Photography by Brandi Stage Portraiture | Makeup/hair: Bria Fowler, Elle Louise, LLC When Jackie Castro-Cooper enters a room, you feel it — the natural warmth and spiritual clarity of a woman who’s living her calling. A renowned speaker, author, retreat leader and owner of Gulf Coast Myofascial Release Physical Therapy in Ocean Springs, Castro-Cooper is the kind of […]
Reflecting on last year’s Elevate Women’s Small Business Summit, speaker Cece Shabazz says one thing rose above the rest: the energy. “We laughed, danced — and some even cried,” recalls Shabazz, creative director and brand strategist for Memorial Health System. “The room was filled with supportive, determined women, and the atmosphere was intentional and inspiring. […]
From their glittering crowns to their sparking gowns, Mardi Gras queens are true Coast royalty! Meet the women who reign over the festivities in our Royal Revue, featuring the 2025 Queens of Carnival from your favorite local krewes. Want to feature your past queen in Gulf Coast Woman? Email jen@gulfcoastwomanmagazine.com. Carnival Association of Long Beach […]
New year, new me? That’s a classic — and it can be true when you find the right workout routine. What many people don’t realize is that plenty of fitness studios offer free first-time classes, making it easy to explore different options without committing to a membership. So, that’s what I did. I tried several […]
The phrase “New Year, new you” is a familiar refrain each January, often accompanied by a list of resolutions that are more about restriction than expansion. But what if 2026 wasn’t about fixing what’s broken, but about unleashing what’s already within you? In 2026, let’s give ourselves permission to soar. Let’s trade self-doubt for audacious […]
