SPRING ISSUE 2026
BRATI
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2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019 • 2020 • 2021 • 2022 • 2023 • 2024 • 2025 • 2026 tallahassee woman | 1 | spring anniversary issue 2026
ANTI-AGING
INFLAMMATION
CONGESTION
FIRST TIMERS GET BOGO!
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CONTENTS 8. LETTER FROM PUBLISHER 10. NEWLY APPOINTED CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER 12. CELEBRATING THE JOURNEY OF TWM
CULTURE & CUISINE
14. RUNWAY TO RADIANCE 16. THE BEST OF SPRING IS HERE 18. LOOKING BACK AT TALLAHASSEE TEEN 22. MIDTOWN READS
LIVING LOCAL
24. AROUND TOWN: TWM VISION BOARD PARTY 25. MY HOUSE IS NOT A SHOW HOME 26.DISCOVER THE HEART OF HAVANA 28. ACCIDENTALLY FABULOUS
30. TALLAHASSEE WOMAN MAGAZINE 20 YEARS OF HER VOICE, HER POWER, HER STORY
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BUSINESS & LEADERSHIP
38. QUIET STRENGTH 39. THE ART OF THE START
MIND, BODY & SPIRIT
44. GRACE, GRIT, AND THE FIGHT 46. AGELESS BEAUTY, EXPERT CARE 48. KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR WOMEN REFLECTING ON EXILES 49. A STORY OF INVOLUNTARY REINVENTION 51. FIERCE & FLEXY AFFIRMATIONS
MIDTOWN
ON THE COVER
14
READS
22
30
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CONTRIBUTORS
WOM A N
MAGAZINE
TWM IS LOCALLY OWNED & EMPOWERING WOMEN FOR 20 YEARS! Publisher | Editor-in-Chief Dr. Michelle Mitcham
Creative Director
PAIGE TIFFIN FLYNN WRITER
JANE MARKS WRITER
MONESIA T. BROWN WRITER
LISA DAVIS MAKEUP ARTIST
TANYA EVANS HAIRSYLIST
Kira Derryberry is a Tallahassee-based portrait photographer specializing in families, headshots and boudoir and commercial photography. She books locally in Tallahasee and is available for travel worldwide. View Kira's portfolio online at kiraderryberry.com.
Paige Tiffin Flynn, humor and lifestyle writer from Clanton, AL, and St. George Island, FL; FSU graduate, she has lived in Tallahassee for 30 years with her husband Frank; they have two children, Scott and Hannah. Paige shares her sharp wit on her Facebook page, The Latest Observation of the Decline of My Sanity.
BRIANA SMITH
Creative Consultant
TALLAHASSEE WOMAN MAGAZINE is a publication of Mitcham Media Group LLC Post Office Box 16616 Tallahassee, FL 32317-3401 Phone (850) 296-2232 publisher@TalWoman.com Tallahassee Woman is published six times per year and is distributed on a complimentary basis throughout Tallahassee and the surrounding communities. ADVERTISING For advertising, visit talwoman.com, call (850) 296-2232, or e-mail ads@TalWoman.com. The information in this publication is presented in good faith. The publisher does not guarantee accuracy or assume responsibility for errors or omissions. Copyright © 2026 Mitcham Media Group LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in part or in whole, without expressed written consent of the Publisher is prohibited.
T A LWO M A N .C O M
OLIVIA HEYWARD
KIRA DERRYBERRY PHOTOGRAPHER
Jane Marks is a licensed psychotherapist "life coach" with more than 50 years of experience specializing in child and adolescent behavior. She is a motivational speaker/lecturer focusing on mental health and adolescents.
Monesia Taylor Brown is a strategic advisor, attorney, and leadership practitioner who writes about resilience, governance, and leading with strength and grace in complex seasons of life and work.
Celebrating our 20th anniversary, we extend heartfelt gratitude to our glam dream team: award-winning photographer Kira Derryberry, master makeup artist Lisa Davis of Image by Lisa, and expert hairstylist Tanya Evans, owner of Eight Five Zero Salon. Thank you for glamming the stunning Cover Woman!
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TWM will be recognizing the most inspiring and influential businesswomen in our community for the following award categories:
• Entrepreneur Award • Innovator Award • Legacy Award • Rockstar Award • Service Award • Torchbearer Award • Mompreneur Award
Save the Date JUNE 17, 2026
414 E. BLOXHAM, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32301 To purchase tickets or become a sponsor or vendor visit
TALWOMAN.COM
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PUBLISHER LETTER
20 Years of Tallahassee Woman The Movement That Helped Empower a City
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here are moments when I pause and ask myself a simple question: How did we get here?
A place where women could see possibility reflected back to them—not perfection, but courage, reinvention, and growth.
Twenty years ago, Tallahassee Woman Magazine began as an idea rooted in something deeply human—the belief that when women see each other, support each other, and tell each other’s stories, entire communities grow stronger. Today, as we celebrate our 20th anniversary, I find myself less focused on the passage of time and more focused on the relationships that carried us here. Because if there is one truth I have learned—as a psychotherapist, professor, and publisher—it is this: relationships are the foundation of resilience.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of meeting thousands of women across our community, and one theme shows up again and again: resilience is rarely loud. It is often quiet. It is the woman who returns to school after raising her children. It is the young professional who takes a risk to start something new. It is the caregiver balancing work, family, and purpose while still finding a way to give back. Resilience is not about having an easy journey; it is about continuing forward with heart even when the path is uncertain.
This magazine has never simply been about pages, photos, or features. It has always been about people. It has been about the entrepreneur who started her business from her kitchen table. The educator who stayed late every day to mentor students who needed someone to believe in them. The nonprofit leader who quietly changed lives without ever asking for recognition. The mothers, daughters, mentors, and visionaries who made the choice—sometimes daily—to keep going, to keep building, and to keep lifting others along the way.
As a therapist, I often talk about the importance of community support in emotional wellness. Research consistently shows that connection is one of the strongest protective factors for mental health. Over these twenty years, Tallahassee Woman Magazine become more than a publication—it has become a connector. Businesses have collaborated because they met through these pages. Mentorships have formed. Young girls have seen women who look like them leading companies, classrooms, hospitals, and nonprofits and realized, “Maybe I can do that too.”
A seed for this movement was first planted by former owner Kim Rosier, whose vision created a space where women’s voices could be centered and celebrated. Years later, I had the honor of not only building a friendship with Kim, but also being entrusted with continuing that vision when I purchased the magazine in 2018. I have always held that trust with deep gratitude, recognizing that the mission of women’s empowerment is never owned by one person—it is carried forward by a community.
That is the true power of storytelling. It expands what people believe is possible.
When I stepped into the leadership journey of this magazine, I saw something powerful immediately: Tallahassee didn’t just need another publication; it needed a platform for connection. A space where women’s voices were not occasional features, but the center of the story.
One of the things I am most proud of is that this magazine has always remained rooted in authenticity. We celebrate success, yes—but we also honor the journeys behind that success. The setbacks. The pivots. The reinventions. Because empowerment is not created by pretending life is easy; empowerment is created when women see that challenges can be navigated and transformed into purpose. Over the past two decades, our community has evolved in remarkable ways. We have seen women step into executive leadership roles at unprecedented levels. We have seen women-owned businesses reshape our local econ-
omy. We have seen nonprofit leaders mobilize communities around education, wellness, mentorship, and social impact. And perhaps most importantly, we have seen a growing culture of women supporting women—not as a slogan, but as a lived practice. As I reflect on this milestone, I am deeply aware that anniversaries are not only about looking back; they are also about looking forward. The next twenty years of women’s leadership will be defined by collaboration, intergenerational mentorship, innovation, and a continued commitment to lifting others. The young women and girls in our city are already showing us what that future looks like—bold, creative, compassionate, and globally minded while still deeply connected to community. My hope for the next chapter of Tallahassee Woman Magazine is simple: that we continue to tell stories that matter. That we continue to highlight women whose work changes lives, whether they are leading organizations or quietly shaping families, classrooms, and neighborhoods. That we continue creating a space where women feel seen, heard, and inspired—not by comparison, but by connection. To every reader, contributor, partner, advertiser, and community member who has been part of this journey, thank you. This magazine exists because of relationships—because people believed in the vision, supported one another, and understood that empowerment grows when it is shared. Twenty years ago, a seed was planted. Today, we are standing in the shade of a strong and growing tree—one nurtured by the resilience, compassion, and leadership of the women of this community. And the most exciting part?
We are just getting started.
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“The next twenty years of women’s leadership will be defined by collaboration, intergenerational mentorship, innovation, and a continued commitment to lifting others.”
Dr. Michelle Mitcham CEO & Publisher Tallahassee Woman Magazine Photo by Kira Derryberry Photography
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MONESIA T. BROWN, ESQ., APPOINTED CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER BY TALLAHASSEE WOMAN MAGAZINE
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allahassee Woman Magazine (TWM), a trusted voice for women in the Big Bend for more than 20 years, named Monesia T. Brown, Esq., as Chief Strategy Officer (CSO).
For nearly two decades, TWM has served as a locally rooted platform celebrating the women who live, work, and lead across the greater Tallahassee region—connecting readers to stories, resources, and a shared sense of community while shaping conversations that matter. In this executive leadership role, Brown will guide TWM’s long-term strategic vision as it enters its next chapter of growth, relevance, and community impact. “Monesia’s leadership strengthens our executive team at a critical moment,” said Dr. Michelle Mitcham, Publisher of Tallahassee Woman Magazine. “Her ability to align mission, strategy, and long-term sustainability positions Tallahassee Woman Magazine for continued relevance and impact.” As Chief Strategy Officer, Brown will work closely with the Publisher, leadership team, and Board to shape the future direction of Tallahassee Woman Magazine—ensuring the brand continues to evolve while remaining grounded in its mission to inform, inspire, and connect women across the Tallahassee community. Her role focuses on strategic alignment, sustainability, and expansion rather than day-to-day operations. “This is a moment that calls for being thoughtful and clear about what matters most,” said Brown. “My focus is on positioning Tallahassee Woman Magazine for long-term growth in ways that are authentic, relevant, and impactful—while honoring the legacy that has made it such a meaningful part of our community.”
Photo by Kira Derryberry Photography
Brown brings nearly three decades of experience spanning strategy, corporate leadership, public service, and organizational governance. A licensed attorney, she has held senior leadership and advisory roles at the intersection of government, corporate, education, and nonprofit community-based organizations. Her work is defined by aligning vision with execution and leading organizations through thoughtful, sustainable growth. Her naming reflects TWM’s commitment to intentional evolution—expanding its reach, strengthening its influence, and deepening its role as a trusted platform for women across the region. This leadership addition underscores TWM’s continued investment in strong governance, strategic clarity, and long-term sustainability as it builds toward its next era of influence.
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Celebrating
THE JOURNEY OF TWM By TWM Staff
W
elcome to a vibrant celebration of our journey together, reflected in this magnificent collage and the pages that follow of every cover from the April-May 2006 issue to the present day. As we turn the pages of this historical edition, we are reminded of the remarkable strength and resilience of women, and the extraordinary power of community that emerges when we unite in support of one another. A heartfelt thank you to Kim Rosier, the visionary founder of Tallahassee Woman Magazine, for her unwavering dedication and for entrusting me with this incredible platform. It has been my absolute joy to carry the torch and elevate this magazine to new heights since 2018. As you delve into this special anniversary issue, I invite you to immerse yourself in the remarkable photo narrative of the phenomenal women who have shaped our beloved Tallahassee. Let us celebrate their courage, their determination, and their willingness to be vulnerable as they share their journeys over the past 20 years. These women have paved the way for future generations, proving that together, we can achieve greatness. Feast your eyes on the stunning story in pictures that captures the essence of our community—each cover a testament to the visionaries, leaders, dreamers, movers, shakers, and doers who inspire us all. This is not just a magazine; it is a tribute to the spirit of resilience and empowerment that defines us. We are women empowered; we are community; we are one. So, let us raise our voices in cheer for the professional executive women who have illuminated our path and for those who continue to empower others. Here’s to the incredible legacy we are building together—one that honors the past while inspiring the future. Enjoy this celebration of 117 covers of Tallahassee Woman Magazine, a cherished milestone in our journey of empowerment and community. tallahassee woman | 12 | spring anniversary issue 2026
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