08 May 2025 Calling all 501DER WOMEN

We devote our May issue to celebrating the art of being a woman, which often requires us to take heroic steps to further our professional development, to be there for a sick child or to volunteer for a meaningful cause in addition to the other responsibilities we juggle. I’ve learned that my cape slips on and off as I journey through life. Fortunately, many other superheroines put on their capes to help me through times when I cannot do it all alone.

Recently, I read a quote by the spectacular athlete Serena Williams and paused to read it several times more: “Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another. We’re strongest when we cheer each other on.” I’m glad to say that I see this in practice so often with young women in their teens and twenties. Maybe their generation will be the one to put aside divisive jealousies, and to cheer on other women rather than undermining their goals or relationships. If they can genuinely support one another, they may finally break through that glass ceiling I’ve heard about most of my life.

We searched Central Arkansas for 501DER WOMEN and are highlighting several dozen of them in this issue. They are women who have that extra sparkle, that extra commitment to their job, to their family, or their community. I’m confident that you will share my feeling of inspiration as you read how they pushed past personal and professional obstacles to survive and thrive, and how they are now encouraging others.

If I were asked to create a piece of art that represents not only these women but all women, I would gather items like steel, diamonds and many colors of velvet. The steel would be the main resource used to represent our strength and resilience. The diamonds would remind us to never let anyone dull our God-given sparkle, gifts and talents. And the velvet would symbolize the extraordinary gentleness that women offer as caregivers, partners and friends.

The successes of the 501DER WOMEN in this issue will inspire you to set goals, to work for them and to sparkle in your own way. Let’s show our strength and cheer one another on, because together we can shape Central Arkansas’s future into the “Land of Opportunity” that we dream it to be for everyone.

Stefanie Brazile
Editor