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Vanessa Jebb-Swanson

Taylor Villarreal

Jori Phillips

Mary Hannon

Courtney Currie Simmons

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Stories to inspire you.

All the local places to go and things to do.

Tasty tidbits dedicated to tempting you.

Fresh ideas ready for you to try.

Unpacking the places you live inside and out.

Explore what success in the workplace means to you.

Navigate the relationships that matter to you.

Improve your mind, body and spirit.

Enjoy diverse perspectives from West Michigan women.

WMW Entrepreneur Vote Graphic

 

 

 

 

 

WINNERS ANNOUNCED!

Entrepreneurs come in all shapes and sizes. From the founder of a large family manufacturing firm to the work-at-home freelance graphic designer, these people don’t stop at “no”—and they dare to persevere through risks and rewards.

West Michigan Woman sought your nominations for examples of local, brave women entrepreneurs to feature as our August cover story. We requested stories of women who’ve only just begun that have a great story that aptly illustrates what it takes to be an entrepreneur.

Our readers voted and the winners have beeen selected. Congratulations to:

  • Ashley Yost and Mali Jane, AM Yoga 

  • Carol Distel and Jill Wolfe, Distel Wolfe Scavenger Hunts

  • Autumn Fuchs, Fuschia Design

  • Lisa Anderson, Grace’s Table

  • Karen Smoots, The Green Glove Dryer

  • Elizabeth Schenk, Posh Petals

Learn more about these exceptional entrepreneurs in the August issue of West Michigan Woman. 

Not a subscriber? SUBSCRIBE TODAY

FAMMMMThe winner of the 2013 Mother's Day Makeover Contest is Barb Andrus! Click on Barb's name below to read the winning submission, compliments of her daughter, Ellie Andrus! Barb will be featured in the June/July issue of West Michigan Woman. She'll share more of her story with readers on the web. 

Barb will also receive a makeover package that includes:

We received so many heartfelt nominations for the 2013 Mother's Day Makeover contest! Thank you to everyone who submitted names and stories. We were truly touched and wish all of you a very happy Mother's Day!

Last year West Michigan Woman magazine hosted the inaugural Wine & Wig gala, supporting Susan G. Komen West Michigan. Through ticket sales, sponsorships, and a silent auction, we were able to raise nearly $15,000 for this local charity.

This year, the partner charity for Wine & Wig is up to you! We received nominations from many wonderful local charities that are helping our community every day, so our committee had a tough job narrowing it down to these six. Now we need your help! Help us determine which deserving charity will partner with us for the 2014 event—to be held on October 18, 2014, at the GRAM. Vote as often as you would like and please be sure to share! Voting closes at midnight on February 14, 2014.

 

Find your next adventure.

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News

Catch up on the latest news about the premier party of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The 2019 West Michigan Woman People's Choice Brilliance Award

BAPCA19 Social1 UPDATEVoting is now closed! The West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards is entering its 3rd year of celebrating the unique talents of women and men in our community. For the first time ever, the public will select one honoree from the 30 finalists for the People's Choice Brilliance Award. The winner will be announced on Thursday, April 25, 2019 at the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards where they will receive their award and recognition.

• To vote, please provide your first and last name and email address
• You may only vote 1x for one person
• Voting opens February 28th and closes at 5pm on March 14th


Anyone who votes by March 5th will be entered to win a pair of tickets to the International Women's Day event sponsored by West Michigan Woman and WZZM TV on March 8 at 20 Monroe Live.

 Enjoy reading the bio snippets below that were taken directly from the nominators' submissions.

Voting is now closed!

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Finalists

The 2020 West Michigan Woman People's Choice Brilliance Award

BAPCA19 Social1 UPDATEVoting is now closed! The West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards is entering its 4th year of celebrating the unique talents of women and men in our community. For the second year, the public will select one honoree from the finalists for the People's Choice Brilliance Award. The winner will be announced on Thursday, April 30, 2020 at the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards where they will receive their award and recognition.

• To vote, please provide your first and last name and email address
• You may only vote 1x for one person
• Voting opens March 2nd and closes at 5pm on March 18th

 Enjoy reading the bio snippets below that were written from the nominators' and finalists' submissions.

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Finalists

The 2021 West Michigan Woman People's Choice Brilliance Award

BAPCA19 Social1 UPDATEVoting is now open! The West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards is entering its 5th year of celebrating the unique talents of women and men in our community. For the third year, the public will select one honoree from the finalists for the People's Choice Brilliance Award. The winner will be announced on August 31, 2021 at the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards where they will receive their award and recognition.

• To vote, please provide your first and last name and email address
• You may only vote one time for one person
• Voting opens June 1, 2021 and closes at 5pm on June 25, 2021

 !All finalists, along with snippets from their bios, have been placed in alphabetical order below. Enjoy learning about each of them and thank you for voting!

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The 2022 West Michigan Woman People's Choice Brilliance Award

BAPCA19 Social1 UPDATE

People’s Choice Award voting is now open! The top honoree will be announced on May 12 at the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards. Tickets can be purchased here.

Please keep in mind that each of the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards finalists were selected for a reason. All exude a contagious spirit and broad skill set that in one facet or another, betters the West Michigan community. This is an opportunity for you to get to know them. Read through their bios, resonate with their challenges and triumphs, and vote for the person whose story speaks to you most. The People’s Choice Award is not a popularity contest; it’s a way of introducing brilliant individuals to the community and making connections that may not have otherwise existed.

Of the 30 Brilliance Awards Finalists, who most inspires you? Who would you like to see further recognized? Whose story should be told in a big way to West Michigan? Vote for that person. 

• To vote, please provide your first and last name and email address.
• You may only vote one time for one person.
• Voting opens March 28, 2022 and closes at 5pm on April 15, 2022.

 

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The 2023 Brilliant People's Choice Award!


BAPCA19 Social1 UPDATE
People’s Choice Award voting is now closed! The top honoree will be announced on May 17 at the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards. Tickets can be purchased here.

Each of the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards finalists were selected for a reason. All exude a contagious spirit and broad skill set that in one facet or another, betters the West Michigan community. This is an opportunity for you to get to know them. Read through their bios, resonate with their challenges and triumphs, and ideally, make a few new connections!

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The 2024 People's Choice Award!


BAPCA19 Social1 UPDATE
Each of the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards finalists were selected for a reason. All exude a contagious spirit and broad skillset that, in one facet or another, betters the West Michigan community. This is an opportunity for you to get to know them. Read through their bios, resonate with their challenges and triumphs and ideally, make a few new connections!  

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From this issue

/Mimi%20Fritz:%20Leading%20the%20Creation%20of%20Holiday%20magic
For nine years, Mimi Fritz, President and CEO of the Grand Rapids Downtown Market, worked as the director of the city of Holland Principal Shopping District. Included in that role was the creation, management and marketing of many seasonal events and programs, among them organizing the annual Kerstmarkt, an outdoor, European-style market with holiday items, delicious food and artisan demonstrations.
/2024%20Readers'%20Choice%20Awards
Our lives wouldn't be what they are without the stellar local establishments found around every corner of West Michigan, from the newly founded to the well-established and everything in between. Those local staples are what the West Michigan Woman Readers' Choice Awards are all about.
/Migraine%20in%20Women:%20Triggers,%20Symptoms,%20Treatment%20Options%20and%20More
Many women know just how debilitating a migraine attack can be. Aside from the pain, they make functioning in our day to day lives feel close to impossible. And did you know women are much more susceptible to this delightful type of headache?
/Fresh%20Finds%20for%20Arts%20and%20Culture%20Lovers
Looking for something different to do this holiday season and beyond? There are plenty of options in greater West Michigan that may not be on your radar. Here, we've gathered some lesser-known attractions for you to explore—from galleries to performance venues to shops.