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Tiawanna Ezell is a 10-year cancer survivor whose journey with Stage III cancer shaped her passion for advocacy, community, and hope. A devoted mother of three daughters, Tiawanna lives each day with gratitude and determination, embracing the beauty of the outdoors—especially through kayaking—and leading others in nature as a volunteer leader for the Outdoor Afro Grand Rapids network.

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Shannon Gales first felt pain in her left breast during a long run in late August 2023. When she showered, she confirmed it was a lump.

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When one of Lisa Knight’s 11 children was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was there to be her caregiver.

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Renee Belkin-Lang has fought cancer twice in her life, and continues to take medication to prevent reoccurrence.

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When Kent Deemter was diagnosed with cancer as a young husband and father, his world was turned upside down. That same day, one random thought made him laugh: What if his friends and family could go bald digitally, no clippers required? His sister-in-law heard about the idea and secretly made it happen, sending him a new “digitally bald” photo of a loved one before each chemo appointment. It was hilarious, uplifting, and a powerful reminder that his community was with him every step of the way.

  1. JULIA HAHN
  2. ERIN MURRAY
  3. DAVE MACKENZIE & MAGGIE MEAD
  4. AMY GOEBEL

Subcategories

Profile

Stories to inspire you.

Cityscene

All the local places to go and things to do.

Food & Drink

Tasty tidbits dedicated to tempting you.

Style & Beauty

Fresh ideas ready for you to try.

Spaces

Unpacking the places you live inside and out.

Career

Explore what success in the workplace means to you.

Relationships

Navigate the relationships that matter to you.

Wellness

Improve your mind, body and spirit.

Blog

Enjoy diverse perspectives from West Michigan women.

Cover Feature

WMW Entrepreneur Vote Graphic

 

 

 

 

 

WINNERS ANNOUNCED!

Entrepreneurs come in all shapes and sizes. From the founder of a large family manufacturing firm to the work-at-home freelance graphic designer, these people don’t stop at “no”—and they dare to persevere through risks and rewards.

West Michigan Woman sought your nominations for examples of local, brave women entrepreneurs to feature as our August cover story. We requested stories of women who’ve only just begun that have a great story that aptly illustrates what it takes to be an entrepreneur.

Our readers voted and the winners have beeen selected. Congratulations to:

  • Ashley Yost and Mali Jane, AM Yoga 

  • Carol Distel and Jill Wolfe, Distel Wolfe Scavenger Hunts

  • Autumn Fuchs, Fuschia Design

  • Lisa Anderson, Grace’s Table

  • Karen Smoots, The Green Glove Dryer

  • Elizabeth Schenk, Posh Petals

Learn more about these exceptional entrepreneurs in the August issue of West Michigan Woman. 

Not a subscriber? SUBSCRIBE TODAY

Mother's Day Contest

FAMMMMThe winner of the 2013 Mother's Day Makeover Contest is Barb Andrus! Click on Barb's name below to read the winning submission, compliments of her daughter, Ellie Andrus! Barb will be featured in the June/July issue of West Michigan Woman. She'll share more of her story with readers on the web. 

Barb will also receive a makeover package that includes:

We received so many heartfelt nominations for the 2013 Mother's Day Makeover contest! Thank you to everyone who submitted names and stories. We were truly touched and wish all of you a very happy Mother's Day!

Wine & Wig Vote

Last year West Michigan Woman magazine hosted the inaugural Wine & Wig gala, supporting Susan G. Komen West Michigan. Through ticket sales, sponsorships, and a silent auction, we were able to raise nearly $15,000 for this local charity.

This year, the partner charity for Wine & Wig is up to you! We received nominations from many wonderful local charities that are helping our community every day, so our committee had a tough job narrowing it down to these six. Now we need your help! Help us determine which deserving charity will partner with us for the 2014 event—to be held on October 18, 2014, at the GRAM. Vote as often as you would like and please be sure to share! Voting closes at midnight on February 14, 2014.

 

Travel

Find your next adventure.

Financial

Make the most of your money.

Wine and Wig News

News

Catch up on the latest news about the premier party of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Brilliance Awards Finalists

The 2019 West Michigan Woman People's Choice Brilliance Award

BAPCA19 Social1 UPDATEVoting is now closed! The West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards is entering its 3rd year of celebrating the unique talents of women and men in our community. For the first time ever, the public will select one honoree from the 30 finalists for the People's Choice Brilliance Award. The winner will be announced on Thursday, April 25, 2019 at the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards where they will receive their award and recognition.

• To vote, please provide your first and last name and email address
• You may only vote 1x for one person
• Voting opens February 28th and closes at 5pm on March 14th


Anyone who votes by March 5th will be entered to win a pair of tickets to the International Women's Day event sponsored by West Michigan Woman and WZZM TV on March 8 at 20 Monroe Live.

 Enjoy reading the bio snippets below that were taken directly from the nominators' submissions.

Voting is now closed!

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Finalists

Brilliance Awards Finalists 2020

The 2020 West Michigan Woman People's Choice Brilliance Award

BAPCA19 Social1 UPDATEVoting is now closed! The West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards is entering its 4th year of celebrating the unique talents of women and men in our community. For the second year, the public will select one honoree from the finalists for the People's Choice Brilliance Award. The winner will be announced on Thursday, April 30, 2020 at the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards where they will receive their award and recognition.

• To vote, please provide your first and last name and email address
• You may only vote 1x for one person
• Voting opens March 2nd and closes at 5pm on March 18th

 Enjoy reading the bio snippets below that were written from the nominators' and finalists' submissions.

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Finalists

Brilliance Awards Finalists 2021

The 2021 West Michigan Woman People's Choice Brilliance Award

BAPCA19 Social1 UPDATEVoting is now open! The West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards is entering its 5th year of celebrating the unique talents of women and men in our community. For the third year, the public will select one honoree from the finalists for the People's Choice Brilliance Award. The winner will be announced on August 31, 2021 at the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards where they will receive their award and recognition.

• To vote, please provide your first and last name and email address
• You may only vote one time for one person
• Voting opens June 1, 2021 and closes at 5pm on June 25, 2021

 !All finalists, along with snippets from their bios, have been placed in alphabetical order below. Enjoy learning about each of them and thank you for voting!

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Finalists

Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

The 2022 West Michigan Woman People's Choice Brilliance Award

BAPCA19 Social1 UPDATE

People’s Choice Award voting is now open! The top honoree will be announced on May 12 at the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards. Tickets can be purchased here.

Please keep in mind that each of the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards finalists were selected for a reason. All exude a contagious spirit and broad skill set that in one facet or another, betters the West Michigan community. This is an opportunity for you to get to know them. Read through their bios, resonate with their challenges and triumphs, and vote for the person whose story speaks to you most. The People’s Choice Award is not a popularity contest; it’s a way of introducing brilliant individuals to the community and making connections that may not have otherwise existed.

Of the 30 Brilliance Awards Finalists, who most inspires you? Who would you like to see further recognized? Whose story should be told in a big way to West Michigan? Vote for that person. 

• To vote, please provide your first and last name and email address.
• You may only vote one time for one person.
• Voting opens March 28, 2022 and closes at 5pm on April 15, 2022.

 

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Finalists

Brilliance Awards Finalists 2023

The 2023 Brilliant People's Choice Award!


BAPCA19 Social1 UPDATEPeople’s Choice Award voting is now closed! The top honoree will be announced on May 17 at the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards. Tickets can be purchased here.

Each of the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards finalists were selected for a reason. All exude a contagious spirit and broad skill set that in one facet or another, betters the West Michigan community. This is an opportunity for you to get to know them. Read through their bios, resonate with their challenges and triumphs, and ideally, make a few new connections!

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Finalists

Brilliance Awards Finalists 2024

2024 Brilliance Awards Finalists


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Each of the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards finalists were selected for a reason. All exude a contagious spirit and broad skillset that, in one facet or another, betters the West Michigan community. This is an opportunity for you to get to know them. Read through their bios, resonate with their challenges and triumphs and ideally, make a few new connections!  

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Finalists

The 2025 People's Choice Award

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The 2025 People's Choice Award!


BAPCA19 Social1 UPDATEVoting for the 2025 People's Choice Award will open on March 14, 2025.

Each of the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards finalists were selected for a reason. All exude a contagious spirit and broad skillset that, in one facet or another, betters the West Michigan community. This is an opportunity for you to get to know them. Read through their bios, resonate with their challenges and triumphs and ideally, make a few new connections!  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Enter to Win a $500 Visa Gift Card
AARP is giving you the chance to win a $500 Visa Gift Card in an exclusive sweepstakes! After submitting your People’s Choice vote, a pop-up will appear with a link—simply follow it and complete the form for your chance to win.

AARP PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS SWEEPSTAKES OFFICIAL RULES

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Finalists

To learn more about each finalist, click on their photo below. The finalists are listed in alphabetical order by first name.

From this issue

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Kristin Revere: Channeling Heart and Hard Work to Grow Birth and Postpartum Support in West Michigan
When Kristin Revere, MM, CED, NCS, became a mother, she hadn't imagined she'd one day be leading a team of 25 doulas, educators, and specialists through one of the most respected doula agencies in the Midwest.
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/Dr.%20Kelsey%20Carpenter:%20Working%20to%20Understand%20Blood%20Cancers
Dr. Kelsey Carpenter: Working to Understand Blood Cancers
Kelsey Carpenter, Ph.D. completed her doctorate in integrated biomedical sciences at Rush University in Chicago, Illinois, and is currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Grainger Lab at Van Andel Institute's Department of Cell Biology. It's here that Dr. Carpenter studies the origins of blood cancers by focusing on how blood cells develop.
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/So%20You%20Want%20to%20Work%20for%20Yourself?%209%20Things%20to%20Consider%20Before%20You%20Do
So You Want to Work for Yourself? 9 Things to Consider Before You Do
You've daydreamed about it during long meetings, endless calls, and over your morning coffee: working for yourself. Maybe you have a product or service you can't wait to share; maybe you just want freedom from rigid schedules and micromanagers.
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/Why%20Women’s%20Concierge%20Medicine%20Practices%20Are%20Growing
Why Women’s Concierge Medicine Practices Are Growing
If you've noticed an increase in concierge medical practices in the last few years, you wouldn't be alone. This growing trend in medicine has emerged for a number of reasons. But at its core, it's because medical practitioners have a desire to provide women with the preventative and in-depth care they seek, along with the demand from women also seeking the time, care, and expertise they know they truly deserve.
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