Celebrating and Showcasing Women Making an Impact in Our Community
March is Women’s History Month, and I’m excited to honor some of the incredible women I’ve had the privilege of photographing! Throughout the month, I’ll be sharing images and stories of women in business—entrepreneurs, creators, and leaders who are making an impact in their industries and communities.
This series is all about visibility, empowerment, and inspiration. By highlighting these amazing women, I hope to showcase their hard work, celebrate their successes, and encourage others to chase their own dreams.
Week One
Meghan Rothschild
Meet Meghan, the powerhouse behind Chikmedia, a Marketing & PR firm dedicated to empowering women business owners and leaders. She’s also an aunt to 11 nieces and nephews, a wife, and a proud fur-mom. Like many entrepreneurs, she’s on a journey to find the ever-elusive work-life balance. For Meghan, success means contentment and tranquility—a challenge in the entrepreneurial world, but one she’s making strides toward every day!
Which woman in history has inspired you the most, and what about her story resonates with you?
Margaret Sanger has always been a baddie in my mind. She initiated the concept that women are not just vessels for motherhood and empowered us all to lead lives we WANTED instead of what society told us to do.
Is there a particular quote from a woman in history that you live by or find empowering? Why?
“Well behaved women seldom make history.” It’s true – we need to rustle feathers to be heard and seen.
As a woman making her own history, what impact do you hope to have on future generations of women?
I hope to empower women to be their authentic selves; to find confidence in a world where we are constantly told we are not enough.
Alison Gray
Alison, owner of Gray Hill 15, combines her love for organization with her passion for creating spaces that feel like home. She helps clients transform their spaces into organized, welcoming environments, giving them not only a place they love but also a clearer, more peaceful mindset. By freeing up physical space, she helps free mental space—allowing clients to focus on what truly matters instead of feeling overwhelmed by clutter. In today’s fast-paced world, Alison believes everyone deserves a space where they can relax, recharge, and feel pure joy.
Is there a particular quote from a woman in history that you live by or find empowering? Why?
“The worst enemy to creativity is self doubt.” – Sylvia Plath
When I first read this quote ages ago, it stuck with me. The work I do is my art, how I express my creativity. Too many times I catch myself doubting my vision and it can really lower my level of creativity; I can see the self doubt reflected in what I’ve created during those bouts, the safeness of it. When I move past the self doubt and let the creativity flow, I do some of my best work. This quote reminds me of that.
As a woman making her own history, what impact do you hope to have on future generations of women?
I hope to encourage women to learn more about, and take their mental health (more) seriously, while understanding the influence their physical surroundings have on it. To remind them that creating a safe, comfortable, organized space is a form of self care, not an unnecessary luxury.
Rachelle Hannoush
Rachelle is an early childhood leader, professional development facilitator, and family advocate with over a decade of experience in program development, leadership training, and community engagement. Her passion lies in empowering those who support children and families, ensuring that programs and organizations create inclusive, high-quality environments where both professionals and the communities they serve can thrive.
In 2019, she founded Rooted Leaders to provide leadership coaching, professional development, program design, and strategic consultation for early childhood education programs, youth-serving organizations, and home visitors. Her goal is to strengthen leaders, improve program quality, and drive organizational growth—because strong leaders build strong communities. She is currently focused on expanding Rooted Leaders’ reach to support more professionals in their work and advocating for equity, inclusion, and excellence in early education and family support services.
Alongside her sister, she also co-founded Rooted Play Studio, a creative and community-centered play space in Glastonbury, CT. Rooted Play Studio is designed to nurture learning through play while fostering meaningful connections between children, families, and caregivers. Through open-ended play, enrichment classes, and thoughtfully designed experiences, they create a space where families feel supported, inspired, and engaged. Her sister, Christelle, brings her creative flair as a talented event coordinator and balloon artist, making every moment at Rooted Play Studio feel magical and inviting.
At the heart of both Rooted Leaders and Rooted Play Studio is Rachelle’s deep belief in the power of community, connection, and leadership. She loves connecting with others who share this passion—what drives your work?
Which woman in history has inspired you the most, and what about her story resonates with you?
One woman in history who has deeply inspired me is Malala Yousafzai. Her unwavering courage, resilience, and advocacy for education as a fundamental right resonate with me on so many levels. As someone who has dedicated my career to early childhood education, leadership development, and family advocacy, I believe that education is the foundation for empowerment, opportunity, and change—especially for marginalized communities.
Malala’s story is a powerful reminder that one voice can ignite a movement, and her commitment to ensuring that all children, especially girls, have access to quality education aligns with my passion for creating inclusive and equitable learning environments. She didn’t let fear, oppression, or adversity silence her—she used her experience to amplify the voices of others and push for systemic change.
In my work with Rooted Leaders and Rooted Play Studio, I strive to empower educators, youth-serving professionals, and families to create spaces where every child has the opportunity to thrive. Malala’s story reinforces my belief that when we invest in education and strong leadership, we invest in the future of entire communities.
Is there a particular quote from a woman in history that you live by or find empowering? Why?
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
This quote resonates deeply with me because it speaks to growth, learning, and the power of continuous improvement—values that I hold close in both my personal and professional life.
As someone who works in early childhood education, leadership development, and family advocacy, I believe that true leadership is about evolving. We are constantly learning—whether it’s about creating more inclusive spaces, strengthening programs, or better supporting children and families. This quote reminds me that perfection isn’t the goal—progress is. When we embrace learning and remain open to new perspectives, we become better educators, leaders, and advocates for change.
It’s a call to action for growth, humility, and resilience—and that’s something I strive for every day.
As a woman making her own history, what impact do you hope to have on future generations of women?
As a woman making her own history, I hope my impact on future generations of women is one of empowerment, leadership, and unapologetic advocacy for change.
Through my work in early childhood education, leadership development, and family advocacy, I strive to create spaces where women—especially those working with children and families—feel seen, valued, and supported. I want to inspire future generations to step into leadership with confidence, purpose, and the knowledge that their voices matter.
I hope to show women that they can build, lead, and create impact while staying rooted in their values. Whether it’s through Rooted Leaders, where I support professionals in strengthening their programs and leadership, or Rooted Play Studio, where we create spaces for families to connect and thrive, my goal is to leave a legacy of community, equity, and empowerment.
Most importantly, I want future generations of women to know that they don’t have to wait for permission to lead—they already belong in the spaces they dream of.
Hope Lynn Bussiere
Hope is a licensed insurance broker and a passionate advocate for public health. She specializes in serving Medicaid and Medicare populations, ensuring they receive the coverage and support they need. With a strong background in provider relations, sales, and marketing, Hope excels at connecting people with the right healthcare solutions throughout Central and Western Massachusetts.
Which woman in history has inspired you the most, and what about her story resonates with you?
Edyth Schoenrich has inspired me because she was a trailblazer in preventative medicine. She is known for her work at the local and state levels to improve the quality and accessibility of care for the poorest and sickest chronic disease patients. I believe her story resonates with me because my work on a daily basis involves community members with Medicaid. The affordable care act has made it much easier for people to apply and enroll in the appropriate programs. The ACA of 2010 allows Medicaid to cover nearly all low income Americans under the age of 65. I am also an appointed Massachusetts Commissioner on the Status of Women for Berkshire County. As a commissioner, I am able to advocate regarding policies that would improve access to opportunities and equality for the women of Massachusetts.
Is there a particular quote from a woman in history that you live by or find empowering? Why?
“We need women who are so strong they can be gentle, so educated, they can be humble, so fierce they can be compassionate, so passionate they can be rational, and so disciplined they can be free.” – Kavita Ramdas
I don’t believe that a woman needs to live loudly or boldly to exist. I feel as though I live by her words, I am dedicated, empathetic, kind, loyal, passionate and trustworthy. The work I do for underserved populations may be silent but I am not silenced.
As a woman making her own history, what impact do you hope to have on future generations of women?
I hope to improve accessibility and equality for women and the underserved populations within our commonwealth.
Arice Mackintosh
Arice loves inspiring women to care for their physical, mental, and emotional well-being through movement. Since she opened her Pilates studio, CORE and MORE, 8 years ago, she has always aimed to create a community of women who support and cheer for each other. She participates in this journey every day, and it is a continuous circle that gives back to her as well.
Is there a particular quote from a woman in history that you live by or find empowering? Why?
When people show you who they are, believe them. Maya Angelou
As a woman making her own history, what impact do you hope to have on future generations of women?
Caring for their body and emotional well being and teaching them to advocate for their health.
Be sure to come back next week for more inspiring stories and powerful images as we continue celebrating the incredible women making a difference for Women’s History Month!
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