Congratulations to Dr. Michelle Terry for being honored alongside Dr. Anita Connell as they were both inducted into the Iconic Black Women Collection at the Wonder of Women International Gallery, aka the ‘W.O.W.’ Gallery this past month. The concept for the space was formulated in 2019 by Veronica Very and Hiawatha Davis to center healing, provide education, and inspiration for all rooted in Black culture and the empowerment of Black women leaders in our local and broader communities. The space is more than a gallery, serving as the connective link between history and those that are paving it every day through philanthropic efforts.
Michelle Terry, MD – Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Medicine – UW & Seattle Children’s
“Being included in the Iconic Black Women Collection, created by Hiawatha Davis and Veronica Very, is an honor that reaches deep. It is not only a mark of personal recognition but a tribute to the many women whose steadiness and light have guided my path. I see this honor as a mirror—reflecting the mentors, colleagues, and patients who stood with me and helped me find my way. Along my journey, I’ve drawn strength from women who walked with purpose, spoke plainly and bravely, and gave their best even when their recognition was not guaranteed. Their example taught me that leadership is about listening, lifting others, and making space for all who would like to contribute. Women have modeled resilience and vision for me, starting from my earliest memories of my grandmother and mother who prioritized the arc of my education, to my many mentors in medicine and education who encouraged me through various opportunities and responsibilities, to the next generation of faculty and learners who challenge me to keep growing. This recognition is a reminder for me to keep using my voice and influence to support a more equitable, inclusive, and inspired future for it resonates as both a celebration and a call to action, reminding us of Black women’s foundational roles in healing.”
Owners of the W.O.W. Gallery, Veronica Very (far left) and Hiawatha Davis (far right), standing with awardees, Dr. Connell and Dr. Terry.
Learn about Dr. Connell at the profile below originally shared by the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity
Dr. Anita Connell, MD, – Obstetrician Gynecologist, UW School of Medicine Alumna
A Personal Mission
For Veronica Very, the W.O.W. Gallery symbolizes a deep personal mission discovered from her own journey navigating the medical system as a Black woman. Suffering from years of debilitating chronic pain and few answers, she was connected to Dr. Anita Connell, one of the first Black OB/GYN’s in Seattle, who not only addressed the source of her health issues, but saw her beyond just a patient, but as a Black woman seeking healing and recognition in a field that lacks representation. Very’s fervor for service is quintessential to her life’s work, to uplift and liberate Black women through restorative practices that prioritize wellness in a world that demands a significant and disproportionate amount of emotional and physical labor from them.
Her life and business partner, Hiawatha Davis, infuses effervescent energy into the space with vibrant art pieces exuding the essence of Black life and joy depicted through radiant hues that embody vitality. The collection arose initially from an outreach event to learn more about Black women leaders on social media eventually leading to over 500 submissions across the country and an ever-evolving art collection that is continuing to flourish, nearing 100 pieces currently. The Iconic Black Women Collection represents Black women that have traversed the complicated facets of being the first to break barriers in spaces that historically have excluded them, leaving an indelible mark in their careers, communities, and on the lives of those they meet with intention. Very intends for all that enter the space to experience and observe what is means ‘to see oneself’ through the lens of others. Solace can be found in the healing rooms that offer respite from the crowded dialogue of our internal and relentless to-do lists.
Very and Davis showcase that the responsibility of building resilient and prosperous communities begins with knowing ourselves first and offering to be the catalyst for that change. The responsibility of their positions and opportunities have not been lost on them, or the women they have highlighted from visionaries like Nikole Hannah-Jones, candid leaders like Jasmine Crockett, and all the audacious Black women in our lives that encompass living history through their work.
You can learn more about the W.O.W. Gallery at thewonderofwomen.org or follow them on Instagram @wonderofwomen.
