• December 2015
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To Thine Own Self Be True

What defines an Austin woman?

I am Austin Woman.

That statement is prominently featured in all new AW materials, on the website and on the front of AW business cards. “I am” statements are powerful statements, both descriptive and defining. Who can forget the famous “I am Spartacus” scene in the classic film as thousands of captured slaves stood with their leader in solidarity? But what exactly does it mean when someone says, “I am Austin Woman?” What description or definition can I give to the women who make up that community?

In my role as editor, the question I am asked most often is how we choose the cover women. What qualities do we look for in those women? The other question I am often asked is how we decide what to include in each issue. What I have realized is the real question on most people’s minds is exactly what defines an Austin woman? What sets her apart or makes her stand out? And conversely, what qualities do all these women share? 

I have had the privilege and the pleasure of being associated with Austin Woman from the beginning, first as a writer and for the past 52 issues as the editor. In that time, I have found it is almost impossible to give a simple definition or description of what it means to say “I am Austin Woman,” as the members of this community are as diverse and unique of the city itself. However, there are many characteristics these women share. Getting to be the architect of each issue and getting to learn what motivates these women, what inspires them, to know where they have been and where they are headed has been an honor. Their generous hearts, courageous spirits and willingness to share their stories have brought me and our readers great insight and joy. I encourage you to go to our archives and revisit the stories of the women who filled our pages throughout the years. Please indulge me as I look back and reflect on what I believe it means to say, “I am Austin Woman.”

 

Unique

Austin women have a style of their own. When I first moved to Austin, I thought Austin women had no style, but as the years went by, I learned that not only do they have style, they have a style that was 100 percent their own, and that they refuse to be defined by any trend, whether it is on the runways of New York City or Paris, or the showrooms in High Point, N.C. These women know exactly what Austin style means to them. Beautiful, gracious, classy, relaxed, laid-back, a little quirky, always original: These are the hallmarks of ATX. For my style cues, I look to Kendra Scott, Donna Stockton-Hicks, Camila Alves, Carla McDonald, Tracey Overbeck Stead, Ashley Hargrove and Cheryl Bemis.

 

Strong

Austin women find strength in adversity. Many Austin women count themselves as survivors, survivors of breast cancer, domestic violence, rape and child abuse. What always impressed me when telling their stories was the way they refused to let adversity define them and the ways they found the strength to share their stories. Austin women don’t just survive, they thrive, and then they reach out and give their sisters a hand up. For a little sweet inspiration, look to Andrea McWilliams, Cherie Mathews, Patti Rogers, Shauna Martin and Courtney Sanchez Santana.

 

Talented

Austin women are creative and innovative. When I think of one of the main attributes that sets Austin women apart and indeed defines the city itself, it has to be the clarion call to creative souls and spirits. We support and revere musicians, dancers, artists, filmmakers, writers and playwrights. I have been fortunate to interview and feature so many creative talents that the list seems endless: Sara Hickman, Elizabeth McQueen, Natalie Maines, Christine Albert, Ruby Jane Smith, Sarah Jarosz, Sandra Adair, Kat Candler, Kelly Willis, Elizabeth Avellán, Shawn Colvin, Sahara Smith, Anne Akiko Meyers, Anne Rapp, Ruthie Foster, Carolyn Wonderland, Marcia Ball, Kathy Valentine and Eliza Gilkyson just to name a few. Creativity and innovation run through the collective soul of Austin women and are traits shared by almost every woman we have profiled, regardless of her profession. Austin women think outside the box.

 

Generous

Austin women are driven to give back and pay it forward. They share their time, talent and treasure in huge measure. Newcomers to Austin always remark on the generosity of Austin women and particularly, their desire to help others succeed. There is a strong sense of pride in the accomplishments of the entire tribe that fuels this spirit of cooperation and mentorship. For proof, look to Jan Ryan, a successful entrepreneur who decided to pay it forward when she started Women@Austin in 2013, creating a network to advance female entrepreneurship. In her own words, “The creation of Women@Austin echoes what most women in business realize: We all need each other. We’re here because of others. With Women@Austin, we have the opportunity to leave a legacy in this city. Austin can, and should, be known for our ability to attract talented women, to become the most accessible, supportive city in America for women to launch a business.”

Austin women work tirelessly, often with little thanks and recognition and no pay, giving thousands of hours to organizations and individuals for no other reason than to make a difference. I cannot remember a time when I reached out for help, either personally or for a cause, and even the busiest of them turned me down. It’s a thing among Austin women. No matter their age, station in life or occupation, they are here to help, and Austin women value connection.

 “I think of Austin Woman magazine as an ongoing dialogue, spotlighting women in this city who are pursuing progress and change. What I love most about AW women is the sense that we’re all in this together, the spirit of giving back, of sisterhood.” – Jan Ryan

 

Accomplished

Austin women choose to build a legacy. Looking back at the women who have graced our cover, I think of how blessed we are to live in a city where women like Teresa Long, Jo Anne Christian, Cookie Ruiz, Pebbles Wadsworth, Sally Jacques devote themselves to the arts and to the indelible memories of women like Liz Carpenter, Lady Bird Johnson, Molly Ivins and Karen Kuykendall, which makes trying to live up to the high standards they set a tough act to follow. This is the city where women like Ada Anderson, Sarah Weddington, Wilhelmina Delco and Rhoda Mae Kerr made history and shattered glass ceilings. This is the city where the dedication of Lynn Meredith became the Thinkery, and of Donna Stockton-Hicks and Sally Brown, which became The Rise School, and where the vision of Rebecca Powers led to the creation of Impact Austin. The legacies of these Austin women have contributed mightily to the quality of life for everyone who calls this city home. Their accomplishments shine as something to strive for, and they set the bar high for future generations. 

“Like the many great women who found their way to Texas in the 1800s, those you profile in Austin Woman all share a strong pioneering spirit, a willingness to endure adversity to explore, attempt and achieve. They are at the heart of what Austin is all about: innovation and pluck.”  – Carla McDonald

 

Global Thinkers

Austin women are citizens of the world. You need look no further than the work of Jessica Honegger, Christy Pipkin, Sarah Evans, Caroline Boudreaux, Donna Berber and Niyanta Spelman to realize the global impact these Austin women have made. From providing educational opportunities for students in Ethiopia, Kenya, and in Honduras, to providing clean, fresh water throughout Africa, to providing loving and safe homes for orphans in India, to providing health care, to saving the rainforests, to empowering female artisans through business opportunities and microloans, these women have expanded the reach of Austin, Texas, and made a huge difference. 

 

Dreamers

Almost every woman we feature in the magazine has big dreams, and what has been most interesting to me is the way they have chosen to manifest their dreams. The problem with dreaming big is that many people think it is crazy and that it can’t be done. For Austin women, failure is not an option. They respond undaunted with optimism and determination and marvelous projects, like the Seton Breast Care Center, the Thinkery, The Long Center and the Austin Film Festival, which have become part of the fabric of our community.

"The thing that truly inspires me about {Austin Woman} is that it embodies the spirit of what a true sisterhood is all about. As I travel and work around the globe, in no other place have I found a single community so banded together in their spirit to help women grow and thrive. I often think about Austin Woman as I think about how I envision the global quilt of women worldwide coming together in a community that truly supports, inspires and enables women to reach their fullest potential.” – Ingrid Vanderveldt

 

PURPOSEFUL

Austin women are on a mission. Austin women are particularly good at recognizing a problem, finding a need and filling gaps, and they do it in the most creative and determined ways. One of the common threads that runs through most of the stories I have written and edited for AW is that these women have a distinct sense of purpose. I look to Alexis Jones, Jan Ryan, Courtney Sanchez Santana, Ingrid Vanderveldt, Donna Berber, Sarah Evans, Christy Pipkin, Susan Dell and so many others. Their missions range from empowering a billion women by 2020, to creating safe harbor for women fleeing domestic abuse, to creating a place where the women of Central Texas can receive first-class care and treatment for breast cancer, to empowering women locally and throughout the world to providing water, food, homes and health care for those who need it most. Austin women on a mission are focused, selfless and determined.

"I am Austin Woman." Why am I Austin Woman? I believe to be an Austin woman, you must love Austin, understand your community and surround yourself with great women leaders. My council in building a business and being an Austin woman: Build your ship on land and not on the water. It takes a village to raise an entrepreneur.” –  Cherie Mathews 

 

Authentic

All these characteristics, in some way, define what it means to be an Austin woman. But is there possibly one word that might connect all these descriptions? Austin women are passionate and love what they do. Austin women love their city, their families, their friends and the world, in general. They are confident, and many have found and answered their calling. Many have realized they only thought they had it all figured out. Austin women refuse to be defined and refuse to give up. Vision, perseverance and passion might as well be their middle names. But what one thing ties it all together? I believe it is authenticity. To me, when you say, “I am {Austin Woman},” you are also saying, “I am what I am. Take it or leave it in totality.” Although Austin women are complex, at different stages of life and as quirky and independent as this city we call home, the one thing that makes them unique while drawing them together is the desire to be genuine, to live authentic lives and to let that authenticity guide their journeys. 

So, when you say, “I am Austin Woman,” say it with a wink and with pride, knowing you and your sassy tribe are the real deal, a tribe that I have been proud to be a part of. When you say, “I am Austin Woman,” know that it has power and meaning. It is an “I am” statement with a lot to live up to.

 

Molly Ivins, Liz Carpenter, & Sarah Weddington photo by Matt Lankes. Lady Bird Johnson photo courtesy of the LBJ Library and by Frank Wolfe.

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