Ashro Woman: Angela M.
Meet Ashro Woman of the Week, Angela M. from Austin, TX
Angela is a very unique, very powerful type of “DIVA” because of the way she defines and interprets the word. To Angela, Diva means “Divinely Inspired, Victorious and Accomplished through Christ.” Angela lives this out every day—all the way. “I’m passionate about my love for the Lord, my Christian faith, my husband and family.” She is also passionate about helping others, cooking, and her craft of writing and storytelling.
As a children’s book author, cookbook author, screenwriter, chef, and Diabetes Health Outreach Worker, she has a lot of pursuits to juggle. Thankfully, she doesn’t do it alone. Angela has a wonderful family and has been married to her husband, Michael, for 46 years. “He has been my biggest source of love, care, and support—and my cheerleader.” Together they’ve raised a faith-filled family and started a non-profit that is now 33 years old.
Make no mistake, Angela is also a Diva in the classic sense of the word. “I’m ALWAYS in Diva-mode when I go out of the house—whether I’m going to an event, to church, the grocery store, the mailbox, or out to the back porch. People stop me all the time to tell me how much they love my outfits. DIVA ‘TIL I DIE!”
| Name |
| Angela M. |
| Which city do you live? |
| Austin |
| Which state do you live? |
| TX |
| How would you describe the Ashro woman? How do you embody her? |
| The name Ashro inspires decisiveness, glamour and affection. I’m passionate about my love for the Lord, my Christian faith, my husband and my family, my purpose to help others, and my love for cooking, my craft of writing and storytelling and being a “DIVA” –Diviniely, Inspired, Victorious, and Accomplished through Christ! |
| What do you do for a living? What do you like most about it? What don’t you like? |
| I’m a children’s and cookbook author, a storyteller and screenwriter, a Chef, and Diabetes Health Outreach Worker. I’m at the wonderful point in my life and career where I’m able to do what I love and get paid for it. I no longer have to do things I don’t like to do. Creative freedom isn’t easy or cheap but it’s worth it! |
| How do you spend your free time? |
| My husband, Michael. He has been my biggest source of love, care, and support and my cheerleader for the last 46-years! We enjoy talking about the news and old times, going to museums and watching movies and tv series. |
| What small thing makes you happy? |
| Doing things for others who are feeling sad, lonely, or sick and making them laugh. It truly is the best medicine! |
| What is your best dish? Who do you make it for—and where do you typically serve it? |
| I have a list of “best” dishes, but I love preparing, serving, and eating my mac and cheese because it’s a family favorite. People of all races love it! |
| What has been your greatest struggle…and your greatest (or latest) triumph? |
| I had a horrible reaction to a prescription medication and for over a year and a half, I lost the use of my legs. The Lord blessed me physically and spiritually to appreciate the love and unself care of my husband and my family, to grow in my faith, and to enjoy life in a way that I never would have known without being ill for so long. |
| Who influenced you the most in your life. Why? And in what way? |
| My parents for my formative years because they gave me the confidence, drive and determination that I have today, and my Pastor, Salem Robinson, Jr., for the bulk of my adult years as a Christian to help me understand the word of God, love, faith, forgiveness, living with integrity, and how to apply those percepts to my daily life. |
| Do you volunteer or do charity work? Tell us about it! |
| I’m the President of a non-profit, 501 ( c ) 3 education, health, and social services organization that my husband and I started 33-years ago. Covid-19 has stretched our resources and our small staff to the limit but we are thankful that we’ve been blessed to serve people of color in low-income communities in Austin that need our help. |
| Are you in a sorority? Or is anyone in your family in a sorority? If so, which one and what does it mean to you? |
| No, but my sister is an AKA. |
| What do you love about fashion and style? |
| I LOVE being a woman and I particularly love beautiful clothes, jewelry, and shoes! The Ashro website is like a vacation for me at the end of the day. Beautiful and soothing! |
| Has anyone in particular influenced your style? |
| My gorgeous mother and my lovely Aunts. I grew up during a time where my dark skin, curvy figure, and thick, kinky-curly hair weren’t celebrated. But I’ve always felt beautiful and inspired because my Mom and my Aunts were so confident in their looks and they LOVE clothes and shoes! |
| What occasions/events do you dress up for? (for example-do you often dress up for church, cultural events, charity events, going out, etc.) And how often do you typically get dressed up? |
| I put my outfits together for the week, make sure they’re pressed, mix and match shoes and bags…okay, I’m a Diva! I’m constantly doing tv or zoom interviews, or giving speeches or attending events, but I’m ALWAYS in Diva-mode when I go out of the house whether I’m going to an event, to church, the grocery store, the mailbox, or out to the back porch. People stop me all the time to tell me how much they love my outfits. DIVA ‘TIL I DIE! |
| How has your style evolved over time? |
| I’ve been through the 60’s up to today and I’ve picked out the best of each decade and adapted it to my style. Just because something is in fashion doesn’t mean that it’s the style for you. I buy classic, foundational wardrobe stables, i.e., a great fitting shift dress, jacket, pants, and top and add trendy things to them to keep it fresh. |
| Do you wear hats? How often and what type of hat? Do you wear them to church? If so, be sure to share a pic of you in a hat with us! |
| I wear hats, but my favorite thing to wear are fascinators I love the name, the look, and the mystery of covering one eye and peeking out through a veil.. |
| Do you wear headwraps? How often? Where did you learn how to tie it? Share a pic of you in a headwrap with us! |
| I wear headwraps often, and I learned how to tie them from trial and error. |
| Do you wear wigs? How often and what length or style? If so, be sure to share a pic of you in a wig with us! |
| I wear wigs all the time. I always pack “spare hair” when I travel because you never know what you might have to do when you’re on tv or on the road. |
| Are you a woman of faith? How does that faith affect your life? Please tell us more. |
| Yes, I accepted Christ as my personal savior when I was 18, after my new boyfriend, now my husband told my about the changes in his life since he became a Christian. We got married 2-weeks after I was saved and knowing the Lord has been all of the different in our life. |
| Do you attend church? What church do you go to and what do you love most about it? |
| Yes, Dunn’s Memorial in Austin, Texas. I love that it is a church built on the word of God, and the spirit and doctrine of Christ. Attending Dunn’s has changed my life. |
| How are you passing along your faith traditions onto your children/grandchildren? |
| My daughter, my son-in-law, and my granddaughter have observed our lives and have all accepted Christ and attend Dunn’s. There’s nothing better than to be able to serve the Lord with your family. |
| Are you a First Lady or a Pastor? |
| No |
| Your best advice? |
| Christ is the way to find the love, joy, and peace that you’re searching for. |
| What lessons has motherhood (or being a grandmother) taught you? |
| There’s no better lesson than to be a good example. |
| Are you an Ashro Credit customer? If so, how has our credit helped you? |
| no |
| Do you have a memory to share of when you first heard about Ashro or when you received your first catalog? |
| Joy at seeing women who look like me in beautiful Afrocentric and fashionable clothing! |
Thanks for inspiring us, Angela!
If you’d like a chance to be a future Ashro Woman of the Week, share your story with us—then watch your weekly Ashro emails to see if you’re featured next! Already filled out our questionnaire? Then you’re all set (you may see yourself featured in next week’s email)! Make sure to tell your friends and family to sign up for emails. We can’t wait to see you!
Comments (1)
Teresa E Dunham
Beautiful write up for a beautiful woman of God. Thank you Angelina!