Can you believe we’re already halfway through the year? Where does the time go? As cliché as it sounds, I’m sure there are times when you look back at your life and ask that exact same question. Youth certainly has a way of making one feel immortal (even if logically you know that’s not the case). But that feeling of immortality does have the added bonus of allowing younger folks to leap headfirst into their passions.

June is all about the babies. Well, the babies 30 years old and younger. The young women in these pages are unbelievably inspiring. They’re the type of women we all wanted to be when we were their age. Fearless, ambitious, ready to conquer the world and all the old paradigms that sought to hold women back for centuries. Our cover woman, Sydney Weigand, is an Olympic multi-medalist in several events. She never allows the world’s limited ableist perspective on what people with special needs are capable of to stop her from being the absolute rock star she is. (Wait until you see her pictures, you’ll get it.) The Young Women’s Alliance helps to foster young entrepreneurs and like-minded individuals who are ready to take on the world. They offer them mentorship, a safe haven to grow into their confidence and their power. We have musical artist Ayebee, a young woman who at 15 has already made a name for herself in Austin’s music scene (and she did it all from her bedroom). The incomparable Daisy Wright, who, like her character Janet in The Rocky Horror Show, blossomed into her womanhood and eagerly embraces every part of who she is. The four dynamic ladies of Lewk Magazine, who created Texas State University’s only fashion magazine. Let me tell you, June is an issue full of complete and utter badassery!
As an older millennial, I’ve stood in support behind the generation coming up after me. Every move they make, every barrier they break down, every stigma they crash through has me punching the air. I’m so damn proud. These young ladies make me confident about the future. They are so ready to take on this world. And you know what? I’m beyond excited to see what they have in store for all of us! We’ve said it a million times at Austin Woman: The future is undeniably female!
Cy White
Editor