Since I was little, my mom taught me that women are powerful, capable and strong. To stand up for yourself and resist society’s imposing expectations of what a woman should be, do, look, think and behave.
She helped me form these strong core values, which are ignited by women-empowerment anthems like Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman,” Alessia Cara’s “Scars To Your Beautiful,” Beyoncé’s “Run the World (Girls)” and many more.
Even more than music, reading women’s stories during Women’s History Month — like the ones in this month’s CityView Magazine — sets my pride in these beliefs ablaze. The March “Women’s Issue” magazine tells the success stories of women from different walks of life from our beloved community.
The first celebrates the 74th anniversary of The Links of Fayetteville through its 26th Friendship Luncheon, which took place on Feb. 1. The Links Incorporated is an international nonprofit organization that unites Black professional women through community service, philanthropy, friendship and more.
The second highlights Heels Headquarters, a heels dance business inside The Core Academy at 2700 Breezewood Ave, which was started by Staff Sgt. Bettania “Bethany” Young in 2023. Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, she settled to her third duty station in Fayetteville where she dove head first into opening an LLC to empower women through dance.
You may have seen our next featured woman’s art while walking in downtown Fayetteville: Maura Trice, photographer, digital illustrator and painter. She’s the person behind some of Fayetteville’s most adored murals, like her “50 Years of Color” that celebrates the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County’s 50th anniversary last year. Trice shares her journey leading up to this work here.
The next woman, affectionately known in our community as “the original loc lady,” has had an undeniable impact on natural Black hair styling in Cumberland County. Airaina Griffith-Knight has turned her family’s passed-down skill of hair braiding into her own natural hair and braiding academy hAirlooms Academy, salon NUWBNS Natural Haircare Gallery, and even helped create a natural hair syllabus for Fayetteville Technical Community College’s cosmetology program. She and her students recently did models’ hairstyles for An Affair to Remember’s 2025 A Girl to Remember Runway Extravaganza fashion show.
Finally, we feature a young trailblazer at the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra — Executive Director Anna Meyer who assumed her role in 2022.
Our columnists this month explore Women’s History Month from their perspectives. The first compares her demeanor to Amazon’s sweet-toned Alexa. The second recounts her experience with an impressive 6th-grade business owner and his defiance against “kids these days.” Our HomeFront columnist pushes back against what is expected of military spouses. And the last columnist recommends six books that are for, by and about women.
Looking to fill your calendar with events? The March To-Do List rounds up fun things happening around the city.
If you’re looking beyond March, we have one of CityView’s most anticipated events of the year coming up. Mark your calendar for CityView’s annual Ladies’ Night Out from 4–9 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at The Carolina Barn at McCormick Farms. Buy tickets before they sell out!
We had a blast celebrating our 2024 Power of Giving Community Impact Awards winners at our luncheon, presented by the Public Works Commission on Feb. 11. We may have spotted you at the event in this month’s first Seen @ the Scene. Find out here.
The March magazine will be available on stands around Cumberland County in mid-March. You will see two covers available in print, one of which is an exclusive print edition, so make sure to snag both versions of the March magazine.
Like the title of Martina McBride’s song from 2003, this one’s for the girls.
Thank you for reading.
Read CityView Magazine’s “The Women’s Issue” March 2025 e-edition here.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of the “Better health for the whole family” article in the CityView 2025-2026 School Directory incorrectly identified the doctor in the photos as Ana Hodges. The doctor in the photos was Alison Vurnakes, M.D., of Cape Fear Valley Pediatric Care Lillington. This article has been updated with the correct information and the bottom photo updated to a headshot of Hodges. CityView apologizes for this error.
Editor’s note: A photo in an earlier version of the “Unconventional love” column in the CityView February 2025 “The Love Issue” Magazine did not have a photo credit identifying the photographer, Tony Wooten. This article has been updated with the photo credit. CityView apologizes for this error.
