Today's Woman September 2020 by Today's Transitions

+ WAY TO GO WOMAN! WINNERS

making changes SEPTEMBER 2020

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / September 2020

contents SEPTEMBER 2020

spotlights ENCOURAGE

4 Manifesto 26 Grow with the change 46 Mental health moment: releasing negative self-talk in favor of positive self-care

INFORM

8 INSPIRE

12 Great places for starting something new 0 When it’s time for a 2 change

49 We must keep swimming

LIFESTYLE

6 Today’s Woman

16 The city keeps on changing

27 We’re Changing Louisville

5 0 Try smoked salmon 7 6 My kid and me during this

In The Now

and Southern Indiana

48 The Big Table: rich

conversations/diverse groups

72 28 Things

“great pause”

78 “I need five...” and other things couples are doing to cope.

Happenings, news, and tidbits that caught Today’s Woman’s eye this month

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

features

8 Making Great Things Happens Even during this time, many good things are still beginning.

52 Home: Woman Power Find out what women are creating. 58 Home: Woman Style Improvements made by the feminine touch. 64 Way To Go Woman! Meet this year’s leading young leaders.

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / September 2020

September 2020 Today’s Woman Manifesto

K.Oldham

As life changes, continue to search for the path less traveled, one with mysterious and challenging moments, Watch for lush, peaceful, beautiful and majestic discoveries.

SEPT. 2020 | VOL. 30 | NO. 10

PUBLISHER Cathy S. Zion publisher@todaysmedianow.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Anita Oldham editor@todaysmedianow.com EXECUTIVE EDITOR Tiffany White tiffany@todaysmedianow.com EDITORIAL DIRECTOR April Allman april@todaysmedianow.com DESIGN DIRECTOR Jill Cobb jill@todaysmedianow.com PHOTO DIRECTOR/PHOTOGRAPHER Melissa Donald melissa@todaysmedianow.com CAMPAIGN MANAGER Jessica Alyea jessica@todaysmedianow.com OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Scheri Stewart Mullins scheri@todaysmedianow.com BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Rachel Reeves rachel@todaysmedianow.com SENIOR MEDIA CONSULTANTS Susan Allen susan@todaysmedianow.com Teri Hickerson teri@todaysmedianow.com Joyce Inman joyce@todaysmedianow.com CIRCULATION MANAGER W. Earl Zion Today’s Woman is published monthly by: Zion Publications, LLC 9780 Ormsby Station Road, Suite 1400 Louisville, KY 40223 Phone: 502.327.8855 TodaysWomanNow.com TodaysMediaNow.com

ON THE COVER:

The opinions expressed herein are exclusively those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the position of the publisher. Today’s Woman magazine does not endorse or guarantee any advertiser’s product or service. Copyright 2020 by Zion Publications LLC, all rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited without permission from Zion Publications LLC.

Dana Willouby tackles home improvement projects with confidence. Find out how this Louisville-based painting contractor is empowering other women and knocking down stereotypes in a male-dominated industry. Read her story on page 58.

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Photo by Erika Doll

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September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

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Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / September 2020

I N T H E N OW inform

inspire

encourage

UPCOMING EVENTS

#TodaysWomanLove

@HOLLANDAVENUEHOME said it best — the perfect knickknacks bring color and vintage charm to a neutral space. #Repost

S E PT. 3 | 2-4P M S E NI O R DE RBY DANCE Join the virtual party, streaming live on Facebook! Enjoy wonderful entertainment to dance the day away in your home, senior center, or senior living community. facebook.com/seniorderbydance S E PT. 9 | 8-10AM 100 W I S E W O M E N Gain inspiration and expand your circle! Hear guest speaker, Mason Rummel, President and CEO of the James Graham Brown Foundation speak (virtually). leadershiplouisville.org S E PT. 17 | AL L DAY CO M M U NI TY FO U NDATION O F LO U I S VI LLE G I VE FO R G O O D The biggest day of local giving to nonprofit organizations supported by Give For Good Louisville. giveforgoodlouisville.org S E PT. 19 | 6:30PM KE NTU CKY HU M ANE S O CI E TY TUX E S & TAILS Join virtually and enjoy an evening of entertainment, special four-legged guest appearances, raffles, and auctions. Proceeds benefit the animals at KHS. kyhumane.org

BUCKET LIST FOR SEPTEMBER 2020 has probably not been the year you were hoping it would be. The fall colors will be showing soon and cool weather on the way. Well, we hope so. We’ve put together a few ideas that will hopefully make this time a bit better.

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

F IND THE BE ST C R O ISS ANT

C E L E BRATE S MAL L VICTO R IE S

PAIN T S O MET HIN G

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / September 2020

Making

Great Things Happen

By Carrie Vittitoe Photos by Melissa Donald

Opening a business takes a certain amount of risk tolerance, but even entrepreneurs were overwhelmed by the risks and uncertainties that were foisted upon them by COVID-19. Three Kentuckiana organizations that were offering business guidance to entrepreneurs prior to the pandemic — the Louisville Small Business Development Center, One Southern Indiana (1si), and the Lee Initiative — saw unique needs that resulted from COVID-19 and changed how they served their clients.

“A LOT OF THE FARMS THAT WE WORK WITH REALIZE 85% OF THEIR SALES COME FROM INDEPENDENT RESTAURANTS.” THIS LED TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE RESTAURANT REBOOT PROGRAM. 8

— LINDSAY OFCACEK, LEE INITIATIVE September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

RESTAURANT RELIEF AND MENTORSHIP Founded in 2018, The LEE Initiative began as a result of conversations between Edward Lee and Lindsey Ofcacek about the #Metoo movement. Both were committed to helping elevate women in the restaurant industry and ensure positive experiences for women who choose it as their profession. They decided to launch a mentorship program. “We were going to pair young women in the industry with women who had risen in the ranks from line cooks to now owning two to three restaurants,” Lindsey says. The goal was to not only show novices their older peers’ techniques, but also what it is like to be in a restaurant that is run by a woman. “The way that women lead in restaurants is often very different from the way men do,” she says. After two successful years of the mentorship program and the announcement of a third in early 2020, the restaurant industry closed due to COVID-19. “One of the founding principles of The LEE Initiative has been to come up with creative and forward-thinking solutions for immediate problems that are holding the restaurant industry back,” she says. COVID-19 was that immediate problem. The LEE Initiative team turned Chef Lee’s restaurant, 610 Magnolia, into a relief center. In coordination with Maker’s Mark, the restaurant opened to provide meals and staples for any person in the hospitality industry who had lost their job. There was a line around the block on the first day. By the second day, when over 300 meals were served, it became clear that while they were acting locally, they needed to think nationally because every restaurant across the country was facing a similar situation. Maker’s Mark pulled marketing funds and moved them to The LEE Initiative to create the Restaurant Workers Relief Fund. “Within two weeks, we were able to make cash infusions into 19 restaurants across the U.S.,” Lindsey says, allowing them to become LEE Initiative relief sites as well. As of the end of June, Lindsey says 325,000 families had been served at the sites. As restaurants began to reopen, The LEE Initiative reached out to see what it could do to help independent restaurants and farmers, whose industry has also suffered as a result of restaurants being closed. “A lot of the farms that we work with realize 85% of their sales come from independent restaurants,” Lindsey says. This led to the establishment of the Restaurant Reboot Program, which provides cash to farms that then provide credits to the 19 independent restaurants where relief centers operate. Another development was the creation of the ReGrow program, a partnership with Ashbourne Farms, where any independent restaurant in Kentucky can apply for $15,000 grants. “I never imagined us doing direct-aid relief, but something I’ve realized through this process is that the skills of running a restaurant and working on razor-thin margins and being able to pivot quickly are very good for direct-aid work,” she says. Finally, the McAtee Community Kitchen, in the space where Milkwood was housed, was a response to the shooting death of David McAtee, a local chef who Lindsey says “was very dedicated to supporting his community through food.” Chef Nikkia Rhodes, a 2018 LEE Initiative mentee, will be running that operation.

m David Oetken, director of Louisville Small Business Development Center says some businesses have seen the pandemic as an opportunity to try something.

HELPING FIND THE MONEY David Oetken, director of the Louisville Small Business Development Center (SBDC), says the organization helps individuals vet their business ideas, set up their businesses legally such as by forming an LLC or getting tax numbers, connect with a network of experts who can help them with their needs or offer ideas and support, and locate funding for their businesses. Small business PAGE 10 >> Today’s Woman / September 2020

owners also benefit from Louisville SBDC’s databases, which allow them to access information on market research and financial modeling. While tech-type businesses can often find investors easily, on hopes that it will be the next Microsoft or Amazon, David says 96-97 percent of startups are lifestyle businesses, like coffee shops or boutiques. These businesses typically don’t have investors, which is where the Louisville SBDC steps in with its “secret sauce” of finding funding options. “We’re pretty good about finding little tranches of money that people wouldn’t think of,” he says. “Funding a business is like a jigsaw puzzle; you get a piece here and a piece there, and pretty soon you’ve got a nice little picture put together.” David and his team launched weekly Q&As to field questions and provide advice. One top piece of advice was for business owners to “gather as much cash as they can and build up a war chest to live and fight another day,” he says. Louisville SBDC also helped coordinate loan modification plans with banks and rent abatements with landlords and vendors. “All those resources we cobbled together,” he says. Finally, the SBDC worked to help clients find new ways to bring in money even if they couldn’t operate in their normal way. For example, an event planning company transitioned to use its catering and liquor license to make food and beverage deliveries to people’s houses. David says there has been a wide range of responses among business owners to COVID-19. Some have been frozen in place, others have wanted to simply protect what they have, and still others have seen the pandemic as an opportunity to try something new. Some of this response depends on how long they’ve been in business. He has also seen some brand new entrepreneurs during the early months of the crisis. “You just got furloughed from your job, and what are you going to do?” he says. Historically, David says some of the big companies that exist now were begun during really difficult economic times. Disney, for example, was launched in 1929 during the midst of The Great Depression.

WORKING THROUGH THE UNCERTAINTY One Southern Indiana (1si) resulted from the merger of the Southern Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Southern Indiana Economic Development Corporation in 2006. With 1,050 members and as the lead economic development organization for Clark and Floyd counties, 1si does a variety of different tasks to help local businesses. Helping to maintain economic databases, assisting manufacturing

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

One Southern Indiana President and CEO Wendy Dant Chesser talks about helping businesses through uncertainty.

groups with planning and human resource concerns, assisting site location consultants in determining if Southern Indiana is a good fit for a business, and offering educational sessions and networking opportunities to members are just some of the things 1si does. “The biggest challenge that businesses have had during COVID-19 is uncertainty,” says President and CEO Wendy Dant Chesser. 1si worked to help Indiana businesses determine whether or not they met the criteria of an essential business. Cash flow was another issue. Chief Revenue Officer Lisa Brooking and Executive Vice President Matt Hall, along with partners in the community, “really jumped in and created an emergency loan fund for small businesses,” Wendy says. “It’s been ongoing. One hundred and twenty three small businesses in Clark and Floyd counties received $1,157,000 in either forgivable or zero-interest loans,” she says. “We had never done a loan program to that extent, ever.” When companies began reopening, many of them struggled with securing personal protective equipment (PPE), so 1si used its website to help companies more easily find and share sources. It has also helped companies navigate the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and helped business owners access the most up-to-date information coming from Indiana’s government about safely reopening. As businesses have begun reopening, 1si has begun doing webinars on Wednesday, which are taking a big picture approach to the pandemic. “We’re focusing more on long-term recovery. The long-term recovery has to include workforce development questions and concerns. It has to include targeted industry strategy,” Wendy says.

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / September 2020

GREAT PLACES FOR

STARTING SOMETHING NEW By Megan M. Seckman Photos by Melissa Donald

Story Louisville’s (l) founder, Natalia Bishop, and (r) director of operations, Lauren VanCleave are helping people start and grow businesses.

“WHEN YOU ARE AN ENTREPRENEUR, YOU ARE FORCED TO WORK ON AND FOR YOUR BUSINESS AT THE SAME TIME. IT IS EXHAUSTING, AND IT IS LONELY.” — LAUREN VANCLEAVE

f there is anything positive about a global pandemic that has kept us isolated, unemployed, and/or trapped at home, it is that it helped us to quiet our minds enough to rediscover our creative selves. I have heard that divorces and pregnancies have increased since Covid-19, but I also bet many businesses will be birthed after this process. After all, what generally follows a plague? Renaissance. Seeds of ideas have had time to grow, and the experience helps us to rethink our priorities. If the pandemic has planted the entrepreneurial spirit in you, check out these organizations to help turn your budding idea into a sustainable reality.

STORY LOUISVILLE In 2016, Natalia Bishop, a Colombian immigrant, was a photographer renting a shared arts studio. Each day she would brainstorm solutions to problems she was facing with other artists in the collective. Soon, the 1,500-square-foot arts space became a hub for artists, freelancers, and other makers to pitch ideas, problem-solve, and network. These creatives helped her to soon realize that holes in her ideas were best filled by a community. If she were ever to get a large project off the ground, she would need a team to do some of the lifting. This communal hub may not have manifested into a bustling career in photography, but it did give birth to Story Louisville, a network of shared spaces and resources that helps startups take flight. Story began on Story Avenue in Butchertown and offered a shared work space for entrepreneurs, creatives, artists, movers, and shakers to get work done together. By bringing together a diverse group of motivated thinkers, the small startups could share resources and experiences, coffee, and expertise. PAGE 14 >>

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / September 2020

“ALTHOUGH OUR CAMPUS IS PART OF A LARGE NETWORK, WE UNDERSTAND THE DIFFICULTY OF THE ENTREPRENEURIAL WORLD.” — MIKE CHAPPELL

“When you are an entrepreneur, you are forced to work on and for your business at the same time. It is exhausting, and it is lonely,” said Lauren VanCleave, director of operations at Story. “You are constantly learning things the hard way. At Story, we provide a lab where we all work together to provide resources to marketers, finance experts, grant writers, and other key players in the business ecosystem. We ask, ‘What do you need?’ We help you develop your pitch, sharpen your ideas, and help find funding. “Our goal is for you to outgrow us. We help you figure out how to get from an idea to a business plan through organic run-ins with people in the industry, and we help people get prepared for when they meet these people,” Lauren said. Story has now grown to a 12,000-square-foot shared work space, event space, conference area, classrooms, a wellness room for meditation, and a podcast studio above a coffee shop on Market Street in NULU. This year, they are also opening an additional space in the Germantown Mill Lofts complex off Goss Avenue. Lauren contributes their success to Natalia. “I met Natalia by accident when I was working for another company and very pregnant. I said, ‘I’ll quit my job and come work for you.’ She just said, ‘yeah, come on!’ “Natalia’s biggest strength is that she knows how to ask for help. People want to work with her because she isn’t afraid to ask questions. She’s not egocentric and knows what she doesn’t know. She’s really good at asking questions and finding out the answers.” Story is also dedicated to launching more black- and brown-owned businesses in Louisville and helping our diverse neighborhoods come together to manifest the seeds of ideas into sustainable ventures.

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

PURDUE RESEARCH PARK Along the I-265 corridor sits 44 acres of beautiful land in New Albany, Indiana, that just might provide the resources some need to have their business take root. The Purdue Research Park is one of five business incubators funded by The Purdue Research Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps to advance the mission of Purdue University. Mike Chappell heads the Purdue Research Park and says the New Albany campus is special because it is not only a serene environment to work in every day — featuring several walking trails, ponds, and wooded areas — but it also provides a shared work environment to promote networking. Membership to the Purdue Research Park provides access to all five of the Park’s locations and amenities, including The Purdue Foundry, a free service on the Lafayette campus that provides mentorship programs. The campus also hosts networking events, provides 24/7 access to a brickand-mortar office space with all the necessary equipment, receptionists, meeting spaces, and shared workrooms. The five locations also provide in-house access to HR, marketing, and IT departments. In addition, the campus hosts The Purdue Technology Center, and Purdue Polytechnic New Albany also resides on the campus, which is “an excellent talent pool to pull from,” Mike says. “Although our campus is part of a large network, we understand the difficulty of the entrepreneurial world,” Mike says. “We try to give personal, friendly service to each and every person in the building. Success of the business is paramount here — we are all about business — but we make it a nice place to come to work by providing food trucks and events to break up the day.”

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / September 2020

The City KEEPS ON CHANGING By Carrie Vittitoe

While visitors to Louisville may see it as one big city, lifetime residents speak of Louisville in terms of its expansive sections or neighborhoods: Okolona, J’town, Audubon Park, Russell, Fairdale, Pleasure Ridge Park, Portland, etc. Two specific districts —Germantown/ Paristown and NuLu — have seen dramatic changes over the years and have become sought-after places to work, live, and recreate.

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

Photos by Tim Furlong

Germantown Mill Lofts, a former textile mill, has been converted to apartments, changing the area in the process.

MILL BUILDINGS REIMAGINED Although the Germantown and Paristown neighborhoods share a neighborhood association, they are two distinct sections adjacent to each other. Historically, French and German immigrants settled here and owned farms in the area, which starts at East Broadway in a point and branches into a triangle that connects along Goss Avenue. “This part of the city goes back to the land-grant era around the 1840s and 1850s,” says former alderman and longtime Germantown resident Steve Magre. Eventually, Louisville Cotton Mills, Hope Worsted Mills, and Bradford Mills were built in the late 1800s, which changed the look and feel of the area. While some parts of the area became more industrial, there was also a need for residential houses for the mill workers. Both the railroad and Beargrass Creek, because of the transportation access they provided, allowed the area to develop.

While the area is largely residential, there have been changes in recent years in terms of what housing looks like. The historic textile mills, for example, have been converted into stylish apartments: Germantown Mill Lofts along Goss Avenue and Bradford Mills Lofts on Reutlinger Avenue. Shotgun and camelback houses still line the streets, but many of them have been remodeled and updated. The area seems to be increasingly popular among younger people, although there are also longtime residents who call these neighborhoods home. Before COVID-19, Germantown/Paristown had become the site of some unique and highly popular destinations, whether a person was seeking a place to shop, a place to eat and drink, or a source for musical entertainment. Of course, now some restaurants, stores, and venues are re-opening slowly while others are still unable to open because of restrictions on crowd size. PAGE 18 >> Today’s Woman / September 2020

A quick hop onto Yelp will point out some of the most well-loved places to check out if you’re in the Germantown/ Paristown area. Restaurants including Eiderdown, Hammerheads, Come Back Inn, The Post, and Four Pegs are among those most raved about. Individuals seeking small, unique gifts could find gems at places such as Forage, a nursery and garden shop, Fleur de Flea Vintage Market, an indoor warehouse where vendors sell anything from vinyl to art deco, and Stoneware & Co. (known to lifetime Louisvillians as Louisville Stoneware), which has been designing and creating pottery since 1815. Old Forrester’s Paristown Hall on Brent Street opened in 2019 but has been hit hard by the pandemic because of the fear that large gatherings of people could increase the spread of the virus.

BRANDED AS THE NEW LOUISVILLE NuLu is also known as the East Market District and covers a stretch of downtown Louisville between Chestnut and Floyd going east to west that encompasses Main, Market, and Jefferson streets. Although it is considered its own unique area, City of Louisville documents indicate that it is part of the Phoenix Hill National Register Historic District. According to NuLu Business Association President Rick Murphy, this area was a hub of commerce in the 1800s and for many years until the suburbs began attracting people further out into Jefferson County and businesses moved to Fourth Street. Eventually, business owners and investors saw this area as a place that was ripe for renewal. While some anchors of NuLu had been there for years, such as Joe Ley Antiques, there were many vacant buildings that needed tender loving care. In the past several years, NuLu has become one of the places

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

that visitors flock in the city. “A lot of our businesses do analytics with their purchases. They track zip codes for their credit cards so they know where to advertise and where we can market. About 65-70 percent of the restaurants and retail sales are from outside Jefferson County and the city of Louisville,” Rick says. When the Kentucky International Convention Center was shut down, it impacted NuLu’s revenues, and COVID-19 has had a similar impact. Like businesses all over the country, restaurants in NuLu have had to pivot, but there remains a loyal following. Harvest, RYE, Decca, Biscuit Belly, and Louisville Cream are just some of the sites foodies seek out when they visit the area. Kevin says some of the best places to find gifts in the city are in NuLu. Mahonia, Six Sisters Boutique, Red Tree, and Revelry are some of the more widely known spots, but there are hidden gems throughout NuLu’s streets. In addition to being the site of eclectic restaurants and shops, the area is very walkable and bikeable, which is part of the reason young professionals have been seeking residences closeby. Apartment buildings, such as 310 at NuLu and The Friary, help make living close to NuLu easier. More change is on the horizon for NuLu, including The Gateway to NuLu, a mixed-use building on East Market Street, and Church Key, a restaurant and event space that reenvisions Market Street United Methodist Church. West Sixth Brewing is setting up shop in a 120-year-old carriage house that will serve as a brewery, warehouse, and taproom. The NuLu Business Association is revamping its website to help improve visitors’ access to all things NuLu. Before the winter holiday shopping season, it expects to launch it with an interactive map to make navigating NuLu even easier.

Photo by Melissa Donald

The Nulu area of Louisville was experiencing a big surge of living, retail, and restaurants before COVID-19 hit. Businesses in the area are adjusting to new ways of doing business.

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / September 2020

When It’s Time For a Change By Carrie Vittitoe Photos by Melissa Donald

ven if a major historical event doesn’t affect you personally, it can often change the trajectory of your life. For many individuals, this writer included, the events of September 11, 2001, didn’t harm anyone they knew or change their job or lifestyle, but it changed their outlook. It made them reevaluate what they were doing and why. Many people asked themselves, “If my life ended tomorrow, what would I hate to have missed out on?” For women in Kentuckiana, COVID-19 has been the historic moment that is forcing them to reconsider both their personal and professional lives. Even if they haven’t been personally impacted by the pandemic, the shutdowns and quarantines have given them time to reflect and decide what they want their futures to look like, and for many of them, that future looks markedly different.

THE KITCHEN IS CLOSED Kathy Cary’s mother was admitted to the hospital on Feb 28, 2020. “For that first part of March, I pretty much watched my mother die,” she says. Her mother passed away on March 10, and on March 14, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear made the announcement that restaurants would have to close due to COVID-19. Kathy, owner of Lilly’s Bistro and La Peche, had to immediately transition from one supremely stressful life event to another. “I had a lot of time to think,” she says. “Life was changing not only for me personally, but for all the restaurateurs around the world.” Being away from her restaurant and her staff forced her to consider what her future would be. When new rules began to be formulated about how restaurants would have to manage COVID-19 — with masks, gloves, plastic utensils, and limited seating — Kathy thought, “That’s not dining the way I’ve been used to for the past 42 years.” She and her limited staff transitioned to curbside, but she acknowledges the difficulty of answering phones, cooking, and delivering food to cars on a skeleton crew. In an effort to not waste food, Kathy asked her customers to order 24-48 hours in advance. “I made 100 pot pies [one] week, and I said, ‘I can’t make any more. I physically can’t make any more,’” she says.

Kathy Cary, former owner of Lilly's restaurant, is leaning into a big change after 42 years in the restaurant business.

Kathy came to the conclusion that it was time to begin her next chapter. “After 46 years of cooking in Louisville, it’s time for [me] to take an exit,” she says. Not only was the world changing, but having just watched her mom die brought home just how short life is. She also didn’t want to put her staff and clients at risk of contracting COVID-19. She says even if her mother hadn’t passed away, she would still be too scared to open her doors to in-house dining. Because of the Federal Pandemic Compensation Program, Kathy felt like, with her decision to retire, she was able to give her staff a window to find jobs and have a safety net while doing so. “I thought a lot about my customers, my very loyal customers who’ve been with me for years, who I totally love,” she says. “It was a really hard decision,” she said. “I couldn’t keep cooking in this kitchen, working as hard as I do, and feel that life was going to pass me by and one day I was going to die,” she says. PAGE 22 >>

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / September 2020

FROM HAIRSTYLING TO HOMESTYLING Michele Mandlehr spent 15 years as a professional cosmetologist at NOVA Salon. “I grew an amazing clientele and became an educator for our salon’s apprenticeship program,” she says. She traveled across the country as an educator and helped develop NOVA Collective, a creative team that allowed her to be part of photoshoots, and won North American Hairstyling Awards. She credits NOVA owner Bennie Pollard as a tremendous mentor and source of support throughout her career. “His example has nurtured an entrepreneurial spirit inside me,” she says. While still a stylist in 2019, Michele and her husband, Stephen, with help from his father, renovated and resold Stephen’s childhood home. “We just couldn’t believe how well it turned out,” she says. They began thinking of how they might turn this fun project into something more, although they didn’t have a timeframe for when they might do that. When COVID-19 hit in March and salons were forced to close, Michele had time to think about her career as a stylist and whether she wanted to continue doing that for the long term. She spent more time with her children, Stella (5) and Leo (3), and came to realizations about how quickly time was passing. “‘Do I want to wait five or 15 years to achieve another goal?’” she asked herself. “I used that time to clarify what I want for my future and imagine what life would look like if I pursued other passions.” Bennie Pollard became a sounding board for Michele as she considered what she wanted to do. She didn’t want to leave her salon family in the lurch, but Bennie helped her see that pursuing her goal would allow other stylists to build their careers if she transitioned her clients to them. The flexibility of her new schedule has allowed Michele to set up her LLC, network with local investors, and read as much as she can. She has the time to dream and be excited about what her future holds. But she has also made a point to grieve for the loss of her old life. “I gave myself the freedom to feel the emotions I’ve had,” she says. Her 15 years as a stylist shaped her into the person she is today, and she realizes she has to feel all that is bittersweet about leaving one life behind to venture onto a new path. PAGE 24 >>

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

Michele Mandlehr has changed careers from hairstylist to reinventing houses.

MICHELE ASKED HERSELF —

“‘DO I WANT TO WAIT FIVE OR 15 YEARS TO ACHIEVE ANOTHER GOAL?’”

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / September 2020

l Stephanie Feger is changing the way she works which also will allow more time for her children.

NOT JUST THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX, BUT THROWING THE BOX OUT In January, Stephanie Feger was positioned to have an amazing 2020. For a year and a half, she had worked with a laser focus to build her business to help authors promote their books and help small businesses market themselves. She was consulting, doing public speaking, and working on two books and says, “I had every minute of the day figured out.” She was also balancing the needs of her three children: Eli (8), Lyndi (6) and Luke (5). Early in 2020, Stephanie and her husband, Cory, had gotten Luke screened for Sensory Processing Disorder, and he began working with an occupational therapist. “[Luke] was really thriving,” she says. But then things got weird. COVID-19 shut down schools, and Stephanie’s children were having to do online instruction. “Everything within my business was still strong and moving fast, which sounded great except I had three little kiddos staring at me full time and having a different set of needs,” she says. “Nontraditional instruction (NTI) was hard.” Like many parents, Stephanie found that online instruction didn’t always allow her kids to show their strengths or provide what they needed from an educational experience. “[The pandemic] ended up really pushing

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

me to evaluate what my purpose was in life, what I was supposed to be doing, and how I was supposed to get there,” she says. A networking meeting with other female entrepreneurs during quarantine helped Stephanie realize that she had to create a whole new box rather than just thinking outside the box when it comes to balancing her career and her children. She purchased curricula to use with her children over the summer and ultimately decided to homeschool for the next school year. “COVID has been a perfect opportunity to reflect. In my entrepreneurial journey, I’ve always come from a place of ‘yes.’ When an opportunity presented itself, I would say ‘yes,’” she says. “I realized that coming from a place of ‘yes’ for my business was pulling me away from the time my kids deserve.” Stephanie isn’t saying ‘no’ to her business. During the spring, she launched a website and officially named her company, emPower PR Group. What she determined she needs to do is be more strategic and efficient about her work, such as offering on-line courses and webinars. “I’m reevaluating how my business works,” she says. She has also realized that she needs to look at success differently. “I no longer look at financials or client load as determinants of my success. I’ve had to reevaluate what success looks like to me.”

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / September 2020

ASK YOURSELF: WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE? WHAT IS SCARING ME? WHAT CAN WE LEARN HERE?

Grow with the Change By Kyle Shepherd

his year has brought changes to the way we interact, how we travel, and even to how we move about in our shared physical spaces. But change can hit us personally in small moments, too. Imagine me, standing in aisle 24 at Home Depot with employee Jose, asking him for help with a project. When Jose informed me that what I needed wasn’t an option, I cried. As I stood there crying in aisle 24 I asked him, “Well, what am I going to do?” I just wanted someone to take care of this. Alas, it was only Jose and me — a single woman and only child, who had just lost her father — trying to deal with the changes and decisions only I could make. We will all lose loved ones or our jobs. We all have to deal with stuff that makes us uncomfortable or mourn the loss of being able to leave the house without a mask. So what can we do when we are in the aisle 24s of life? “We have these conflict sensors in our brains, and when something changes we think of it as making a mistake. That is how our brains read it neurologically,” explains Laura Wagner, life coach and licensed therapist. “Our brain is really wired to go to that place of pushing something away.” Knowing this thing that our brain does to us, it seems that giving ourselves and each other a little grace is fitting as a start. But it might also be a new beginning. “Change is the evidence of transformation and offers opportunities to grow into a greater version of self,” says Glynita Bell, founder of Heart 2 Heart Wellness Center in New Albany, Indiana. Pausing to check your thoughts is one step to adjust to change, say our experts. “Identify the negative thought as it enters your mind. Recognize it is a function of anxiety, not fact,” says Glynita, a licensed social worker. “Then consider the evidence and challenge the accuracy of your thoughts. Ask yourself what’s more likely to be true.” This is what Laura calls fact checking yourself and what they both would call cognitive behavior therapy. Laura also adds to “look at things from a curious point of view versus resistant.” Ask yourself: What is happening here? What is scaring me? What can we learn here? She also suggests when you start to think about the things that you feel you aren’t allowed to do or can’t do right now, change the question from “Why can’t I?” to “How can I?” And “What is the opportunity for me?” Glynita suggests a similar flip. “Rather than thinking ‘Ugh, I hate this,’ try swapping that thought for ‘this is making me feel nervous, but it’s normal to feel nervous right now.’ Feeling nervous does not mean things will be negative, it’s just a feeling.”

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

HERE ARE SOME OTHER WAYS TO “PIVOT” IN 2020: • Instead of rushing in the morning to get off, consider making a routine moment to access your gratitude, Glynita says. “When you can ritualize it and really start your day with gratitude and affirmations, it starts to become a part of your own internal language to yourself.” She says this is a language we can tap back into when we start to get anxious about change or its effects. • Move your body. “Get out of your head and get into your body,” Laura says. “Movement of your body can help your mind start to work things out.” • Check in with your senses, Laura says. This brings you back to the present.

“Change is inevitable, growth is optional.” — leadership author John C. Maxwell

“IN THE MIDDLE OF DIFFICULTY LIES OPPORTUNITY.”

CHANGE. ADAPT. ADJUST. These three words surmise what businesses and organizations in Louisville and Southern Indiana have been doing since March 2020, a six-month span that feels like several lifetimes. COVID-19 has forced them to change how they interact with customers, how their workforce operates, how they utilize their supply chains, how they network with experts and business leaders, and how they plan for the future. This one historic event has rippled into other historic events including election changes and widespread protests and forced many people to reconsider how they see the world and their place in it. Societal change is helping these businesses and organizations reconsider their mission, learn to be nimble, and ensure they have what it takes to keep changing our community for the better for years to come. Stories by Carrie Vittitoe | Photos by Melissa Donald | PROMOTION

We’re Changing Louisville & Southern Indiana | 2020

CHANGE. ADAPT. ADJUST.

The doctors say...

Although much has changed as a result of COVID-19, what hasn’t changed is their long-term, stable staff and focus on providing the highest quality, most up-to-date and individualized care possible.

(Left to Right): Kira Powell, M.D.; Aimee Paul, M.D.; Lisa Crawford, M.D.; Amy Deeley, M.D.; Elena Salerno, M.D.; and Tanika Taylor, M.D.

4010 DuPont Circle Suite L-07 Louisville, KY 40207

(502) 895-6559 AllWomenOBGYN.com

n a COVID-19 world, every physician, including obstetricians and gynecologists, has had to become a public health expert in order to safely manage patients and provide care. All Women OB/GYN has utilized a number of tools and strategies to help ensure patients and staff are as safe as possible while still offering high-quality obstetric and gynecologic care. Their use of the Fresia check-in system predated COVID-19, but this software system has come in very handy, allowing patients to use their phones to update medical records and check-in for appointments, thereby reducing the number of touch-points when they come into the office. All Women physicians have also utilized telehealth appointments as needed to keep abreast of patients while minimizing their exposure to others. Obstetricians and gynecologists have been in a unique position during COVID-19, encompassing both essential health care and quality of life care. Babies arrive when they arrive, most of the time without complications, but obstetrics is unpredictable, and sometimes childbirth can be dangerous for mother and baby. Obstetrics is most definitely essential care that cannot be put off. Other types of ob/gyn care, such as birth control access or

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com / We’re Changing Louisville & Southern Indiana

hysterectomy, may not result in death if they don’t occur in a timely fashion, but they have a tremendous impact on quality of life and can play a role in long-term health outcomes. Although much has changed in 2020 as a result of COVID-19, All Women OB/GYN prides itself on what hasn’t changed in its practice: its long-term, stable staff and its focus on providing the highest quality, most up-to-date, and individualized care possible to patients. The use of hormone pellets, which are inserted into muscle during an in-office procedure, has been a game-changer for many women who suffer from hormonal imbalance. All Women’s physicians are able to use patient blood work to determine exactly what combination of hormones should be included in the pellet formulation, making it tailor-made to the needs of each woman as opposed to a preformulated medication that may be too much or too little. Pellets can be especially helpful for women who have dermatologic issues that make hormone patches uncomfortable. For obstetric patients, All Women OB/GYN utilizes advanced maternal blood work screenings to provide information to expectant mothers about the health of their babies as early as 10 weeks gestation.

Stephanie Logsdon says...

There’s tremendous value in books that help children process their experiences and what they are seeing in the world at large.

Mary Ellen Stottmann (right) and Stephanie Logsdon create and publish books for children to help them process world issues, including public health and systemic racism.

e were in a great position this past June to introduce Gerome’s Rainbow, one of our stories for children that teaches acceptance,” says Mary Ellen Stottmann, Chief Crayon at Baxter’s Corner. A local company, Baxter’s Corner has created a line of books for children 3 months to 8 years old, to “develop emotionally and spiritually healthy children through engaging stories and thought-provoking activities that build relationships and explore values,” Mary Ellen says.

P.O. Box 223 Harrods Creek, KY 40027

(502) 554-7752 BaxtersCorner.com

Many of the company’s books are timely, given the current events in 2020, and can be especially helpful for caregivers who are teaching children about how respect and public health go hand-in-hand. Ellema Sneezes features an elephant whose sneezes are disruptive, while Why Stop for Tajo? teaches respect for authority. The company’s latest book, Gerome’s Rainbow, written by Stephanie Logsdon, is about accepting others, which is especially fitting given recent national protests against systemic racism. As a Shelby County teacher and mother of two young sons, Stephanie sees tremendous value

in books that help children process their experiences and what they are seeing in the world at large. Not only has she used the books with her children and students, she has created videos for Baxter’s Corner’s Facebook page that parents and caregivers can use. At the back of each book is a GoBeyond section that includes open-ended questions that parents, caregivers, and teachers can use to help children think critically and connect the stories to themselves and others. “The back of the book is about getting the children to talk with a caregiver, asking open-ended questions to discuss difficult situations,” Mary Ellen says. Families and teachers who want to immerse their children and students in Baxter’s Corner’s characters can add their puppets and wall art to the picture books to bring the stories to life. Baxter’s Corner is committed to children and the values that its books advocate. During the months of June through August, Baxter’s Corner donated all proceeds from sales of Gerome’s Rainbow and Why Stop for Tajo? to The Cabbage Patch Settlement House and The Decode Project, local non-profits.

CHANGE. ADAPT. ADJUST. We’re Changing Louisville & Southern Indiana / Today’s Woman / September 2020

CHANGE. ADAPT. ADJUST.

Jesika Young says...

A trade or skill such as a machinist, a welder, a fabricator, is a great career path. We’re breaking a misconception that [manufacturing] is old, dirty, dingy, and doesn’t provide a great career.

Whether through creating parts, certifying assembly processes, or by changing the way young people and the public at large view manufacturing, Cimtech is actively changing Kentuckiana for the better.

espite changes wrought by COVID-19, manufacturing companies like Cimtech continue to serve as the backbone of the economy. Cimtech, a manufacturer of precision machined parts, fabrication, and assembly, is helping support a variety of other businesses in what they do whether it is through welding metals or machining castings and plastics. “We are essentially a manufacturer to manufacturers,” says Cimtech CEO Jesika Young. The company focuses on three lines of business: creating production components for a myriad of industries, including food and beverage, HVAC, and automotive; prototyping, designing, and engineering; and finally, production support of other manufacturers to help their processes run more efficiently.

325 Parkeast Blvd New Albany, IN 47150

(812) 948-1422 CimtechInc.net

It can be hard for people unfamiliar with manufacturing to fully understand exactly what a company like Cimtech does, but many people likely come into contact with Cimtechmanufactured components every day. Whether it is the parts of an ice maker in a refrigerator or the racks used in the paint lines of automobile manufacturers, Cimtech reaches a wide array of businesses and their customers. As the backbone of so many industries, Cimtech is trying to change a common

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com / We’re Changing Louisville & Southern Indiana

misconception about manufacturing. “A trade or skill such as a machinist, a welder, a fabricator, is a great career path. We’re breaking a misconception that [manufacturing] is old, dirty, dingy, and doesn’t provide a great career,” Young says. Part of being a forward-thinking and welcoming manufacturing company means working with Jefferson County Public Schools’ Academies and Prosser Career Education Center in Southern Indiana to ensure young people know what manufacturing actually looks like in 2020. “We’ve extended to partner with Ivy Tech, Indiana University Southeast, Jefferson Community and Technical College (JCTC), and Vincennes University,” Young says, noting that Cimtech offers internships, externships, apprenticeships, and “any kind of ship you can think of,” she says. Cimtech’s motto is “family-owned and teamoperated” and ensures its culture is a living reflection of that motto. “No one person is above or below the team,” Young says. “If something needs to happen, any one of us is capable of doing it. It’s not uncommon for our chief financial officer to be counting and assembling parts. It’s not uncommon for me or my partner to be cleaning a bathroom,” she says.

Stephanie Bateman says...

Give For Good Louisville is one of those ways you can invest in this community. The Community Foundation is about investing and giving back... to make it a place where people can live, grow, and play productively.

The Community Foundation’s Give For Good Louisville is September 17. On this day for 24 hours, everyone can donate to their choice of more than 500 participating nonprofits.

325 W. Main St., Ste. 1110 Louisville, KY

(502) 585-4649 CFLouisville.org

September 17, 2020 GiveForGoodLouisville.Org

n a year like 2020, we all need something that will help us stay focused on the positive. Whether you work in a nonprofit, have been helped by one, or just want to help other humans, Give For Good Louisville, occurring on Thursday, September 17, 2020, is a day to celebrate the myriad of organizations, both large and small, that work tirelessly to help make life in Louisville and surrounding Kentuckiana counties better. Molly Melia, senior associate of marketing and communications at the Community Foundation of Louisville, says nonprofits have faced a tremendous loss with so many of their spring and fall fundraising events being canceled due to limits on group size and the need to physically distance. For 24 hours, Give For Good Louisville “is an opportunity for everyone to be a philanthropist,” says Community Foundation Board Member Stephanie Bateman. “Everyone can give. Everyone can participate.” Nonprofits that partner with the Community Foundation for Give For Good spend time working to develop or improve strategies that help them become stronger 501(c)(3)s. This year, in partnership with Park Community Credit Union, the Community Foundation presented webinars about topics such as donor engagement, goal setting, and

fundraising during COVID-19. Whether there is a global pandemic or not, the Community Foundation of Louisville works to remove obstacles and provide resources to help organizations be successful. With over 500 nonprofits participating in Give For Good, it is an opportunity for people to learn about all different kinds of organizations, including many that you may not know exist. While some donors may want all of their donation to go to one particular area of town or cause, others may adopt the “buffet” approach to donating, whereby they give a little bit to a slew of different organizations. Molly says there are leaderboards and a Give to the Underdog feature on giveforgoodlouisville.org. A spirit of fun and generous competitiveness is not necessarily a bad thing when it comes to making donations. However, competitive is not the word you’d use to describe the nonprofits that participate in Give For Good. Stephanie says they commit to sharing their expertise and experiences with each other for the overall good of the nonprofit community. “The unique thing about this community of nonprofits that do come together is they are so supportive of each other,” Molly says. “They cheer each other on. They give each other shoutouts.”

CHANGE. ADAPT. ADJUST. We’re Changing Louisville & Southern Indiana / Today’s Woman / September 2020

CHANGE. ADAPT. ADJUST.

Kim Hieatt says...

if one of her partnered residents needs something from Walmart, she will go to Walmart to get it. With families unable to visit, this extra layer of care and connection is helping residents.

Kim Hieatt, director of marketing and sales at Enclave of East Louisville, and the staff check in with their residents each day and contact their families regularly for updates.

100 Shelby Station Dr Louisville, KY 40245

(502) 632-5500

EnclaveOfEastLouisville.com

ew entities have felt COVID’s impact more than senior living communities, but residents and staff at Enclave of East Louisville, which provides personal and memory care, have shown tremendous resilience despite all of the changes. One of the things that has enabled this flexibility is the change of ownership in June 2020. The owners remain the same, but they are now managing the property themselves instead of being under an outside asset management company. Kim Hieatt, director of marketing and sales, says that means questions and concerns are addressed immediately, with less wait time and more efficiency, which is a boon when things can change on a dime, as is the case with a pandemic. Keeping residents safe in body and mind remains of utmost importance to Enclave owners and staff. The executive team, everyone from the executive director to the business office manager to the activities director, has been partnered with residents to check in on them each day and contact residents’ families for regular updates. Kim says this means if one of her partnered residents needs something from Walmart, she will go to Walmart to get it. With families

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com / We’re Changing Louisville & Southern Indiana

unable to visit, this extra layer of care and connection is helping residents. As families begin to be able to have front porch and courtyard visits with residents, the executive team is staying late in the evening to facilitate these visits while keeping physical distancing guidelines in play. Staff is also helping residents transition to more outside activities, including games and happy hour. Enclave of East Louisville continues to accept new residents, although COVID has changed how this process works. Kim says all tours are virtual now, although new residents and their families do front porch visits to meet Kim and other Enclave staff as they decide whether the community fits their tastes and needs. One benefit of COVID to new residents’ families is that Enclave of Louisville handles the move-in process for new residents. Families bring new residents’ items and furnishings to Enclave’s front door and staff take it from there. Kim and her colleagues ensure all items make it to the apartments. “We do everything,” she says, including Facetiming residents as they put everything away and decorate the room to ensure they get it exactly as the new resident would like.

Maggie Elder says...

[The family camp experience] was empowering to girls because they could show off the skills they had learned to their moms, dads, and brothers who don’t get to see them in action during a normal summer camp experience.

Despite looking different during COVID-19, Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana continues its mission to increase girls’ access to the outdoors and opportunities to build leadership skills and confidence, says new CEO Maggie Elder.

2115 Lexington Rd Louisville, KY 40206

(888) 771-5170 GSKentuckiana.org

aggie Elder, the new CEO of

Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana,

recognizes that COVID-19 has made life topsy-turvy, but she also notes that there are silver linings even during the most difficult times. She says COVID-19 has reminded individuals of the importance of community and uniting in the face of challenges. Girl Scouts has played a role in Maggie’s personal leadership development, which she then honed at the American Cancer Society and Metro United Way. As a teenager, she spent a considerable amount of time as a resident camp participant and counselor at Bear Creek Aquatic Center in Benton, KY, where she learned to push herself out of her comfort zone. Among the many important life lessons: “You don’t have to be perfect, but you do have to step up,” she says. Stepping up has been the name of the game since the spring. Every member of the staff at Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana, as well as its 5,000-strong adult volunteer network, has stepped up and offered new ways of thinking about what Girl Scouts mean to members and families. “Girls more than ever need something to feel good about,” Maggie says, so Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana has done camp, troop meetings,

and outdoor activities a little differently so that girls can continue to feel engaged and excited even during a global pandemic. Summer camp was a family experience at four Girl Scout properties in 2020, which allowed families to kayak, do archery, and go on scavenger hunts with the physically-distanced guidance of dedicated volunteers. Maggie says this was empowering to girls because they could show off the skills they had learned from Girl Scouts to their moms, dads, and brothers who don’t get to see them in action during a normal summer camp experience. Also, Camp in a Box brought girls the fun of camp as well as encouraged them to get outside into nature. Each box included an activity booklet and items the girls needed to complete different badges, whether it was foil to make the box into a solar pizza oven or raisins and peanuts to create Gorp. Girls were also able to have “unit time” Zoom meetings as a way to meet others and experience some of the fun that can be had at camp, including skits and singing. The Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana has become a strong force in helping girls and young women reach their full potential. Go to GSKentuckiana.org to register your child or to become a volunteer.

CHANGE. ADAPT. ADJUST. We’re Changing Louisville & Southern Indiana / Today’s Woman / September 2020

CHANGE. ADAPT. ADJUST.

Karl Truman says...

We have been a very strong supporter of veteran events and other community events which, unfortunately, have been shut down this year. We’ve missed not being able to see everyone.

The husband and wife legal team of Karl Truman, Attorney, and Jeanine Truman, Marketing Director.

10531-B Timberwood Circle Louisville, KY 40223

(502) 222-2222 420 Wall Street Jeffersonville, IN 47130

(812) 282-8500 TrumanLaw.com

here have been some upsides to COVID-19, and one of those has been the way the Karl Truman Law Office, with locations in Louisville and Jeffersonville, has been able to transition clients to virtual meetings and electronic signatures. Karl says court hearings and depositions have even gone virtual, allowing personal injury clients both safety from virus transmission as well as convenience since they don’t have to drive. It could be a trend that sticks long-term. Attorneys and staff at Karl Truman Law Office have also benefited from the firm’s flexibility. “We were able to adapt quickly and smoothly for remote work by employees,” Karl says. “We have employees who have small children or who take care of an elderly parent. We believe in being supportive of our team members.” While some staff are returning to the office, the remote work option remains in place for those whose situations make in-office work right now a challenge. “We’ve been able to continuously operate without missing a beat,” he says. A downside to 2020 has been being unable to participate and support local veterans events. As a retired Lieutenant Colonel with 28 years in the Army Reserve and National

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com / We’re Changing Louisville & Southern Indiana

Guard, Karl has a deep appreciation for veterans and their service to the country. “We have been a very strong supporter of veteran events and other community events which, unfortunately, have been shut down this year. We’ve missed not being able to see everyone,” Karl says. Whether it is the USA Cares Gala, AMVETS Patriot Car Show, Truck and Bike Show, or the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Wheelchair games, the Karl Truman Law Office has tried to make Kentuckiana a better place by being a positive presence in the community. Karl’s experience in the military has fed and enhanced his career as an attorney. Since opening his office in 1991, Karl has been focused on getting the mission accomplished for clients. “In the military, you put the mission first. As an attorney, you put the client first to achieve a favorable result for them,” he says. He says the same laser-like attention to detail is necessary in the military and in personal injury law. In a year of constant change, the Karl Truman Law Office has been focused on accomplishing its mission while being flexible and supportive in order to meet that ultimate goal.

Keith Inman says...

Things may be a bit tense at home right now, and hopes Kosair Charities can connect parents and caregivers with ideas for reducing stress, managing the chaos at home, and having fun with their family.

Pictured: Kosair Charities Sam Swope Centre Campus on Eastern Parkway. Kosair Charities enhances the health and well-being of children by delivering financial support for healthcare, research, education, social services, and child advocacy. Submitted photo

Sam Swope Centre Campus 982 Eastern Parkway Louisville, KY 40217

East Campus

9810 Bluegrass Parkway Louisville, KY 40229

Shelbyville Campus 512 Main Street Shelbyville, KY 40065

(502) 637-7696

osair Charities is the safety net for all children in the community,” says president Keith Inman. While this has long been the case in the organization’s 97-year-history, it is especially true during COVID-19, a time that has brought considerable change and stress to families and children within the Kentuckiana region. While COVID shut down schools and many businesses, Kosair Charities’ staff has continued to work remotely. Its funding has been on-going to assist organizations that have had to pivot in order to help kids get through this global crisis. “We’re working alongside our grant recipients to help them re-imagine how their organizations can continue fulfilling their mission,” Inman said. Some organizations have needed assistance to replace lost revenue; others need assistance to purchase equipment or technology to help meet safety protocols and physical distancing guidelines. The repercussions of the pandemic will likely be wide-ranging and long term. Inman realizes things may be a bit tense at home right now, and hopes Kosair Charities can connect parents and caregivers with ideas for reducing stress, managing the chaos at

home, and having fun with their family. These resources are part of The Face It Movement to end child abuse and neglect, founded in 2013 by Kosair Charities and facilitated by Kentucky Youth Advocates. Kosair Charities has joined over 100 partner organizations across the state in these efforts. Kosair Charities also partners with others across the state. Inman says Kosair Charities has helped the Manchester, Kentucky, Volunteers of America in its efforts to assist addicted expectant mothers and their babies. Pikeville Medical Center and the Shriners Hospital for Children Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, have also benefited from Kosair Charities’ grants. Kosair Charities also helps families pay for medical costs for children under 17 through their Kosair Kids® Financial Assistance Program. In a time of job losses and income interruptions, it is likely that families will have an even greater need for the help that Kosair Charities can provide. Inman says Kosair Charities will continue to focus on improving the lives of all children across the Commonwealth as it has done for 97 years. “We will not stop until all children can grow up happy, healthy, and safe.”

Kosair.org

CHANGE. ADAPT. ADJUST. We’re Changing Louisville & Southern Indiana / Today’s Woman / September 2020

CHANGE. ADAPT. ADJUST.

Marissa Rainey says...

We continue to do everything we can on our end to make patients and staff as safe and comfortable as possible.

Hand Specialist Dr. Nicholas Foeger recently joined the staff of Louisville Orthopaedic Clinic.

4130 Dutchman’s Lane, Suite 300 Louisville, KY 40207

(502) 897-1794 Northgate Medical Center 3605 Northgate Court, Suite 207 New Albany, IN 47150

(812) 920-0408 LouOrtho.com Richard Sweet, MD George Quill Jr., MD Scott Kuiper, MD Ty Richardson, MD Robert Goodin, MD J. Steve Smith, MD Venu Vemuri, DO

Madhu Yakkanti, MD William Sligar, MD John Lewis, MD Aaron Compton, MD R. Alex Sweet II, MD Nicholas Foeger, MD, PhD

n a year when everything has become more complicated, from grocery shopping to online meetings, patients experiencing musculoskeletal pain want to be seen by surgeons they trust. With the addition of Hand Specialist Dr. Nicholas Foeger to its practice, Louisville Orthopaedic Clinic can comprehensively treat patients in a way that combines compassion and convenience. Dr. Foeger brings a unique set of experiences to his care of patients. He completed his residency at the University of Hawaii, which helped him become aware and appreciative of the burdens that health care can place on patients. “People in [the Midwest] are willing to drive a fair distance for good care. In Hawaii, you can’t drive two to three hours to see your surgeon; you have to fly. If you live on Maui or the big island, simple things like a wound check or getting stitches out is a big deal. It’s several hundred dollars and a whole day given over to flying. It forces you to be more cognizant of the burden you’re asking people to undertake,” he says. That focus on the financial, logistical, and emotional needs of patients is critical. As a hand surgeon, Dr. Foeger also recognizes how important the hands are to everyday living. “As

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com / We’re Changing Louisville & Southern Indiana

a surgeon, my hands are key to my job. We use our hands every day to interact with the world. If you have various conditions that affect the hand, whether it is arthritis, carpal tunnel, or you break your hand or wrist from an accident, it’s really incapacitating,” he says. “I can certainly empathize with my patients.” Dr. Foeger completed a hand surgery fellowship at Virginia Tech after his residency. With this experience, he is able to manage carpal tunnel, trigger finger and other similar conditions, trauma fractures, and flap surgery. “We not only take care of the hands, fingers, and wrist, but if someone needs extra tissue to help cover a wound, that’s something I can provide,” he says. Louisville Orthopaedic Clinic prides itself on being a private practice that patients trust. Its success depends on its clients being satisfied with their care and returning should they need surgery down the road and referring their family and friends. It is for this reason, especially during COVID-19, says Director of Marketing Marissa Rainey, that the practice is offering a wide array of options to meet patients where they are, whether that means an in-person visit with face coverings, a telehealth appointment, or a phone call.

Kim Allgeier says...

We’re looking at it from the lens of how parents are living now, having their children home most of the time. How can we set them up to be successful?

Education staff (left to right): Jami Fowler, Kathleen Johnson, McKenzie Gollar, Julie Baker, and Kim Allgeier with a few of the Zoo’s ambassador animals. The Louisville Zoo is creating online classes to provide children and their parents a chance to see animals and learn about their diversity.

he Louisville Zoo is, of course, thinking about its brown bears, its flamingos, and its tapirs, but it is also spending a lot of time thinking about Kentuckiana parents. When it comes to the educational programs the Zoo is planning, “We’re looking at it from the lens of how parents are living now, having their children home most of the time. How can we set them up to be successful?” asks Education Curator Kim Allgeier. Some early childhood programming is in development, which includes a virtual component online paired with a booklet that can be worked on at home as well as used as a resource when the family visits the Zoo using the new ticket reservation system. This program is aimed at helping ensure children are ready for kindergarten when the time comes.

1100 Trevilian Way Louisville, KY 40213

(502) 459-2181 LouisvilleZoo.org

Another program that allowed families to have up-close encounters (via computer) is Zoo Live! What made this program unique is that it was a 30-minute pop-in class that gave both children and their parents a chance to see animals in a way they didn’t usually if they came to the Zoo. Animal keepers showed all sorts of neat characteristics of the animals to registered program attendees. “We made the animal every day a surprise, which was fun for us. The kids didn’t know what

animal they were going to see,” Kim says. By being online, the Louisville Zoo was able to extend its reach to families that may not be able to attend the in-person summer programming that the Zoo has typically always offered in the past. The MetaZoo is a big part of the educational component at the Louisville Zoo at all times but especially now during COVID-19. A number of animals make up the ambassador animal collection. These small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians are used to being handled, which benefits children and families who get to see the animals in online encounters and also the animals themselves. “We’re making every effort to use them in programming because it is good enrichment for them,” Kim says. Whether it is the hedgehog, an Argentine black and white tegu, or a chinchilla, families are still able to see the wealth of diversity that is housed in the Zoo. The Louisville Zoo has always been a place for children and families to learn, but with COVID-19 it is having to be creative in how they provide this education. The Zoo is working to help parents who need to become their child’s teacher as well as giving them opportunities to learn beside their child as a family. They look forward to premiering more education programming for families this fall.

CHANGE. ADAPT. ADJUST. We’re Changing Louisville & Southern Indiana / Today’s Woman / September 2020

CHANGE. ADAPT. ADJUST.

Dr. Rana Mays says...

Mays Dermatology has a policy of fitting in patients the same day for their skin concerns, especially for issues like unusual moles, growing lesions, and urgent rashes.

Rana Mays, MD, FAAD, Board Certified Dermatologist at Mays Dermatology, is working to end the long wait to see a dermatologist as a result of the pandemic.

n a year when personal health is on everyone’s mind, it is important to give oneself peace of mind. Due to the backlog of appointments resulting from COVID-19 and shortage of board certified dermatologists, individuals with skin issues may be concerned that they will have an even longer wait to see a board certified dermatologist for their skin needs. At Mays Dermatology, Dr. Rana Mays and her staff have worked to change the time it takes to get dermatologic relief. “Six to nine months is the average amount of time it takes to see a board-certified dermatologist physician in our area,” Dr. Mays says, and for a condition like skin cancer, such a long wait can be the difference between a complete recovery and a shortened life expectancy.

241 Sears Avenue, Suite #103 Louisville, KY

(502) 384-6544 MaysDerm.com

Mays Dermatology has a policy of fitting in patients the same day as much as possible, especially for issues like unusual moles, rashes, and plantar warts, which are painful and can impede mobility. Improving access is also why Mays Dermatology carries many types of generic prescription medications on-site. Patients don’t have to bother with a pharmacy visit and can begin treatment as soon as they get home or even

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com / We’re Changing Louisville & Southern Indiana

before they leave the office, which can mean immediate relief for a patient with an itchy, poison ivy rash or shingles. “A lot of times, generics can be very costly despite insurance coverage. We partner with a pharmacy and pass savings directly onto our patients to avoid additional time and cost,” Dr. Mays says. When people think of dermatologists, they commonly think of skin, but hair and nails are also under their purview. Dr. Mays says people whose hair begins to thin or fall out may not realize that there are over 150 causes of hair loss. She recommends a consultation with a board certified dermatologist for hair loss to determine the exact diagnosis and treatment options. Sometimes a biopsy and lab work is involved. Dr. Mays also sees patients for full skin cosmetic consultations and directs their course of treatment, which ultimately saves patients both time and money. Too often, women go into department stores or makeup counters and purchase items they think will work for their skin type and conditions, only to find that they’ve spent time on products that don’t work or they don’t actually like. Consulting with a board certified dermatologist results in targeted treatment that helps clients meet their cosmetic goals better and faster.

Roberta Steutermann says...

When you talk to the elders, it’s ‘Live for today. Live where we are.’ That’s what we’re trying to do for them.

Pictured is Roberta Steutermann, director of development of Nazareth Home. The Nazareth Homes Foundation begins its annual fundraising campaign this month and will be a participant in Give For Good on September 17.

f you are a member of the Catholic community in Louisville or attended a Catholic school, you’ve likely been impacted by the spirit and mission of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. So many important institutions in the city were founded by the sisters, including Presentation Academy, Nazareth College (we now know it as Spalding University), and the House of Ruth. Nazareth Home is another historic Louisville institution that prides itself on providing compassionate personal, memory, and long-term care. Nazareth Home has felt a double impact from COVID-19, as both a provider of care for elders and as a non-profit.

2000 Newburg Rd Louisville, KY

(502) 459-9681 2120 Payne St Louisville, KY

(502) 895-9425 NazHome.org

Due to public health lockdowns, staff has worked to ensure elders’ social needs are met utilizing technology, including its iN2L cloud-based software, which allows residents to take residents anywhere in the world. “If they want to go to Paris, if they want to go to Rome, if they want to go to the street they grew up on, we can take them,” says Roberta Steutermann, Nazareth Home director of development. Residents have had lots of Facetime visits with family and friends, as well as phone calls and window visits.

But meeting elders’ holistic needs is more than just utilizing technology. It is about conversations, sharing memories, and spreading laughter even when a pandemic is happening outside. In the COVID-19 era, when everyone is worried about what is going to happen next, whether it be six days or six months from now, the elders are focused on the now. “When you talk to the elders, it’s ‘Live for today. Live where we are.’ That’s what we’re trying to do for them,” Roberta says. COVID-19 has also impacted people’s charitable giving, whether it is because they have lost jobs, had a reduction in their hours, or simply been too stressed to think about it. The Nazareth Homes Foundation, which was established in 2018, is starting its annual campaign in early September and is excited to be a participant in the Community Foundation of Louisville Give For Good day on September 17. The Catholic community has rallied around its children to promote their education, and Nazareth Home is hopeful that the same focus and commitment can be extended to the elders and grandparents of the children. The Foundation’s goals include renovations and investments in technology to ensure it can meet Louisville’s needs as the local population ages.

CHANGE. ADAPT. ADJUST. We’re Changing Louisville & Southern Indiana / Today’s Woman / September 2020

CHANGE. ADAPT. ADJUST.

Vivian Fields says...

Fairbourne Properties [Paddock Shops’ management company] has made a concerted effort to increase efficiencies and reduce costs, while still keeping the premises clean and sanitized.

Outdoor shopping at the picturesque Paddock Shops is a valuable option for shopping during the pandemic.

4055 Summit Plaza Dr Louisville, KY 40241

(502) 425-3441 PaddockShops.com

he Paddock Shops in eastern Jefferson County provides wide open spaces and fresh air between its restaurants and shops while ensuring that its management, security, and maintenance teams are practicing and promoting all public health recommendations and rules with regard to COVID-19. Like all retailers and restaurants, Paddock Shop tenants have had to modify how they operate, including adopting curbside pickup options and adding restaurant seating on the terraces and patios of the lifestyle center. Perhaps one of the biggest changes is the increase in communication to the public via its website, Facebook, and Instagram about changes to store hours and steps the retailers are taking to reduce COVID-spread. “Information to the public is vital,” says Vivian Fields, senior vice president of Fairbourne Properties, the management company of the Paddock Shops. Fairbourne Properties has made a concerted effort to increase efficiencies and reduce costs, while still keeping the premises clean and sanitized. “We had to reduce our on-site costs [so] we negotiated with Block by Block and Koch’s Landscaping while still managing to

keep the entire staff intact. They were amazing and maintained the property at an extremely high standard,” Vivian says. This attention to detail in property beautification is appreciated by shoppers, who have seen more than enough of the insides of their homes. Being in a beautiful outdoor setting with fountains and flowers while also safely shopping takes the notion of retail therapy to an all-new level. The Paddock Shops prides itself on its accreditation as a Certified Sustainable Property from the Institute of Real Estate Management. “All of the parking lot poles, the back of the house, and the decorative poles have been upgraded to LED lighting, which resulted in an energy savings of 76 percent,” Vivian says. The sprinkler system has been upgraded to conserve water, and the landscape plantings are now native species, which demand less irrigation. The Paddock Shops has new tenants in store for 2021, one of which is Malone’s. “That’s a big deal. It’s an institution for anyone that went to school in Lexington,” says David Harvey, president of Fairbourne Properties. “It will be another reason why people come to Paddock Shops.” There are three other units being built out to house major tenants to be announced soon.

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com / We’re Changing Louisville & Southern Indiana

Robin Brown says...

It comes down to being personal and taking care of people. Sometimes you take care of people just by listening to them.

Robin Brown (far left) and staff pride themselves on offering peace of mind to their clients, which has been important during the pandemic. Robin is pictured with (from l to r): Kimmie Cunningham; Cindy Linehan; and Yisandra Cespedes. Not pictured are Shelley Howe and Nathan Smothers.

4209 Shelbyville Road, Suite B Louisville, KY 40207

(502) 897-6476 RobinBrownInsurance.com

hen individuals have worked hard, they want to protect what they’ve saved and built. For many people, COVID-19 has been a mental, physical, and financial threat. Robin Brown, a State Farm agent, and her staff, have spent time listening to clients who want to keep themselves and their assets safe. “We talk to lonely or struggling people who want to chat. We’re trying to help them figure out how to get their bills paid,” Robin says. “I get a little emotional about that because it has been so hard for so many.” As the owner of her own agency, Robin knows firsthand the stress that has come with the pandemic. She had her staff work remotely, and she came into the office, where she realized how lonely it was not having interaction with her colleagues inperson. “When all this started, I was in such a panic about what it was going to do with my team. Was I going to be able to keep everyone employed,” she says. When clients call her with their own worries, she can empathize with their situations and fear. Robin and her staff have been proactive with customers to check on their wellbeing and see if their needs have changed.

“State Farm has set up tremendous flexibility in letting people spread their premiums out. They’ve done nothing but be compassionate to our customers and agents and team members,” she says. Robin says she and her team listen, honor, and respect all of their clients and find out what is most important to them. Protecting a family’s biggest asset, their earning capability, is what drives us and keeps us in touch with customers. Despite the pandemic, Robin and her team continue looking for all that is wonderful about Louisville, and there is so much. “I’m a great ambassador for Louisville. We meet a lot of people from out of state who transfer here, and I love to talk about all the positive things and all the things you can do to be engaged in our community,” she says. But the most important way the Robin changes Louisville for the better is by making insurance “personal,” which may not seem like it would be that important but is. “You benefit people by peace of mind, and that’s what we do,” she says. In a year like 2020, we could all use a little more peace of mind.

CHANGE. ADAPT. ADJUST. We’re Changing Louisville & Southern Indiana / Today’s Woman / September 2020

CHANGE. ADAPT. ADJUST.

Cindy Bratcher says...

The residents have been wonderful. This may have been a new pandemic for us, but they have gone through war and depression, and they know there is a duty that has to be done.

Symphony at Valley Farms’ new Executive Director Cindy Bratcher came into her position in the midst of COVID-19 and has seen the staff and residents step up to the plate to keep everyone safe.

10201 Valley Farms Blvd Louisville, KY

(502) 937-3028 Elegance-Living.com/ Senior-Living/Ky/Louisville/ Symphony-Valley-Farms

oing into a new position at a new place of employment always brings with it a case of nerves, but doing it during the height of COVID-19 could take one’s nerves to an entirely different level. Fortunately for Cindy Bratcher, Symphony at Valley Farm’s new executive director, she entered a loving, caring community that welcomed her with open arms just as it does its residents. With experience in assisted living and memory care, Cindy was excited at the prospect of working in personal care. “Personal care is more of the new wave that we’re offering,” Cindy says. “With assisted living and memory care, there are some limitations.” For example, in personal care unlike assisted living, nurses are on staff 24 hours a day and can provide injections to residents who have diabetes. Certified medical technicians can deliver medication to residents. What this increased care means for residents is that they are able to stay in personal care longer than they might in other forms of senior care. “It lets you stay in more of a home setting for a longer period of time,” she says. Cindy was drawn to the industry because of a love and respect for seniors. “It is a privilege just because of the people. The residents you

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com / We’re Changing Louisville & Southern Indiana

interact with are some of the most interesting people. I’ve met one of the first Rosie Riveters, authors, people who worked for NASA. It’s incredible the stories that they tell,” she says. Speaking with seniors about their experiences is a priceless experience for her. With COVID-19, Cindy says staff launched into protective mode, doing everything they could to ensure the residents are safe. She takes pride not only in the steps the administrators and caregivers have taken, but in the dedication of residents to the common cause. “The residents have been wonderful. This may have been a new pandemic for us, but they have gone through war and depression, and they know there is a duty that has to be done,” she says. While that duty hasn’t been easy, she has seen the spirit of community at work. In her new role, Cindy wants to continue the long-held tradition of offering high quality care. She likes processes, procedures, and efficiencies and wants to ensure life runs smoothly. “Symphony at Valley Farms has extremely high expectations of their staff, but they can live up to those expectations,” she says. “It is an honor to pull up every day to this community.”

Kelsey Spaulding says...

[Hair loss] can be traumatic. Some women with thinning hair or hair loss will consider the idea of alternative hair or look on the Internet for years before they ever walk into a store.

Pictured are owners Kelsey Spaulding (left) and Candy Slade (center) and client Madison Fitch (seated). “When I was diagnosed with alopecia at [age] 17, I never thought I would have shaved my head and worn a wig,” Madison says. “Now at 21, I can’t get enough of them. The Wig Shoppe is the reason for that. They helped me build so much confidence. They take so much time to truly make their clients happy and comfortable in the shop.”

1253 S. Hurstbourne Pkwy Louisville, KY 40222

(502) 412-8810 TheWigShoppe.com

his year has been all kinds of stressful. Women experiencing hair loss have the added struggle of finding wigs or hairpieces to restore their self-image and move their lives forward during the pandemic. The Wig Shoppe owners Kelsey Spaulding and Candy Slade have altered how they assist women as they work to help normalize hair loss, which Kelsey says is a “confidence squasher.” In order to protect their vulnerable clients who may be immunocompromised as well as to meet state public health guidelines, The Wig Shoppe has added the option of phone and virtual consultations so that clients know what to expect when they come into the store. Many customers are finding the in-person appointment option also provides more privacy, which they appreciate. While many people immediately think of chemotherapy as a reason for hair loss, there are many causes. Alopecia, hormonal changes, heredity, and trichotillomania, a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder, are just some of the things that can make women seek the professional assistance of The Wig Shoppe. “[Hair loss] can be traumatic. Some women with thinning

hair or hair loss will consider the idea of alternative hair or look on the Internet for years before they ever walk into a store,” Kelsey says. All consultations and appointments are free of charge. “We always want women to know it’s very laid-back and no pressure. If you find a wig, great. We’re here to show you how to put it on and get it fitted and trimmed. If you decide you don’t want a wig, that’s great, too,” Kelsey says. The staff can make note of items customers like in case they decide down the road that they do want to invest in a wig. With all of the changes the year has brought, Kelsey and Candy strive to support the women with hair loss in Kentuckiana who continue to be teachers, doctors, students, public speakers, stay-at-home moms, and office workers. “These incredible, powerful, amazing women in our community are still going out and doing their jobs. They don’t skip a beat,” Kelsey says. She says it is the women that The Wig Shoppe works with and helps that are the ones changing Louisville for the better. Kelsey and Candy, and their staff of professionals, are a small part of making this change happen by restoring confidence.

CHANGE. ADAPT. ADJUST. We’re Changing Louisville & Southern Indiana / Today’s Woman / September 2020

CHANGE. ADAPT. ADJUST.

Steve Tarver says...

A lot of people call the Y a family. It’s not only our obligation to care for the people who come to the Y, but also to inspire them to care for each other.

YMCA President/CEO Steve Tarver says the YMCA has had to modify the way in which some services are provided, while some services never missed a beat.

Multiple locations in Greater Louisville & Southern Indiana

502.587.9622 YMCALouisville.org

n its 167 years, the YMCA of Greater Louisville has always been about people.

as well as sanitizing and physical distancing protocols, which will likely be how things are done well into the future. To reduce touch points in its facilities, members now keep a sanitizing spray bottle with them and keep it the entire time they work out. Various activities, including lap swimming and Kids’ Club, have a reservation system to ensure safety guidelines are maintained.

While many of the YMCA’s programs had to close for a time, not everything was canceled. “We were honored to be part of the statewide network of YMCAs that were called on by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services to do child care for essential workers,” Tarver says. “Safe Place Services, a teen shelter for kids who are in trouble or on the street, never missed a night, and we have a men’s housing program at our Chestnut Street Y that stayed open.” YMCA staff made thousands of welfare calls as well as offered virtual academic support, crafts, and physical activity to its members.

The YMCA has had to modify how it delivers its chronic disease programs such as Livestrong, since many clients in that population are at higher risk for COVID-19. “We are talking about making the virtual experience a permanent part of our delivery system. We’re building an infrastructure to support that right now,” Tarver says.

If COVID-19 has taught YMCA leaders and staff anything, it is how deeply we need human connection in times of great societal stress and change. Even though the world feels different now, “our mission has been to love and serve others, and that part will stay intact,” says YMCA President Steve Tarver.

As an organization focused on health and wellness, it is a logical step for the YMCA of Greater Louisville to take COVID-prevention strategies seriously, especially masking. It has implemented masking requirements,

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com / We’re Changing Louisville & Southern Indiana

Also, widespread protests against racism have made YMCA leadership recommit to seeing health as more than just treadmills and exercise classes. “Health is connected to education, transportation, food security, housing, and access to good quality medical care,” he says. “The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation called racism a public health issue.” The organization is promoting community dialogues and both internal and external training.

THANK YOU to all of the businesses and organizations featured in the Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Changing Louisville & Southern Indiana section for being ready to...

CHANGE. ADAPT. ADJUST. WE ARE committed to be part of the solution. WE WILL ensure we continue to celebrate women of all races in print and online. WE WILL continue to expand our distribution sites throughout underserved areas of our community. WE WILL expand our sponsorship of events that encourage inclusivity and diversity. WE WILL be open to feedback from you, our readers and followers, on how we can help make our community the place in which we love to live, safely and freely.

MENTAL HEALTH MOMENT: RELEASING NEGATIVE SELF-TALK IN FAVOR OF POSITIVE SELF-CARE By Tonilyn Hornung

“Did I lock the front door?” “I aced that exam!” “These jeans make my ankles look goofy.” That’s just a small sampling of the thoughts that can run through our heads. These thoughts are positive, negative, or anywhere in between, but sometimes negative backchatter can outtalk the rest. This can lead us to withhold the kindness we deserve. The good news is, you can create new habits, which will support a more positive headspace and a healthier you. “Alright, how can I do that?” your mind asks. Setting up a good ol’ fashioned self-care routine is a great way to start. Self-care is a popular term that’s used often but not always clearly defined. Malissa Thompson, licensed physical therapist specializing in Myofascial Release & CranioSacral Therapy and owner of Revive Health and Wellness, describes it as “the practice of taking action to preserve or improve our health.” She goes on to say that this means engaging in both the physical and the emotional aspects of our own wellbeing. “We have a lot of tools within that can really empower us to feel better,” Malissa says.

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

One of these tools is to incorporate your own interests into your self-care practice. Dr. Jacquelyn Gilles, psychologist and executive director of Mandala House in Louisville, says that anything that nourishes, recharges, or tends to help you mentally, physically, spiritually, or interpersonally is on the table for supporting you and your emerging self-care regimen. This means that the sky’s the limit when it comes to exploring new avenues and trying out new activities. While you’re on your quest for an empowering practice, your mind might jump in and say, “I’ll never find anything that’ll work for me.” That cranky talk is yet again putting the brakes on your desire to treat yourself with loving care. “Negative self-talk is that endless stream of unspoken thoughts that run around in our heads. At times those thoughts are on autopilot, but when we recognize them then we can address them,” Malissa says.

STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT SOME OF THE PERKS OF HAVING A CONSISTENT SELF-CARE HABIT INCLUDE IMPROVED MOOD AND INCREASED POSITIVE THINKING.

Photo by Melissa Donald

k Dr. Jacquelyn Gilles and Dr. Beth Simon, both from the Mandala House, offer mental health services, research, and consultation.

Speaking negatively to ourselves is a deterrent to our well-being. Dr. Gilles says that this kind of talk can “get in the way of getting our needs met, meeting our goals, and living in accordance with our personal values.” A way to recognize this chatter is to “ask ourselves what we are thinking and draw those thoughts into our consciousness,” Dr. Gilles says. “This sets us on the path to awareness, and that’s when change can take place.” Malissa says to ask yourself this question, “‘Is this thought serving me?’ If the answer is no, then you can replace it with something more appropriate or more positive.” “OK, then,” your mind says, “how can I start this self-care thing?” Experiment with activities or modalities that appeal to you like taking walks in nature, cooking, or playing a sport. These are all ways that promote well-being. For those looking for a little more inspiration, Malissa suggests working with your breathing. “It helps reconnect us and keep us present. Go through this sequence five times: Breathe in for a count of four, hold for a count of two, and breathe out for a count of seven. It’s simple and helps calm the mind.” It’s good to note that while trying out new strategies your healing time doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. Dr. Beth Simon, psychologist and supervision and training coordinator for Mandala House, says, “It’s important to remember that we are talking about self-care, and because humans are unique individuals, this will likely look different for each person.” So put on your best explorer gear and be patient with yourself while you search for an outlet that resonates. It’s a good plan to check in with how you feel after each activity. Do you feel recharged, nurtured, or more grounded? When you connect with a ritual that works, this will become a cornerstone to establishing an essential component of your ever-evolving self-care journey. Studies have shown that some of the perks of having a consistent self-care habit include improved mood and increased positive thinking. “Some of the benefits that we see are people getting their needs met, meeting their goals, participating in healthier relationships, and experiencing decreased burnout,” Dr. Gilles says. This is due to maintaining an established practice. “Having self-care routines already in place before we need them can help to avoid crises. Schedule time to engage in the activities that you find replenishing,” Dr. Simon says. “Self-care is the act of listening carefully to the self and making efforts to meet one’s own needs,” Dr. Simon says. Caring for ourselves may look different for everyone but will feel good to all. Establishing a consistent practice brings new levels of awareness and an opportunity to treat yourself with the care and kindness you deserve. Today’s Woman / September 2020

THE BIG TABLE:

RICH CONVERSATION/ DIVERSE GROUPS By Megan M. Seckman

globalhumanproject.net

‘When was the first time you were aware of your race? What advantages or disadvantages have you had because of race in your life?’ And, ‘Within your sphere of influence, what action could you take to create more racial equity?’” Unfortunately, a little pandemic put the brakes on this important event. Social distancing mandates have furthered the divide and made it impossible to sit together at a table with people outside our bubbles. Cathy has hosted several Covid-appropriate Courageous Conversations on Race via zoom each Sunday at 7pm but is looking for creative ways to cultivate more participation.

After the inauguration in 2017, Cathy Berkey was troubled over how polarized our society had become. The divisiveness in our country had become palpable, creating a crevasse so wide we couldn’t see our family, friends, and community members on the other side. We had all retreated to our insular bubbles, our echo chambers of like-minded allies who amplified our own points of view. Cathy, who had recently moved to Louisville from San Francisco, wanted to build a bridge to bring various sectors of the community together again. “We lack ‘we spaces’ — neutral zones for gathering that give us permission to talk,” Cathy said. “The only way through this time is to stop advocating, to park our own points of views at the door, and to listen to others.” So, she called up her friend Jud Hendrix, executive director of Interfaith Paths to Peace, to brainstorm some ideas for uniting our community through productive dialogue. Jud and Cathy wondered, what is the best way to bring people together and get them to listen to one another? That is when they found their answer: Dialogue starts over food. And that is where the annual The Big Table was born. Each year, in a park across the city, Cathy and Jud host one of the world’s largest potlucks.

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

Last year, over 1,800 community members gathered at 350 tables lined up across Iroquois Park. Groups gather in parties of eight, intentionally designed to intermingle diverse groups. A host at each table facilitates a rich conversation by reading from a deck of cards created by Jud. Each question is designed to go beyond cultural and socioeconomic differences to initiate a meaningful conversation. “Jud put his heart and soul into these cards that ask questions like: ‘If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, life, the future, or anything else, what would you want to know?’ These questions help people find ways to sit down together again and figure out what unites us. “Our biggest question when we plan the next event is always ‘who else?’” says Cathy, who has a background in organizational development. “We want to make sure that all sectors of the community have a seat at the table. We contact as many organizations that represent as many types of people possible.” This past October, those at The Big Table decided what was missing were conversations about things that divide us. “The Big Table unites, so we decided to host an event called Courageous Conversations on Race and gear our table leaders’ questions toward racial equity, Cathy says. “The questions facilitate that dialogue, such as:

In our current crisis, the call for courageous conversations around racial equity in our city could not be more important. “This concept is first about self-reflection,” Cathy explains. “We want people to discuss what their lived experience is. Your lived experience creates your values, decisions, and world views. You can’t argue with someone’s life experience, but you can begin to empathize with them. Our method is empowering people to get one step closer to racial equity. At an event in 2018, one of our hosts brought a group of black students from the west end. One student said it was the first time they ‘sat next to a white person that didn’t act like I was going to jump them.’ The kids and the adults at the table kept in contact well after the event. If that’s the minimum we can do, come on, what else can we accomplish?” If you have ideas as to how to continue The Big Table or Courageous Conversations on Race, contact Cathy at 502.619.9390 or cathy.berkey@ gmail.com

We Must Keep Swimming By Bob Mueller

o often we think of ourselves as freestanding and in charge, because we have the simple blessing of being able to go where we want. But we are as rooted as shrubs and trees and flowers, in an unseen soil that is everywhere. It’s just that our roots move. Certainly, we make our own decisions, dozens every day, but we are nourished in those decisions by the very ground we walk and by the quiet teachers we encounter everywhere. Yet in our pride and confusion, in our self-centeredness and fear, we often miss the teachers and feel burdened and alone. A simple fish nosing its way along the bottom is in itself a profound teacher, and like the deepest teachers, it doesn’t even know it is teaching. Yet in its tiny, efficient gill lives the mystery of how to live as a spirit on earth. As we all know, by swimming, the smallest fish takes in water, and its gill turns that water into the air by which it lives. Though there are biological details that explain the mechanics of this, it is, in essence, a mystery. The question is, “What in us is our gill?” Is it our heart, our mind, our spirit, or a mix of all three? Whatever it is, like the smallest fish, we must turn water into air in order to live, which for us means turning our experience into something that can sustain us. It means turning pain into wonder, heartache into joy. Nothing else matters, and just like fish we must keep swimming to stay alive. We must keep swimming through the days. We cannot stop the flow of experience or the need to take it in. Rather, all our efforts must go into learning the secret of the gill, the secret of transforming what we go through into air. So what is your gill? For me, it is my heart, and love becomes the unseen trail I leave behind. But whatever it might be for you, it is more important to swim through the days and honor

the gill inside you than to figure out how it all works. Whether through birds in snow, or geese honking in the dark, or though the brilliant wet leaf that hits your face the moment you are questioning your worth, the quiet teachers are everywhere. When we think we are in charge, their lessons dissolve as accidents or coincidence. But when brave enough to listen, the glass that breaks across the room is offering us direction that can only be heard in the roots of how we feel and think. My wife Kathy and I love to rescue dogs. Currently every night at our home it’s a three dog night. We have Sadie our lhasa apso, Georgie our Cavalier King Charles spaniel, and Tigger, our malti-poo. Day by day these three teach us. Day by day I come to understand their sheer, complete, and constant presence. I never knew anything to be so thoroughly involved in the moment at hand, so innocently devoted to whatever is before them. If they are rolling in grass, the world is the grass and the feel of the roll. If they circle the rug to lie down, life is solely the want to curl and sigh. I envy our three dogs’ ability to be completely wherever they are. I have come to understand how they know the world through touch, primarily through their mouths. Without the hesitation that plagues us humans, they stick their snouts into everything, and this immediate knowledge of things gives them joy. Our little threesome, incapable of words, teach me that there is an inexpressible feeling of foundation that comes from staying directly connected to the earth, a humility that comes from directly touching whatever we are experiencing. This direct connection helps bring things alive and it is so refreshing. In this way, the energy of the world floods through whatever moment we dare to enter fully. Bob Mueller is the Mission & Stewardship Officer at Hosparus Health www.bobmueller.org Today’s Woman / September 2020

Try Smoked Salmon Story and Photo by Madeleine Dee

s there anything better than a fresh New York everything bagel with cream cheese and lox? Well, yeah, but isn't it one of life's most perfect simple pleasures? I could eat my weight in what we often refer to as smoked salmon, which is actually cured, meaning that the fish is prepared via one of a number of methods that use salt, sugar, and a nitrite to draw out moisture that would quickly cause spoilage, thereby giving your meat a longer shelf life. The science behind it is fascinating, but involves talking about bacteria, and you don't want to hear about that while you're drooling over lox. There's evidence that humans have been curing proteins for thousands of years, dating back to times when harsh winters were often deadly and fresh, nutritious food wasn't guaranteed. It's a wonderful thing that our ancestors discovered how to cure — a plentiful brunch in a temperature-controlled room with a mimosa from my fridge just wouldn't be the same without a complete disregard for the hardships of those who came before me.

THE SEASONED CYNIC'S HOMEMADE LOX INGREDIENTS: • 2 lb. center cut of fresh Atlantic salmon, skin on, pin bones removed • 3 cups Kosher salt • 3 cups granulated sugar • Soy sauce (regular, do not use that low sodium garbage *smacks you with newspaper*) • Zest of 1 lemon • Dried herbs and spices (I like the combination of dried dill, ground cumin, and garlic powder)

DIRECTIONS: 1. Gently rinse your salmon with cool water, then pat dry with a paper towel. 2. In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the salt and sugar. Pour 1/3 into a deep, wide container, spread it out evenly, and lay your salmon on top. Set the rest of the sugar and salt mixture aside. 3. Coat the surface of the salmon with soy sauce. Don't go crazy here. 4. Drink a mimosa. Daydream about brunch tomorrow. 5. Sprinkle the salmon with lemon zest, then apply liberal layers of the dried spices and herbs you've decided to use. Again, don't go crazy — you still want to be able to see the fish! 6. Grab the sugar and salt you set aside, give it another good mix, then pour it on top of the salmon. Gently pat it around until you can't see the fish anymore.

Madeleine Dee (AKA The Seasoned Cynic) is a chef, writer, world traveler, and filmmaker who lives in Louisville. Watch her cooking show, Easy Elegance, on YouTube! Instagram: @TheSeasonedCynic ~ Website: TheSeasonedCynic.com

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

7. Cover with a flat plate that is larger than the salmon but smaller than the container, then add something heavy on top, like several large canned goods or a couple six packs of beer. Within reason, add as much weight as you can. 8. Chill in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Your lox should be perfect after 12-16 hours, but if your salmon is especially thick, it can be left to cure longer. 9. Gently rinse the sugar and salt from the salmon with cool water, then pat it dry. Use a long, sharp knife to shave off thin slices. Layer on top of a toasted bagel with lots of cream cheese, red onion, lemon juice, and fresh dill. Enjoy.

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / September 2020

HOME

Get more information from our home advisors: My Southern Home: mysouthernhometv.com (p.55) Red Edge Realty: mettsregroup.com (p. 59) Bliss Home: blisshomefurniture.com (p. 61) Kitchen Tune-Up: kitchentuneup.com (p. 63)

CREATING

NEW HOMES By Carrie Vittitoe Photos submitted

PAGE 54 >>

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

WOMAN

POWER

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / September 2020

HOME

t the construction site, rebar rises toward the sky from horizontal concrete slabs on the ground. Pallets of Tyvek Homewrap lay on the ground, ready to be installed once the house has been framed. An enthusiastic group of women with drills and hammers huddle together to discuss their plan for the day’s build.

WOMEN BUILD PROGRAM Habitat for Humanity has long been an organization that helps women become homeowners. While single men and two-parent families have certainly benefited from Habitat’s help, Rob Locke, Habitat for Humanity Louisville’s CEO, says if you look at the full demographic list, the majority of Habitat homebuyers have been single moms. In years past, Habitat had been making steady progress toward getting its Women Build program to not just involve women in the actual building of a home but for women’s charitable giving to fully fund the construction of that home. Of course, anyone in nonprofit work will tell you there are ebbs and flows to programs and plans. Board members come and go, as do volunteers. People’s finances and their ability to donate change for a variety of reasons. This year’s 100th anniversary of suffrage in the United States, though, has been a reminder to Habitat for Humanity of just how integral its role in female empowerment is. “Using the ministry of Habitat to empower women is just baked into our DNA. There’s always been women leaders on our job sites. Our construction department is currently led by a woman,” Rob says. In 2020, the organization is refocusing its efforts to make its Women Build stronger than ever.

PAGE 56 >> September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

“HABITAT HOMEOWNERS ARE THE SINGLE LARGEST REVENUE STREAM THAT WE HAVE. FAMILIES MAKING THEIR ZEROINTEREST MORTGAGE PAYMENTS LITERALLY HELP BUILD THEIR NEIGHBOR’S HOUSES.” — ROB LOCKE

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / September 2020

HOME

THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF HABITAT HOMEOWNERSHIP Despite its long history in Louisville, there remain some misconceptions about Habitat for Humanity’s programs. The organization does not give away houses for free. Applicants for Habitat home buying complete an extensive loan application, and while they can get assistance completing those forms from Habitat staff to ensure they are filled out completely, Rob says these applications get the same kind of scrutiny as what a bank would give. The individuals who buy newly built or renovated Habitat homes have to put in sweat equity of up to 400 hours actually working on Habitat houses, whether that be screwing in drywall, painting, or laying floorboards. While Habitat home buyers have zero interest loans, they pay the mortgage on their homes each month, and they must stay in the home for a specific number of years to ensure their Habitat homes serve as wealth-building engines and not quick money-making schemes. It is also a myth that only people of color can purchase a Habitat home. Race is not a determinant for who gets approval. What the individuals who purchase Habitat homes have in common is an experience somewhere along the line of marginalization. There are three criteria that all Habitat home buyers have to meet. First, they must need affordable housing. “If you already own your own home and you’re not cost-burdened, you’re probably not a good fit,” Rob says.

When it comes to income, Habitat home buyers must make between 30-80 percent varying median income, which comes to anywhere from $17,000 to $50,000 per year, although this depends on family size. “The vast majority of our home buyers have earned under 50 percent varying median income,” Rob says. The last piece of the Habitat home-buying puzzle is that home buyers have to partner with Habitat to both build their own home and learn the nittygritty of home-buying and owning. Pre-COVID-19, home buyers took inperson classes to gain information about budgeting, interest on loans, Metro Louisville services, home repair, and property owner rights; since March, these classes, which run for eight weeks, have been done via Zoom.

WOMEN HELPING WOMEN Habitat typically has 20 new builds each year, and 20 repair/renovation properties, but it would like to see these increase to 25/25. “It would be phenomenal if at least one of those 25 would be fully funded and built by women,” Rob says. He would love to see a women’s group, or a number of women’s groups, whether it is women in construction, manufacturing, or a social organization, come together to create a true women-built home each year. “This kind of a project is powerful, and it’s transformative, not only for the home buyer but for the volunteers involved,” he says. “There’s a deep empowerment component.” l Woman Build projects with Habitat for Humanity bonds work force to help create a home for a woman in need.

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / September 2020

HOME

Home Improvement

Woman Style By Lorri Malone Photos by Erika Doll

ouisville-based painting contractor Dana Willouby doesn’t think you should be surprised to see women leading the way when it comes to the traditionally male-dominated field of construction and home improvement. After all, female contractors like Dana, who owns her eponymous painting company, and Alexandria Bolton, owner of construction company SheWorks LLC, have been building their own paths to success for years. “And we — women — are really good at what we do,” Dana says. “Whether men are accepting or not, we’re here to stay.” Alexandria points out that female builders are part of a natural progression in the home arts. “Women were usually the ones home to meet the contractor. Historically, you want us to tend to the home,” she says. “Then you need to let us make the decisions about the home.” Dana echoed the sentiment: “As women, we run our homes. We encourage, support, and push our families. As women, we overcome challenges.” Those challenges can be many for women trying to break through gender barriers. Dana, who said she has lost jobs due to being female, said it means women like her have to work a little harder to demonstrate the unique qualities and perspective they bring to a job. For example, she said female clients are comfortable having a female contractor in the home and appreciate her 24 years of experience, hands-on consultation, and interior design background. She also brings a demonstrated work ethic. “I will die before you outwork me,” she says, with a laugh. “Apparently, I have something to prove.” PAGE 60 >>

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

Alexandria Bolton, owner of her own construction company, poses with a ‘50s look but gets lots of work done. She has flipped more than 45 houses in this area.

“As women, we run our homes. We encourage, support, and push our families.

As women, we overcome challenges.”

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / September 2020

HOME Dana Willouby started her own business and loves the satisfaction of finishing a paint job.

“Don’t tell me I can’t do something,” says an equally determined Alexandria. “I hate the word ‘can’t.’ And when you tell me I can’t do something, that just makes me want to do it.” Like starting her own businesses and podcast. Alexandria, a 30-year-old single mom from Louisville who also owns a real estate brokerage firm, Hippo House LLC, and recently launched the podcast, Love the Agent, became interested in real estate at age 15 when she began working for an appraiser. As an adult, she had learned the operational side of the building industry while working as an office assistant for a construction company in Denver, Colorado. Along the way, she noticed a condescending attitude among male contractors when dealing with female clients. “I saw an inadequacy in the construction world where men were trying to tell you what’s what – what looks good, what works.” She said the contractors weren’t listening to the homeowner’s concerns or ideas but were instead pushing their own agendas to save time and money in order to move on to the next paying job. Inspired to start her own construction company where she could bring a decidedly female perspective to the forefront, she moved back to Louisville in 2015 and purchased 10 houses at auction to flip, or fix up and resell, for a profit. Since then, Alexandria and her crew — Sara VonRoenn, a female

contractor that works with her, an all-male construction crew, and various subcontractors — have flipped more than 45 homes in the Louisville area. Her focus is on quality construction. “You’re never going to be able to cut corners with me.” Like Alexandria, Dana, 43, became interested in her vocation as a teen, when as a high school senior, the self-described “art geek” decided to paint her bedroom. Up until that point, she hadn’t expressed interest in becoming a second-generation painter. However, once her dad, Richard Wright, who owned his own painting business, examined her handiwork, he offered her a job. “I really had no interest in what he did, but he took a look and was like, ‘OK. Want to come to work?’ So, I worked for him for nine years before going out on my own.” The married mother of two daughters, ages 20 and 15, said being your own boss and one-person crew has its perks, as far as setting your own hours and choosing which projects to take on. It also comes with an immense sense of satisfaction. “That smile at the end of the job, when they see the finished product. When they see the quality in the finished product … that is the most satisfying feeling,” she says. “I’m helping people.” And despite having so many irons in the fire with her own businesses, Alexandria, like Dana, enjoys helping others, especially women, feel empowered by sharing her tips and know-how. “It’s truly fun, she says. “I love what I do.” PAGE 62 >>

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / September 2020

HOME Photos submitted

LADIES: TO DIY OR NOT TO DIY?

Stay-at-home orders during the pandemic had many homeowners ready to tackle projects around the house. But which projects should women tackle on their own and which should they call in a professional for help? Our experts weigh in. Clean it up? Yes. Dana said if you want an easy way to spruce up your walls, a little elbow grease will do the trick, like just washing the walls and trim. “We all think we want to paint the walls, but a huge impact on the overall appearance of the room is to wash those walls and take care of your baseboards, doors, and door casings,” Dana says. “It makes the whole room look cleaner.” A good cleaning works wonders for a wholehouse makeover, too. “Sometimes for a flip, I just send the cleaning crew in,” Alexandria says. “They give it a spit-shine and essentially ‘flip’ the house by touching every corner of the house.”

Alexandria recommends clearing out landscaping that needs a refresh. “We might feel we can’t tackle it. But we can clean it up. Pull weeds, put rocks down. And go left to right as you work.” Paint it? Maybe. Dana says when it comes to painting, “People either love it or hate it. There really is no middle when it comes to painting.” So, if you hate painting or are not comfortable tackling it yourself, call a professional. “Some people are not DIY-ers, and I appreciate that. It’s perfectly fine to admit. A lot of times, I come in and have to fix DIYs.” But if you are comfortable handling a paintbrush, Alexandria says to give your front door a fresh coat of paint. “It’s one of the most fun things you can do to give your house a lift.”

Alexandria also says women are perfectly able to clean their air filters and vacuum floor vents on their own.

Tile it? Maybe. When trying something more permanent like tile, Alexandria suggests doing a practice run first by tiling a piece of wood instead of attempting the whole wall or floor. “Try it on a small scale and then call an expert if it doesn’t work out.”

Clear it out? Yes. Another way to refresh a room to make it appear larger or cleaner, according to Dana, is to declutter. “Take a minimalist approach by clearing clutter and removing items,” she says. Doing so helps with organization and clears away underlying stressors.

Electrical, plumbing, and hardwood floors. No. Alexandria is adamant about certain projects that are not good for the DIY-er: Specialty projects that are permanent like electrical work, plumbing, or refinishing hardwood floors. “Don’t even try it,” she says. “It’s not worth it, time and money-wise.”

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

Before and After (at top of page): Alexandria suggests streamlining a space to give it more of an open, airy vibe as seen here in one of her home renovation projects.

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / September 2020

Our 2020 Way to Go Woman! honorees are women age 40 and under who are changing lives, mobilizing the community, and setting new goals for the future. Find out how each of them stays motivated to rise above the challenges and follow the path to success. By Tiffany White Photos by Melissa Donald

How does Way to Go Woman! work? Women, age 40 and under are nominated by the community and selected by the editorial board of Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman.

PAGE 66 >>

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / September 2020

DeWana Hadder believes everyone has the right to have a quality education regardless of their circumstances. In 2013, DeWana partnered with educational consultants 55,000 Degrees and other community leaders to start Louisville College Signing Day — an initiative aimed at providing Black high school students and other students of color with the resources they need to enter and complete college. “Over the course of five years, we served over 5,000 Jefferson County public and private school students and provided them with opportunities to connect with their college of choice prior to leaving for college and gave away essential items necessary to be successful on campus,” she says. DeWana serves on the Associate Board of the Coalition for the Homeless and has been instrumental in supporting legislation that promotes fair housing practices.

“I became an educational activist to ensure that Black scholars have access to educational opportunities.”

PAVING THE WAY I always knew that I was created to be a solution, I just had to find my niche. Receiving an education allowed me the opportunity to become a firstgeneration graduate. When I saw that I encouraged my siblings to achieve postsecondary education, I wanted to be a voice for others. I became an educational activist to ensure that Black scholars have access to educational opportunities regardless of the backgrounds they come from. BREAKING THE MOLD Some people are OK with the way things are because it doesn’t affect them, and ‘things have always been this way,’ so they ask, ‘why change now?’ There has definitely been a shift in the last five years. LOOKING AHEAD I am researching ways to integrate my story and research in a way to continue to advocate for access to post-secondary opportunities for Black and nonBlack students of color.

DEWANA HADDER, 33 Job: Strategic Enrollment Specialist, Bellarmine University September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

Jenny Watson is in the business of helping families protect themselves from the common cold, flu, and allergies. After learning about the health benefits of elderberry syrup, she opened The Elderberry Co. two years ago and began making the syrup in her kitchen. The company’s growth has allowed Jenny to create an online retail store and open a storefront in New Albany, Indiana. Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: “Take baby steps into growing your business. Take your next right step and move forward from there. Find mentors to pour wisdom and insight into you. Make communication your highest priority when you are managing a team of people,” she says.

“You can discover and step into exactly who God created you to be.”

HER MISSION To empower families, specifically moms. Elderberry syrup empowered me as a young mom to be able to help my children get and stay healthy. I’m passionate about helping families do the same thing. I was and still am a stay-at-home mom while growing and running a BIG small business. I have had to learn balance, peace, and ways to let my kids journey alongside me as I accomplish my dreams. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE You can discover and step into exactly who God created you to be. Your family, your kids, whatever else may be holding you back from accomplishing your dreams, are not in opposition to those dreams. You can do both!

JENNY WATSON, 32 Job: CEO and Owner, The Elderberry Co. Family: Husband Michael; Zadok, (5); Quinn, (3) Today’s Woman / September 2020

Carmen Moreno-Rivera recalls an instance when emotional fortitude became her saving grace in a leadership role at United Parcel Service. “The most challenging role in my career I’ve had to tackle was working in crew scheduling at UPS Airlines. That was amplified the night after an aircraft accident in 2013. My management team and I had to focus the technicians on our tasks at hand. We had to fight through the grief to continue to serve our pilots flying in the system, the company, and each other,” she says. Carmen, who has worked in multiple managerial positions at UPS for 10 years, says the decision to move into a government position has given her an opportunity to serve her community on a greater level.

“An effective leader is someone who can adapt to the situation but still be authentic.”

KEEPING IT REAL I think an effective leader is someone who can adapt to the situation but still be authentic and genuine in her interactions. I think the most powerful words from a leader can be ‘I don’t know, but I’ll find out.’ LISTEN WITH YOUR HEART I think I exemplify leadership in my work and personal life by actively listening. I have a natural curiosity that drives me to want to understand what folks need to move forward and to work toward collaborative solutions to benefit all sides. RELATABILITY MATTERS I think bringing an authentic voice to a cause has helped me have an impact on different scales. I’ve connected with younger women on what it’s like to work in white-male-dominated environments. I’ve connected with Black people on what it’s like to work in government during times of civil unrest. I focus on learning from every experience and incorporating those lessons into my work and future plans.

CARMEN MORENO-RIVERA, 40 Job: Chief of Performance Improvement, Louisville Metro Government Family: Fiance Dee Muldrow September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / September 2020

Being a master communicator has allowed Lindsay Wehr to achieve goals in diverse industries. “The most challenging task in my career is maneuvering when to speak and when to listen. Often specific traits are put on genders, so I have learned throughout my career how to be heard when speaking, as well as listen, often as the only female leader in the room. Facing this head has required innovation, solutionbased thinking, and being brave,” she says.

“Never stay in the same space of just your own perspective.”

Lindsay began her career at General Electric Appliance Park in internal communications. Later, Lindsay worked her way up to executive director of stewardship at the University of Louisville, helping to manage operations policies and procedures through the UofL Office of Advancement. In her current role, she is responsible for developing Kosair Charities’ strategic planning. “The best part about my job is the ability to help a community and a state that I love so much. We are able to connect resources with people and [other] organizations that are helping kids, and there is no greater motivation than that.” PRIORITIZING PEOPLE I learned how crucial consistency in communication is, as well as simply listening. No matter how polite or impolite customers and audiences can be, everyone just wants to be heard. Professionally, I am proud that my goal has not simply been to advance, but to ‘go around the mountain and obtain tools for my toolbelt’ (something a mentor said to me). It means I always keep learning. TAKING CONTROL Never stay in the space of just your own perspective. If people or organizations have an alternate opinion to yours, stay curious as to why, ask questions, and learn why.

LINDSAY WEHR, 39 Job: Senior Vice President of Strategy and Outreach, Kosair Charities Family: Husband John Crable; dog Teddy; cat Miss Kitty J September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

A strong work ethic and relentlessness in her career pursuits led to Kristy Owens’ dream job. She worked as a counselor in a substance abuse center, then became a restaurant server after her daughter’s birth. The career change suited her family’s scheduling needs at the time, but after her daughter entered kindergarten, Kristy says she missed being with her during the day. Kristy’s mother-in-law told her that the dermatology office she worked for was searching for part-time clerical help, Kristy leapt at the opportunity.

“I love reaching one goal after another. I am willing to work for it.”

Eventually, she began working full-time and gained experience in many positions within the company, which allowed her to learn about the aesthetics industry. “I loved everything I was being exposed to so I put every minute I could into learning more. The practice sent me to my first laser physics and safety course. It took about three years of training before I was put into my current role. I love what I get to do every day. I am proud of myself, and I am proud to do what I do for Associates In Dermatology,” she says. HER BIG WIN Now that I have made it to a full-time treatment provider, I so appreciate the unique view I have had. I serve my patients better by knowing each role it takes to run our practice. KNOWLEDGE IS THE KEY This is an ever-evolving industry so there is always something new to learn. I am constantly taking classes and viewing webinars, updating protocols for treatment, pre-care and post-care. I am fortunate that the practice I work for has so many physicians available for me to ask questions. I love reaching one goal after another. I am willing to work for it.

KRISTY OWENS, 38 Job: Cosmetic Coordinator, Aesthetic Alternatives, a Division of Associates In Dermatology Family: Husband BJ; daughter Claire (13), stepdaughter Madalyne (19) Today’s Woman / September 2020

28 THINGS (Why 28? Because we are 28 years old!)

Happenings, news, and tidbits that caught Today’s Woman’s eye this month By Anita Oldham

one

Artistic Care ProjectUPLIFT is a collaborative art installation effort being facilitated by the Jeffersonville Public Arts Commission, created by the talented artists of the NoCo Arts Center in Jeffersonville, and championed by Clark Memorial Health and Today’s Media. The artists of the NoCo Arts and Cultural District are creating three unique pieces that will be installed in the hospital to encourage staff and patients. l

2. Artist Jennie DiBeneditto installed artwork she created using blocks and community messages at Clark Memorial Health.

Photos by Melissa Donald

Recently the NoCo Arts and Cultural District created a story trail. Two local mosaic artists — Deborah Hartmann Brownstein and Rhonda Snyder Sedam — created a custom 3’ by 8’ mosaic threshold to walk atop as guests enter the trail. And 14-year old Ava Gleitz was selected to be the first contributing writer for the trail.

TRY THIS:

SING FOR WELLNESS “I like to think of singing as something I need for my health, like exercise. Scientists have shown how singing lowers stress, improves sleep, boosts immunity, calms and energizes, and releases pain-relieving endorphins which help you feel less pain. It really doesn’t matter how it sounds, what matters is how it feels. Music heals and uplifts – however you do it.”

— Singer/songwriter Susannah B’s most recent release “Girl Gone Wilder!” is a tribute to legendary jazz composer, Alec Wilder.

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / September 2020

28 THINGS

Escape!

Looking for a place to get out of your house? We found a couple of locations that could make you feel like you had a mini-vacation close to home.

CAMP BESPOKE Camp Bespoke on 30 acres in Williamstown, Kentucky (about an hour from Louisville), is a new woman-owned glamping campground with cool partnerships and specialized services opening in October, with bookings now. Campbespoke.com

5 @progressparkky

l PROGRESS PARK 6. Progress Park Airstream Resort & Event Venue offers a glamping lake experience within the city limits of Louisville. You can stay in an airstream or a house right on the lake. Progressparkky.com

Window view from Cairo, Egypt.

k CAN’T LEAVE? 7. Just take a few minutes to see the view from another person’s window (all over the world!). window-swap.com

8-10

NEW APPRECIATION FOR YOUR HOME If you are like me, all the extra time in your house has made you take notice of some maintenance issues. I have discovered some products that you might want to know about:

Cabinet Renewal: Hides the knicks with some built in stain/paint.

Leather Renewal: Fills in color for leather that develops cracks.

Landscape: I have been using the commercial grade weed barrier to try and stop the weeds.

11. Show us your DIY and landscape projects — tag us @TodaysWomanNow.

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

28 THINGS

12-23 A SCROLLING ESCAPE

We love our instagram account and following businesses and people who are making a difference right here in our area.

@vgrits

@thegandmkitchen

@voamid

@lumi_skinbar

@thriveforestschool

@forageplants

@thepeoplesplatter

@the.hydrangea.house

@kentuckyderby

@blmlouisville

@phoenixhillflowerfarm

@taylorbeachdesigns

24. Follow Us @TodaysWomanNow or use #TodaysWomanShareIdeas so we can share you to our community.

On Our Reading List Lost Girls

How To Drag A Body and Other Safety Tips You Hope To Never Need: Survival Tricks for Hacking, Hurricanes, and Hazards Life Might Throw At You (Harper Wave; May 19, 2020)

(Touchpoint Press, July 17, 2020) Local author Ellen Birkett Morris’s new book of 17 short stories that explore the experiences of women and girls as they grieve, find love, face uncertainty, take a stand, find their future, and say goodbye to the past. Ellen is a previous writer for Today’s Woman magazine!

twenty-five

twenty-six

The book addresses the fact that women are significantly more likely to die in emergencies and natural disasters than men. Author Judith Matloff is a professor of conflict reporting at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism and safety training consultant.

27 Oxmoor

PINK WOMAN

Stop into Oxmoor Center between September 17 and October 31 to see the Wall of Hope celebrating local women who have fought hard against cancer. This special exhibit is brought to you by Oxmoor Center, working with Twisted Pink and Today’s Woman.

28.

Today’s Transitions Fall issue comes out September 4.

Today’s Woman / September 2020

MY KID AND ME DURING THIS

“GREAT PAUSE” By Tonilyn Hornung

Sitting on our couch, my 6-year-old son cuddles against my shoulder. This makes it awkward to turn the pages of my book, but that’s alright. I let my eyes linger too long on each page as I take in the sound of my son’s breathing as he reads. Time has slowed. I’m doing my best to slow down with it and be present. Not long ago I found myself rushing through parenting moments only to want them all back. When my son was in his not-sleeping phase, I couldn’t wait for his next phase — which I dreamt would be a sleeping phase. I trudged around our house half-awake leaving car keys in the freezer and frozen snacks in my handbag. I wondered when his next phase would start because it had to be easier than this one. Then one night it happened. I woke up after sleeping four full hours to find we’d entered a brand new phase: the teething phase.

As a first time parent, I was a little late to the cheese pizza party with this big light bulb moment. How many quiet moments of connection slipped by while I was dreaming of a different stage? I wanted to build a time machine out of his LEGOs and go back to appreciate all I missed. Could I get a do-over? LEARNING TO

I’M BE PRESENT WITH MY KID EVEN WHEN LIFE OUTSIDE (AND INSIDE) CAN FEEL FRANTIC AND UNCERTAIN.

When my son was in his teething phase, I couldn’t wait for his next phase — which I dreamt would be a sleeping phase. The pain of teething kept us awake at night (again), and I loped around the house covered in drool while my little guy teethed on my eyelashes. I wondered when the next phase would start because it had to be easier than this one. Then one day it happened. I woke up to my son’s toothy grin only to find we’d entered a brand new phase (if I could catch him): the toddler phase.

There were days I wished time would move faster. I mentally rushed through some of my son’s harder phases because I was sure that the next one would bring a more manageable tomorrow

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

— filled with more naps. As time kept on slipping into the future, it dawned on me that every milestone we conquered was a messy mix of beautiful, heart-melting moments sprinkled with all the tough stuff. No phase had the easy without the hard.

During the first few weeks of our COVID-19 quarantine my family’s schedule was all over the place. I was grateful to be able to shelter in place with those I loved, and yet I awoke from nightmares in which I’d cleaned my son’s homeschool homework and turned in our dirty dishes. I wondered when the next phase would start because it had to be easier than this one. That’s when I noticed that ol’ familiar pull, but being older and wiser, I took a pause.

I’m using the extra time social distancing has given us and am making the most of it — no time machine needed. I’m learning to be present with my kid even when life outside (and inside) can feel frantic and uncertain. These days, we read, sit on the porch, or take the time to cook together. I’m getting my do-over but certainly not in a way I expected. This is the bright spot I hold onto during the dark times of this phase. All these fast phases have taught me that time is fleeting. One day I’ll wake up and my son will be in his “going off to college phase,” and I don’t want to rush a single moment until then.

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / September 2020

“I Need Five…”

and other things couples are doing to cope. By Tonilyn Hornung

ouples who have been together during quarantine are feeling all the emotions — love, fear, sadness — and annoyance at whose turn it is to put away the dishes. All of these feelings are amplified because we’re confined to our homes most of the time. Without engaging in familiar outside activities like work and social events, quality time has turned into quantity time. How are couples keeping it together and surviving together during quarantine? When it comes to navigating the emotional ups and downs of relationships, small disagreements can bring a deeper understanding in a relationship. Quarantine, however, brings with it an uncommon set of stressors. If you’re noticing high stress levels in your relationship, you’re not alone. Sally Connolly, a licensed marriage and family therapist and owner of Couples Counseling of The Bliss Family has Louisville, says, “A lot of been getting better at handling the stresses of couples are having stresses COVID-19, tweaking the more intensely because of normal routines when necessary - and with the economy, losing jobs, or extra communication. being around their children a lot more.” Tyler Bliss, executive director of The Education Foundation for New Albany/ Floyd County Schools, and his wife Megan, who is a math coach for Slate Run Elementary School in New Albany, both worked from home for the first time while also homeschooling and parenting their two children, ages three and six. “The first few weeks of quarantine Megan and I were just trying to figure it out,” Tyler says. “How does this work? How do I work? How do you work? How do our kids homeschool, and how do we all stay sane?” Figuring out a doable work schedule while keeping up with the kids was key to Photo by Erika Doll building a sense of normalcy. What really helped out the Bliss family was relying on their already balanced family routine. “He takes the cooking roles, and I take the child care roles naturally, and so we continued those roles,” Megan says. Keeping that plan as a base, they moved on from there and were able to tweak when necessary. Megan and Tyler were also able to stay on top of lockdown by writing it all down. “I started writing our meetings on the white board calendar, which helped communicate our responsibilities,” says Megan. She says documenting their schedule enabled them to keep their lines of communication clear. Connolly says keeping open communication with your partner and scheduling weekly check-in meetings can help maintain a strong bond. This time can be used for you to talk about the differences you’re experiencing. “Bring up the things that are getting on your last nerve, and do it in a constructive way as opposed to a destructive way,” Connolly says. PAGE 80 >>

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

“A lot of couples are having stresses more intensely because of the economy, losing jobs, or being around their children a lot more.” — Sally Connolly

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / September 2020

Photo by Melissa Donald

Julie and Ben Evans have created some new healthy habits during the quarantine to share with their daughter and Juliie’s mom who also lives with them.

Begin your weekly session in a positive light by stating what’s good in your relationship. Connolly says from that foundation, ask for what you need using constructive phrases like, “It would really help me a ton if you would…” These phrases allow for openness and give less cause for your spouse to feel defensive. As a couple, you can agree to hold off on any heavy discussions until your weekly meeting. This can give you time to focus on your own mental health before confronting your partner. Julie Dingman Evans and Ben Evans kept their 16-year marriage focused by creating healthy habits. “We were developing some good habits out of necessity because of the quarantine,” Ben says. These new healthy habits included creating healthy meal plans and exercising more. Ben goes on to say that inherent in this time was more of a focus on the things that were truly important. “I’m even more grateful for all the little things and for each other,” he says. Ben, an actor/filmmaker and sixth-grade science teacher at Noe Middle School, and Julie, an instructor and chair of the Musical Theatre Department at Louisville’s Youth Performing Arts School, were both required to work from home during the quarantine. Their 12-year-old daughter also participated in homeschooling, and it sometimes became tricky to find a space to work. Instead of letting stress mount, however, Julie and Ben looked for ways to practice self-care. “We feel better because we’re taking time to take care of ourselves,” Julie says.

September 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com

They are also spending more time parenting their daughter. “I feel like we are appreciating each other as parents right now,” Julie says. Before lockdown, their teaching schedules were full to bursting and time could be lost. Now, these parents are taking advantage of the extra time quarantine has given them to engage in long talks with their daughter that are allowing them to deepen their parental bond. For those parents looking to achieve a balance while parenting at home, Connolly says to ask questions of your parenting partner like, “How can we parent together?” She also says it’s common to experience tension due to different parenting styles. If trying to strike a parenting balance triggers an argument, “you can take a time out to calm yourself before you try to talk about the issue,” Connolly says. For Megan and Tyler, when they need a respite from juggling all the parenting things and work things, they have a magical phrase that gives them a break. “I need five,” Megan says. “That’s just our phrase.” This allows them five minutes alone to regroup. This little breather gives both Megan and Tyler a fresh outlook and keeps their relationship connected. If you and your spouse are lost in a land of quantity time versus quality time, know that you’re not alone. “Have some empathy and understanding about what you’re going through and have some about what your partner’s going through,” Connolly says. “You can give each other the benefit of the doubt and talk to each other about what’s going on.” Using tools like empathy, developing healthy habits, short time-outs, and weekly meetings are all ways to keep your relationship strong and connected in a time when feelings are being felt more intensely. The good news is along with feeling more of all the stresses, it’s also possible to feel more of all the love.

“I feel like we are appreciating each other as parents right now.” — Julie Dingman Evans

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / September 2020

Today's Woman September 2020

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