The editorial team has a special attachment to our new series, The Trailblazers: Rewriting the Narrative, because so many of us feel that media portrayals of women have been too one dimensional. Today, women are doing incredible things in all fields – from science and technology to finance, law, business, athletics and more. With the Trailblazers series, we hope to highlight and celebrate female role models, encourage more equal and just representation in the media, and help foster a more tight-knit community locally helping women find mentors, business partners, friends and more.
Below, you’ll find some incredible trailblazers from in and around Far North Dallas that we hope you will check out, follow and support.
Candace Nicholson
I’ve always loved arts and crafts, trying new things and the freedom to be creative. However, never did I imagine that I would have my own business making jewelry. Honestly, it all started because I had a bag full of small, wooden craft pieces at home that I’d had for some time and I had no clue what to do with them. Read more>>
Melanie Horn and Nikki Wethy
In 2013, we decided we needed a change of pace. We were living in McKinney at the time and it was starting to get crowded. We ended up finding the perfect spot in Sherman, TX on 10 acres. It was quiet and big enough to have some livestock and build a nice sized garden. We moved in, bought five goats, four chickens, a guard dog (Great Pyrenees) and a John Deere Tractor. Read more>>
Noemi Quillin
Some of my fondest childhood memories consist of me playing in Texas dirt with my mom, Cristina. She would plant tiny seeds using her hands and a trowel. By the end of Spring, we would have a bountiful harvest of fruits and vegetables to share with the neighbors. Read more>>
Kalie Stufflebean
I’ve always considered myself as a creative. From doodling to knitting, I have always been busy creating! I am one of those people who can’t sit still and art, in all forms, has been a great outlet for me. My passion for photography started when I was about 8. I was gifted a Polaroid iZone, and I took it everywhere. Read more>>
Ashley Bennett
In 2013 I graduated from Southeast Missouri State with a degree in Journalism and Integrated Marketing Communications. Upon graduation I didn’t have a job yet and I was still staying at home. I have a cousin who is a cosmetologist and made the suggestion to me to come and let her teach me a few things regarding hair so I could make some money on the side until I found a job. Read more>>
Rachael Burleson
VirtuReel started on a cramped flight at the end of a long journey. At the time, traveling and exploring the world was what I looked forward to most in life. I would save and spend thousands of dollars just to hop on a plane and go on an elaborate trek somewhere around the world. Read more>>
Hayden Risinger
My parents took me on my first international trip at eight years old to Senegal, West Africa and I remember peering out the airplane window at a country below that looked so different from home. I love learning about the world and all it has to offer. The uniqueness of each culture, people group, and food inspires me, and I love seeing how God has made all people different, but how we can still connect in one way or another. Read more>>
