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 Central Dallas that we hope you will check out, follow and support.
Deja Hall
My singing experience began as a member of the First Baptist Academy school chorus in San Antonio, Texas. My enthusiasm for singing bloomed in 2007 when I was asked to lead a song during a church service in Okinawa, Japan. I was so inspired by the experience that I began singing on a recurring basis. I received formal training in classical music from middle school through my senior year of high school. Read more>>
Dr. Carlie Bell-Biggins
My motivation to become a natural medicine doctor primarily came from watching my dad’s failing health over the years. With several chronic illnesses ailing him, from congestive heart failure to prostate cancer, I knew his diet and sedentary lifestyle were to blame. Being a truck driver by day, and couch potato by night, my dad had very little inspiration to move his body. Read more>>
Cathy Manning
The inspiration for most of my photography came during my childhood. My grandmother was a floral designer with a “green thumb,” and as I browse the countless images taken over years, flowers have always played the lead role. My start in serious photography began on the sidelines over 20 years ago as my three sons played a variety of sports. Rest assured, I had no training and no idea what I was doing – it was trial and lots of error. Read more>>
May Maggitti
I decided to take a leap of faith and transition into a sales agent servicing the DFW metroplex, after already having lived here for three years. I hit the ground running after getting my license and it was exhilarating! Assisting people in the search for finding the perfect home to grow their families and seeing their smiling faces at closing was enough to get me hooked. Read more>>
Meridith Manning
I have always been a curious person. That, combined with a love of writing and public speaking (not to mention a fascination with journalists like Barbara Walters and Diane Sawyer) I started my career path as a journalist. Though I originally planned to go the route of on-air television reporter, an internship at ABC NEWS (with Diane Sawyer!). Read more>>
Trish Bernard
I was working in corporate finance and loved working with people but didn’t love the politics of it or my impact as a person working in that field. I wanted more for myself and future family. So I decided to pick up a side hustle as a wedding officiant! Oh my goodness, I fell in love and not just with the extra cash but with all of the couples and their love stories. Read more>>
Lexi Jesme
I have been in love and obsessed with babies. I always played house as a little girl growing up, I started babysitting as early as I could, volunteered to do church nursery with my mom, continued church nursery for eight more years, and I still babysit any chance I get! Babies are chunky, fun, adorable, innocent, and oh so cuddly and lovable! I’ve always had a passion for babies and it’s never fizzled out. Read more>>
Becky Nelson
Phase 1: Creating a concept combining my passion for food and baking occurred in 2012 when I launched Le Gourmet Valet. Baked treats, gourmet gifts and gift meals were initially sold out of my home. My mission included promoting kindness, thoughtfulness and the notion of treating others as you would like to be treated… a.k.a. The Golden Rule. Read more>>
