From Food Stamps to Physician to Queen: How Dr. Angela Harden-Mack Is Leading High-Performing Women From Hustle to Harmony

Women's Journal Staff on May 9, 2025

By: Pam Perry

From the white coat to the crown, Dr. Angela Harden-Mack, MD, wears both with grace, grit, and purpose. As a nationally recognized physician, international keynote speaker, and the newly crowned Ms. Michigan Corporate America 2025, she’s rewriting the narrative of what it means to be a high-achieving woman who’s both accomplished and aligned.

Her journey from burnout to breakthrough is more than just a personal transformation—it’s a blueprint for professional women ready to reclaim their wholeness.

“I was living the ‘Superwoman’ script—successful on the outside but silently unraveling on the inside,” Harden-Mack said. “I had checked all the boxes: a thriving career in medicine, a happy home life, and accolades to match. But what I didn’t have was energy, joy, or peace.”

That breaking point became her turning point.

Harden-Mack began a deeply personal wellness journey—one that led her not just to healing but to her calling: helping other high-performing women shift from hustle to harmony. That calling birthed Live Great Lives Holistic Wellness Coaching, a brand rooted in science, faith, and feminine energy wisdom. It’s now the vehicle through which she empowers women across the globe to live fully, well, and free.

Her signature Diamond Wellness Framework is a groundbreaking approach that blends modern medicine with mindfulness, spiritual wellness, and lifestyle coaching. Unlike cookie-cutter self-care advice, her methodology is tailored for driven women who are tired of being everything to everyone—and ready to reconnect with themselves.

“I guide women to prioritize their wellness not as a luxury, but as a leadership strategy,” Harden-Mack said. “When a woman is well, she leads better, loves deeper, and lives fuller.”

A dual board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Dr. Harden-Mack has also earned distinction as a trailblazer in Obesity Medicine and integrative wellness. She holds advanced training in lifestyle medicine and stress management and is an ordained Bible teacher—bringing a multi-dimensional perspective to health and healing.

What sets her apart is not only her clinical expertise but her lived experience. Her transformation from Exhausted Superwoman to Energized WELL Woman isn’t just a catchphrase—it’s her testimony.

And her influence is only growing.

She’s a sought-after speaker on stages from Detroit to DC to Dubai, known for delivering powerful talks on burnout, purpose, and feminine power. She’s been honored with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award and numerous accolades for her work in women’s empowerment. As a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., she continues to serve as a mentor and motivator to the next generation of female leaders.

And yes, she’s also learning to ride horses.

“For a woman raised in the city, stepping up to a 1,200-pound horse is no small feat,” she said with a laugh. “But every time I get on that horse, I feel powerful. It reminds me that it’s never too late to learn, grow, or do something bold.”

That same boldness is behind her platform as Ms. Michigan Corporate America 2025, where she’s using her reign to champion wellness in the workplace and amplify her message to working women everywhere: Wholeness is not optional—it’s foundational.

“In corporate spaces, there’s often a silence around women’s wellness,” Harden-Mack said. “We wear busyness as a badge of honor. But I’m here to disrupt that narrative. You can lead in boardrooms and still honor your body. You can show up strong without burning out. You can rise—and still rest.”

From Food Stamps to Physician to Queen: How Dr. Angela Harden-Mack Is Leading High-Performing Women From Hustle to Harmony

Photo Courtesy: Dr. Angela Harden Mack

Her digital wellness hub, Live Great Lives Holistic Wellness Coaching, offers free resources like her Thrive & Balance Wellness Quiz and transformational tools such as Goddess on the Go: Inner Self-Care for the Unstoppable Woman. Her upcoming retreat, The Diamond Unveiled Experience, promises to be a soul-nourishing immersion into feminine renewal and purpose-aligned power.

In the next few years, Harden-Mack envisions her brand expanding to include books, podcasts, and more international stages. She’s also forging partnerships with progressive organizations ready to prioritize employee well-being—especially for women in leadership.

“I believe wellness is a ripple effect,” she said. “When a woman is aligned and thriving, her team, her family, and her community benefit too.”

With each client, each keynote, and each coaching session, Dr. Angela Harden-Mack is not just inspiring women—she’s awakening them.

Awakening them to the truth that success doesn’t have to cost your soul. That wellness isn’t a weekend luxury—it’s a daily devotion. And that high performance can coexist with high peace.

From food stamps to physician to pageant queen, Dr. Harden-Mack is living proof that you can evolve without apology, shine without burnout, and lead from a place of deep, divine wellness.

To connect with Dr. Angela Harden-Mack, take the free wellness quiz at bit.ly/ThriveAndBalanceWellnessQuiz, follow her journey on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, and explore her holistic coaching services at angelahmspeaks.com.

Published by Joseph T.

Wine Without Pretense: How Marble Wines Creates Community By and For Women

Women's Journal Staff on May 9, 2025

By: Jesse Lewis

In a world where wine has long been presented through a male lens, Latoya S. Jordan and Brianna Shelko are pouring something fresh. Their company, Marble Wines, stands out not just for its approachable blends but for the genuine connections it creates among women.

“We knew we wanted to create more than just a product—we wanted to create experiences that foster genuine connection,” says Jordan, who balances her role as co-founder with a full-time career as an attorney in transportation and logistics.

This vision manifests most clearly at their tasting events, where the emphasis is on building community rather than wine education. “I’ve witnessed women who arrived alone leave with new friendships and business connections,” Jordan notes. “One particularly memorable moment was at our Galentines Day event, where women from incredibly diverse professional backgrounds—attorneys like myself, artists, entrepreneurs, and educators—came together and discovered shared passions beyond their careers.”

Shelko, who brings expertise from her background in music and digital marketing, has seen similar magic happen when Marble Wines becomes part of her songwriting camps. “These sessions unite diverse songwriters in an environment where they can be vulnerable with their art while building meaningful connections. Our wines have become a natural conversation starter, helping to break down barriers and spark collaborations.”

Both founders acknowledge that entering the wine industry without traditional credentials brought challenges—and unexpected strengths. “It’s hard to imagine how practicing law in the transportation and logistics industry can prepare you for entering the wine industry, but it did,” Jordan reflects. “My experience in other spaces allowed me to question conventions that didn’t make sense and prepared me to deal with business challenges.”

Shelko agrees: “I’ve learned that the most innovative contributions often come from people who don’t fit the established mold. Women should see their different perspectives as assets, not liabilities.”

This outsider perspective has shaped their approach to marketing. Rather than following industry norms that either masculinize wine to make it “serious” or feminize it in ways that can feel condescending, Marble focuses on authenticity.

“We don’t start with assumptions about what women want—we listen,” Jordan explains. “Our product development begins with conversations across diverse groups of women about their experiences with wine, what they enjoy, and what frustrates them.”

Shelko adds, “We showcase real stories from women enjoying our wines uniquely—whether a celebration with friends, a moment of solitude, or paired with a favorite meal. We don’t use pink packaging or flowery language unless it genuinely fits the wine and our story.”

Building a business while maintaining full lives outside work presents its own challenges. Jordan still works full-time as an attorney, while Shelko manages several other ventures. “We’ve intentionally built Marble Wines with work-life integration at its core, not as an afterthought,” Jordan says.

Wine Without Pretense: How Marble Wines Creates Community By and For Women

Photo Courtesy: Marble Wines

Their business model accommodates real life rather than demanding they shape their lives around the business. “We’ve embraced asynchronous communication, flexible deadlines, and focused work sprints that allow us to move Marble forward while honoring our other responsibilities,” Shelko explains.

This reality-based approach extends to their business partnership. The two divide responsibilities based on their strengths—Jordan handles business strategy, finances, and regulatory matters, while Shelko leads marketing and creative direction.

“Our partnership works because we recognize and value each other’s expertise,” Shelko says. “I listen when Latoya speaks on business strategy or regulatory issues because I know that’s her domain of excellence. Similarly, she trusts my judgment regarding our brand voice and creative direction.”

Women supporting women has been crucial to Marble’s growth. When entering the Brooklyn market, a friend’s connections helped place their wines on the shelves at two local stores. “This chain of women supporting women transformed what could have been months of cold-calling into meaningful business relationships,” Jordan shares.

Similarly, Shelko developed a relationship with an event coordinator who waived their vendor fee at a local festival. “This generosity and solidarity gave us premium placement at the event, where we sold many products in just one day,” she says.

The most unexpected lesson they’ve learned is that wine merely serves as the starting point for community building. “Women come to our events seeking connection first, with wine appreciation as a secondary benefit,” Jordan observes. “Wine serves as the socially acceptable reason to gather, while the magic happens in those unplanned moments between sips when barriers come down, and authentic relationships form.”

As they continue to grow Marble Wines, both founders remain committed to creating spaces where women can be their authentic selves. “When we strip away the pretension and jargon that historically made wine intimidating,” Shelko reflects, “women who might never interact in their daily lives suddenly find common ground.”

Marble Wines products are available online at marblewines.com and in select retail locations in Brooklyn, NY.

Published by Jeremy S.

How El Niño and La Niña Impact Global Temperatures and Weather

Womens Journal Staff 2 on May 9, 2025

What Are El Niño and La Niña?

El Niño and La Niña are two phases of a climate phenomenon that originates in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. These events significantly impact global weather patterns and temperatures, leading to a variety of effects on ecosystems, agriculture, and economies worldwide.

El Niño refers to the warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. It is typically associated with warmer global temperatures and altered weather patterns, including drier conditions in some regions and wetter conditions in others.
La Niña, the counterpart to El Niño, involves cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific. La Niña is usually linked to cooler global temperatures and shifts in weather, such as increased rainfall in some areas and droughts in others.

Both phenomena are part of the broader El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, which plays a critical role in shaping global weather systems. Their occurrence can influence temperature extremes, severe weather events, and seasonal patterns.

How Do El Niño and La Niña Affect World Temperatures?

El Niño and La Niña have distinct impacts on global temperatures, and their effects can vary depending on their intensity, duration, and geographical location. Both phenomena disrupt typical climate patterns and can lead to noticeable temperature fluctuations across different regions of the world.

1. El Niño’s Impact on Global Temperatures:

During an El Niño event, the warming of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean releases excess heat into the atmosphere, leading to global temperature increases. This can result in warmer-than-average temperatures across large parts of the globe, particularly in regions such as the Arctic, parts of North America, and Europe.

El Niño often exacerbates existing trends in global warming, pushing temperatures to record highs. The increased heat can also intensify the frequency and severity of heatwaves, wildfires, and droughts. In some cases, this warmth can contribute to early melting of snow and ice in polar regions, affecting sea levels and ecosystems.

2. La Niña’s Effect on Global Temperatures:

Conversely, La Niña leads to cooler-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the Pacific, which can lower global temperatures temporarily. During a La Niña event, the cooling effect tends to result in slightly cooler-than-average global temperatures, though the effects are not as pronounced as the warming associated with El Niño.

La Niña can also influence regional cooling patterns, particularly in the tropics and northern hemisphere. However, the cooling effect is generally less extreme than the warming associated with El Niño. While La Niña may bring cooler conditions to certain areas, it does not fully offset the long-term trend of global warming caused by other factors, such as greenhouse gas emissions.

How Do El Niño and La Niña Affect Regional Weather?

The effects of El Niño and La Niña extend beyond global temperatures and have significant implications for regional weather patterns. These phenomena can influence precipitation, storm activity, and seasonal variations in weather. Understanding these shifts helps communities and industries prepare for the varying impacts of El Niño and La Niña.

1. El Niño’s Regional Effects:

North America: El Niño is often linked to warmer-than-average winters in northern regions of the U.S. and Canada, along with milder winters in the southern U.S. In the West, it can bring wetter conditions, including heavier rains and the potential for flooding. The Gulf Coast and southeastern U.S. often experience increased storm activity and rainfall.
South America: El Niño tends to bring drier conditions to the western coast, impacting countries like Peru, Chile, and Ecuador. Conversely, it can cause heavier rainfall and floods in countries like Brazil and Argentina.
Australia and Southeast Asia: The warming of the Pacific Ocean during El Niño typically leads to droughts and high temperatures in Australia and Southeast Asia. This often results in bushfires, especially in countries like Australia, which faces increased fire risks during El Niño years.
Africa: Parts of East Africa may experience drier conditions during El Niño, while Southern Africa could see more rainfall and flooding.

2. La Niña’s Regional Effects:

North America: La Niña tends to bring cooler, wetter winters to the northern U.S. and Canada. In the southern U.S., however, La Niña may contribute to drier conditions and higher-than-average temperatures.
South America: La Niña often results in drier conditions along the western coast of South America, including Peru and Ecuador. However, other regions, particularly Brazil, may experience increased rainfall.
Australia and Southeast Asia: In contrast to El Niño, La Niña brings cooler, wetter conditions to Australia, significantly reducing the risk of wildfires and droughts. Southeast Asia may also benefit from more rainfall during La Niña events.
Africa: Similar to El Niño, La Niña can bring drier conditions to parts of East Africa, exacerbating the risk of droughts and crop failures.

How Do El Niño and La Niña Impact Ecosystems and Agriculture?

Both El Niño and La Niña can have serious consequences for ecosystems and agricultural systems around the world. Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can lead to droughts, floods, wildfires, and other extreme weather events, which disrupt both natural habitats and human agricultural activities.

1. Ecosystem Disruptions:

Coral Reefs: One of the most affected ecosystems during El Niño events is the coral reefs. The warmer waters of the Pacific during El Niño can cause coral bleaching, a phenomenon where corals lose their vibrant colors and can even die due to stress from elevated temperatures. This disrupts marine biodiversity and threatens the livelihoods of communities dependent on these ecosystems.
Wildfires: In regions like Australia, El Niño’s dry conditions often lead to severe wildfires, devastating forests, wildlife habitats, and agricultural land.
Water Availability: Both El Niño and La Niña can impact water availability. El Niño’s reduced rainfall in some regions can lead to water shortages, while La Niña’s excess rainfall can lead to flooding and landslides.

2. Agriculture:

Crop Yields: Changes in weather patterns brought on by El Niño and La Niña can drastically impact crop production. Droughts during El Niño years can reduce water availability for crops like wheat, corn, and rice, leading to lower yields and higher food prices. On the other hand, excessive rainfall during La Niña events can flood crops and lead to plant diseases.
Fishing: Changes in ocean temperatures during El Niño can affect marine life, particularly fishing industries. Warmer waters drive fish species away from certain areas, disrupting local economies dependent on fisheries.

What Is the Long-Term Impact of El Niño and La Niña on Global Climate?

While El Niño and La Niña events are temporary, their effects can contribute to long-term climate changes. These events can accelerate warming trends or temporarily cool global temperatures, influencing long-term climate patterns.

For example, the intensity of El Niño events in recent years has contributed to record-breaking global temperatures, further exacerbating concerns about climate change. Meanwhile, La Niña’s cooling effects do not fully offset the broader impacts of global warming, but they provide a temporary relief from some of the more extreme weather associated with rising temperatures.

Both phenomena remind us of the complexity of the Earth’s climate system, and their unpredictable nature highlights the importance of addressing the underlying causes of climate change through global cooperation and sustainable practices.

Preparing for the Future of El Niño and La Niña

As the impacts of El Niño and La Niña continue to evolve, understanding these climate patterns and their effects on global temperatures is crucial for preparing for future events. Governments, businesses, and individuals can take steps to mitigate the risks associated with these phenomena, from improving infrastructure to developing resilient agricultural practices.

The ongoing study of El Niño and La Niña events, along with efforts to curb global warming, will play an essential role in predicting and managing the long-term impacts of these phenomena on world temperatures and global weather patterns.

Creative and Fun Mother’s Day Crafts for Kids to Make

Womens Journal Staff 2 on May 9, 2025

Why Are DIY Crafts Perfect for Mother’s Day?

Mother’s Day is a special occasion to celebrate and show appreciation for the mothers in our lives. What better way to make this day even more meaningful than by creating a handmade gift? DIY crafts not only allow children to express their love in a personal way, but they also foster creativity and provide a fun bonding experience between kids and parents.

Handmade gifts carry sentimental value, and when crafted by children, they hold extra significance. The effort and thought put into creating these gifts make them far more meaningful than store-bought alternatives. Whether it’s a simple card, a painted flower pot, or a handmade jewelry holder, the love and effort behind a DIY gift are truly heartwarming.

What Are Some Easy Mother’s Day Crafts for Kids?

Here are some simple yet heartfelt crafts kids can make for Mother’s Day that will surely bring a smile to any mom’s face:

1. Personalized Handprint Cards

A handprint card is a classic and cherished DIY craft. It’s easy, fun, and incredibly sentimental. Kids can dip their hands in washable paint and press them onto a piece of cardstock. Add a sweet message or poem, and you’ve got a heartfelt Mother’s Day card that is guaranteed to bring tears of joy.

To make it extra special, you can frame the handprint as a keepsake for mom to hang in her home. Kids can also decorate the rest of the card with drawings, glitter, or stickers for a personalized touch.

2. Homemade Flower Vases

Kids can take a simple mason jar and turn it into a beautiful flower vase. This craft allows for creativity as kids can paint the jar, decorate it with ribbons, or glue on buttons or colorful paper. After decorating, fill the vase with fresh flowers (or even artificial ones for a long-lasting gift).

This is a perfect gift that combines functionality with personalization. The handmade vase can be used to brighten up any room, making it a gift that keeps on giving.

3. Paper Plate Flowers

Making flowers from paper plates is an easy and fun craft for younger kids. Simply cut the center out of a paper plate, then let kids color and decorate the plate with crayons, markers, or paint. Once decorated, the plate can be cut into petal shapes and shaped into a flower.

For the stem, use green construction paper or a real stick. You can also add embellishments like buttons or glitter to make the flowers more vibrant. These handmade flowers can be arranged in a vase or even given as a bouquet of paper flowers.

4. Personalized Picture Frame

A homemade picture frame is a thoughtful and simple way for kids to give a personalized gift. Using popsicle sticks, kids can create the frame structure by gluing the sticks together. Once dry, the frame can be painted or decorated with small embellishments such as sequins, stickers, or even hand-drawn designs.

After decorating, kids can add a favorite family photo to the frame to make it extra special for mom. This is a gift that’s both meaningful and practical, as mom can use it to display cherished memories.

5. DIY Jewelry Holder

Kids can create a beautiful and functional jewelry holder from a variety of materials, such as clay, wooden sticks, or even cardboard. For a clay jewelry holder, kids can mold the clay into a small bowl or tray and decorate it with paint or stickers.

Alternatively, using a few sticks, kids can create a rustic jewelry holder by gluing them together in a simple frame shape. Adding hooks or string to hang necklaces, bracelets, and rings will give the holder a unique and personalized touch.

6. Painted Rock Magnets

Turn ordinary rocks into beautiful and personalized magnets that mom can display on the fridge. Kids can paint the rocks with vibrant colors, patterns, or even small pictures. Once the paint is dry, glue a magnet to the back, and voilà—you have a charming, homemade fridge magnet.

These painted rock magnets are great for younger kids as the crafting process is simple and doesn’t require a lot of materials. They’re a cute, personalized gift that mom can use to hold her favorite photos or notes.

7. Bead Bracelets or Necklaces

For slightly older children, creating a beaded bracelet or necklace is a fantastic gift idea. Beads in various shapes and colors can be strung together to make a unique piece of jewelry that mom will cherish. Kids can add a special charm, bead with her favorite color, or even a personalized pendant with their name or a sweet message.

This simple but meaningful gift is one that moms can wear every day, keeping the love of their little ones close to their heart.

How Can Kids Personalize Their Crafts?

Personalizing crafts makes them even more special and meaningful. Here are a few ways kids can add their own unique touch to their Mother’s Day crafts:

1. Include Personal Messages

Adding handwritten notes or messages is a simple yet powerful way to personalize any craft. Kids can write a message of love or appreciation on a card, frame, or even directly on the craft itself. This adds a personal touch that mom will treasure.

2. Incorporate Favorite Colors or Themes

If mom has a favorite color, pattern, or theme, encourage kids to incorporate those elements into their crafts. Whether it’s painting a picture frame in mom’s favorite shade or adding flowers to a card that reflect her love for gardening, these small personal details will make the gift even more meaningful.

3. Add Family Photos

A picture is worth a thousand words. Including family photos in crafts, such as picture frames or cards, adds a personal and sentimental touch that mom will appreciate. Photos can be framed, glued inside cards, or used as the centerpiece of a craft project.

4. Include Kids’ Handwriting or Drawings

Handwritten notes and drawings are incredibly sentimental. Kids can draw pictures or write messages to make their craft uniquely their own. These personal touches will evoke special memories and be cherished for years to come.

Why Are DIY Crafts a Great Way to Teach Kids About Mother’s Day?

DIY crafts are a fantastic opportunity to teach kids about the meaning of Mother’s Day and the importance of showing love and appreciation to others. By creating something from scratch, kids learn the value of effort, creativity, and thoughtfulness. They also have the opportunity to express their feelings in a tangible, meaningful way.

Crafting together can also strengthen the bond between children and their mothers, offering a special way to spend time together while celebrating the unique relationship they share. Whether making something simple or more elaborate, kids will have fun and learn valuable skills while honoring their mom on this special day.

A Thoughtful Gift That Will Last Forever

DIY Mother’s Day crafts provide kids with the perfect opportunity to express their love in a personal, creative way. From handprint cards to homemade picture frames, these simple, thoughtful gifts carry much more emotional weight than store-bought presents. Not only do they allow kids to engage in the spirit of giving, but they also create lasting memories for both mom and child.

With these easy craft ideas, you can make this Mother’s Day a truly unforgettable occasion filled with love, laughter, and creativity.