The Women's Journal is the inspirational and informative paper serving the St. Louis and St. Charles County areas of Missouri.

J ames C. Knapp, AIF ® I hope you and your family have enjoyed the summer making cherished memories. This is the time of year we transition into Back to School Season. As we get our families ready to begin their learning journey, I thought it would be good to help you continue learning of your own. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines learning as “ to gain knowledge or understanding of or skill in by study, instruction, or experience .” It is always a good idea to continue advancing your...

What to do When Your Child HATES Math By Kate Snow Kids hate math for many different reasons. Some find it too hard, others find it overwhelming, and still others are so bored by it that they can hardly bring themselves to complete their assignments. But whatever the reason, nothing ruins a day (and mom’s nerves) like fighting about math. The constant arguing, whining, and crying spill over beyond math time and make the whole day miserable. Quick fixes like rewards and sticker charts sometimes...

Good, Better, Best: The Founder of The Vault Tells Her Story by Lucy Knapp Everyone knows Sue McCarthy. She's not just locally famous; she has a nationwide and worldwide following. This is thanks to Resale Royalty , a show about Sue and her first store, Women's Closet Exchange, that ran on the Style Network in 2013. It's also thanks to her clientele and suppliers, who are quite literally from all over the world. She has purchased her stock of designer clothes and accessories from all manner of...

Choose You by Judy Ryan “ Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and die with their song still inside them.” — Henry David Thoreau It’s difficult for many people, especially women , to choose themselves in their own lives and then they lead lives of quiet desperation. I have found myself lost in this way and always come back to re-choose me . It is only when we choose ourselves that we can allow the song inside of us to be sung; the song that is needed to grace the world and to live our...

'I Define Me:' An Interview with Tracie Berry-McGhee by Deborah LeeAnn As a speaker, trainer and paradigm-shifter in the area of Authentic and Conscious Leadership, I enjoy meeting and highlighting women who are creating impactful change in our community. When I met Tracie Berry-McGhee, she was shining with a presence and light. Her enthusiasm, high-energy and creative programs and ideas were asking to be shared with a wider audience. Here ’ s a recap of our interview: Deborah LeeAnn : Tracie,...

Prostitution – Then and Now by Rebecca Now What does a 19 th century St. Louis madam have in common with the sex workers in Thailand? I suggest it is agency, or the lack thereof. Agency, in this context is defined as the ability to control your own destiny, to be an actor versus a reactor to life, and to have choices. When we think of prostitutes, it is hard to imagine one with a sense of agency. If the trade is illegal, they may be harassed by police, and bullied and controlled by a pimp. One...