International Women's Month
Women are driving innovation and change in tech, business, and creative industries. What future do you see women shaping?
The Art Museum of South Texas has a long list of strong, determined women who have made AMST what it is today. Patsy Singer sought out and secured world-renowned architect, Philip Johnson, to design the original building on the bay in the 1970s! AMST serves as the largest repository for artist Dorothy Hood’s estate, and today, 25 years after her passing, Hood is getting the New York exhibition she always wanted and a feature in Vogue magazine. The AMST staff of no more than 20 made up of majority women work every day to keep this community dream a cultural reality and remain a beacon of creative hope for all in South Texas. We hope the inspiration sparked here fuels a more art-focused-and-respected future for Corpus Christi. - Art Museum of South Texas
How can we empower young girls today to dream big and pursue any career or life path they desire?
We focus on representation, in the jobs we hold, and the art we show. Focusing on the work of female artists is paramount to our mission to serve as a comprehensive exhibition and collecting space that reflects Corpus Christi, South Texas, and the Americas. - Art Museum of South Texas
Who are the women that have shaped your life and thinking, from your grandmother to contemporary leaders?
I have always been inspired by my mom and grandmother. They are prime examples of the motherhood and career balance and made sacrifices that I now understand as a mom myself. As women, we do not have to pigeonholed into any one role. Anything is possible. - Stephanie
My paternal grandmother, Mimi, was the heart of our family, showing me the importance of love, tradition, and hard work. My first boss at Pepsi proved that I could thrive in a male-dominated industry, teaching me how to lead with both strength and empathy. Today, I’m inspired by the incredible women in the Coastal Bend, all working to make a difference in our community. - Avery
We are living in unprecedented times. Women have gained a strong voice within the last 150 years, allowing trailblazers to rise and help empower women of all ages and help achieve and support individual rights. My Great-Great Aunt, on my father's side of the family, was one of Kansas's first female loan officers and the first woman to own a vehicle in her town in the late 1800s and early 1900s. My Grandmother was born in the early 1920s and raised by my Great-Great Aunt. This was during a time when women were supposed to be homemakers and raise children. My Grandmother worked for the Federal Government until she retired and raised two boys alone. I hold their stories close to my heart. During my short lifetime of learning and self-awareness, I keep their stories in my mind as a guidepost. My Grandmother told me you will have to make life happen for yourself. Life is hard, living is hard, and making life happen is hard. What I have learned is I have a choice...I can either sit back and be complicit to the norm or rise as they did and participate in exploration and significant change. I am choosing the latter. - Cheryl Votzmeyer-Rios | Executive Director, The Ritz Theatre
Women’s experiences differ around the world. How can we embrace and celebrate the diversity of womanhood?
The diversity of womanhood is something to cherish. Every woman’s story is shaped by unique experiences, and by listening, sharing, and uplifting one another, we create a stronger, more connected community. Take time to celebrate the women around you—our differences make us powerful, and our shared experiences bring us closer. - Avery
Examine the progress made in women’s rights around the world. What milestones have been achieved, and where is there still work to be done?
Women continue to face oppression by the few who hold financial and decision-making power. Women’s voices, especially in business, are too often ignored in favor of those who already hold power. That’s why we must continue to speak up, stay informed, and advocate for fair representation in the decisions that affect all of us. - Monica Ellison | 20/20 Vintage