Rochester Woman Online

DR MYRA HENRY: on a mission to eliminate racism and empower women

November 16, 2022

Can you tell us a little bit about the YWCA, and its mission. How did the YWCA get started?
A brief history of YWCA Rochester and our commitment to serve women in this community is best described as. A Legacy of Women Helping Women.

In 1883, eleven empowering women saw a need to provide housing for young women moving into the city for the first time to find work. They founded a women’s association that years later would vote to become a member of the national organization known as the YWCA and opened a small boarding house. Employment services were offered, as well as classes in arithmetic and English since educational opportunities for women were extremely limited.Continue reading

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ANGEL BUNCE: planning for a successful life

November 10, 2022

PHOTOS BY LUKE LAPORTA

Tell us about who Angel Bunce is, and how you started Flour City Insurance Company?
Growing up I was always told to plan for a successful life. Well, things didn’t always go as planned for me. I become a mother at 16 and growing into a successful business owner in my early thirties, didn’t come without challenges. Walking the stage to receive my diploma, with my two-year-old in the crowd cheering me on, set the foundation for my “I can achieve anything” attitude. Instead of college, I entered the workforce full-time in retail. I quickly gravitated to an office position which assisted in some much-needed financial freedom for my little family. I even held a few positions within the healthcare industry before finding my true calling in Insurance Sales. Continue reading

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DAMARIS RIVERA: A hustle that comes from within

November 1, 2022

PHOTOS BY: Albert Jones

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background that led you into the real estate field.

I was born and raised in the City of Rochester where I identified myself as an entrepreneur at a very young age. I started various businesses with the ultimate support of my parents. I joke with them now on how they kept sane during all my stages of business, but they supported my drive and hunger towards success no matter how silly my ideas could be. The idea of expanding and relocating my pet boutique around the age of 20 sparked my passion for real estate. Continue reading

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MEET JOANNE RYAN: The Award-Winning Exec Talks Success— and Shoes!

October 2, 2022

PHOTOS BY BRODY WHEELER

JoAnne M. Ryan, MHA, RN, has long shone brightly in our community. Media powerhouse Norma Holland, designer Gail Riggs and others have lauded her successes, citing penchants for advancing well-being communitywide, nurturing young talent and enthusiastic collaboration. Ryan, named among 2022’s Women of Excellence by the RBJ and a 2021 ATHENA Int’l. Award finalist, took over as Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester President & CEO in 2021. An illuminating Q&A follows.Continue reading

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JENNIFER BOUTTE: making our community more equitable

September 4, 2022

PHOTOS BY JOLANA HOLLISTER

A Rochesterian born and raised, Jennifer Boutte has maintained a lifelong commitment to making our community more equitable, more accessible and a place made for everyone to live. As vice president of community engagement for Goodwill of the Finger Lakes, Jennifer continues her passion with veracity and determination.

We sat down and spoke with Jennifer about her life, her joys, her career and more.Continue reading

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PAULA AMICO-GABRIELE: a seat on the table rather than at it

September 3, 2022

PHOTOS BY JULIE OLDFIELD

For our latest edition of She Hustles Talks,we are excited to bring you a woman who doesn’t want to just have a seat at the table, she wants to stand on top of it! Paula Amico-Gabriele is recently married, a mother, real estate agent, and has just finished renovated her dream home in Palmyra, NY and is now our latest cover woman!

We hope your enjoy her interview with She Hustles and that it helps inspire you and others to break the traditional mindset and bust through those glass ceilings!Continue reading

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WENDY BLEIER-MERVIS: Camp Good Days & Special Times

August 15, 2022

PHOTOS BY BRODY WHEELER

Please welcome Wendy Mervis to the ever expanding list of incredible Rochester Woman Online cover women. I have had the true pleasure of knowing and working with Wendy and Camp Good Days & Special Times in the past, and now am truly am honored that she sharing her story and journey with us in the latest edition.

From competitive basketball in college, to giving back by working at Camp Good Days, she is now the executive director nhelping to run this amazing organization along side husband Gary.Continue reading

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DR NEPHETINA SERRANO: hustling as a true woman entrepreneur and marriage ceo

August 14, 2022

For this edition of She Hustles Talks, we have marriage and relationship expert, author, national speaker, and so much more. The true queen of hustle, and now our very own She Hustles cover woman!

We were so excited to be able to speak with this powerhouse woman entrepreneur and bring you just a little bit about her journey. I am sure you will be as intriqued as I was, and can’t wait to read her books, and talk to her more!Continue reading

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SANDY, ALEXIS & ANNA : the mother/daughter power trio