In celebration of Women’s History Month, Women United is excited to present “Barbies, Belles, and Beliefs: The Early Roots of Our Self-Image” at Vault Virginia on Thursday, March 26, 2026 from 5:30 – 7:30pm. The event is free to attend. Space is limited–click here to RSVP by Monday, March 16.
Before we ever looked in a mirror, we looked at our toys. As we grew up, we watched cartoons and animated films. Who did we see? What did they do? What did they look like?
We welcome all to join us for an engaging, thoughtful, and lighthearted discussion around the connection between childhood play and the way we present ourselves to the world today. How did the dolls we were given and the princesses we idolized influence the women we became? We’ll hear from community members as well as a panel of local, diverse women (see more details below!) about their own experiences and how culture and society continue to shape that image across every generation. Whether your childhood icon was a rag doll or a digital avatar, your story has a place at our table.
We will also be running a toy doll drive at the event! Bring a new, unopened doll to donate–any size, shape, color, etc.!
This event is free to attend and open to Women United members, their guests, and the general public.
Meet the Panelists!
We’ve assembled a panel of local women from a myriad of backgrounds and experiences to share their expertise and experiences around childhood play and women’s self-image.
Moderator: Tamika Carey
Dr. Tamika L. Carey is an interdisciplinary scholar, dedicated teacher, and musician, currently serving as the N.E.H. Daniels Family Distinguished Associate Professor of English at the University of Virginia. She researches how rhetoric shapes the identity, well-being and community engagement of Black women through language, media, and social participation. She is the author two books, Rhetorical Healing: The Reeducation of Contemporary Black Womanhood and Getting to Know Him: Observations and Experiences From My Walk of Faith, an inspirational memoir. Author & Cultural Scholar
Simona Holloway
Simona J. Holloway is a retired Senior Sales Executive and Community Liaison who spent 36 years at Colonial Auto Center in Charlottesville, Virginia, where she became known for helping clients find transportation solutions that fit their needs and budgets. She has also been deeply involved in community leadership, serving on advisory boards for organizations such as Live Arts, The Salvation Army, Hovey Dabney Board for Elders, Jefferson Area Board for Aging, and as a Governor appointed Trustee for the Virginia Veterans Care Center. In retirement, she remains active in the community while also empowering others through her consulting business REYOU, helping clients build confidence through personal style and self-presentation.
Juwuhn Smith
Juwuhn Smith recently completed her seventh season as Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach at Monticello High School, where she has helped mentor and develop student athletes both on and off the court. In addition to coaching, she serves local students as a Special Education Teacher Assistant with Albemarle County Public Schools. Juwuhn earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Bowie State University in Maryland. A former basketball player herself, she is passionate about giving back to the game and now coaches in the same community where she grew up. Through both education and athletics, she is committed to supporting and inspiring the next generation.
Lisa Shutt
Lisa Shutt serves as Associate Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of African American and African Studies at the University of Virginia. As a cultural anthropologist, Shutt has conducted research in Gabon (Central Africa), France, and most recently, has begun to think deeply about how students and faculty can work together with community partners to uplift local Black histories. Shutt serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Ivy Creek Foundation in Albemarle County and has been an active volunteer in the Albemarle/Charlottesville 4-H Program for more than two decades.
Terri Allard
Terri Allard serves as the Charlottesville Education and Engagement Manager for VPM PBS and the host/producer of the VPM digital series, “Charlottesville Inside Out,” which originally ran as a television show for 13 seasons and earned a Regional Emmy. Terri is also an award-winning singer-songwriter with five albums of original material and many years of professional touring under her belt.
Carolyn Rainey
Carolyn Rainey serves as the President of Bank of America Charlottesville/Harrisonburg Market. In this role, Carolyn is responsible for connecting the banking and investment resources offered through the bank’s eight lines of business to people and companies across the area. She also leads the effort to deploy Bank of America’s resources to address social concerns, strengthen economic opportunity, and build strong communities, as well as supports the health, safety, and engagement of local Bank of America employees.
Tasia White
Tasia is a dedicated professional with expertise in financial management and program development. Skilled in fostering community impact through leadership roles, she advocates for homeownership and works to promote financial literacy in her positions at Piedmont Housing Alliance and as a Keller Williams real estate agent. Tasia enhances program participation and client readiness through her commitment to these initiatives. Her work is underpinned by certifications in financial capability programs and a Virginia Real Estate License. Besides her busy day jobs, Tasia performs regularly as ‘Lady Taij,’ one of few local women rappers.
Carolyn Behm
Dr. Carolyn Z. Behm completed her medical school training at the University of Virginia and internal medicine training at the University of California, San Francisco. She returned to UVA to complete a fellowship in cardiology. Her areas of interest include diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, prevention of heart disease, noninvasive imaging, and women’s health. She is Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Behm practices at Sentara Cardiology specialists in Charlottesville.
Women United is a program of United Way of Greater Charlottesville. Click here to become a member and help build a brighter, more equitable future—together.