JUNE/JULY 2023
BEYOND THE BIKINI! Summertime Blooms
Kelly Smith
LIFE AFTER STROKE
WWMB
WOMEN ON FIRE AWARDS 2023
REAL ESTATE:
The Illuminating Life of
Supercharge Your Success SALLY BRADSHAW’S BEACH READING
Summer Pasta
YOUR HOSPITAL FOR STROKE IS
WHEN A STROKE HAPPENS,
TIME IS NOT ON YOUR SIDE.
Once a stroke begins, there’s no stopping time. Millions of brain cells die by the minute, speech slurs, muscle control fades and eyesight blurs. How quickly and where you are treated matters. Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare is the only hospital in our region designated as a Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Center.
Learn the signs or see if you are at risk — while you have time. TMH.ORG/Stroke
How TMH Saved a Young Mom’s Life After a Stroke Kelly Smith found healing at the region’s only Comprehensive Stroke Center by Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare
Talking is something most of us take for granted, but the ability to speak is something Kelly Smith will forever cherish after it was temporarily taken from her by a stroke. In 2021, Kelly was attending a funeral. Naturally, she was very emotional, but something more was happening. “I felt like there was hot lava being poured over my head,” Kelly said. “When I went to hug the family, I realized I couldn’t speak.” She assumed she was just overcome with grief and tried to calm herself, but nothing worked. It never occurred to the 34-year-old that she was having a stroke. After the service, Kelly got in the car with her mom to visit the graveside, but they never made it. On the way, Kelly started to curl up, twist and groan in the passenger seat. Her mom pulled over and dialed 9-1-1. EMTs arrived and took Kelly to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) — North Florida and South Georgia’s only Comprehensive Stroke Center, the highest designation given to fewer than 1% of hospitals in the country from The Joint Commission to recognize hospitals that can treat the most complex stroke cases. Once Kelly arrived at TMH, she was quickly taken to get a CT scan. She still couldn’t speak and had lost function in her right arm. Kelly did her best to motion and grunt to try to communicate with her care team. “It was like a horrible game of charades,” she said. Kelly was quickly seen by Matthew Lawson, MD, an endovascular neurosurgeon and Stroke Medical Director at TMH, who determined the best care was tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, a drug used to break up a blood clot and restore blood flow to the brain after a stroke. The treatment worked.
Last year, she went on her honeymoon with her husband, Nathan, in the Caribbean. While there, they went on a difficult 10-mile hike Kelly did not believe she could complete. Even though Kelly still has some weakness in the right side of her body from her stroke, she hiked through mud, crossed rivers and scaled down canyons – all with her husband encouraging her. After eight hours, the couple finished the hike. “It brought us to tears because I defeated something I told myself I couldn’t,” she said. “I was just so grateful to be alive.” Kelly is truly grateful to the TMH team and credits Dr. Lawson with saving her life. “I never want anyone to have to go through what I went through, but if they had to, I would want them to be at TMH,” Kelly said. To read Kelly’s full story, visit TMH.ORG/Kelly. For more information about Tallahassee Memorial’s Comprehensive Stroke Center, visit TMH.ORG/Stroke.
Kelly began to feel better while she recovered in the Vogter Neuro Intensive Care Unit where speech, occupational and physical therapists visited her to help her recover. After five days, Kelly was discharged. Over two years and many therapy sessions later, Kelly still notices improvement in her speech. Photo Credits: Calico & Chrome Creative
CONTENTS
10. LETTER FROM PUBLISHER 12. LETTER FROM GUEST EDITOR
CULTURE & CUISINE
14. MORE THAN JUST A BIKINI BODY 16. MIDTOWN READS 17. SUMMER PASTA SALAD RECIPE 18. SUMMERTIME BLOOMS
LIVING LOCAL
20. AROUND TOWN: TINA VIDAL-DUART TWM COVER PARTY, WWMB WOMEN ON FIRE AWARDS 2023
ON THE COVER
24. RADIANT GLOW THE ILLUMINATING LIFE OF KRISTEL AVILUS BY KELLY OTTE
IN REAL ESTATE 33. WWMB WOMEN ON FIRE AWARD RECAP 36. WOMEN ON FIRE WINNERS 40. WOMEN ON FIRE FINALISTS 41. WWMB EVALUATION JUDGES 42. WWMB SPONSORS
32
17
MIND, BODY & SPIRIT
44. OVERCOMING MENTAL EXHAUSTION 47. EMBRACING SELF COMPASSION 48. EMPOWERING WOMEN TO LIVE WELL AND PRACTICE SELF-CARE
14
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS 50. BREAKING THE CYCLE PART 2
TRAVEL
31. EXPLORING LOCAL BEACHES
18
BUSINESS & LEADERSHIP
32. STRATEGIES FOR RESILENT WORKERS & EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE 31. LEGAL WRITES WITH DANA BROOKS 32. STACKED: WOMEN
24
24. ABOUT THE COVER: | PHOTOGRAPHY: KIRA DERRYBERRY | MUA: IMAGE BY LISA | HAIR: TANYA EVANS: EIGHT FIVE ZERO SALON | DRESS: DILLARD'S GOVERNERS SQUARE
tallahassee woman | 4 | june • july 2023
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WOM A N
MAGAZINE
June - July 2023 • Volume 18 • Issue 4
Publisher | Editor-in-Chief Dr. Michelle Mitcham
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Laci Swann CREATIVE CONSULTANT Briana Smith RELATIONSHIP MANAGER Cristina Carter
INTERNS Lydia Beazer
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Olivia Heyward DIRECTOR OF LEADERSHIP INITIATIVES Paula DeBoles-Johnson DIRECTOR OF LUXURY TRAVEL Regina Lynch Hudson
ADVERTISING For advertising, visit talwoman.com, call (850) 893-9624, or e-mail ads@TalWoman.com.
TALLAHASSEE WOMAN is a publication of Mitcham Media Group LLC Post Office Box 16616 | Tallahassee, FL 32317-3401 Phone (850) 739-1720 | info@TalWoman.com Tallahassee Woman is published six times per year and is distributed on a complimentary basis throughout Tallahassee and the surrounding communities.
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 © 2023 Mitcham Media Group LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in part or in whole, without expressed written consent of the Publisher is prohibited.
tallahassee woman | 6 | june • july 2023
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Empowering Women
Destin | Tallahassee | Jacksonville
CONTRIBUTORS
KIRA DERRYBERRY PHOTOGRAPHER Kira Derryberry is DR.JEANNE O'KON a Tallahassee-based WRITER portrait photographer Dr. Jeanne O'Kon is a specializing in families, member of the Tallahas- headshots and boudoir see/Leon County Com- and commercial mission on the Status of photography. She books Women and Girls. She is locally in Tallahasee a psychologist and teach- and is available for es psychology at Flagler travel worldwide. View LACI SWANN College Tallahassee. She Kira's portfolio online at WRITER taught the "Psychology of kiraderryberry.com Laci Swann is a Board Women" course for many Member of the Autism years, and has dedicated Society of Florida, years to work focused on representing the state’s women and girls in our panhandle in fundraising community. and advocacy efforts. Laci is the Principal of Sharp Editorial, an award-winning editorial + small business consulting + branding design.
KELLY OTTE WRITER Kelly is the Founder and Executive Director of The Oasis Center for Women & Girls and has a 40-year history working and volunteering with organizations working on issues important to women and girls. You can reach her at kelly. otte@theoasiscenter.net
THAIS GONZALEZ WRITER Thais Gonzalez is a retired Tallahassee Spanish teacher. LISA DAVIS She taught over WRITER 5,000 students in the Lisa Davis is a wife, community throughout mommy of four, beauty her career. Leading blogger, Freelance students to first place Makeup Artist, and at the annual regional Owner of Image by Modern Language Expo Lisa. She loves sharing competition on multiple her tips and tricks with occasions she is well other women so that they known in her field. can look and feel their absolute best. For more information about Lisa visit imagebylisa.com.
tallahassee woman | 8 | june • july 2023
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PUBLISHER
Recharging for a Spectacular Summer!
Photo by Kira Derryberry Photography
GREETINGS!
The anticipation has been building, and now, the glorious summer season is finally upon us! It's time to revel in the joyous moments, the warm embraces of family, the sun-kissed adventures, and the enchanting memories that will forever dance in our hearts. As someone born in June and hailing from Detroit, I hold a special fondness for this magical time of year. Growing up, my family would escape to Monroe, Michigan, where we would frolic in the refreshing waters of Lake Erie and lose ourselves in the charm of the countryside. Oh, the sweet nostalgia of summertime! In this vibrant issue, we have curated a treasure trove of summer ideas and selfcare tips that will leave you feeling rejuvenated and ready to seize the season. But first, I implore you to dive into the empowering story of our cover woman, the remarkable Kristel Avilus, Executive Director of Pace Center for Girls. Her journey of redefining her goals and soar-
ing towards her dreams is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Prepare to be moved as you delve into the heartfelt and exclusive interview conducted by our talented Guest Editor, Kelly Otte.
an electrifying atmosphere that left us all inspired. Mark your calendars for next May when we gather once again to celebrate the brilliance of Tallahassee's Women on Fire!
t TWM, we are overflowing with gratA itude for the incredible milestones we have achieved and the celebratory moments we have shared. Just recently, we reveled in the April/May Cover Woman party, hosted by Evita Spa in honor of the phenomenal Tina Vidal-Duart, a true embodiment of grace and strength. Furthermore, our 17th-anniversary celebration at Hearth & Soul, co-hosted by the remarkable Susie Busch, a former TWM Cover Woman, will be an absolute delight!
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the contributors, team members, and extraordinary women who have poured their hearts into the pages of TWM, sharing their stories to ignite the flames of inspiration within others.
on’t miss the amazing Women Who D Mean Business Women On Fire 2023 Awards photos. When you see them around town, please congratulate these unstoppable winners and finalists who graced us with their radiant spirits. The event was a resounding success, with
tallahassee woman | 10 | june • july 2023
So, my friends, as summer beckons, I wish for you to relish in the warmth of the sun's embrace, creating beautiful memories with your loved ones. Take time for self-care, indulging in those activities that make summer truly special. Let go, unwind, and allow yourself to be replenished. Relax and recharge, for the summer awaits! Dr. Michelle Mitcham
PERSEVERANCE, PASSION, & PURPOSE
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
"Do you want to have a great day today or a bad day?" -Laci Swann of how we choose to go about our day. Will we fill our minds with positive thoughts or will we drown in self-doubt, fear, and negativity? The foothold of the latter is heavy, and I don’t know about you, but life already presents enough obstacles to hold us down, so if I can throw myself a life raft through positive thinking, I’ll do just that. In relation to our cover woman’s story, especially as I reflect on the obstacles that Kristel has overcome, I am completely wowed by her resilience to choose, every day, to have a great day (even during her darkest hours). Kristel chose and continues to choose to light her path with self-love, and the heaviest of the challenges did not stop her from achieving greatness. She is a brilliant cover woman, indeed, and I am beyond inspired by her journey.
L
ike many parents, my kiddos sometimes wake up on the wrong side of the bed. When those days arise, I’ll immediately ask my daughter, “Do you want to have a great day today or a bad day?” The first time I asked my daughter that question, she said, “Mom, why are you asking me that?” “Because you determine the type of day you’ll have,” I answered. “So, will you have a great day or a bad day?” My eight-year-old immediately realized that she held the power to choose the direction of her day simply by adjusting her attitude and mind frame. Whether she fixes her morning ‘tude is another story, but nonetheless, the answer to that question is very telling
Admittedly, after reading her story, I checked myself to get off the complain train and feed myself more positivity. Life is beautiful when you look at it with love, and I hope you choose to have a great day today (and every day).
Laci is the Principal of Sharp Editorial, an award-winning editorial + small business consulting + branding design firm. Since 2016, Sharp Editorial has served thousands of clients, including professional athletes, television stars, Fortune 500 companies, and a range of other professionals. Laci is passionate about ensuring that her table always has room for others, encouraging women to pull up a seat and stay awhile.
tallahassee woman | 12 | june • july 2023
Prepare.
Plan now. Before disaster strikes.
When disaster strikes, it is too late to prepare. Be prepared by making a plan for you and your family by filling a waterproof five-gallon bucket with the essential supplies listed on the right. Keep these essential items in a bucket near an exit door in your home or in your vehicle.
Visit LeonReady.com for more information on disaster readiness
Act.
Recover.
HURRICANE SUPPLY CHECKLIST ☐ Batteries ☐ Hand Crank
☐ Pocket knife ☐ Portable phone
☐ Blanket ☐ Manual can opener ☐ Cash ☐ Change of clothing ☐ Duct tape ☐ Dust masks ☐ First aid kit ☐ Flashlight ☐ Games and toys ☐ Gloves ☐ Hand sanitizer ☐ Keys (home and
☐ Ponchos ☐ Rope/paracord ☐ Soap ☐ Special family
Emergency Radio
car)
☐ Large plastic trash bags
☐ Local map ☐ Medications ☐ Non-perishable food
charger
needs (diapers, feminine hygiene items, etc.)
☐ Tarp ☐ Toilet paper ☐ Toothbrush ☐ Towel ☐ Water ☐ Waterproof
bag with family documents, including driver’s license, insurance information, out-of-area contact, medical information
☐ Permanent marker ☐ Whistle ☐ Pet supplies ☐ Photos of family members and pets
Photo by Kira Derryberry Photography
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