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 Four
Lisa Ducharme
Lisa is a retired Air Force veteran with over 20 years of service, bringing her experience along with an extensive background in veteran outreach, entrepreneurship, and business development to her role as Executive Director of MassVCC. Her passion lies in supporting veteran, military, and spouse entrepreneurs by providing them with tailored resources, strategic connections, and community-building opportunities that are essential for their success.
The Massachusetts Veterans Chamber of Commerce (MassVCC) is dedicated to empowering military-connected entrepreneurs, helping them navigate the unique challenges they face, and ensuring they have the necessary tools to grow and thrive. Their focus includes networking events, workshops, training, and a weekly virtual Morning Mission Coffee Hour designed specifically to meet the needs of veterans in business.
Looking ahead, they are expanding their initiatives, including strategic partnerships, planning the Veteran Business Roundtable, and launching the “Duty & Determination” deck of cards. These efforts aim to increase visibility, build connections, and enhance the overall support system for military-connected business owners across Massachusetts.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, I asked Lisa to share her thoughts on the women who have inspired her, as well as how she hopes to inspire others. Here’s what she had to say:
Which woman in history has inspired you the most, and what about her story resonates with you?
It’s a tie.. Senator Elizabeth Dole, I have been following her since 1986, she is a trailblazer in American politics. Senator Dole served as the U.S. Senator from North Carolina, Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of Labor, and President of the American Red Cross. Her diverse career in public service challenged stereotypes about women’s roles in politics and leadership, demonstrating that women can excel in multiple high-profile positions. she was a caregiver for her husband, Senator Bob Dole, WWII veteran, and in 2012 she founded the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, and in 2020 I was honored to be selected as an Elizabeth Dole Foundation Volunteer Caregiver Leader – a Dole Fellow.
Queen Latifah, I have been following her since 1998, she broke barriers in the entertainment industry as a rapper, actress, song writer, producer, and broke barriers in the make-up industry. She is also an influential advocate for body positivity, health, caregiving, empowering disadvantaged youth, particularly in education, health, and culture, as well as being an entrepreneur. She has very positive messages and I always recommend her book Put On Your Crown.
Both of these women maintain neutrality, which is important to me.
Is there a particular quote from a woman in history that you live by or find empowering? Why?
I live by and find both empowering…
“We believe in the dignity of every life, the possibility of every mind, the divinity of every soul. This is our true North.” Senator Elizabeth Dole – Understand the Power of Dignity..
Dignity is not just a nice-to-have value, but a fundamental right that everyone deserves. As a leader, you must ensure that your team feels respected and valued for who they are.
“You have to stand for what you believe in and sometimes you have to stand alone.” Queen Latifah – Leadership involves making tough decisions that often ruffle feathers and rub others the wrong way. It is important to stand up for what you believe in, no matter how unpopular it may be.
As a woman making her own history, what impact do you hope to have on future generations of women?
As I approached my 60th birthday after the loss of my dad this past May, I have been thinking and reflecting on my life. I have been having a lot of conversations about the strong women in my life and the many others whose shoulders we stand on. After co-authoring Reflecting on the Essence of Women, I want to inspire women to recognize the power of their collective stories and contributions, whether in the spotlight or behind the scenes. My hope is to empower future generations to embrace their unique voices, advocate for their rights, and support one another to be their authentic selves, just as past generations of women have done before us.
Sasha Wilde
Sasha’s career has been shaped by her experiences in male-dominated industries, ranging from aerospace engineering to construction, business operations, and now the roofing industry. She is passionate about building both thriving businesses and strong communities, feeling fortunate to channel this passion into two areas she deeply cares about. At Sexton Roofing & Siding, Sasha focuses on assembling a phenomenal team and driving their collective success as they tackle exciting challenges each year. Outside of Sexton, she dedicates her time to an initiative close to her heart—Invest Local, a project designed to help small business owners secure a path to retirement by facilitating the sale of their businesses. Currently, her primary goal is to foster collaboration and growth within these ventures, and she is thrilled about what lies ahead.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, I asked Sasha to share her thoughts on the women who have inspired her, as well as how she hopes to inspire others. Here’s what she had to say:
Which woman in history has inspired you the most, and what about her story resonates with you? Why?
Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s life demonstrates incredible resilience and dedication. Facing societal doubt, educational barriers, and career opposition, she refused to be defined by others’ expectations. She channeled these challenges into relentless efforts toward gender equity, making groundbreaking strides even when met with resistance. Her perseverance and commitment to justice inspire me deeply. Whenever I face self-doubt or obstacles, I draw strength from her example, remembering how she pursued her passions with determination and used adversity to drive meaningful change. Ginsburg’s legacy is a powerful reminder to stay focused on my goals and persist, no matter how uncertain the path.
Is there a particular quote from a woman in history that you live by or find empowering?
“Don’t be afraid to be yourself. The world needs more people who are confident and unafraid to stand up for what they believe in.” – Codie Sanchez.
As a woman making her own history, what impact do you hope to have on future generations of women?
Empowerment is for anyone bold enough to take the leap. My hope is to create opportunities for women to discover independence, creativity, and success, while fostering a sense of collaboration and lifting each other up. I’m inspired by pioneers like Codie Sanchez, who has redefined entrepreneurship and investing through bold, unconventional paths, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whose lifelong commitment to equality reminds us to break barriers for a fairer world. My lesson is simple yet powerful: we all have the ability to shape a brighter future—not just for ourselves, but for generations of women. Imagine boldly and dream without limits.
Mary Irizarry
Meet Mary, a passionate Latina entrepreneur and the creative force behind Ivy’s Events, an event planning and balloon décor company. She’s also the proud owner of The Venue, a boutique-style event space designed to bring your most memorable celebrations to life. With a love for transforming spaces, Mary thrives on turning party visions into reality while delivering an unforgettable experience for her clients.
Beyond her business, Mary is all about building meaningful connections and networking with inspiring people. She has been happily married for nearly 30 years, is a proud mom to two adult children, and a loving Mimi to her two beautiful glambabies. She cherishes family time, loves to travel, and firmly believes in the best rule of all—always eat dessert first!
In celebration of Women’s History Month, I asked Mary to share her thoughts on the women who have inspired her, as well as how she hopes to inspire others. Here’s what she had to say:
Which woman in history has inspired you the most, and what about her story resonates with you?
Frida Kahlo, I love her creativity. Although she was bound to a bed most of the time – she was able to create colorful and beautiful art. Through her art she was able to express her emotions, traumas, vulnerability and love life. She embraced who she was and really stood her ground on her beliefs. Her story always resonates with me because of her strength, she never gave up – although she didn’t have a perfect life. She persevered through all her struggles and was able to achieve her dreams.
Is there a particular quote from a woman in history that you live by or find empowering? Why?
“Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to Fly” – Frida Kahlo- When I find myself limiting my options and doubting that the easy route will be effective, I being to explore alternatives paths to achieve my goals. This quote reminds me of that, nothing truly is impossible.
As a woman making her own history, what impact do you hope to have on future generations of women?
I’m a girls – girl. I love all of my ” chicas”. I love empowering woman, young girls to be the best they can be and not to give up on their goals and dreams. You can achieve everything and anything you set your mind to do. I want the girls in my family to know- that because you are a girl- you can do everything your heart desires. Your voice is powerful, advocate for yourself and have empathy for others. The Future is Female!
Alison Donnelly
Alison is in the business of helping people live better lives—not just financially, but overall. As the co-owner of Legacy Private Wealth, she primarily helps women going through transitions—whether they have lost a loved one, are going through a divorce, or are changing jobs. She works with them to create a financial plan and ensure they have the right investment strategies to support them through their transition and plan for the future. While being a financial advisor and small business owner is her career, it is also her passion—she is dedicated to empowering people to live better, more fulfilled lives. One of her main goals is to provide peace of mind through personalized, comprehensive financial advice while helping clients navigate life’s financial and personal transitions.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, I asked Alison to share her thoughts on the women who have inspired her, as well as how she hopes to inspire others. Here’s what she had to say:
Which woman in history has inspired you the most, and what about her story resonates with you?
This is a very hard question to answer – there are so many amazing women in history who have inspired me! The most recent woman who inspired me was a keynote speaker at the Raymond James Women’s Symposium from this past November. Her name is Sarah de Lagarde, and she is the Global Head of Communications at Janus Henderson. Both her right arm and leg were crushed by two trains in London after she slipped, lost her balance, and fell between the train and the platform. Her story of resilience, courage, and sheer determination is incredible. There was not a dry eye in the room during her speech (including mine!). With all of the challenges she faced and will face the rest of her life, Sarah’s sheer determination and will to make the most out of her situation is what resonated the most. She managed to successfully climb Mt. Kilimanjaro as a double amputee, which is such an amazing accomplishment. Her story was so incredibly moving and inspiring.
Is there a particular quote from a woman in history that you live by or find empowering? Why?
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” -Eleanor Roosevelt
I find this quote empowering because it gives you your power back. In an industry that is well-known as “male-dominated” and only ~15% of financial advisors are female, there were several instances starting out that were very discouraging and made me question whether being in this industry made sense. Fortunately, I took my power back and KNOW I belong here. I run a successful and growing practice and now have an amazing mentor/ business partner (who also happens to be my father!) and a beautiful reminder from Eleanor Roosevelt on my desk to remind me how grateful I am to have overcome those obstacles in the beginning.
As a woman making her own history, what impact do you hope to have on future generations of women?
Working with women and multiple generations of families, I hope to continue to help empower them to live better, more fulfilled lives financially and in mind, body, and spirit. As far as the future generations of female financial advisors – I hope to be a mentor and positive influence to those looking to build a career in this industry. I am determined to help grow that 15% figure to a much, much higher percentage!
Dr. Althea Bates
Dr Bates Is A Executive Life Strategist Coach, Health and Wellness Coach, Resiliency Coach, Author, Motivational Speaker, Podcast Host, Image Consultant And A Nonprofit Thought Leader in The Areas Of Women Empowerment, Women’s Advocacy, Youth Development and Workforce Development Practices.
She Does It All, Not Only Does She Care About The Rights Of Women She Cares About Their Mental Health, Holistic Healing and Wellness As Well As Them Focusing On Their Own Resilience and Self-Care.
Dr Althea Webber Bates has worked in social services and workforce development for over 18 years. She is a Jamaican native, who has always valued hard work as well as giving back to others.
She received a Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Temple University, Masters of Science from Springfield College in Human Services with a concentration in Organizational Management and Leadership and A Doctoral Degree in Public Service Leadership From Capella University as well as a Doctorate In Divinity From Heart Bible Institute.
Dr Bates, is the CEO and Founder of A. Bates Consulting which provides a range of training and consulting services to nonprofits/municipalities relative to topics and areas in life coaching, youth development, case management, workforce development and human services practices.
Dr Althea Bates is a passionate and driven visionary leader. She offers customized training programs for organizations, public and private institutions, and individuals to better meet the needs of families and communities, improve social services, and develop career skills so that struggling or under-served populations can thrive. Dr Bates currently sits on The Lieutenant Governor’s Council For Women And Girls – Health and Public Safety Committee, The CT Council For Women And Girls As Well As The CT Crown Act Coalition.
Through her work and advocacy, Dr Bates founded the Project Resiliency Movement, LLC, a social movement that encourages and helps empower women of color to address the often neglected but important mental, physical and emotional self-care to promote health and wellness. She also hosts conferences, workshops, seminars and a resiliency circle series that foster a stronger sense of connection and community between women of color, to strengthen social and emotional support networks.
Dr Althea has been an instrument of change in her community and a force of inspiration. She is frequently invited to speak motivationally on topics of her expertise in Women Empowerment, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Resilience and SelfCare. Althea has been featured for work in several publications including, Voyage Dallas Magazine, Swag Her Magazine, DSE Magazine, Epic Fab Girl Blog/Magazine, Underground Boss Magazine and Leadership TKO Magazine. In 2019, she started a monthly segment as a regular life coach guest personality on WTNH 8 in New Haven, CT.
A recognized leader in her field, she has been the recipient of the 100 Women of Color Award (2015), The VIP Women of the Year Award from the National Association of Professional Women (2012), the Dynamic Women of Faith and Purpose Award (2018), the I Am Free Women Empowerment Award (2018), and The Women Empower Expo DC Honoree Award (2018), American Book Fest Best In Anthology (2019), Rare Diamond Award (2019), Black People Rock Women Of Integrity Award (2019) and most recently The Fairfield County Chums Community Impact Award (2021).
In celebration of Women’s History Month, I asked Dr. Bates to share her thoughts on the women who have inspired her, as well as how she hopes to inspire others. Here’s what she had to say:
Which woman in history has inspired you the most, and what about her story resonates with you?
Remarkable Woman Nessa Oram Edwards my Mother.
The Example She has Set With her Life, The Legacy she has Created In The Many Lives she Has Poured Into And Impacted…
I celebrate her being a nurturer, a caretaker, a mother, a friend, a pioneer, a trailblazer forging new territory and the many firsts you have been able to accomplish personally and professionally. The first in her family to go to college, the first Black West Indian Director of the CREC Choice Program, etc. and the list goes on….
My mother is definitely worthy of celebration.
Is there a particular quote from a woman in history that you live by or find empowering? Why?
“Well-behaved women seldom make history” is a quote by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich. This quote is my daily reminder that everyday “I wake up ready to slay dragons and disrupt the status quo.” It reminds to that I am history in the making and that it is my duty to take up my rightful space in this world. I would not be able to activate any of my accomplishments without manifesting with intention what space I wanted to take up in this world and how I wanted to impact this world with my presence.
As a woman making her own history, what impact do you hope to have on future generations of women?
My Mentors throughout my career and life met me in motion, meaning I was actively pursuing my career and educational goals and shared with each of them what I needed. What worked well for me was a couple of things, first being clear on the goals I wanted to attain and what supports I needed to help me accomplish each goal. In addition, being open to supports on how I could attain my goals, faster, quicker and with less detours. Mentors and networking along my personal and professional journey has definitely allowed me to navigate spaces, be in rooms and sit at tables that I would not otherwise ever be introduced to.
My impact at this stage of my life’s journey is to teach women how to take up more space and move place settings over at tables to make room for future women leaders with innovative skills, talents, strategies and ideas that are needed at these tables and rooms.
“Taking up Space” emphasis self-love, setting boundaries and embracing one’s unique voice and perspective. It signifies a celebration of female agency and independence, urging women to take up space unapologetically and be proud of who they are. It challenges social norms, promoting a mindset shift that values self-worth and reinforces the idea that every individuals deserves to occupy their own space and be heard. This is why I have been placed on this earth to ignite this fire ablaze in the women I coach, mentor walk alongside.
Kira Ashline
Kira has been a travel agent for over five years, but she’s been in hospitality and planning trips for almost two decades. This year, her goals are to complete her Certified Travel Associate course, finish her portfolio for her Accredited Cruise Counsellor accreditation, and grow her business. It’s like she’s living a double life because, at the same time, she’s also in school to become a Nurse Practitioner!
In celebration of Women’s History Month, I asked Kira to share her thoughts on the women who have inspired her, as well as how she hopes to inspire others. Here’s what she had to say:
Which woman in history has inspired you the most, and what about her story resonates with you?
I absolutely love Dolly Parton. She is, first and foremost, a humanitarian. She grew up with nothing and gives all she can to those in need. When Porter Wagoner screwed her over, she still managed to hold her head up high and became far more successful.
Is there a particular quote from a woman in history that you live by or find empowering? Why?
“I’m not going to limit myself just because people won’t accept the fact that I can do something else.” – Dolly Parton
Again, it very much relates to the way I live my life. You name the job, I’ve done it. It’s led me to be able to relate to others and appreciate them.
As a woman making her own history, what impact do you hope to have on future generations of women?
To be who you are, do what you want, and live in the moment. Take every opportunity that comes your way, because it might just be the “right” time.
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