Montana Woman is a platform.
It’s a place to celebrate our achievements, a place to support each other, a place to acknowledge the resilience of the women of this state. It doesn’t necessarily matter where you’re from, you’re here now. In all of your loudness, your boldness, your fearlessness—you are here. We’re here, together.
We publish a statewide magazine every other month that features women across Montana—the movers and shakers, the go-getters, the rule-breakers, the risk-takers. We all have a story to tell.
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Montana Woman Magazine as you know it began in October 2019. Right out of the gate with photographer Alexis Pike as the first cover feature—clad in fringe pants and a motorcycle helmet in a Bozeman alleyway—we’ve always been authentically ourselves. We believe in showing up as you are. You don’t need to change who you are to have a seat at the table. No matter your age, your identity, your hometown, you are welcome here. We believe in creating a publication that’s worth reading because we have stories worth telling.
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Montana is full of intelligent, strong women who are making a difference in our beautiful state. If someone you know represents a true Montana Woman, please feel free to contact the editor at: info@montanawoman.com
Our magazine is printed in the U.S. with sustainable soy-based inks and is readily recyclable.
We ship in recyclable paper envelopes and reuse shipping boxes (no poly-bags here!)
megan crawford: owner, editor, & graphic designer
Megan is at the helm of the magazine, from design to advertising to social media (and everything in between). With her Bachelor of Arts in Film & Photography from Montana State University (2017), she’s taught 19th century printmaking workshops, exhibited work from Houston to Soho, worked with local businesses on design and marketing, and gathered up a number of hobbies along the way.
For Megan, the magazine is about sharing the stories of grassroots Montanans: people you might not have heard about outside of your town, county, or state. It’s a space where people can connect across geography and age in the magic of print. Each issue is an opportunity to share a slice of life in Montana— a place to witness the capability, wit, gumption, and ingenuity of Montana’s women.
Alongside running the magazine, Megan occasionally teaches alternative process printing workshops and works in a shed darkroom at home. She designs each cross stitch or embroidery pattern for the magazine, enjoys painting in well-worn overalls, and would spend every summer day on the Flathead River if she could.
To see her personal work, visit her website at meganlcrawford.com
brie: office manager
Brie may not be necessarily qualified for this position, but she likes the office so here we are. Her areas of strength include receiving belly rubs, attempting to eat the plants, and placing herself front and center on the desk. She may sleep for most of the work day, but she’s got the gumption to go for it. We admire her for that.
ries: recipe manager
Ries can’t help much with recipe prep (no thumbs), but she’s good at staying on top of potential messes.
carrie crawford: business manager, support (emotional & moral)
colby: mailroom
Colby really just likes boxes.
cheddar: seat warmer
Cheddar spends most of the work day sleeping or yelling for snacks, but isn’t that really what we, as humans, all want anyway? Cheddar gets it.
woodie (2007-2021)
In loving memory of our hairiest team member & very best dog.
Woodie went with us on our very first distribution run (October 2019), and he was 13 when we finished our 13th issue (July/August 2021).
contributors
kelsey merritt (weyerbacher)
Kelsey Merritt is a mother, writer, and fabric artist living in Miles City, Montana. After graduating from Montana State University with a Masters in English, she taught photography courses at MSU before moving back to her hometown with her husband and two children. She works at an architectural firm and can often be found chasing her children around her parents' farm along the Yellowstone River. @kmerritt406
stephanie mosbrucker
Stephanie Mosbrucker is a lover of nature, ceremony, movement and adventure. She is the mother of four magical spirits, Writer, Ceremony Officiant, Yoga Instructor and Retreat Leader. She was born in Montana with the spirit of a fairy, the mouth of a sailor and the heart of a hippie. She learned early in childhood that Mother Nature and expression with movement and words were three vital ingredients to a beautiful life. The ability to release tensions, aggressions, anxiety and fear while in nature is a tonic. She would like to share with all who walk into her path how to open their senses to all the magic that surrounds us in this beautiful state and to extend it into their life. Body, mind and spirit.
sarah harding
Sarah Harding grew up in North County San Diego. She spent her childhood surfing and loving the ocean. She and her husband, John, moved to Montana when they were 22 and spent the second half of their lives farming and raising a family. Now they’re Coconut at Sea Soap Co.; a family business determined to reduce the amount of plastic in our world.
“I overheard a man on a show recently, proud of his many lives and varied interests. And I think: isn’t that interesting. I see my many lives and varied interests as a flaw. I should be more: Focused. Steady. Committed. Sure of my purpose in life.
But I’m not! In my life, I’ve shined my light of enthusiasm on being a surfer, lifeguard, yoga teacher, barista, farmer, parent, educator, crafter, and visual merchandiser. And now I peddle soap and shampoo bars. I’m an accidental activist and reluctant homeschooler. I rearrange my life the way some people rearrange their living room furniture!”
Sarah is a steadfast fan of her husband and two children, who are her absolute first priority. She believes in kindness, resourcefulness, and playful creativity.
Sarah and her family live on their tiny homemade farm in Whitefish. For more information on her soap and shampoo bars, visit her website at coconutatsea.com
autumn toennis
Autumn Toennis is a writer from Miles City, Montana. She works remotely both as a designer for Open Country Press (Helena, MT) and as an editor with Europa Editions (NYC). She lives with her husband and not enough books. You can follow her on Instagram @autumn_toennis.
mindy cochran
Mindy is a practitioner, teacher, and performer of aerial arts. Mindy's column shares expertise for elevating health & wellness which she has acquired through her certifications as a personal trainer, nutrition coach, and life coach. To connect with Mindy, please visit elevatedaerial.wixsite.com.
nicole dunn
Nicole Dunn is a practicing poet, active blogger, community organizer, and motorcycle enthusiast who is learning how to live off-grid in the woods near Superior, Montana, where she & her husband Mike are starting a small, rustic mindfulness practice center (check out EmptyMountain.org for more info). She is also the founder and program director for Be Here Now, a weekly meditation group in Missoula.
For more info, visit InMindfulMotion.com
morgan gemay marks
Morgan is a poet, writer, angler, hunter, side hustle consultant (copywriting, social media, editing, greeting card creator), non-profit worker, and Montana transplant, currently living in Helena. She grew up in Pennsylvania and, thanks to an AmeriCorps program, moved to Montana to serve on a trail crew in 2008. Montana has been home ever since, with the exception of a few stints living abroad in Australia when she served as a Rotary International Peace Fellow studying conflict and peace, and Zambia when she served with the United States Peace Corps. Localized peacebuilding work and writing human interest stories that allow for connection between people are passions of hers. Find her poetry and art on Instagram at @morgan_gemay_marks_writer and connect with her via her website at morgangemaymarks.com
tracy miller
Tracy Miller was born and raised on a cattle ranch in Elk Park, Montana, just north of Butte. She is a passionate leader of change who strives to inspire others to live life authentically, and in alignment with their own personal values. She is a free spirit who doesn’t identify with a job title, but creates income as a licensed real estate broker, a residential boutique brokerage owner, and as an investor. She recently retired from real estate sales, exchanging income and society’s version of success, for a life of freedom and creativity. She now spends her working days traveling the world, freelance writing, speaking, and podcasting (check out her podcast on any major podcast platform. The title is Clock Out! The Vicarious Life)
When not working, Tracy is usually seeking solitude by traveling in her sprinter van or wandering the mountains with her 3 beagles and rescue dog. She is an avid mountain biker, backpacker, hiker, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai practitioner. She loves floating, kayaking, and playing at the lake, but swims like a set of car keys, so would never brag about the water hobbies.
Tracy and her husband, Brandon, are a Brady Bunch blended family of 6. They have 5 wonderful adult kids who have already left the nest, and 1 feisty teenager still at home. They hope they survive raising the last one.
lauren wilcox
nicole maria evans
Nicole Maria Evans is the Curator of Exhibitions and Collections at Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art. Prior to her position as Curator at The Square, she held the position of Curatorial Research Assistant for the exhibition GOYA: Order and Disorder at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Evans was a fellow at the Smithsonian Institution Latino Center Museum Program conducting language research and translations for the National Museum of the American Indian, as well as co-founder of the Itinerate Arts Collaborative in San Diego, California. She has served in curatorial, research, and educational roles at C.M. Russell Museum, Tufts University Art Gallery, deCordova Museum and Sculpture Park, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, UCLA Hammer Museum, and The Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Evans holds a Master of Arts in Art History and Museum Studies from Tufts University, and her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art History from University of California Los Angles (UCLA).
jesslyn marie
Jesslyn Marie is a Bozeman-based photographer and avid outdoor enthusiast, combining these two passions into adventure elopements. Her main jam is 4-season solo backpacking, but can also be found skiing, mountain biking, rock climbing, playing hockey, and empowering/educating women on recreating in the outdoors. Jesslyn has taught women-specific classes for REI, SheJumps, and Bridger Babes, and is the backpacking mentor for Bridger Babes. To see some of her work and follow along, check her out on Instagram or visit her website for more info.
Instagram: @jesslynmariephoto
Website: www.jesslynmarie.com
chloe nostrant
Chloe Nostrant is a writer, photographer, and artist (among other things) from Livingston, Montana. Finding stories in Montana’s vast landscapes, winding rivers and saloons, she pulls inspiration from the characters born of these circumstances. Curious with how a place dictates the people, she travels around Montana and the American West documenting its people and places (and fishing its streams).
Photograph by Serena Gossack
meagan schmoll
Meagan Schmoll, also known as Raskol Drink, has been crafting drinks drenched in history, lore, greed, and thirsty people since 2011. Currently residing in the Flathead Valley, Meagan is the Cocktail Creator for Abruzzo & Tupelo Grille as well as a Spirits Educator / Drink Creator for any and all who wish in the Rocky Mountains and beyond.
sydney ludden
Sydney Ludden is a copywriter and poet helping women find their voice and share it through the art of writing. She grew up in Denver, Colorado but fell in love with the magic of Montana upon her first visit in 2016 and has been calling Whitefish home ever since. Sydney co-founded Alinea Collective, a Montana-based creative agency, and works as a marketing consultant for women-owned businesses. Please connect and find her work at backlabelbranding.com
barbara fraser
I am a middle-aged woman who has been through enough of life to have gained wisdom along the way, who thinks that enjoying my life is much more important than it ever used to be, and have finally come to a place where I understand what I am supposed to do besides be in love with my husband, love and raise amazing adults, redecorate my home a hundred times; and I would like to acquire the fine art of throwing a smashing dinner party. I am learning what loving myself really means, have decided that chocolate is really one of the most important things of the day, and treasure the friendships that will last my lifetime and still have room for more. I have had enough of the most difficult days one will ever experience to truly treasure the one's I have left, think that having a library and a garden are one of the most delightful things to acquire, and someday will again have a dog. I think that every human on the planet is a miracle without exception, that there is nothing better than the sunrise, unless it is gazing at the stars surrounding the moon, and that I am full of contradictions and quite like myself that way. I will never try to fit in ever again, and really miss my husband holding my hand.
emily adamiak