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6 | GRAVITAS MAGAZINE GravitasMag.com From the editor Support the ladies of GRAVITAS with an annual subscription— order online GravitasMag.com Only $14.95 annually! For Modern Women of Style & Purpose TAMPA BAY - SARASOTA EDITION | WINTER 2015 WOMEN IN CORPORATE AMERICA GravitasMag.com Leisa Weintraub Vice President Neil Communities The NEW Face of Feminism The A rt of Reinvention P E O P L E I D E A S S T Y L E C U L T U R E N E W S $4.95 US G winter15 master FINAL.indd 1 2/24/15 5:09 PM This is undoubtedly the best time in histor y to be a woman. Just think for a moment what that means. Think of the thousands of years of women living without a voice, without a right to choose a life of their own making. Think about the women around the wor ld even today who have neither a voice nor r ights. In less than 50 year s, women in America have broken ceilings and excelled wherever they have been given a chance. Now that we have gained inroads in all political and corporate arenas, it's time to reach around to help those fellow women who need a lift. Together we are mighty. I created GR AVITAS to be a platform for real wom - en to shine. I literally bet the house that women were hungry for more: more knowledge, more sub- stance, more inspiration. We have enough celebrity worship in our society; women today need to see at- tainable success from amazing women in our own backyard. M e e t i n g t h e s e w o n d e r f u l wo m e n is t h e g r e a tes t joy in all that I do professionally. Regardless of r ace, religion, politics or culture, when we s i t d o w n o n e - o n - o n e , w e are daughters, sisters, moth - ers and friends. Women have a special talent for bonding. B ar r ier s br eak down when we share our stories; our dif - ferences fade away. In this issue, I talk with three f a s ci na t i ng wo m e n l e ad i ng the f inancial indus tr y in the G r eater Tampa Bay r egion. While they work in com - pletely different areas of the industry, they have a few things in common: a gentle confi- dence, superb intellect and great shoes. We were in awe of the assor tment of designer heels at our photo shoot. Also within these pages, we share the story of two impressive women in our My Best Life series, LaFern Batie and Jennifer Hor vat. Both of these women have a unique variety of asser - tive femininity that is beautfiul to behold. As summer rolls in and we can all take a moment to relax, I hope you will take some time to enjoy my ar ticle, Our Insatiable Pursuit. Writing this piece has been a cathar tic experience as I access my own fast-paced lifestyle. Clearing the decks of things and people that do not enhance your life is difficult, but in the end you can make space for new oppor tuni - ties for happiness. One of those new oppor tunities for me is the introduction of Lori Gieseking as the new publisher of GR AVITAS. Her phenomenal suc- cesses in media and endearing personality make her the ideal woman for this role. We have exciting new plans to share with you soon. Thank you to ever yone who has helped me bring GR AVITAS to life. It has been one of the most re - warding journeys of my life. I look for ward to the future and all that it holds for all of us. All the best! T Jules Lewis Gibson President & Editor-In-Chief Follow Jules @SeasideJules

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