Ashro Woman: Barbara W.
Meet Ashro Woman of the Week, Barbara from St. Louis, MO
‘My faith in God is the glue that has kept me focused on doing good, forgiving others…and having a servitude attitude.’
This remarkable woman has raised a family, started and successfully run her own company, performed the national anthem at Busch stadium, chaired blood drives, put on major fashion shows, acted as secretary for a 3,000+ Women’s Club—and much much more.
“My greatest struggle is finding time to just relax and not work.” When Barbara’s “relaxing,” she enjoys spending time with her family, whipping up her 36-vegetable oxtail soup, chocolate chip cookies, turkey and dressing—or lifting spirits with some home-cooked southern food. Now that’s a blessed family.
| Name |
| Barbara W. |
| Which city do you live? |
| Saint Louis |
| Which state do you live? |
| MO |
| How would you describe the Ashro woman? How do you embody her? |
| I am a hardworking, intelligent woman, with a flair for colorful styles at a reasonable price. |
| How long have you been an Ashro customer? |
| 15-Plus Years |
| What do you do for a living? What do you like most about it? What don’t you like? |
| I am Founder & Principal of the Bobcat Event Management & Consulting Company LLC. My company handles the production of special events and public relations campaigns, and coordinates partnership building for area corporations, educational, nonprofits, and governmental institutions. |
| How do you spend your free time? |
| I enjoy spending time with my beautiful six-year old granddaughter, Harley, singing, volunteering for church and community activities, and visiting the art and history museums. |
| What small thing makes you happy? |
| I enjoy singing and listening to traditional Gospel, country, and international music. I also enjoy cooking homecooked, southern-stye meals for friends and family, to life their spirits. |
| What is your best dish? Who do you make it for—and where do you typically serve it? |
| My favorite dish is a 36-vegetable oxtail soup, chocolate chip cookies, and turkey and dressing. |
| What has been your greatest struggle…and your greatest (or latest) triumph? |
| My greatest struggle is finding time to just relax and not work. My greatest triumph is seeing every project I undertake through a perfect conclusion. |
| Who influenced you the most in your life. Why? And in what way? |
| I was most influenced by my former supervisor, Dr. Martin Luther Mathews. He loved humanity and he dedicated his life towards making a positive difference in the lives of others and towards being a change-agent in his community and abroad.. |
| Do you volunteer or do charity work? Tell us about it! |
| I have volunteered for many organizations, including serving as the American Blood Drive Chairman, Women’s Club Secretary for 3,000-member group, Torchlighter for the United Way of Greater St. Louis, President of the International Special Events Society (ISES), now ILEA., a soloist for various special events, performing the National Anthem at Busch Stadium and God Bless American at for St. Louis’ 911 event, president of the St. Louis Job Corps, General Chairperson of the Press Club of Metropolitan St. Louis, Veil Profit Maul’s Barbecue Booth Co-Manager, and Chairm of the Zonta Club International, St. Louis Chapter, Member of the 100 Black Women, Older Women’s League, and Forest Park Forever Team, and more!’s |
| What do you love about fashion and style? |
| I wear hats sometimes. |
| Has anyone in particular influenced your style? |
| I used to produce a major Fashion Show in St. Louis. I have had the pleasure of several of the project runway models and Kimora Lee Simmons was featured in the first show, some 30 years ago. |
| 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 dress for various church, cultural and charity events as much as three times per week. |
| How has your style evolved over time? |
| I am pretty conservative, but I love colors. |
| 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 sometime. |
| 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 don’t wear headwraps often. When I do, I my friends normally assist me with this. |
| 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! |
| My hair is in a natural style. |
| Are you a woman of faith? How does that faith affect your life? Please tell us more. |
| I was baptized at the age of nine as a Baptist. I have attended many other religious worship services, but I am still Baptist. Today, I am a member of a Southern Baptist Church, but I have also been a member of the Presbyterian church. My strong faith in God is the glue that has kept me focused on doing going and forgiving others. It has also enabled me to have a servitude attitude to reach out and give back to help others. It’s led me to raise my family to be loving, giving, sharing, and caring. |
| Do you attend church? What church do you go to and what do you love most about it? |
| I belong to Parkway Baptist Church and my sister churches Greater Grace Church and Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Chruch. I love the biblical teachings and preachings all three of these churches. I also love that they are reaching out to include all generations and ethnicities and working to improve the community. |
| How are you passing along your faith traditions onto your children/grandchildren? |
| I made sure each of them had a bible, and watching biblical movies with them, celebrated religious holidays of Christian and Jewish Faith. |
| Are you a First Lady or a Pastor? |
| No |
| If yes, tell us about it. |
| I have volunteered for many organizations, including serving as the American Blood Drive Chairman, Women’s Club Secretary for 3,000-member group, Torch lighter for the United Way of Greater St. Louis, President of the International Special Events Society (ISES), now ILEA., a soloist for various special events, performing the National Anthem at Busch Stadium and God Bless American at for St. Louis’ 911 event, president of the St. Louis Job Corps, General Chairperson of the Press Club of Metropolitan St. Louis, Veil Profit Maul’s Barbecue Booth Co-Manager, and Chairm of the Zonta Club International, St. Louis Chapter, Member of the 100 Black Women, Older Women’s League, and Forest Park Forever Team, and more!’s |
| Your best advice? |
| Love God, forgive others for what they do, treat others as you wish to be treated, and share your God-Given talents to help others along the way and keep your word. |
| What lessons has motherhood (or being a grandmother) taught you? |
| Being a mother, a grandmother, and great grandmother, I have learned to love unconditionally. Spend time with your family and tell them you love them and show them, too. |
| Are you an Ashro Credit customer? If so, how has our credit helped you? |
| I am an Ashro Credit Customer. I’ve been able to order birthday, holiday, and just because gifts, freely. |
| Do you have a memory to share of when you first heard about Ashro or when you received your first catalog? |
| I couldn’t put the catolog down. So glad to see African-American faces in such a positive light. I have also introduced the catalog to each of my granddaughters. |
Thanks for inspiring us, Barbara!
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 jim up for emails. We can’t wait to see you!
Comments (6)
Inez Terry
Thank you so much for featuring a black model with a short natural afro hairstyle. I was struggling with my own natural hair thinking it was unattractive, but your model made me rethink going back to using chemicals (relaxers) to look beautiful.
LaGenia Trotman
Shipping and processing fees are outrageous. I’ve been shopping catalogs and the Internet seems like forever and have never seen fees like this. Fashions are trendy but I have to pass.
monroe+main
Thanks for the comment LaGenia! We often have promotional offers if you sign up for our emails or texts. Thanks again.
Pat Hunter
I don’t often stop to read marketing emails, but this one caught my attention. It was a pleasure to read about Barbara. She appears to be a lovely woman of God.
Thanks for sharing her story.
PHJ
Yvonne Bradley
I would really like to enjoy some of these clothes and things you have in the catalog.
Bettye J. Morgan
😊 Hello! I am a very happy Ashro fashion shopper for over 18 years and still shopping! my specials are
the church styles outfits,hats,shoes and more! Thank you for your services!!