Published 2:49 p.m. ET April 1, 2021
SHUT DOWN
Dana Brooks (Photo: KIRA DERRYBERRY)
The Dana Brooks law firm’s motto is “Come Back Stronger”. But it’s more than a mantra to her – it’s woven into every decision she makes. “I want to send people back to the community stronger than they were before they were injured,” she says firmly.
A lawyer, advocate for women, employee, mother, and small business mentor, Brooks is one of the 25 Tallahassee women you need to know.
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Brooks began her career in clinical social work but felt her calling to advocacy and problem solving. “I am a person of action,” she says. “I couldn’t watch people being wronged. I knew I could help fix their problems. “
She enrolled in law at Florida State University and graduated just three days before her 40th birthday.
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She is now a shareholder in Fasig Brooks, where she combines the practice of personal injury law with a determined advocacy of women, especially victims of sexual and workplace harassment.
She recently joined the fight against “period poverty”, highlighting the lack of access to menstrual hygiene items that prevent women and girls from going to work and school every day. “I am determined to end poverty,” she says. To this end, she successfully fought the tampon tax and is working with a school project to install sanitary products dispensers in all public schools.
A natural mentor to many, Brooks has been recognized by TCC as a “Persister: A Woman Who Fights All Forms of Discrimination” for Women’s History Month. Her book, Functional Feminism: An Apolitical Guide to Empowering Women, was recently published on Amazon.
Her growing online community, the Empower Plant, advocates women in all areas of business, life and society. But it’s not just for women. “Yes, men are part of that group too,” she says. “We’re not going to get anywhere with an ‘us versus them’ mentality.”
This type of collaboration is at the forefront of their work to make Tallahassee one of the best cities for women entrepreneurs. “Women are in the market at its lowest level in years because of COVID,” she says. “We will never change that until women are job creators. I’m tired of creating employees for others. I want women to be job creators. ”
One of her creations with partner and mentor Jimmy Fasig is a “Come Back Stronger” program that is broadcast online and through local markets.
“We share stories of people who are returning stronger and maybe one of them inspires someone else,” she explains.
She lives this motto on and makes sure that her clients have the tools they need to be successful after winning their litigation, including access to financial planning, business coaching or life coaching to help them come back stronger .
She is an active supporter of Springtime Tallahassee, 2-1-1 Big Bend, Wakulla County’s Senior Citizens Center, the Tallahassee Memorial Foundation, and Tree House’s Fast Cars and Mason Jars fundraiser, where all proceeds go to children who make victims Have domestic violence or children whose parents cannot support them.
Brooks has a clear message for the young women who are considering their future moves. “Take yourself seriously,” she says emphatically. “Don’t listen to a soul that doesn’t discourage you for any reason other than your gender. When women try, they succeed. “
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