For Six Square Executive Director Pamela Benson Owens, activism is a constantly evolving fight for liberation. Styling: Justice Diva Chic Faux leather top and pants, bracelets and sunglasses; shoes: PBO closet Leather jacket: Empress Style Closet Earrings: Garden Room Boutique By Cy White. Photos by Romina Olson. Styling by Empress Bey (with inspiration from Garden Room Boutique and Estilo Boutique) Shot on location at Huston-Tillotson University. Special thanks to Ebony Kilgore. There are days when the rainbow isn’t enough. When holding on to the hope of better becomes a bittersweet fight bet ..read more

Allies Against Slavery is setting a new standard for how data interacts with sex trafficking. (l to r): Dr. Vanessa Bouché, Eva Garrido, Tally Jorn, Becky Austen, John Nehme, Quinn Pierson Kenney, Grace Dai, Laura Hackney (CEO of AnnieCannons),Torey Tipton and Lori Hutchison (Google partner) By Hannah Nunez. Photos courtesy of Allies Against Slavery When presented with the term “human trafficking” oftentimes popular action movies like Taken come to mind. But that connection couldn’t be further from what trafficking has evolved into. These films often neglect to mention organizations and people ..read more

The legacy of Texas trailblazer Liz Carpenter comes to the silver screen. By Deborah Hamilton-Lynne Full disclosure, I was a close friend of Liz Carpenter, and she was a great mentor to me and many other young women pursuing careers in journalism with an interest in women’s issues and politics. I miss her wisdom, sharp commentary and humor every day. When I learned that a documentary of her life and legacy was being made, I wasn’t sure that anyone could capture her essence. My skepticism was put to rest when I attended the premiere of Shaking It Up during SXSW. Directed by her daughter, Chris ..read more

Terry P. Mitchell’s upcoming children’s book, City We Built: Black Leaders of Austin, highlights Austin’s historic Black leaders to inspire the next generation. Willie Mae Kirk By Bella Larralde, Illustrations by Sadé Lawson Releasing her first children’s book, City We Built: Black Leaders of Austin, activist and new author Terry Mitchell decided to give the audience a chance to immerse themselves in the history of Austin’s African American culture. The inspiration came from Black Leaders Collective, a nonprofit made up of about 100 Black leaders focusing on fixing prevalent issues within Blac ..read more

Human trafficking survivor advocate, filmmaker and entrepreneur Sophia Strother explores all the facets of who she is. By Sophia Strother, Photo courtesy of Sophia Strother Well, where do I start? Do I start with my transition into Austin in 2015, trying to find a new identity for myself after losing a very close loved one, for whom I was her full-time caregiver for two years? Do I start with the decision to become an employer with Amazon as a delivery service partner, employing almost 100 people and generating millions of dollars annually? Or do I start with getting my footing as a human traf ..read more

Women are building mental health and community wealth in Austin and beyond. By Shonté Jovan Taylor, M.Sc., Ph.D.(c). Illustration courtesy Of Shonté Jovan Taylor, M.sc., Ph.d.(c) In the bustling heart of Austin, a city known for its vibrant culture and pioneering spirit, a remarkable movement is underway. A movement propelled by women who have decided to turn their backs on passivity, opting instead for active participation in the shaping of their communities and the wider world. This narrative is not just about socializing or networking, in the traditional sense. It’s about leveraging those ..read more

Multifaceted activist Erin Walter highlights social justice issues through the language of music. Photo courtesy of Texas Freedom Network By Bella Larralde, Photos courtesy of Erin Walter What started as a simple jam session amongst advocate Erin Walter and her neighbors has since transformed into an activism movement that echoes off the walls of the Capitol (quite literally). Parker Woodland is the bridge between an activist’s mission and her fight for justice. The Background Growing up in the Travis Heights neighborhood of Austin, Walter was raised in a musical family. Her grandpa was a pian ..read more

Sponsored Content Circle V Landscape Architecture | Co-Owner Photo by Joi Conti Hannah D’Amico is co-owner and lead designer of Circle V Landscape Architecture in Austin. With more than a decade of experience in Central Texas, she has a diverse project background including master planned communities, multi-family, mixed-use, parks and civic work. Major contributions include high-profile projects like the Phase II Texas Capitol Mall Expansion currently under construction, and the Travis Club, a luxury Lake Travis community. D’Amico is a visionary, an excellent facilitator and steadfast in foste ..read more

Founder and President of Measure Meme Styles reflects on her revolutionary act of rest. By Meme Styles. Photo courtesy of Meme Styles Picture this: a year filled with relentless challenges, from organizational transformation to the complex web of personal responsibilities. As a Black woman, I wear many hats, including serving as the founder and president of Measure, a research and data-activism organization based in Austin. I am also a Just Tech Fellow, a project of the Social Science Research Council. Juggling my mission with the demand to lead in our community, the delicate reality of my old ..read more

Sponsored Content UT Health Austin | Transplant Director Photo by Joi Conti Nicole Turgeon, M.D., is a transplant surgeon and serves as the transplant director for the Abdominal Transplant Center, a clinical partnership between Ascension Seton and UT Health Austin. She also serves as a professor and the chief of the Division of Transplant Surgery for the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care at UT Austin. Turgeon joined UT Health Austin in 2019 and established the Abdominal Transplant Center in 2022. She has been recognized for changing the face of academic medicine ..read more