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Vanessa Jebb-Swanson

Taylor Villarreal

Jori Phillips

Mary Hannon

Courtney Currie Simmons

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Stories to inspire you.

All the local places to go and things to do.

Tasty tidbits dedicated to tempting you.

Fresh ideas ready for you to try.

Unpacking the places you live inside and out.

Explore what success in the workplace means to you.

Navigate the relationships that matter to you.

Improve your mind, body and spirit.

Enjoy diverse perspectives from West Michigan women.

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

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!

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.

 

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News

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

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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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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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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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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The 2023 Brilliant People's Choice Award!


BAPCA19 Social1 UPDATE
People’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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The 2024 People's Choice Award!


BAPCA19 Social1 UPDATE
Voting is now closed for the People's Choice Award. The top honoree will be announced on May 9 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 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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From this issue

/Kim%20May:%20From%20Diagnosis%20to%20Advocacy—a%20Journey%20of%20Hope%20and%20Resilience
Most 36-year-olds are thinking about further advancing their careers, planning their next family gathering, sharing a funny story with friends at an upcoming social outing or setting goals for the year ahead. The last thing they're pondering is being diagnosed with breast cancer. Yet in February of 2022, that was the reality for Kim May, when she'd received word that a mammogram and subsequent biopsy revealed Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, which accounts for about 80% of all breast cancer cases in women and people assigned female at birth.
/Girlfriend%20Getaways:%20Spas,%20Sips,%20Soaks%20and%20More!
Whether you're looking to be pampered at a relaxing spa, sip a glass of locally produced wine amongst the vines, reconnect with nature or otherwise, these girlfriend getaway ideas within Michigan are sure to deliver the vibes you and your crew seek. Come along as we explore a few!
/What%20to%20Know%20About%20Breast%20Health—at%20Any%20Age
With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the dialogue in this season is often focused on prevention, screenings and education around a disease that affects so many. Breast health overall is a largely neglected topic that sits in the shadow of this larger issue. But, many of our readers have breasts and/or their children do, and there's much to understand about them throughout the many phases of life.
/Holiday%20Prep%20101:%20Organization,%20Hosting%20and%20Creating%20the%20Ultimate%20Cozy%20Atmosphere
Yep, it's that time of year again. The holidays are coming! And, amongst the changing seasons, gatherings with family, outings with friends, laughter and festive meals, what inevitably also arrives once more is stress. (Did it ever leave?) While we can't always eliminate holiday time intensity completely, finding a balance is certainly possible. Consider some of these tips for decorating, organizing, hosting and creating a cozy atmosphere this holiday season.