South Celebrates Women’s History Month
As March arrives, we look back on a year of celebrating the strong women of the South.
The women of Blender Bombs/ Photo by Mark Staff.
Southern women have a reputation just about as strong as the women are powerful. Southern women come from all backgrounds to succeed in whatever they put their mind to. A proud group of business owners, entrepreneurs, medical professionals, lawyers, adventurers, journalists, mothers and many more, these women have shared their stories and experiences so that the next generation will never have to worry about glass ceilings.
The year 2020 was a trying time for all, but the women who came forward to share their stories took the challenges in stride. South learned about drive from the ladies of Cheer Savannah. South learned about what it really means to be stylish from business women who set the bar high in the workplace. South learned about the dedicated healthcare professionals of South’s Hometown Heroes and South’s Greatest Doctors and their selfless sacrifices during a global pandemic. South learned about the burdens of women in the spotlight: from Kathryn Dennis’ growing pains to tackling obstacles with grace from Ainsley Earhardt. South found the ultimate example of compassion in Savannah Wildlife Rescue Center founder Jeanne Paddison. South celebrated the successes of emerging women entrepreneurs, including Helen Hall of Blender Bombs and the ladies of Prime Liquors. South learned about balance from moms who do it all, Like Jenny Fisher.
Without further ado, we present the Southern women who made their mark of 2020, paving the way for a bright future:
Jessica Smith
Courtney Sanderlin
Hometown Heroes
These heroes have stepped up to the plate during the pandemic just as they had been doing before with just as much compassion and determination as ever. Read about Courtney Sanderlin and Jessica Smith, South’s Greatest Heroes Contest winners of 2020, here.
Elaine Seabolt, Seabolt Realty
Ashley Johnson and Shannon Bocook, Bocook Realty
Danielle Squicquero, Hilton Head Life
Michelle Stetson, New York Life
Katie Cassidy, Edgewater Drive
Amy Dickson, Plantation Interiors
Women in Business
“South’s Most Stylish Companies 2020” was all about what it means to be stylish—and we’re not just talking about fashion sense. These women exude class and prowess by exhibiting excellence in their respective businesses. Read more here.
Dr. Christi Ghaleb and family, Family Medicine of Pooler
Dr. Priscilla Ross, Neurological Spine and Pain
Dr. Toni Lewis McCullough, Chatham Dermatology
Dr. Stephanie Sweeney, Savannah Dental
Dr. Karen Cooper, Smile Designs
Women in Health
Doctors Christi Ghaleb, Priscilla Ross, Toni Lewis McCullough topped our “South’s Greatest Doctors 2020/21” list with their exceptional practice and dedication to serving their patients, especially throughout this unprecedented year. Women topped “South’s Greatest Dentists 2020/21” list as well—Drs. Karen Cooper and Stephanie Sweeney consistently raise the bar in their field with innovative work. Read about South’s Greatest Health Professionals here.
Jeanne Paddison/ Photo by Blake Crosby
Women in Wildlife
When it comes to living a life of compassion, Jeanne Paddison walks the walk. She has dedicated her life to helping abandoned or neglected wildlife, and is the founder of the only rescue and rehabilitation clinic in Savannah: Savannah Wildlife Rescue Center. Read more here.
Kathryn Dennis, Fall 2020
Ainsley Earhardt, Winter 2020/21
Cover Stars of 2020
South converted to a quarterly publication schedule last year, and 2/4 of our 2020 cover stars were women in the spotlight. South featured Kathryn Dennis’ comeback in our Fall issue and took a deeper look into Ainsley Earhart’s life in our Winter issue. Read “The Rise & Fall (& Rise) of Kathryn Dennis” and “Fox and Friends’ Ainsley Earhardt is Fair & Faithful” for the full stories.
Teejal Patel and Priyanka Pardeshi, Prime Liquors
Helen Hall, Blender Bombs
Women Entrepreneurs
South featured a host of women breaking into the business world and taking it by storm. Helen Hall and her team at Blender Bombs continue to explode with a product that has decimated the rest of the health food industry around it. The women of Prime Liquors managed to open a storefront during a time when many brick and mortars are closing—and succeeded. Read “Bombs Away!” and “The Ladies of Luxury Liquors.”
MEET TEAM CHEER SAVANNAH Back row (L to R): Riley Browne, Emma Carroll, Grace Stoever, Ja’Niyah Hills-Wright Middle row (L to R): Marissa Taylor, Avery Evans, Ashlyn Fabre Front row (L to R): Kailen Brantley, Alayna Bernard, Reagan Reynolds, Ansley Kate Smith/ Photo by Peter Collin Murray
Women in Sports
The girls and women of Cheer Savannah are the real deal. These athletes consistently compete in the Cheerleading World Championships year after year, proving their dominance time and time again. Read the full story here.
Jenny Fisher/ Photography by Greg Lambton-Carr
The Moms Doing It All
Jenny Fisher (@fitfishmom) makes being a mom, wife, social-media mogul and professional look easy—when surely, it’s not. She enlightened us with her wisdom about how to achieve balance in life, and we are forever thankful. Check out her advice and pointers here
