As she travels the country in her tireless efforts to “banish the darkness and end the silence” for those victimized by domestic violence, Denise Brown frequently shares her painful recollection of the day her sister, Nicole Brown Simpson, was murdered in 1994. “I knew nothing of domestic violence until this happened. If only I had known about the cycle that chipped away at her self-esteem. It can happen to anybody.” Nicole Simpson’s children are what remain of that day, and for Denise, they make it all so real. For 15 years, she has traveled the country to raise awareness about this pervasive crime that kills three women every day in the United States. “Domestic violence is hope that it will get better; shame that anyone will know; and fear of the unknown.”

Denise helped initiate The Vine System, an automated service that notifies victims of the release of batterers from prison. “It’s still a man’s world out there. To create social change, they need to be educated. We need good men to work with us.”

Because her words cross cultures.

Because she gives a voice to young girls.

Because she’s not afraid to bare her soul.

She’s best known for the outrageous characters she’s played on shows like “In Living Color” and in the recent movie “Dance Flick.” But guests of the National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., saw a different side of Kim Wayans, “the real Kim, the woman behind the wacky characters,” she says.

Based on her journey of self-discovery after a spiritual retreat, “A Handsome Woman Retreats” examines the source of Wayan’s anxiety and her experiences as part of one of the funniest families in Hollywood. Inspired by her many nieces and nephews, Wayans and her husband launched the Amy Hodgepodge book series (amyhodgepodge.com), exploring issues multiracial kids face in today’s culture.

“They are the largest growing segment of the population, and we saw a void in children’s literature. We wanted to present characters our nieces and nephews could relate to,” Wayans says. “All children need a positive role model.”

Though she’s now working on a musical about the lives of three middle school-age girls, Kim hasn’t shut the door to more acting gigs.

By SARA CONRAD

The Times-Union

What Melissa Butler likes most about playing rugby is the camaraderie.

“It’s an automatic group of friends,” says Melissa, the president of the only women’s rugby team in Jacksonville. “There’s a very big social aspect.”

Of course, there is the physical contact, too.

“We’re full-on tackle — the same rules as the men,” says Melissa. “It’s a very physical sport. … There’s definitely no need for stress management. Tackling definitely helps.”

“We always say: ‘blood, sweat and tears.’ ”

Melissa, 27, began playing rugby in college at the University of Central Florida with the encouragement of her friends on the men’s teams. She started the Jacksonville team in 2006 with the help of the established men’s rugby teams in town.

The team, known as the Sinners, is open to all women, even beginners and girls under age 18. They play other teams throughout Florida and Georgia.

By SARA CONRAD/ The Florida Times-Union

“Singing feels good, and the voice is an amazing instrument we have for expressing our emotions,” says Kerry Fradley, the director of the North Florida Woman’s Chorale. “Through developing skills, learning teamwork and learning to produce clear, clean tones the group is able to produce a sound that is more wonderful than the work of the individuals.” Fradley also established and directs the St. Augustine Children’s Chorus and directs the Flagler College Singers. She earned her master’s degree in choral and vocal studies from Georgia State University and lived in Springfield, Va., for 25 years. There she developed her interest in art museums before moving to St. Augustine in 2003. Music runs in Fradley’s family, too; her father was a professional Christian singer, and one of her daughters is the choral music director at DeLand High School.

Theresa Smith is a sales executive for the Jacksonville Jaguars and a charter member and past president of Rotary of Orange Park Sunrise. She was born in Long Beach, Calif., and her self-proclaimed Navy brat status brought her to Jacksonville. She is a fan of pub crawls, reading, quiet time on her back porch and visiting the beach with her yellow Lab, Bailey. We’ve asked her to share her life list.

1. Well, duh … see the Jacksonville Jaguars win the Super Bowl — more than once!

2. Meet and fall in love with a man whose kiss takes my breath away.

3. Learn to play golf.

4. Attend The Masters.

5. Go horseback riding on the beach.

6. A vacation that includes nothing but riding roller coasters.

7. Take a Mediterranean cruise visiting Italy and Greece.

8. Take a month riding along the coast of California visiting and experiencing the wine country.

9. Take an Alaskan cruise.

10. Live, laugh and learn every day until my last breath!

Jacqueline Casey
Strong-minded

“I’m a Feminist because ... According to the dictionary Funk and Wagnalls, the word “feminism” means a doctrine advocating the granting of the same social, political and economic rights to women as the ones granted to men.  I am a feminist because I believe all women should have choices that equate to the choices men receive.  My beliefs stem from the roots of the many women’s rights movements that gave women a chance to vote, go to college and have a solid place in the workforce.  Women have the ability to innovate, inspire, and above all to change the world.  I am a feminist because I always want to achieve more and believe all women have the chance to achieve anything they desire.  As the brilliant Eleanor Roosevelt once said, 'the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.’ ”.

Jacqueline is a Jacksonville native and a senior at the University of North Florida majoring in education. She is a former dance major, which she thinks has helped her gain confidence and perseverance. She grew up surrounded by strong women in her family who always taught her to strive for more. 

SARA CONRAD/The Times-Union

Catherine DeAngelis
Freedom Seeker

I’m a feminist because ... I believe that women should have political, economic and social rights equal to those of men (Webster’s). I’ve lived through the ’60s, ’70s, drugs, sex, rock ’n’ roll, the pill, abortion, the changing face of AIDS, marriage, divorce and joyous grandchildren, and through it all I found me!

Catherine is 53 years old, single and loving it. The Jacksonville native believes that women don’t come into their own until their 50s. “The surprising part of being 50 is my newfound sense of freedom and my newfound sense of humor,” she said. She is always telling other women who are her age that by this time in their lives the men are either well trained or they’re gone, and the children are on their own. “We are finished doing all those other things, so we get to be ourselves,” she said. Catherine lived in Columbus, Ohio, for 27 years and moved back to Jacksonville five years ago to be closer to her family. When she isn’t working as an X-ray technician she makes jewelry or hones her talent in photography.
 

By Jessica Leigh-Lebos

Special to the Times-Union and skirt! Savannah editor

It’s been 20 years since the Buffalo, N.Y., native released her first self-titled cassette on her own Right- eous Babe Records, and 19 albums later (including 2008’s “Red Letter Year”), Ani DiFranco has held fast to her do-it-yourself roots, signature staccato guitar style and fearless political stances.

“The personal is political,” the self-titled “little folksinger” reminds her audiences, and she has long championed reproductive freedom and GLBT rights from the stage as well as through her Righteous Babe Foundation. She admits her prolific song-writing has slowed since giving birth to her daughter, Petah Lucia, in 2007, but says the work of motherhood has only deepened her commitment to raising the consciousness of the culture.

What It Means To Be A Woman:
First-person essays from First Coast women on being female in the 21st century.

As women, we know there's no one response to this statement. We know it means a host of varied stuggles and triumphs. So we asked you to share your views with us, to help us proudly define ourselves and toss off the confining labels we wear for others. We've selected five awe-inspiring women who shared their thoughts on modern womanhood.

What It Means To Be A Woman:
First-person essays from First Coast women on being female in the 21st century.

As women, we know there's no one response to this statement. We know it means a host of varied stuggles and triumphs. So we asked you to share your views with us, to help us proudly define ourselves and toss off the confining labels we wear for others. We've selected five awe-inspiring women who shared their thoughts on modern womanhood.

What It Means To Be A Woman:
First-person essays from First Coast women on being female in the 21st century.

“While serving as director of Girls on the Run, Meagan’s non-stop energy and spirit extended beyond the girls, to recruiting and teaching volunteer coaches. She represents the dedication and passion for empowering our upcoming girl leaders in both sports and life!”

Meagan is the executive director of Girls on the Run, a training program that prepares girls for races while encouraging healthy habits. She is also an avid marathon runner (when she isn’t pregnant) and has finished six marathons to date. 

~Nominated by Candace Gerding, Jacksonville, FL

“Paula has such an amazing spirit. She was the whistle blower in the Tailhook scandal where she risked her career by taking on the military’s institution of male privilege. Not only did she break ground by ending the silence around sexual assault in the military, but rather than making her victory a personal one, she has worked in the community to create positive change.”
~Nominated by Jessica McCaffrey and Shelly Clay-Robison, Jacksonville, FL

Paula, a former US Navy helicopter pilot, founded Ocean Yoga in Atlantic Beach, where she is an Anusara Yoga instructor. She volunteer teaches a math program in her children’s school and coaches Girls on the Run. Her articles have been published in several magazines, including Glamour.

Twelve-year-old Latoya has been living with Lisa, her foster mother, for over a year, and is Lisa’s first foster child through Daniel Memorial. Lisa runs a daycare center at home and is having fun raising Latoya, her first daughter. The duo spend time together going out to eat, playing board games, and watching TV.

Lisa: “It was a match made in heaven. She’s helping me and I’m helping her.”

Latoya: “To me, family means loving, caring and being together…Lisa is someone that I can look up to and I love her a lot.”