The winners of this year’s Great Plains Journalism Awards, sponsored by the Tulsa Press Club, were announced Friday. AY Media Group’s Dustin Jayroe won first place in the Magazine Lifestyle Writing category. This year’s Great Plains awards was the 13th-annual iteration of the competition, which represent journalism excellence in print, online, TV and magazines…
Summer Travel: Gilbert Sitting on the banks of the Buffalo National River, the resort town of Gilbert is the “Coolest Town” in Arkansas. The short drive into Gilbert along State Highway 333 is simply gorgeous. When you arrive, you’ll find a town that time forgot. Welcome to a quiet community surrounded by the cool…
Joanna White Occupation: Executive Broker, Bailey and Company Real Estate Children: George (6) “Things are not going to be picture-perfect, and you aren’t a failure when they aren’t.” Six years ago, Joanna White entered real estate school while she was pregnant with her son. He was born 20 days after she received…
Amy White Occupation: Sales/Entrepreneur Children: John David (21), Zac (20), Cooper (19), Walker (17), Mollie Kate (13) “I’d rather be with be with my family than pretty much anyone else, to me that makes Mama’s heart happy.” As a did-it-herself entrepreneur in the network marketing industry with children that are (almost) all…
Lara Blume-McGee Occupation: CEO, Team Up World; Executive Director, ALS In Wonderland Children: Leyla (12), Leia, Elle and Brison (5) “The legacy I leave will be filled with passion and gratitude.” Lara Blume-McGee has worked in the nonprofit sector for most of her life. She started off as a young girl volunteering for…
Amy Jett Occupation: Nurse, Throneberry Family Clinic Education: Associate of Arts, Nursing Diploma Children: Laken, Madison, Colton, Mason “Listening to your children is one of the best gifts you can give them.” Amy Jett has been a nurse for 15 years and is a mother of four children. She loves hiking, going on…
Natalie James Occupation: Realtor; Small Business Owner; Candidate for U.S. Senate Education: University of Arkansas at Little Rock Children: Nalia (17), November (9) “Never be afraid to take up space and speak boldly.” Natalie James is a woman with many hats. The proud product of Little Rock School District is one of the top-producing…
Sydney O’Quin-Gilbert Occupation: Financial Advisor, CFP®, Wells Fargo Advisors Children: Andrew (12) “If I had it to do over again, I’d take more maternity leave.” Sydney O’Quin-Gilbert joined her father, Roger O’Quin, in his wealth management practice 17 years ago, and has been in investment planning ever since. Gilbert is also deeply involved…
Claire Brown Occupation: Executive Real Estate Broker; Founder, Little Rock PowerWomen and Little Rock PowerMoms Communities; Podcaster Claire Brown has been in real estate for two decades, first becoming involved in the industry while paying her way through college. But in 2015, she became divorced, and found herself charting new territory as a…
Sara Bledsoe Occupation: Teacher/Homeschool Mom; Employee of Family business Children: Taylor (15), Harper (13), Emery (10) “Motherhood is the hardest job you will ever have — but it is the most fulfilling and so worth it.” Sara Bledsoe first became a mom while she and her husband, Dr. Greg Bledsoe, were living in the…
