Katie B. Davis is known for her love of sports, but she confesses to another passion: shoes. Her closet is filled with sneakers, loafers and boots galore. Photo by: Erin O. Smith

Summer 2015

t’s no surprise that Katie B. Davis loves sports. A foursport prep athlete and collegiate basketball player, she’s now a WDUN radio personality and host of a daily radio show on 1240 ESPN Radio, “Game On with Katie B. Davis.” She’s also the voice of the Burger King Tailgate Show and Hardy Chevrolet Scoreboard Show on Friday nights during the high school football season. “When I was able to do so at a competitive level, sports were my passion. In some regards, sports still is, but the reason has changed: I’m passionate about hearing and telling people’s stories, regardless of the medium with which I’m able to do so.” But there’s another passion: footwear. “I have a large shoe fetish. Seriously, it’s uncontrollable.” Her dozens and dozens and dozens range from various colors of Chuck Taylor sneakers and other athletics shoes to loafers and boots — cowboy boots, Doc Martens and her beloved fleur de lis rain boots in honor of the New Orleans Saints. There’s more to Katie B. than just athletics ... and shoes. “While sports have always been my forte (and came first and foremost as far as extracurricular activities were concerned), I’ve also taken tap, jazz and ballet as well as studied piano. Plus there is little on earth that makes me happier than providing for others.” Except perhaps vacuuming. The woman loves to vacuum. “Morning, noon and night.” She also loves to cook, read, do crossword puzzles, play video games (“I know, right?”) and hang out with friends and family. Her bucket list mostly centers on career, but a jaunt to Italy tops the non-work wish list. “The most notable things on my list I’ve already done are drive Highway 1 (in California) in a convertible, and see Sarah McLachlan, Fleetwood Mac and Paul McCartney in concert.” The former Times columnist and reporter has lived in Gainesville for 34 of her 36 years and calls her parents her heroes. “Conventional wisdom should lead to the belief that my father is my hero because of his athletic acumen — he played football at the University of Georgia and won multiple state track and field titles — but the truth is, he is the best daddy and became so despite his father not serving as the best example. My mother sacrificed more than I can describe in a small paragraph to be able to be home when I got home every day from school. I will never have a greater support system than my mother and father, nor could there ever be better familial role models. I’ve never questioned what love or family means, and that’s a direct result of who I was raised by.” Being close to her family is why she loves living in Hall County. “Aesthetically, the mountains reside on one side of me, water on the other; but the most important thing I love about living in this area is that I’m surrounded by family. My sisters each live less than five miles from me and my parents live right down the street. While I love to travel and am curious about living elsewhere, the truth is there is nothing better than being able to, on any given day, fix a cup of coffee at your house, take it to your parents’ and it still be piping hot while you sit down for some conversation.” celebrating women of north georgia

She said...

What is your most hated household chore? I hate to sweep my hardwood floors even though I have to do it AT LEAST once per day. A long hair Chihuahua and hardwood floors are not very compatible. But ... would I give up my cute as a button “Bandit” to have perfectly clean floors? No way! Look out broom, here I come! Debbie Benson

“De-cluttering. I shouldn’t have to pick up after everyone. Put it away for Pete’s sake. Sue Quinn

Laundry ... just tedious … wash, dry, fold, put away, wear … repeat Cindy Phillips

Vacuuming. It’s mind-numbing and no one should spend their day looking down. Thank the heavens someone invented the robot vacuum cleaner. Angela Pavlichek

Mopping -- because it’s a pain! Cindy Wilson

Cleaning the toilet, because you have to get down low next to the toilet to get down in the bowl, and then get under the bowl. J.K. Devine

Dishes. After a long day at work, followed by the daily nighttime routine of feeding kids, brushing their teeth, bathing them and getting their pajamas on, the last thing I want to do is clean up that pile of dishes from dinner. TV on the couch with a glass of wine sounds so much better. Shannon Casas

Artist Rosemary Dodd, center, is one of North Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most colorful women â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in oh so many ways. Photos by: Scott Rogers

Summer 2015

Brava

Gainesville’s Rosemary Dodd shares inspiration with stroke of a paintbrush By audrey williams

osemary Dodd’s hands move wildly, making quick strokes with pencil on a canvas just about as tall as she is. For a woman who just turned 80, she moves fast. She talks faster. “If I can’t have fun, I don’t want to play,” Dodd says. “Now, I don’t have to be No. 1 winner, because it’s purely personal, but it’s fun. I can be a little blue, or a whole lot blue, and come down here and get lost.” Dodd’s studio space at Blue Angel Studio is littered with bottles of acrylic paints, watercolors, oil paints and several jars of paintbrushes. Art is her passion, she said. And it has been for as long as she can remember. “My first memory is sitting on the floor in the little house where momma, daddy and I lived,” she said. “Momma came in and said ‘Why are you so upset,’ and I said ‘I can’t make the bird fly.’” She was trying to draw a flying bird, but didn’t know how. These days, she has more luck. “Every now and then when things are going really well in here and something is working, I go outside and say, ‘Momma, the bird flew today.’” Her latest series of paintings are inspired by a magazine clipping of a woman in a red ball gown. “Women love to dress up, and the girls who get to model wear the world’s most fabulous clothes,” she says. “But

celebrating women of north georgia

I’m just fascinated by it, and I just love the color. I always say ‘If it’s red, it’s right. If it’s pink, it might be better.’” Her love of color is apparent within her artwork, but even more so with her Technicolor hair. “I went to the salon and she opened the book with all these colors, and I just said, ‘I want them all.’” What started as a joke on the Fourth of July has turned into one her most vibrant trademarks. The other: her pearls. “When Ed Dodd and I married, he gave me this necklace and I started wearing it everyday. It’s sort of a trademark. And I think they’re just lovely.” Dodd credits her late husband, cartoonist and creator of the popular comic strip “Mark Trail,” as a major influence in her artistic career. “When people would ask me why I wanted to draw, I said I was going to work for Ed Dodd one day. Well, Ed Dodd didn’t know who I was from Adam, but that was always a hook in front of me.” “He was a year younger than my daddy and whole lot older than I when we were introduced as two adults, but I just always thought he was wonderful.” Dodd and her work are a staple in Gainesville. Her paintings have shown in the Quinlan Arts Center, hung in the city’s Chamber of Commerce building, and currently has a home in 2 Dog

restaurant. “Gainesville’s my town,” she says full of pride. “I love it. I grew up here. I was born here. My life with Gainesville has been wonderful. I just love it here.” Her love for the city has turned into a sort of activism over the years. Her current cause is getting public restrooms downtown, or what she calls, “The Heart of Gainesville.” “Oftentimes I’m obnoxiously active in the community, but I love the square. I have loved it and the town has loved me back.” When she’s not crusading for the community, she donates many of her works to it. “I have given away more art than I’ll ever sell,” she says. “I’m just thrilled that somebody wants them.” Though her health has hindered how often she can come to the studio, she says she won’t give up on her art. “I hope this little blip in my spring is very temporary. When you’re creative, you don’t have a choice. You have to do it. You just have to do it. Art is a creative personal expression, and I don’t hear the same notes in the same way that anyone else does.” After a life long affair with art, she hasn’t gotten tired of putting paint to canvas, and doesn’t plan to either, she says. “I don’t get bored. I’m just too curious. Life has its bumps and I’ve had some valleys, but life is wonderful and there’s always something going on.”

Doddâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest series of paintings are inspired by a magazine clipping of a woman in a red ball gown.

Summer 2015

She said...

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GPS -- I am logistically challenged and this has saved me from embarrassment more times than I care to count! Carol Burrell

My cellphone. It is unfortunate, but I am in a relationship with my cellphone. I can work, track current events, post on Facebook, and read articles for school all on my Galaxy Note 4. Valerie Simmons-Walston

Probably Internet, because of social media, facebook. My constituents like to see and hear about what I am doing as their sheriff. Janis Mangum

Google – because you can find the answer to anything, and if you are like me, I self-diagnose myself waaaaay before going to the doctor. Jill Bonney

Automatic wine bottle opener. Because when I can’t manually get the cork out, I get so mad, I need two bottles to calm down. Tonya Brooks

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My backup camera in my car! Why haven’t these always existed? I’m short and so are lots of things behind me when I drive! Amanda Groover

The computer, including laptop, iPad and iPhone. I have not accelerated to the Apple Watch … yet. Gladys Wyant

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Gainesville Police Chief Carol Martin, who starts listening to Christmas tunes in summer, and Alfred the GPDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Elf on a Shelf, have already plunged theÂ department into the holiday spirit. Photo by: Scott Rogers

Summer 2015

Carol Martin Gainesville police chief finds Christmas cheer throughout the year

arol Martin has only held two full-time jobs in her life, “one at a fast food establishment and the other at Gainesville Police Department.” Apparently, the second was her calling as she’s now the chief of the Gainesville Police Department after 28 years in local law enforcement. The daughter of military parents and originally from Minnesota, she’s spent 45 of her 51 years in North Georgia. She says she loves living in Gainesville. “People here will talk, smile and help a stranger. Not all parts of the country are like this. Also, we are very fortunate to be in area that allows you to be at the beach in six hours, the mountains in two, Atlanta in one and the lake in 10 minutes. I love the different seasons we have; it would be boring to only have one type of season and I could not imagine celebrating Christmas where it’s 90 degrees outside. “ That’s ironic considering the police chief ’s confession: “I start listening

celebrating women of north georgia

By Charlotte Atkins to Christmas music in July.” It’s a bit of a long-term obsession, her GPD colleagues will eagerly tell you. “Christmas is such a fun time. People are more relaxed and merry,” says Carol. “So why not start that early?” So at moments she’s known to be camped at her desk – sometimes with earphones, sometimes with it blaring for sharing – rocking out to Christmas tunes. Some are old-school like Bing and Sinatra, others new-school like Kelly Clarkson’s “Wrapped in Red.” Alfred the Elf has already shown up this summer to no doubt start his Elf on the Shelf shenanigans that have been widely publicized on Facebook and in The Times in Gainesville. While Alfred is the GPD mascot, Carol has another personal one that joins her in her travels: Daniel the Gnome. So far he’s been spotted (and photographed in many cases) scuba diving in the Bahamas, in a parade in Dollywood and hanging out in spots ranging from Key West to Mackinac Island. He joined the family

when the younger of Carol’s two sons was at band camp. She and Daniel love to travel to all part of the country. Her favorite destinations include The Grand Canyon (“The first time I saw it, my breath was taken away”), The Oregon Coast (“The Pacific is so different from the Atlantic that I’ve seen. The size of the waves and watching them pound on the boulders was unique”) and New York City for “the many things to see and do.” Her bucket list includes Maine in the fall and an Alaskan cruise when she retires. But Daniel is still waiting on his first airplane trip, which could be a long wait, since Carol doesn’t fly. Her other favorite pastimes include reading and working in her yard. Time with her sons and family are her joy. too. “My family also includes my friends who have become my family over the years.” And if you are friends and family of Carol, it’s a given you need to be ready for Christmas. After all, it is summer.

Kristy Slaton poses in front of the sign for her 3 businesses in Oakwood. Photos by: Erin O. Smith

Minding her G own business

By Carly Sharec

Kristy Slaton mixes work, family for success in accounting, tax and insurance services

oing into financial work wasn’t originally high on Kristy Slaton’s list of priorities. “My dad is also a (certified public accountant), and it’s really kind of funny because growing up, I would say that with him being a CPA (and) seeing the time that he spent, it’s probably the field that I wouldn’t go into,” she said, laughing. “But then, oh, I don’t know. I was good with math and I always got encouragement from both he and my mother, and I enjoyed it.” Summer 2015

Don’t take advantage of somebody to get where you’re going. If you can’t feel good about what you’ve done, don’t do it. She spent some time working with her father, Curtis Collins, who owned an accounting practice in Gainesville. When he began preparing for retirement and offered her the business, she initially turned him down, opting to work at her children’s school for a couple of years. Slaton cited a “fear of failure” for her initial reluctance. “I knew that my father was a good man and an excellent CPA, and I was afraid that I could never be that good,” she explained. “I was afraid of failing him, my family and the clients that would be trusting me to take care of them.” After a few years, though, she gradually changed her mind. “After several years, with much encouragement from my family and friends, especially Dad, I received the perfect opportunity to step out of my hiding place in my day-to-day job and start working for myself,” Slaton said. She began ASA Accounting & Tax Services in 2007, with Collins Wealth Management opening about three years later. Most recently in December 2013, Slaton opened CSC Agency selling Farmers Insurance. For Slaton, whose father, brother, best friend and husband work for her, the businesses are truly a family affair. “When I left working for (my dad) at his CPA practice … I didn’t want to because I saw the stress that it had caused him over the years, and working there with him, it likewise caused a lot of stress for me because I tried helping and taking care of a lot of things for him, too,” she said. “Really, what it was, was taking care of the larger scale business and a lot of people. And the more people, the more stress and all that kind of stuff.” When considering opening her own practice, she knew that was an environment she wanted to avoid fostering. “I like being small,” she said. “(Being) family, we don’t have a problem communicating with each other. If we have a problem with something, we can talk to each other about it. If we need to get something done, we can work together.” While work and family blur together while in the office, it remains a challenge for Slaton to turn that switch off once she truly goes home for the day. Slaton has no problem bringing her work home with her at nights or on weekends; in fact, she seems to welcome any extra paperwork. But it has been a struggle to balance time spent between work and family life. “That is one of my biggest challenges. I struggle with that,” she said. “I enjoy what I do, and I enjoy time with my family.” Her three kids, ages 24, 21 and 15, sometimes tease her for bringing work home. But Slaton said there’s a light at the end of every tunnel, particularly after tax season. “It’s kind of like I tell my kids now,” she said. “We can give up my time for January through April or May for me to be able to work shorter days and shorter time periods during the warm months. Who wouldn’t rather work during the winter when it’s cold, and be off during the summer?” With three thriving businesses, the key to success is simply caring about others, Slaton said. celebrating women of north georgia

Slaton followed in the footsteps of her father, Curtis Collins, left, while her husband Cliff, right, joined recently.

Slaton began her first business, ASA Accounting & Tax Services, in 2007.

“Don’t take advantage of somebody to get where you’re going,” she explained. “If you can’t feel good about what you’ve done, don’t do it. To get that job or to open that business or to get where you’re going, (if that’s) going to take some unscrupulous act or something you’re not going to feel good about or anything, I wouldn’t do it.” “Don’t be afraid to take risks,” she advised. “Build up the courage and go for it.”

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w o m e n ’s e x p o PRESENTED BY THE TIMES

it’s a time for women to

C e l e b r at e

C o m m u n i cat e

Connect

The Times is presenting a new event for our community – the North Georgia Women’s Expo — 10 a.m. To 3 p.m.

Schedule

Our aim is to celebrate the women of our region and offer an opportunity for businesses and organizations to connect with area women. We also want to give women the chance to engage with one another, have fun and to see what resources are available to them in North Georgia. Brenau University is a presenting sponsor for the event and the expo will shine the light on what an invaluable legacy and ongoing mission of educating and empowering women it provides. The light will also shine brightly on WomenSource as our nonprofit partner … for WomenSource is here in our community year10:00 a.m. – Welcome and Introductions by Times Publisher Charlotte Atkins 10:15 a.m. – WomenSource Spotlight 10:30 a.m. – Brenau University Spotlight 10:40 a.m. – Sponsor Messages 10:50 a.m – Door prize drawing 11:00 a.m. – Times Spotlight 11:15 a.m. – WomenSource Spotlight

round to connect women with information, resources and inspiration as well as each other. Each of our Sponsors is crucial to making this inaugural event a success. Our thanks to Kristy Collins Slaton Agency and Farmers Insurance, AccessWDUN, Pinnacle Custom Signs, Belk, Academy Sports, Pilgrim’s Pride, Gainesville Theatre Alliance, Beth Baldwin and Reneigh Satterfield of Edward Jones Northeast Georgia Health System and The Longstreet Clinic Please stop by their booths to connect and thank them for their participation.

11:30 a.m. – Brenau University Spotlight 11:40 a.m. – Sponsor Messages 11:50 a.m. – Door prize drawing Noon – Times Spotlight 12:15 p.m. – WomenSource Spotlight 12:30 p.m. – Brenau University Spotlight 12:40 p.m. – Sponsor Messages 12:50 p.m.– Door prize drawing 1:00 p.m. – Times Spotlight

1:15 p.m. – WomenSource Spotlight 1:30 p.m. – Brenau University Spotlight 1:40 p.m. – Sponsor Messages 1:50 p.m. – Door prize drawing 2:00 p.m. – Times Spotlight 2:15 p.m. – WomenSource Spotlight 2:30 p.m. – Brenau University Spotlight 2:40 p.m. – Sponsor Messages 2:45 p.m. – Grand Prize Drawings

Aldi ~ $525 gift Card | Belk ~ 2 Michael Kors handbags and $100 gift Certificate Prizes Provided Hilton Garden Inn ~ Weekend Stay | Logos and Stitches ~ $50 coupon for embroidery Provided Mall of Georgia ~ 2 $50 gift bags | Milton Martin Honda ~ 10 Free Oil Changes by by

Prizes

Summer 2015

The North Georgia Women’s Expo main stage will be a hub of dialogue for the day. The Times is partnering with WomenSource, a nonprofit that provides a wellspring of information and inspiration to the women of North Georgia to help us succeed in work and life. Together they will bring to the stage snapshots of the services and people that make both organizations so vital to the community. Emcee will be Valerie SimmonsWalston, WomenSource chairman who is also Dean of Students at Brenau University. Valerie is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. She attended Kent State University where she earned a B.A. in Sociology, then went on to Hampton University where she received a M.A. in Counseling. She is currently working on an Ed.D in higher education at the University of Alabama. In her role at Brenau, she overseas Residence Life Staff, Career Services, Judicial Affairs, Office of International Studies and the Office of Military and Veteran Affairs. She is a passionate student advocate and received the Haggerman-Thompson Excellence in Service Award in 2012 for her work with students, staff and faculty. It is the highest honor a staff member can receive at Brenau University. Community service is important to Valerie. In addition her work with WomenSource, she is active with the Gainesville Toastmasters and serves as a board member for Habitat for Humanity of Hall County. She loves teaching a women’s Sunday school class at St. John Baptist church. Zumba is her favorite pastime along with collecting dolphins. She has a great sense of humor, contagious personality, and a zest for life, celebrating women of north georgia

which those at the expo will get to see for themselves. Here’s Valerie’s message to the attendees strolling through the Women’s Expo: “It is my hope that the members of WomenSource and all of the fabulous women of North Georgia will gain new friends, and broaden their network of extraordinary women by attending Women’s Expo 2015! What an exciting event for the people of Hall County and beyond. It’s truly a Girl’s Day Out with a Purpose!” Joining Valerie on the stage will be the day’s hostess Charlotte Atkins, publisher of The Times. Charlotte is a native Georgian who hails from Rome. She’s an Auburn graduate who has been an awardwinning journalist with newspapers, magazines and television studios on both the East and West Coasts over the past 40 years. Her career has also included a stint as a nonprofit executive director. She moved to Gainesville in October to take the helm of The Times multimedia company that includes three newspapers,

Valerie Simmons-Walston: Emcee

Valerie Simmons-Walston and Charlotte Atkins

Charlotte Atkins: Hostess

Meet your Emcee and Hostess for the day

multiple magazines and websites and now an agency offering a full slate of digital services for businesses. Charlotte has jumped right into the community. She is on the boards of directors for the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, Habitat for Humanity of Hall County, United Way of Hall County and Gainesville-Hall ’96. She also a member of the Gainesville Rotary Club and attends Grace Episcopal Church. In her leisure time she enjoys, tennis, kayaking, traveling and scuba diving. Says Charlotte: “I am so enjoying living, playing and engaging in North Georgia. The people here are friendly, involved and caring. The Times wants to add to the community spirit and quality of life by being a conduit that connects people to goods and services, to information and resources, and to each other. It’s our hope that the Women’s Expo will do that and more. That it will be a building block that the hometown newspaper and the partners who have stepped up for this inaugural event can build on for many years to come!”

Charlotte Sosebee loves clothes and other pretty things. She also loves them to be super organized as her closet and dresser drawers attest. Photos by: Scott Rogers

Charlotte Sosebee 32

Fashion-forward Hall native works to serve residents of her community By Charlotte Atkins Summer 2015

Charlotte likes her world in order. She says her lingerie drawers “rival any lingerie boutique.” She also does not like different foods to touch on her plate.

harlotte Sosebee is a fashionista. Born and raised in Hall County and now its chief registrar for the Board of Elections, those who know her are not surprised. After all, she’s the niece of Deborah Mack, who’s always dressed to the nines, complete with stylish hat. “I don’t have to look farther than my family to find my personal heroes. My Aunt Deborah Mack is a community volunteer, retired state employee and former Hall County commissioner. My Cousin Tamela Webb Dean is a retired U.S. Army sergeant major. Both of these ladies have inspired me personally and professionally in so many ways.” One step inside Charlotte’s Flowery celebrating women of north georgia

Branch home and it’s apparent that shopping is a favorite pursuit. Girly signs adorn her closet, hallway and bathroom attesting to her love of clothes and shopping. A blue Tiffany bag here. A pair of Michael Kors gold stilettos there. But all neatly in an exact assigned place, mind you. “I am meticulously organized. My clothes and lingerie are organized so perfectly that their display could rival any lingerie boutique!” She’s not kidding. Drawers and drawers of neatly arranged lingerie showcase her love of order and pretty things. In addition to retail therapy, singing, dancing and spending time with her family are how she enjoys spending her time. “I am a proud grandmother of two very active grandsons — Jimmy, 6, and Joshua, 3.” She treasures each moment all the more after a major health scare in her 30s. “I am a stroke survivor who has overcome paralysis, speech and occupational setback to become a thriving, integral contributor in my community.” That keys these days on her registrar role. “This position has led to many opportunities including currently serving as second vice president of the Voter Registrar Association of Georgia,

committee chair for the Georgia Election Official Association and accepting an appointment by Secretary of State Brian Kemp to serve on the Georgia Elections Advisory Council.” She’s also a founding member of WomenSource that encourages personal and professional success for women of all ages and backgrounds around Northeast Georgia. Charlotte envisioned a different life when she was a cheerleading captain at East Hall High three decades ago. “Prior to graduating high school my life goals were to become a defense attorney, get married and raise 10 children!” But her path was different. Perhaps her only daughter Victoria provided as much love and joy as a 10. Now her bucket list includes more adventuresome goals. “I would love to travel the world, especially Paris, France, and the Caribbean. I’ve always wanted to enjoy a cruise and would love to experience different casinos. I’d like to appear on the ‘Kelly & Michael Show’ — and fill in for Kelly, of course — and if there’s any time left, I might fit in a bungee jump and learn to swim! “Life has a way of keeping me busy. I’m still working on checking things off my list!”

Beulah Rucker Oliver established a school for African-American children that continued in various forms until the late 1950s. Photos by: Scott Rogers

Historical Moxie

Beulah Rucker spent lifetime focused on educating others By JOHNNY VARDEMAN

Executive Director of the Beulah Rucker Museum Rojean Bailey.

ewspapers lined the walls of the Banks County log cabin Beulah Rucker grew up in, daughter of former slaves who had no formal education. The “wallpaper” was an example of the poverty she endured as a child. Yet, the papers served as an inspiration to become interested in education, a lifelong love and devotion. They made her curious about the pictures and the words, some of which she began to figure out herself. One of eight children in the sharecropping family, Beulah worked hard herself helping her siblings and parents scrape by with enough food on the table and homemade clothes to wear. When she was ready for high school, her parents sent her to board in Athens. At first, she attended only one month because that was all her parents could afford. Later, she would milk cows and clean her principal’s house in the morning before school to pay her expenses. Her senior year at Knox Institute, she began to dream of a school to help blacks get an education that would lead to jobs. Despite her parents and teachers being cool to such an idea, Beulah pressed on, at the same time earning money through teaching and any other job she could pick up. Beulah’s dream of an industrial school brought her to Gainesville, where she bought a house and lot that became her first school. Students sat on wooden boxes. She appealed for community support for years before people began to take her seriously. As one of her grandchildren who attended her school, Summer 2015

George Rucker said his grandmother granted them no favors. They had to work for what they got, he said. If they wanted a drink from the school store, they had to have their own money or work for it. “She had the first veterans school in the state for blacks or whites,” Rucker said. “She built the building with her own hands using a plumb bob (a weight on a string used for alignment). She believed in working. The boys made bricks, and the girls made rugs.” She moved the school out a ways from town, teaching in an old shack while trying to raise more money to build. In the meantime, she married the Rev. Byrd Oliver. Though finances always were a struggle, enrollment grew, and the school expanded, at one time even purchasing a T Model bus to fetch students. A main building, dormitory and workshop went up, later a cannery. Teachers taught science, agriculture, woodworking and home economics. The high school transitioned into the public school system, but it continued on Beulah’s campus at night along with one for veterans. Students learned the skills they could use in the home or to find a job. Remembering how her parents struggled

to get her an education, Beulah would find a way to take in students whose parents couldn’t afford the tuition. All the while, Mrs. Oliver took correspondent and summer courses to complete college at Savannah State in 1944. She taught and presided over her school for more than 40 years, dying in 1963. “She was a staunch believer in education,” George Rucker said, “and a strict disciplinarian.” She also was a shrewd businesswoman and supporter of her community churches. My grandmother was a very focused person,” another grandson, Rojene Bailey, recalled. “She woke all of us up early one Sunday morning back in the ’50s and told us of a dream of an empty church that she had. I will never forget the look in her eyes. She told all of us to get dressed so we could go to that church. We went to Sanders Chapel Baptist Church on High Street, and Deacon Hamp Ware was the only person there. We continued to go to that church and made it our church home. Today the church is Rucker Memorial Baptist Church on Floyd Road.” “She knew where every penny was, who

owed her, how long they owed her, and how long past due the account was,” he said. “I remember because I borrowed a nickel from her to buy some candy. She reminded me about the nickel about six months later.” Mrs. Oliver made sure neighborhood children had a place to play. The school had basketball courts, even though outside, baseball fields, and decent, but hand-medown toys. “Of course when it’s a new and different toy of that type, it didn’t matter if it was a hand-me-down or not, it was a great toy,” Bailey said. One of Mrs. Oliver’s friends was Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of President Franklin Roosevelt. Her descendants and friends have kept her memory alive by establishing the Beulah Rucker Museum and Education Foundation Inc. Family and supporters reconstructed her three-room school house and converted it into a museum, meeting room, job training facility and picnic area off U.S. 129 south of Gainesville. The building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Her industrial school operated from 1914 into the 1950s.

THE WOMEN OF JACOBS MEDIA

I “

f you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.” — Margaret Thatcher

We are proud of the women, both in front of the microphone and behind the scenes, who keep Jacobs Media running smoothly.

Gwynn Taylor, Alyson Shields, Jean Pethel, Katie B. Davis, Rebecca Biddy, Angie Cannon, Karen Elliott, Anna Jacobs and B.J. Williams. Not pictured: Martha Jacobs, Elizabeth Higgins, Lori Thompson and Susan Hopkins.

celebrating women of north georgia

MK Jabbia is a Brenau Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College senior. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s part of campus leadership and an All-American swimmer who prides herself on being a Brenau woman, today and always. Photo by: Scott Rogers

Summer 2015

Mary Katherine Jabbia Brenau biology student tackles busy college life with ease

t 21, Mary Katherine Jabbia has had a busy college career. The Brenau University senior’s resume includes serving as the Student Government Association president, as a catechist for St. Michael’s Catholic Church and as an officer in Alpha Chi Omega sorority, all the while competing as an All-American swimmer on the varsity team that finished third in the NAIA National Championships in 2015. Called “MK” around campus, the energetic biology major is making the most of her time at Brenau and plans to continue her graduate education in pharmacy school either in Savannah or New Orleans. The latter would be close to home since she hails from Slidell, La. A full ride swimming scholarship is what brought her to Gainesville. That 500-mile relocation was her bravest moment so far. “Moving eight hours away from my whole family in Louisiana was hard at first. But my family at Brenau made it so much easier.“ She has thrived during her three years at the university. celebrating women of north georgia

By Charlotte Atkins “I really love the opportunity for achievement on different levels. There are very few schools where I could be on the swim team and still get to do so much else. That’s a blessing. It has allowed me to broaden my resume beyond swimming,” says MK. While this young woman seemingly has it all together, she does admit to a few challenges. “I have a terrible memory ... Like so bad!” And then there’s a serious fear of going up hills in cars. “And one even worse of backing down them.” Then there’s this confession. “I am obsessed with weenie dogs! I have the cutest one, Brahts.” Her boyfriend Drew also has a dachshund named Dimitri.

I really love the opportunity for achievement on different levels. She’s just starting to craft her life list and so far it centers on travel. “Right now, my two bucket list items are: to have the countries I’ve visited

outnumber the ones I haven’t, and flip an old school bus and use it to travel the country,” says MK. “This past summer my mother took my brother and I on a trip to California where we took Highway 1 from San Diego to San Francisco. It was a blast.” Her favorite destinations have included Big Sur, Calif., Tallulah Gorge and Mile High Campground. “Drew and I went one day this summer and it was a beautiful view, but a long way up.” She and Drew love to explore and hike. “Born and raised in Louisiana, Northeast Georgia was a breath of fresh air for me. The scenery is unparalleled to anywhere in the Deep South.“ Her love of learning, leading and exploring the world will no doubt serve her well in life. She credits her collegiate experience. “Brenau Women’s College has had such a positive impact on my life. Often written off, single-gender education gives you a college experience that lasts a lifetime.” This young lady seems to succeed at whatever the sets her sights on. There’s one other thing at which she professes to excel. “Napping.” MK is definitely a millennial with moxie!

Power of the Purse Community Hero Christie Grice tells a little about herself at an afternoon tea with WomenSource founding members and other women selected as community heroes. Photos by: Erin O. Smith

Making a

difference

WomenSource strives to empower females in the community By Alana Swain

Summer 2015

n today’s hectic world, women are constantly pulled in different directions while trying to balance their everyday lives with various obligations and commitments. But there’s help available. WomenSource, a local nonprofit, is dedicated to providing support, networking opportunities and a variety of programming to women in the community. Its primary objective is recognizing, connecting and empowering women. “Women tend to be so busy with family, work, and community responsibilities,” said WomenSource chair Valerie Simmons-Walston, who also works at Brenau University as Dean of Student Success and Retention. WomenSource’s board of directors and members are mostly working women who contribute to the community in a multitude of ways, holding positions at local health care facilities, banks, real estate agencies and more. The nonprofit, established in 2007, was formed as a response to a community need for coordination, expansion and improvement of programs. It is funded by memberships, grants and

Power of the Purse

What: 8th annual Power of the Purse fundraising event honoring community heroes and celebrating women’s philanthropy When: Sept. 8; vendor marketplace, buffet dinner, cash bar, 5:30 p.m.; program and fashion show, 7 p.m. Where: Chattahoochee Country Club, 3000 Club Drive, Gainesville Cost: $50 per ticket or $600 for table sponsorship Contact and ticket info: womensource.info, women@ womensource.info, 770-503-9060 sponsorships. “As females, we have a responsibility to encourage each other to be the best we can be,” said Kingsley Peeples, an audit manager at BatesCarter, and the current chair-elect serving on WomenSource’s board of directors. Connecting women with each other is

one of the many important aspects of WomenSource, whether it’s to unite them for potential ventures or making lifelong friends. “We connect women with other women — maybe they can network, work on a project together, but we also connect women who are very different from one another,” said Simmons-Walston. “I can speak to that personally. Some of the women that I’ve met at our events and have forged friendships with, I might not have normally been in contact with, so were it not for WomenSource, I would not have met some of these amazing women.” Simmons-Walston and Peeples say the organization’s programming is one of the most effective ways of impacting the community. “I have been a member of the WomenSource board for five years and during those years, I have been amazed by the diversity of women the organization has been able to touch,” said Peeples. One of WomenSource’s popular programs is the Power Lunch, held the first Thursday each month at the Brenau Downtown Center in Gainesville. Each lunch has a specific topic of interest, with

Amanda Lammers and Mary Ellen Murray get food August 6. during the WomenSource August Power Lunch.

celebrating women of north georgia

speakers selected to present and discuss issues with luncheon attendees. “We really want that to be a woman’s hour of power,” said Simmons-Walston. The August Power Lunch touched on the importance of local agribusiness and restaurants, including learning where food comes from. Additionally, WomenSource partners with many other area nonprofits, with the opportunity for one to network and outreach at each luncheon. “WomenSource is a giving organization, so of course we want to give other nonprofits an opportunity to share information with the women in the community,” Simmons-Walston said. Of all of WomenSource’s programming, however, their annual Power of the Purse fashion show fundraising event is undoubtedly its biggest signature function. Scheduled for Sept. 8 at the Chattahoochee Country in Gainesville,

the program will recognize “community heroes” nominated by their peers and celebrate women’s philanthropy. The night includes a dinner, vendor marketplace and the big show featuring fashions from local retailers modeled by chosen community heroes. “Power of the Purse is always about exalting women in the community that we deem heroes — it would be what is a hero to you, what they do, and in some cases, we are really recognizing those unsung heroes, those who are really behind the scenes making things happen,” Simmons-Walston said. “There are so many powerful women right here in the community, and we are really proud of the diverse group of women with whom we are recognizing this year.” All in all, one of the most important elements of WomenSource stressed by both Simmons-Walston and Peeples is the mission to serve all women.

The official mission of WomenSource is “encouraging personal and professional success for women of all ages and backgrounds in Northeast Georgia.” “That’s one of the things I love about the organization, that, in keeping with our mission, we are here to serve all the women of Northeast Georgia,” said Simmons-Walston. “Regardless of your socioeconomic background, or education, the color of your skin, religion, it doesn’t matter. We just want to get all women together and encourage them and empower them and really propel them for success in every area of their lives.” Peeples echoed this. “All the programs provided by WomenSource relate back to our mission of the organization — encouraging personal and professional success for women,” she said, adding “We are fortunate to live in a community with strong female leaders.”

Caroline Lewallen, the agritourism coordinator at Jaemor Farms, speaks at the WomenSource August Power Lunch on Thursday, August, 6.

Summer 2015

Power of the Purse Heroes Each year WomenSource stages its Power of the Purse fundraiser. Its eighth annual event is on tap for Sept. 8 at the Chattahoochee Country Club. This year’s event will honor community heroes and celebrate women’s philanthropy. The heroes will be the featured fashion models. This year’s heroes, and their descriptions from WomenSource, are: Haydeé Anderson Mexico Lindo publisher, Gainesville City Schools and court interpreter. Helps the justice system and Spanish speakers. Teacher of English to Spanish speakers at Lanier Tech and UNG-Gainesville. Mentor to countless young people in our community. Member of Gainesville Rotary Club. Has served on several nonprofit boards including Boys & Girls Club. Holly and Addi Bales Holly is a teacher at Lakeview Academy and 7-year-old daughter Addi has been undergoing treatment for her fight against osteosarcoma, bone cancer. Mom has allowed the community to follow their journey through her detailed Caring Bridge journal. “She is the epitome of a mother’s love, exhibiting grace, courage and strength.” Angie Caton Oncology nurse Clinician at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Works to educate and mentor patients, families and local community. Has authored more than a dozen grants; organizes annual smoking education for area schools for Great American SmokeOut and the hospital’s Relay for Life efforts; and serves on national level to help facilitate the National Certification for Oncology Nurses. Volunteer for American Cancer Society, Oncology Nursing Society & Foundation, Celebrate Healthy North Georgia. Daphne David Community volunteer and philanthropist. Through a generous gift to The Medical Center Foundation, The Christian-David Family Pet Park opens at Northeast Georgia Medical Center-Gainesville, becoming one of few hospitals in the country to offer patients the opportunity to be comforted by their own pet in an onsite celebrating women of north georgia

outdoor park. The space also benefits the longstanding inpatient pet therapy program. Founding member of WomenSource. Volunteers with United Way of Hall County. Katie B. Davis Jacobs Media/WDUN sports reporter and talk show host for Game On with Katie B. She’s a Hall County native and athlete, who returned to her hometown to continue to put Hall County sports on the map. Passionate promoter of high school sports and has a special interest for youth from all schools. See Showcase Portrait on Page 20. Christie Grice Battalion Chief, Hall County Fire Services. Working her way up the ranks for 17 years, this former Emergency Medical Technician was recently promoted to battalion chief of business services, becoming the first female officer for Hall County Services. Amanda Lammers Vice president for Student Services at Brenau University. She’s a wife, mother of two young sons, active at church and working on final stages of her Ed.D. Advocate for adoption, showing courage regardless of race. “Consummate role model for her employees and young women of Brenau.” Supporter of locally owned business, especially those owned by women, she also ignites the life of Gainesville’s downtown vendors annually during orientation for 200+ freshmen through “life on The Square” promotions. Brenda Martin Gainesville Park and Recreation Department, division manager of Gainesville City Center. All community rental rooms. “Ray of sunshine and pleasure to work with, making Park and Rec Department the community treasure it is today.” A four-time cancer survivor, she is a fighter and true inspiration. A hero to many in Hall County. Jennifer McCall Attorney with The Manely Firm, PC. Embodies power of positive thinking, the importance of goal setting, the ability to overcome the odds, and strength that positive influences play in our lives. Teenage mom at the age of 15, completing her high

school and college education and graduating with honors, raising family of three with husband Josh, while in law school serving as law school’s Student Bar Association, culminating as president her final year. Recipient of 2013 Outstanding Law Student of the Year Award for Georgia State University by the National Association of Women Lawyers and elected Miss GSU Law by classmates. Community volunteer in local Vietnamese community, Gainesville Hall-CountyJunior League, Family Promise and various church ministries. Lindsey McCamy Director of Family Promise of Hall County. Background in landscape design, who felt called to do something for homeless people in Gainesville-Hall County. A significant driving force behind the formation of Family Promise and has been involved in leadership since its inception. Ann Nixon Executive director for Habitat for Humanity of Hall County. Through her leadership, Ann has touched the lives of hundreds of families in Hall County, through variety of efforts, such as celebrating the building of 50th home, acquiring donation to build an entire neighborhood, supervision of the ReStore, rebirth of Women Build initiative in Hall County, advocates for families with local government, and shows unwavering compassion for families working toward home ownership. Established a Brenau scholarship fund for women who would not have ability to attend private school. Also actively supports many organizations, including Rotary, WomenSource, Quinlan Visual Arts Center and the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Gainesville. Marcia Price Community volunteer. Active in church and in ministries to women fighting and surviving cancer and battling dementia, she’s a Gainesville artist and a regular everyday hero performing small acts of kindness. Contributions include Healing Arts Program at Quinlan, art therapy to The Guest House, facilitates Art Ventures Programs at the High Museum in Atlanta for children who are patients

at CHOA. She is a lay cancer navigator and first-year survivor of late stage ovarian cancer. She co-founded the North Georgia Surviving Cancer Support Group and continues to help others in their cancer journey through her personal faith and experience. Community volunteer for many other organizations. Member of Gainesville First United Methodist Church. Brandee Thomas Managing director of My Sister’s Place, a local shelter for homeless women. Brandee is also a former reporter with The Times. See Showcase Portrait on Page 48. Wanda Vance Chief Assistant District Attorney for Hall County. Devoted her life to the protection of victims and the zealous fight for justice. She is known for tackling complicated sexual assault and child molestation cases. She also serves on the board of Rape Response and is a loving mother of two children. Jody Wall Chief of staff and executive assistant to president of Brenau University. Admired, respected and a role model for young women of Brenau about etiquette, brand marketing and leadership. Faculty, staff, students, parents and administrators rely on Jody’s leadership regarding project supervision and conflict management. Performs in community theater. Cares for her mother and husband as they battle serious medical issues. “The ultimate superwoman.” Active member of Clarkesville Baptist Church and Habersham Community Theatre. Jananne Waller Volunteer, Gainesville Housing Authority. She started the “Awaken” program at Atlanta Street Public Housing and spearheaded this volunteer group. She joined local authority four years ago, building a following of about 80 K-12th grade children, who attend her after school programs, art labs, field trips, etc. and are recipients of her respect, care and unconditional love. Hundreds of low-income children have been touched by Jananne’s love, faith and generosity.

Anmarie Martin is shown on Gainesville’s downtown pedestrian bridge. The former law enforcement officer is now a Brenau student, university admissions assistant and motivational speaker who aims to build social bridges wherever she can. Photo by: Scott Rogers

Anmarie Martin

Activist serves as bridge for those who need connecting By Charlotte Atkins

nmarie Martin simply wants to be a bridge. Between cultures. Between laws and compassionate solutions. Between adults and children. Between people and faith. Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Anmarie didn’t set out to become an activist. It’s a divine path she’s found herself walking.

Summer 2015

A former sheriff ’s deputy and a 287-G immigration officer for many years, she was and still is a staunch defender of the law. But in her work in law enforcement she saw that even good laws sometimes have undesirable impact, especially on children. “After my service as an immigration officer, I became a community activist to give a voice for the children and families of undocumented immigrants.” She’s not defending anyone who breaks the law. What she wants people to understand is that there are children who are legal Americans who are falling through the cracks in the system. She does not want them to grow up to be disenfranchised adults, “for their sake and for our country’s.” That’s one of many messages she carries to those willing to listen and it’s turned her into a sought-after motivational speaker. This past winter she spoke at Brenau University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation. She shared how a corporate job she once held — despite having only her high school diploma — was lucrative but did not feed her soul. “No amount of money is going to buy my peace.” So she left in search of a job where she could serve. Perhaps inspired by the caring police officer she met as a child on a fearful night where she’d been abused, she became a law enforcement officer. “At age 5 I did not know I was supposed to be loved,” she told a rapt audience at Pearce Auditorium. At 11, she cried for the first time, but not in response to her abuser but rather to a policeman’s kindness. Anmarie does not dwell on her “stolen childhood.” Rather she chooses to “stay the course” in joy and faith. She values education mightily and counseled Brenau students that they should embrace theirs, reminding that many cannot walk into a classroom freely or safely in some cultures. “Understand you are walking into your future every day you walk into a classroom,” she said. Her talk that day at Brenau led to an educational and career opportunity in admissions with the university where she captured leaders’ attention with her passion and charisma. “At 48 years, I am the recipient of a full scholarship at Georgia’s Brenau University.” She plans to use the scholarship to earn her degree in clinical psychology. She hopes that will lead to a book on parenting and doctorates in psychology and theology, which also feel like part of her calling. “A parenting coach and motivational speaker. That’s my ideal job. I’d be a two for one!”“A parenting coach and motivational speaker. That’s my ideal job. I’d be a two for one!” While serving others is her passion, she also enjoys reading, walking, community service and watching and listening to other motivational speakers. A wife and mother of two adult daughters in college, Anmarie and her family have lived in the Hall County/North Georgia area since 2001. Her favorite thing about living here is the chance “to experience and see the growth in diversity within this community over the past 15 years.“ This Moxie cover girl has many inspirational messages to impart, but there’s one main thing she always likes to share: “It is in the action of serving humanity that you truly find God.” celebrating women of north georgia

She said...

What are three things every woman should have in her closet? A show-stopping white dress. A pair of dressy, yet comfortable flats. A pair of jaw-dropping heels. Debbie Benson

Black dress. Black dress shoes. Pearls. Gayle Holcomb

A sweatshirt/T-shirt that brings back an incredible memory. A “go-to” outfit when for the days you hate all your clothes. A pair of comfortable black heels. Amanda Lammers

Flip-flops, skinny jeans and a tailored white shirt. Tina Carlson

A secret stash of chocolate she doesn’t have to share, a piece of art, photo or typography that reminds her how awesome she is, and at least one outfit that looks fancy but requires very little effort. Amy Kelley

A little black dress, a well-fitting pair of jeans and a fluffy bathrobe. Carly Sharec

A nice bra and panty set, a designer purse and a good pair of boots Michelle Jameson

Mimi Collins is a woman with many oars in the water. She’s a health care CEO and community leader, mother of a competition kayaker and chairman of the board that oversees the Lake Lanier Olympic Venue. She’s shown in the boat house there where kayaks and rowing sculls are stored along the lakefront. Photo by: Erin O. Smith

Mimi Collins

Health care leader serves as beacon of light for many By Charlotte Atkins

imi Collins is known in Northeast Georgia as a leader. A leader in health care. A leader in economic and community development. A leader in numerous civic and social organizations. She’s a guiding light in our community.

Summer 2015

The CEO of Longstreet Clinic since it was founded in 1995, Mimi has garnered numerous awards for her impactful service. She’s known for all that as well as her chairmanship of Gainesville-Hall ’96 that oversees the Lake Lanier Olympic Venue. She’s also known as the mother of a global competitive kayaker. Simply put, she’s a woman with a lot of oars in the water. Some things you might not know about Mimi? “My original career path was focused on becoming a child psychologist.” Though now her dream jobs might include health care policy or history professor. “I am a geek at heart,” she professes. She was also a competitive ice skater as a teenager in North Carolina. Her biggest bucket list item is to “spend a month in Tuscany!” Things she’s already checked off her list include “learning to snow ski and being able to ski down a blue trail and meeting Condoleezza Rice.” Her favorite places to travel are varied. They include Greece (“the cultural and historical value of the experience was amazing”); Lake Placid, N.Y. (“Beautiful in the summer, the Adirondack Mountains amazing ... and I got to ice skate on the rink that the famous 1980 USA-Russian Olympic hockey game was played on!”); and Charleston, S.C. (“My favorite city – great food and wine and great beaches and scenery.”) Outside the demands of being an uber busy executive and community leader, she escapes to calming and simpler pursuits. “I love reading and studying about European, Greek, Roman and early American history and how these histories and cultures influenced our government, religions and our everyday life today,” says Mimi. She adds, “In the last couple of years, I have been spending time gardening. It was first a chore, but I have begun to look forward to and love the physical activity. I had never even touched a lawn mower before and never thought I would be able to mow the lawn, plant a garden, learn about plants or stand being in the dirt.” A personal challenge to begins, she says it has now “become a passion and my ‘mental health’ activity. I can’t imagine this not being part of my life from now on.” In addition, exercising and dining are among her leisure pursuits. “’Hiking’ but my hiking is really just long walks,” she says. “I also enjoy casual dinners with my good friends with really great wine!” Mimi has lived and worked in Hall County for more than two decades and loves being part of the community on both personal and professional levels. “The community is so passionate about the quality of life it truly amazes me,” she remarks. “The collective community’s commitment to continual human and financial investments in the community makes Hall County incredibly beautiful, culturally rich, welcoming and supportive.”   She says being a mother is her biggest – and bravest – accomplishment in life. “Having children – scariest and most intimidating thing ever! And I have the two most amazing and special children who I am so incredibly proud of and who I love spending time with. Such fun people!” Wonder where they get that from? celebrating women of north georgia

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She said...

If you were to write your memoirs/life story, what would the title be? ““From Bethlehem to the Mansion” or “A Simple Georgia Girl” Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal

“Flip-flops, Ponytails and Car Races” Sheri Clark Millwood

“The Stories I Could Tell ... by a divorce lawyer.” Kelly Anne Miles

Why Do I Zig When I Want to Zag?” Vicki Wineland

“You Ain’t Gonna Believe This ...” Kelly Ausburn

“Oh How She GLOWS ~ A life of love and learning.” Kelly Clark

“She May Get Down, But Doesn’t Stay Down” Dannella Burnett

Summer 2015

She said...

What do you wish you could spend more time doing? Why aren’t you? Night sky viewing. Following the ISS and planets. I just got the Apps. Cindy Green

I wish I could spend time counseling young girls and women. Right now I can’t make the time commitment, but I hope to be able to one day. Holly Lynch

Having lazy days by the pool or out in nature. Why aren’t I? That’s a good question. I do think as woman we really take a lot on and I especially would be much more useful to my family if I was more relaxed.

Pinnacle Custom Signs is a woman-owned, family-operated commercial sign company located in Buford. We are a full service company that can help with all your signage needs.

Joanna Clippinger

Doing physical activities like hiking, biking, rowing, horseback riding. I am waiting on something, but I don’t know what. Vicki Miller

Learning more about horses; i.e. their care, temperaments, breeds, etc. I’ve wanted to own a horse since I was 12 years old, but until now never had the means or time to pursue that passion. I plan to fix that in the very near future. Never too old to learn something new and exciting. Janet T. Keever

Getting together and traveling with friends. I’d do it more often but time constraints and our busy lives make it more difficult.

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Working on side projects outside of work that I find interesting, learning more about other cultures and exploring cool places I have never been. I haven’t quite mastered the skill of time management yet. Erin O. Smith

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celebrating women of north georgia

Brandee Thomas My Sister’s Place director holds on to treasured memories of her journeys

By Charlotte Atkins

n 2008, Brandee Thomas packed up her Jeep on her 25th birthday and moved to Gainesville to work as a reporter at The Times. It was a continuation of her journey as a storyteller that started early. “I’m passionate about writing and storytelling. I started creating stories before I could spell efficiently,” says Brandee. “When I was in elementary school, there was a writing program called Young Georgia Authors. Each teacher would pick the best student work and it would be compiled into a book.

My kindergarten teacher, Ms. Robinson, selected my story. ... When I saw my name and my words in print, I was hooked. It was my mission to be included every year, and I was. I still have some of the books at home.“ She still has a lot of things at home since she can’t seem to let go of things that touch her heart. “I’m incredibly sentimental and a hoarder of memories. I haven’t met a photograph, newspaper article, fifth-grade essay or middle school report card that I didn’t want to keep. I find myself creating

memory boxes for my sisters and friends too. They’ll thank me later.” Brandee is the managing director for My Sister’s Place, a nonprofit homeless shelter for single women and mothers with children. That has shown her the community’s heart. “There is no shortage of people who are willing to step up and help others or to support one of the many worthwhile nonprofits that call Northeast Georgia home. Instead of ‘why me’ there are so many more ‘why not me’ people here and I love it.” Summer 2015

Brandee Thomas calls herself a “hoarder of memories,” keeping and cherishing items from throughout life, from her middle school saxophone and prom dresses to report cards and newspaper articles. Photo by: Scott Rogers

Brandee calls herself a “pretty simple girl,” but her bucket list is meaningful not passing thrills. “My life list tends to ebb and flow depending on my seasons of life,” but three to-dos have been constants for her. One was to learn to swim. She wanted to as a young girl. Later as a teen, she almost drowned and grew to fear water. “A few years ago, I decided that I was tired of being held captive by my fear, so I signed up for my first lessons. It took me a few years — and more than a few hundred dollars — but I finally got it. celebrating women of north georgia

I’m a swimmer. Being able to say that is priceless to me.” Though she runs a nonprofit, her biggest dream is to create one in her hometown that empowers girls and young women. “It wasn’t until I became an adult that I realized how blessed I was to grow up in a household that didn’t place limitations on my possibilities for any reason, especially not because I was a girl. My dad was the only man in a household that included my mom, my grandmother and my sisters and me. Every day was like a girl power

festival.” Of course, the writer in her still wants to continue to be published. “As I’ve gotten older, my storytelling has evolved. Now I love writing about other people and sharing their stories. Everyone has a story to tell. Everyone has shareable experiences that helped mold them and have the potential of inspiring or encouraging others. Ultimately, I want to author books.” As Brandee continues to write her own story, it will no doubt be a journey filled with meaning and impact.

Lydia Sartain is a renowned North Georgia legal eagle, but the attorney is also a life coach and these days loves zipping around on her scooter. Photo by: Scott Rogers

Summer 2015

50 plus &

fabulous

Even as we mature, a gal can always use a little help

By Lydia Sartain

en call it a midlife crisis. For women, it feels more like end of life. But reaching middle age doesn’t have to be that way. It’s all in your mindset, sort of like the classic “halfempty, half-full” glass. Come on, ladies. We already pamper ourselves with manicures and skin peels. Why not splurge on something that does more than make us look good? We should be focusing on doing something that makes us feel good – and I’m not talking about meds or a new boyfriend. I’m talking about seeking a bit of coaching in life, an extra layer of support and motivation. After all, don’t we deserve it for enduring stretch marks and varicose veins after reaching that sometimes-dreaded 50-plus milestone?

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Life coaching is what I do as part of my profession as an attorney. But even I am not beyond needing a little help from a third party every now and then. Recently, I have been dealing head on with the reality of life and death due to a close friend’s battle with cancer. It’s only natural to feel helpless and depressed, even confronting your own mortality. But drawing upon my own advice as a life coach, I’ve made the conscious decision to focus on the full glass. Life is for the living, and we all would be better off to focus on living while we are still alive. (And I’m not talking about selfishly ignoring others around you; just giving yourself a little more love and attention). So I did something totally out of character for this 50-plus wife and mother of three. Like that song by the Tams, I did something really young and foolish. I bought a scooter. OK, so it’s not a motorcycle, and I don’t ride it on the highway. I confine my thrill rides to the side streets near my home. But still it makes me feel a bit adventurous like Steve McQueen – young and reckless like my childhood when, yes, I really did own a Honda 80. That’s what a life coach can do for you – provide an outside perspective that can help you think and act differently about your life. Shake up your life and readjust your priorities. Life coaches are not counselors or therapists. And in cases where a woman is facing more serious mental or emotional issues, a higher level of treatment may be necessary, although a life coach can still be there to provide complementary care. A professional life coach is much like a trainer for your overall well-being, for your soul, much like a personal trainer for your physical fitness or a golf coach for enhancing your swing. A life coach helps you identify goals and then execute them. Most importantly, a life coach holds you accountable. Many life coaches such as myself follow a program crafted by Fern Gorin, founder and director of the Life Purpose Institute in San Diego, Calif., and further modified by life coach expert Sharon Good. The approach is to develop goals that are SMART – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-limited. You most likely will not see any results if you simply state, “I am going to get healthy.” How do you really know if and when you have succeeded? The real answer is in clarifying your goals and then developing steps to achieve them. Frankly, that’s the easy part. The hard work – and nothing truly worth having is ever easy, right? – is meeting regularly with a life coach to hold your feet to the fire. We all can come up with good ideas to lead a better life after 50, but so often we either forget them or simply give up. A good life coach will make sure you don’t let yourself down. Not only will you get advice on developing ideas and actionable steps, but someone will be there to hold your hand to see them through. The SMART program is ideal for women (or men) going through all the many transitions in life after 50. It may be the loss of a job, the death of a loved one, or a painful divorce. A life coach can be that friend who helps you target specific crises in your life or simply assist with the big picture of overcoming all of life’s lemons. A life coach can help you feel 50 years young, not the other way around. Because there’s so much more living to do after 50 – if we just set our minds to it. And sometimes, a lady just needs a little help.

She said...

If you could only choose one food to be your absolutely, all-time favorite, what would that food be? Sushi...I could eat it every day. I love freshness of the ingredients and flavor combinations that can be created by the chef.

Shawna Anderson

Piggie Park Drive In – “Cheeseburger Deluxe” – best cheeseburger and fries in the entire universe – located in my hometown of Thomaston, Ga. Denise Deal

Turnip greens and cornbread -- a meal itself, or side dish, nourishment, good for the body and the soul.

Chocolate anything. I have a terrible sweet tooth.

Tina Howe

I love macaroni & cheese. I mean, really love it. I mean, I can eat that as a meal, three meals in a row in one day. And as snacks. In between. Sarina Roth

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Lydia Sartain is a life coach and attorney with Stewart Melvin & Frost in Gainesville.

Summer 2015

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Local vet creates support group

a light of hope 1

May| June 2015

Va pledges change after video goes viral BY FRANK REDDY

freddy@gainesvilletimes.com

Photos by SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

Katie Harrison joined the fight to change Georgia’s cannabis oil law so it could help her young son Hawk, who suffers from several seizure disorders.

legalizing cannabis oil helps local mother care for her son BY JOSHUA SILAVENT

jsilavent@gainesvilletimes.com

A legacy in bloom

Learn more

Watch Katie and Hawk

Visit Hawk’s Facebook page at www.facebook.

Katie Harrison discusses her son Hawk’s gray eyes somecom/DoItForHawk. times change from a light Hawk’s seizure disorder, administers Georgia’s Hope green to a slate blue as if organization, visit www. cannabis oil to him and addresses reflecting his mood. georgiashope.com. They shine with a joy that medical marijuana critics. makes it seem the young “So to see him recognize boy knows something the me and acknowledge me ... is world has selfishly failed to something that cannabis has remember. given us that we didn’t have But they did not always before,” Katie said. shine. It took an extract from And thanks to a state law the marijuana plant to bring passed this year, Katie, a Hall Hawk out from the “zombie County resident, can now fog” that darkened his world, legally possess and administer like the sun’s glowing rays cut- cannabis oil to Hawk here in ting through a summer storm Georgia. cloud. Only then did his mother, Miracle drug Katie Harrison, know that her Hawk experiences seizures beloved son, now going on 3 years old, recognized who she resulting from a brain hemwas, confirming a mother and orrhage when he was just 3 Katie Harrison measures a dose of cannabis oil to son bond she never stopped weeks old. administer to her son Hawk. She will drip the oil into his believing in. ■ Please see OIL, 3A bottom lip slowly allowing him time to swallow.

In battle, soldiers have a unit that watches their backs. The term “overwatch” refers to the use of drones, snipers or air support as a force protection tactic. It’s this notion that inspired the namesake for an online veterans support group. Since its creation Monday, the Warrior Overwatch Facebook page has gained nearly 2,000 members. “No matter what branch you served in, you took an oath,” said Chris Dorsey, a Gainesville native who created the group. “There’s always overwatch. And, that’s what this is about. It’s letting the warriors know ... somebody’s looking out for them.” Dorsey said, in short, it’s “a Dorsey forum for veterans who need their story told. And, for those who need help, it’s a chance to link them with VA officials and organizations out there who are doing great stuff.” Dorsey — who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder — recently garnered national media attention for a video he posted on YouTube. The clip featured him being turned away at the VA Oakwood Community Based Outpatient Clinic by a staffer who said the facility wasn’t accepting new patients. Since then, the Atlanta VA Medical Center has released a statement on behalf of the local clinic.

‘Completely unacceptable’ Provided by Public Affairs Officer Paige Fluker, the statement addresses the situation Dorsey encountered June 30 at the Oakwood clinic. “The Department of Veterans Affairs is dedicated to caring for our nation’s veterans and that means our employees are expected to provide them with courteous customer service, and timely and useful information and advice every time,” the statement said. “The message Mr. Dorsey was given, as seen on the video, is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.” Some veterans disagree with that. One in particular, Ray Chastain of Clermont, felt the ■ Please see GROUP, 3A

Mom: Son closer to God after fatal crash

alfredo Juarez, 15, died in July 2 wreck on atlanta highway

arden oodland Gan Smithgall W ical ot B a nt la At brings to Gainesville

BY NICK WATSON

nwatson@gainesvilletimes.com

SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

Flowers and candles are placed on the ground beside a tree near Chicopee Baptist Church on July 2 where 15-year-old Alfredo Juarez died in a wreck.

The death of his 15-yearold friend led Marco A. Cruz closer to God, his mother Amanda Cruz said. The 19-year-old Marco Cruz has been grappling with the death of Alfredo Juarez after a car crash on July 2. “He’s taken it really rough. He’s had anxiety attacks,” Amanda Cruz said. “I can’t say I know what he’s going

INSIDE

‘he was just crying and kept saying, “Why did this happen? i’m sorry, god. i’m sorry, alfredo.’”

Amanda Cruz, mother of Marco A. Cruz through because I don’t, but I can imagine what he’s going through.” Marco Cruz drove his friend from the Gainesville tire shop July 2 where Cruz worked and Juarez would help out. Cruz

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took Atlanta Highway after a heavy rain. “He hit a puddle of water, the car hydroplaned,” Amanda Cruz said. “Marco says all he remembers is the car going up.”

The Honda Civic hit a plastic construction barrel and rotated before striking a tree near Chicopee Baptist Church on the passenger side, Georgia State Patrol officials said. Cruz suffered minor injuries in the crash and is distraught after losing his friend. “He was just crying and kept saying, ‘Why did this happen? I’m sorry, God. I’m sorry, Alfredo,’” Amanda Cruz said. ■ Please see WRECK, 6A

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A Magazine for every lifestyle...

Lynn Carter loves being healthy and active. While she has been a boot camp instructor and still loves the intense workouts from time to time, spin class is her exercise go-to these days. Photo by Erin O. Smith

Summer 2015

Lynn Carter Chiropractor touts benefits of healthy, active lifestyles for women of all ages

By Charlotte Atkins

ynn Carter was born in the Philippines. “No one ever knows my origin when first meeting me and never expects a Southern voice to come out of this mouth,” she says. The daughter of a U.S. Air Force veteran, the doctor of chiropractic has called Gainesville home for the past 18 years. She loves it here. “It’s nice to have an area to enjoy the outdoors, whether it is the lake or mountains. Also the wonderful sense of community made up of unique people.” The region is conducive to healthy active lifestyles. Lynn says something that may surprise some is she “trained and became a boot camp fitness instructor for several years.” She feels it’s important to people of all ages to be mindful of their health and strive for a basic level of fitness. “As part of my profession I realize what can happen daily with our bodies. I want to try to age gracefully. We all need to stay moving to be healthy and age with ease.” She said that doesn’t require doing boot camps or intense exercise. “Do what you love to do. Doesn’t have to be extreme. Get in the pool and move in the water. Walk.” While she enjoyed the more demanding physical challenges of boot camp — using the body and environment for a true back-to-basics, testing-your-limits kind of workout — these days spin classes on stationary bikes are what she enjoys most often. “I had never tried it. I didn’t bike. But it’s a great workout that’s easy on the joints, it’s to music and you can go at your celebrating women of north georgia

own pace.” Fitness demands a tough price sometimes. She recalls one of her bravest moments as “finishing Warrior Dash with a concussion.” That’s because she was competing in the Georgia event with a group of four girlfriends and the unexpected happened. “We had just run out of the woods having completed some of the obstacles. The next one looked easy, a sort of Slip ’N’ Slide. I headed down first. Then a friend dove in right behind me. I got to the bottom and she was coming down too fast for me to get out of the way and she nailed me in the head with her calf. She was really fit so that was hard muscle. So I pretty much got kicked in the head.” Fortunately, the pal she collided with was a physician so medical treatment was on hand. In addition to her workouts, her favorite leisure activities include “boating on the lake, going to the beach, trying new cuisine, music, game nights, reading a good book, Alabama college football and gatherings with friends.” Lynn enjoys traveling, too. From “the sandy white beaches and natural wonders” of Cancun to Orlando’s Disney World that “reminded me to be a child at heart” or Asheville, N.C., scenery and dining, travel opens up new worlds. She hopes to add Europe to her vacation to-do list. She also harbors a creative streak. “When younger, I was very “artsy.” I had requests to decorate and paint designs in people’s houses.” But now she’s focused on creating health for clients and herself.

She said...

What is your embarrassing guilty pleasure? Chocolate milkshakes at bedtime. My husband makes the best! Kayla Shoemake

Lemonheads. I usually have a box in my purse or car! Another one is playing online poker. Ann-Margaret Johnston

Y R U X U L E L B A DR O F F A E V IR D T R O H S A T S U J S I S NI A T N U O M EH T P U Watching Pokémon. My son growing up loved Pokémon and we used to watch it every week and then anytime a new Pokémon game was released we would be the first in line to buy it and see who could get through the game the fastest. We still watch these cartoons today! Melissa McCain

Martial arts. Not embarrassing really, but it generally requires an explanation because people just don’t understand why a woman with grown children voluntarily goes to be punched, kicked or wrestled to the ground after work. It really is a great cardio and aerobic workout, and is the best stress relief, but it does take several hours a week.

Uptown Folk

Wild patterns and lush fabrics put an updated spin on ‘70s fashion.

Susan D. Brown

My guilty pleasure has to be beauty products. I’m a junkie and always have to try the latest and greatest anti-aging cream or makeup product. Sheila Davis

The Today Show. I watch the Today Show before I get up in the mornings, I listen to the Today Show when I am getting ready and then listen to it on XM radio on the way to the office. Beth Baldwin

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FreeCell when I should be up and out of bed. Ann Nixon

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Behind the Scenes with Moxie Dozens and dozens of photographs were shot for this inaugural edition of Moxie, which features around 100 women from North Georgia. The Portrait Showcase photos were by staff photographers Scott Rogers and Erin O. Smith. Scott is a veteran award-winning photographer who has long worked for The Times and our stable of publications. Erin graduated from the University of Georgia and started her career with The Times this past fall. Here are a few outtake photos from behind the scenes on Moxie photo shoots this summer.

1. Photographer Scott Rogers gets a kiss from Dimitri the dachshund at MK Jabbia’s photo shoot. He’s the pooch of MK’s boyfriend Drew and was featured in her portrait. She also has her own doxie with moxie Brahts. |Photo by: Charlotte Atkins 2. Kim Waters loves to walk along the Lake Lanier shore with her dogs Duke, the Labrador retriever, and Max, the Havanese. |Photo by: Scott Roger 3. During Lynn Carter’s photo shoot at Elevation Fitness, she insisted that publisher Charlotte Atkins join her on the spin bikes. | Photo by: Erin O. Smith 4. Photographer Erin Smith during a Moxie photo shoot. Erin is a recent UGA grad who joined The Times news team this past fall. | Photo by: Charlotte Atkins 5. A full entourage was present on the front lawn of Brenau University during MK Jabbia’s photo shoot — the model, the photographer, an intern, a boyfriend, a publisher and a dog. | Photo by: Charlotte Atkins

Summer 2015

DINING • GALLERY • ANTIQUES

Something for everyone!

Come experience the uniqueness of historic downtown Braselton where guests and locals enjoy some of the best shopping in Northeast Georgia. Whether you are perusing one of our many outstanding antique store, enjoying an afternoon at the day spa, visiting our local artist gallery or dining at a local restaurant, downtown Braselton has something for everyone.

www.downtownbraselton.com • www.VisitBraselton.com

t is pure coincidence that the words ‘Moxie’ and ‘Brenau’

entered our language at about the same period of history. Moxie means resilience, courage, daring and spirit. Come to think of it, so does the word Brenau. But Brenau takes the meaning deeper. Brenau University since 1878 has enabled women from all walks of life to discover those qualities in themselves and refine them into leadership, professional excellence and lives well-lived. With a thriving Women’s College and coeducational undergraduate and graduate programs online and on campuses, Brenau University still is about moxie – as gold refined by fire.

Brenau Defines Moxie. A detail of the sculpture series by former Brenau Galleries Director Jean Westmacott. One piece depicts a young woman’s arrival at Brenau as a nervous freshman. This one shows a strong, confident Brenau graduate leaving the university filled with purpose.