Our Why

I’m Ashley. I’m lover of the underdog/a self-proclaimmed Mars expert/ culture explorer/ spiritual gangsta with an interesting addiction to tropical plants. I am a Social Worker and I spend most of my days trying to help people and make a difference in my community.

I’m lucky enough to have found my soul walking around in another body in the form of my beautiful partner Myles. Together we have a pretty blissful life- dating your soulmate is on a whole new level than anything I am used to. It hasn’t always been this easy. You see my journey to self love and kindness began far before this when I came to the realization I seemed to always attract the same kind of abusive partners/unhealthy relationships. Sh** got super real a couple years ago when my boyfriend at the time nearly ended my life. I had to come to the hard realization about what was missing within me that was allowing me to end up in these situations. Surely this gold heart didn’t deserve all this? I came to realize that my definition of self love was superficial and I confused self love for confidence. Ya I was comfortable in my skin but was I really comfortable in my own company? Could I fill my own cup completely without relying on a text back, likes on a photo or somebody telling me they loved me? Could I love myself on the days I didn’t make the gym, or enjoyed a few too many treats? I have spent a lot of time in the last two years learning the art of true genuine self-love, and it is evident by how long it took me to select this photo that it is an ongoing process. Something to be worked at each day. The work is worth it- you can manifest everything you ever dreamed of when you put in the work! As many of my fellow GirlGang gals have mentioned- being kind starts with being truly kind to ourselves first. Once we master that, kindness projects outward like sunshine to all those around us <3

Hi! I’m Danielle. Or D. Or Tait. Or Auntie D. Depends who you ask! At the heart of what I do and who I am, I’m a people person – driven by relationships with others. I strive to be passionate, enthusiastic, and genuine about what I do and the people I connect with. Professionally, I spent ten years at @thesaag, which fostered a deep love for my community, volunteering, and non-profit work. Now, I’m a Business Development Manager at @atbfinancial, an amazing purpose-driven company focused on HAPPINESS. Personally, I’m a daughter, sister, auntie, friend, cousin, volunteer, and dog owner. I love cooking (and eating), wine, hosting gatherings, gardening, crying, my community, traveling, shoes, yoga, walking, shopping, sunshine, Whitefish, and Harry Potter. In the past year I turned 30 and turned my world upside down by making some big, bold, and (this one is hardest to say) brave changes. It has been a (not always easy) exercise in self-love, self-acceptance, self-confidence, and self-KINDNESS. #girlgangyql includes some of the most inspiring women I know, mostly for the fact that none of us are perfect, but all of us are trying. We are all very different, and we are champions for each other when it’s hard to be a champion for yourself. It’s an honour to stand with these women and try to send ripples of love out in to our world by being kind: to ourselves, to one another, and to our community.

hello. I’m Jes – amateur photographer, magic maker, and full-time day-dreamer.

I’m a lover of weird and wild things, maximus, popcorn, spontaneity, champagne, and sad songs.

Originally from #YYC, I’ve come to fall in love with my new home in #YQL and I have enjoyed immersing myself into the community, and culture of the windy city. With the support of my amazing husband, I’ve been able to spend the last decade volunteering, baking cookies and raising the next generation of revolutionary rebel girls, also known as #thefuture (bella + arya). I believe in teaching them to know their power, and the value of independence, compassion, and kindness. Something they also teach me daily. I hope to continue to spread that kind of awareness through GirlGang. To help encourage, and empower others to see their greatest potential, and realize that we have the ability to make a difference in our community, and the world around us. xoxo

You always need 2 Jess’s in a #girlgang, so here I am, Jess with two s’s. I, like Taylor, am a Saskatchewan transplant (Go @sskroughriders Go!). My parents met in Lethbridge, went to college and got married here, and when it was time to move our family, #yql seemed ideal with both @lethcollege and @ulethbridge at our doorstep! I am a proud alumni of both institutions, a washed-up athlete, and am passionate about fitness and keeping active. I have visited over 25 countries, have two darling nieces that I adore, and am lucky enough to spend my days doing what fuels my soul: stewarding philanthropy in our community, previously through my work at the @thesaag and currently at @ulethbridge. Philanthropy is the love of humanity, and #girlgangyql is attempting to spread a lot more of that love through our mission: #bekind. I take time each and every day to be kind to myself, so I can turn around and offer kindness, support and love to the people in my life when they need it.

Hey Hey there Lethbridge!  Steph here, outdoor and activity enthusiast and transplant from Saskatchewan,  so naturally I am a Rider fan #bringemout. Anyone else noticing a trend here with the GirlGang? I am a proud auntie of three and have a 4 year old Puggle named Charlie, who has me wrapped around her four little paws.  I have been lucky enough to do what I love and support our community through health promotion in my work over the last 15 years. You can find me working as a Health Promotion Coordinator for AHS, where I promote health and wellness initiatives for school divisions in SW Alberta. On the side, I teach distance courses for Lethbridge College in the areas of health & wellness for students entering into a career in public safety. When I am not at work I do my best to get outdoors and explore. Hiking and the mountains have my heart. I have challenged myself so much in 2018, stepped outside my comfort zone and managed to have some amazing life changing  experiences, which have brought me such a sense of self pride. I am so proud and grateful to be apart of GirlGang. This group of women and the work we do for ourselves, others, and our community lift me up daily. I hope to inspire you all to do the same.

When Taylor Crozon’s alarm(s) go off in the morning, it’s never at the same time. Even if it is only a couple of minutes, Crozon likes to start her day believing that each day is different from the last – a perpetual fight against routine and the mundanity of the day to day. An eternal optimist, the artist, Taylor Crozon likes to draw pictures of dogs, chairs and dogs on chairs. The Humboldt, Saskatchewan native moved to Lethbridge for university (Bachelor of Fine Arts: New Media) and to play basketball for the Pronghorns. Meeting ‘the gang’ while working to cultivate meaningful relationships around contemporary art as Public Engagement Coordinator at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery. One day, her sister asked her what her long term goals were, and since a master’s degree in Lego Building doesn’t exist yet, Crozon sought the next best thing – Architecture. And that’s where she is/who she is today.