5 Women to Watch in 2016
There is nothing more important to me then supporting other women on their grind, that’s why I founded Women on the Rise! NY. I have no sisters and have always felt that void that I admire when watching my cousins and friends that have their sisters to connect and share life with on another level. My mother has 5 sisters and they have an amazing strong bond. There example of sisterhood has made me a champion for a supportive sisterhood.
There’s been so much discussion in the public, mainly Hollywood, about women’s equality and I think the best way to start is by putting women in leadership positions. The greatest way to do that is by supporting women and helping each other rather than tearing each other down. Competition is healthy but only if it teaches you something. Let’s make it more supportive rather than competitive. There is much room in the world for us all to succeed. I’ve seen men in business form investment groups that will finance each individuals business at a time. They pool their money, help the 1st person startup a business, once that business is launched and the investment money is paid back they take the money and launch the next business, and so on. I’m certain the number of women business owners and in leadership positions would grow if we followed a similar business model.
Below are several women entrepreneurs that I am proud to not only have worked with but I support 100%. These women work hard in their field and are an inspiration to me and I hope to you too.
Markisha Beckford - Markisha is a Wellness Entrepreneur is owner and operator of the Fitness Workshop in Valley Stream. She is a Certified Personal Trainer and Holistic Health Coach. She decided to become a health counselor to fulfill her passion of working with busy professionals to improve their health and life. Markisha has grown her business in a very competitive market to include a food co-op. Her clients have seen great success in wellness due to this full service wellness facility.
Rev. Kimberley Clemens Jones - Affectionately called, Rev. K.C. Jones, she currently serves as Senior Pastor of Valley Stream Presbyterian Church in Valley Stream, New York and owner of Restored Life! LLC, where she coaches individuals and groups in the areas of spiritual and/or personal life, health and wellness, leadership and marriage coaching, as well as grief and counseling issues of domestic violence. Her book, Cured But Not Healed: How to Experience Deeper Faith on Your Journey with God, will be guided on how to develop a deeper relationship with God. She also founded the Community Healing and Caring Center Inc., a non-profit organization, focused on family cohesion, community building and restoration. The W.A.N.T.E.D. Project, a mentoring program for young men 12-18 years old is flourishing in many New York communities as well as abroad in Africa.
Assemblywomen Michaelle Solages - A lifelong resident of Elmont, NY, Michaelle Solages was elected to represent the 22nd Assembly District in November 2012. A new mom Michaelle believes in giving back to the community. As a result, Michaelle has volunteered as a legislative aide and served as an organizer for various civic and nonprofit organizations. Most recently Michaelle has been an advocate to get the New York State Paid Leave Act passed.
Kimberly Thomas – Kimberly Thomas is a publicist-turned-blogger who started her blog, valleystreammom.com, 5 years ago to bring her community together by sharing events for families. Since then, the blog has grown tremendously in visitors and topics, and Kimberly has been dubbed an important voice in the digital arena in Valley Stream, Long Island, and New York. She also works with teen girls by coordinating monthly empowerment workshops and events for girls in middle and high school.
Carline Dumerlin-Folkes - Carline is a certified motivational coach who is dedicated to helping girls and women become their best selves through individual coaching, free resources and empowering workshops. She has worked in the field of higher education for over 10 years where she her passion for helping young adults become their better selves. On her blog, www.coachcarli.com, Carline inspires all women and young women to live their best lives. Carline is co-author of the book Girl on Campus, written for young women who are entering college and embarking on new and exciting experiences. Carline is currently working on a new book to be released this year.
Thank you all for embodying the supportive sisterhood movement. Checkout their websites and visit them on social media to follow along and see more of what these amazing women are doing in their communities.
