Ashro Woman: Janice M

Meet Ashro Woman of the Week, Janice M. from Walthourville, GA!

You’d never know it, but this beautifully dressed writer, teacher, mother and grandmother did not always love dressing up. “I was a young girl who was drawn to sneakers, jeans and sweatshirts. My mom was a well put together woman with style and elegance.” It took a while, but “that confidence she exuded rubbed off…I saw myself in the mirror one day, and it was over.” Now Janice loves to dress up.

Janice learned a lot from her parents and the people in their “circle of life,” important lessons about “fortitude, perseverance and faith in God”. “Knowing whose I am and who I am,” has gotten her through many challenges, including her greatest struggle and greatest triumph: teaching herself how to walk again!

Now Janice is walking just fine, has written 3 books and enjoys her family. Being a mother, “You are always blessed to be needed.” Being a grandmother “is like finding a pot of gold over and over again.” So true! Thank you for inspiring us, Janice.

Name
Janice M.
Where do you live (city/state)?
Walthourville
1. Why are you an Ashro woman?
The clothing adds a certain something to my step!
2. What is your favorite part about fashion and style?
The extra glow that it adds to my self esteem
3. What makes you get up every morning?
The joy of knowing that God gave me another chance to get it right or do it better.
4. Your best advice?
Stay the course even when life is challenging and you’ll find that it does get better over time.
5. What small thing makes you happy?
A tender kiss from my husband and the laughter of my grandchildren.
6. What has been your greatest struggle…and your greatest (or latest) triumph?
A tender kiss from my husband and the laughter of my grandchildren.
7. How do you spend your free time?
Reading and writing on book 3 but none published
8. What do you do for a living? What do you like most about it? What don’t you like?
I help teach writing papers for vets/older students. When self-determination kicks in for the student. I don’t like to see self doubt overtake anyone.
9. Who influenced you the most in your life. Why? And in what way?
My parents influenced me the most as well as the people they chose to be in our immediate circle of life. We learned a lot about fortitude, perseverance and faith in God and our abilities to be great at whatever we choose to do or be.
10. What is your best dish? Who do you make it for—and where do you typically serve it?
Chicken Dressing which I make during the holidays for family and friends.
11. Are you a woman of faith? How does that faith affect your life? Please tell us more?
Yes, my faith enables me to continue my life journey however smooth or turbulent knowing whose I am and who I am. Faith is the key that locks out fear and positions me for success.
12. What makes you laugh?
My children pick at me because of my height and because I’m over fifty. They really come up with some good jokes but they never are disrespectful.
13. What lessons has motherhood (or being a grandmother) taught you?
That each child is a sample of my love but they are a strong young men with healthy and prosperous futures ahead of them. I had brief period in my life where brain damage affected my long term and short term memory. One memory that took a while to come flooding back was the birth of my younger son. So, motherhood is a gift that is never boring because you are always blessed to be needed in some capacity. You know being a grandmother is like finding a pot of gold over and over again.
14. How would you describe the Ashro woman? How do you embody her? Does the brand mean something to you? Any memories associated with the catalog?
The Astro woman is the essence of black beauty stylized to embody what her heart embraces. I love to get up dress up and pray my way through. I was a young girl who was drawn to sneakers, jeans and sweatshirts. My mom was a well put together woman with style and elegance and that confidence she exuded rubbed off on me. I saw myself in the mirror one day and it was over. I knew then what the emotional state of mind with a little bit of fashion and a whole lot of life felt like and I loved it.

Thanks for inspiring us, Janice!

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!