Who We Are
And Yet She Thrived was born from a desire to turn silence into voice and reflection into transformation. Together, as mother and daughter, we are building a space where women can explore their stories, reclaim their power, and grow into who they are becoming.
Toya Mares, Founder
"...speaking out will permit other women to speak, until laws are changed and lives are saved, and the world is altered forever." Audre LordeAnd Yet She Thrived began as a quiet act of resistance—a space I created to make sense of the stories women carry, and the silence so many of us were taught to keep.
As a writer, educator, and creator, my work lives at the intersection of storytelling, self-reflection, and personal agency. Through journals, guided prompts, and creative experiences, I help women reconnect with their voice, examine the narratives that have shaped them, and begin the work of rewriting what no longer serves them.
What started as a personal pursuit has grown into something much larger. Today, I have the privilege of building this work alongside my daughter, expanding And Yet She Thrived into a space where women feel seen, supported, and empowered to move through the world with greater clarity, confidence, and intention.
At its core, this work is about more than self-expression—it is about self-reclamation. I believe every woman deserves the space to explore who she is, to speak without shrinking, and to live a life that reflects the fullness of her truth.
“The wound is not my fault, but the healing is my responsibility.” Marianne WilliamsonDanys Mares,
Editor-in-Chief
By day, I work as a book editor helping authors and poets to develop their written work. By night and weekend, I collaborate with my mom to build and grow And Yet She Thrived into a trusted resource for women to see themselves, connect with one another, and reach full bloom in their journey of healing. My goal within both roles is to uplift the voices of marginalized women—with a deep focus on women of color and queer women—ensuring we have safe and protected spaces from which to be heard through the chaos of the world.
What started as my mother’s dream quickly blossomed into a shared vision not only for the women of Houston, but for the legacy that she and I will leave for the next generation of young women wanting to create something special.
Our goal at AYST is to ensure that every woman knows she has an inherited right not only to live a full and joyful life, but to thrive in all of her inherent beauty.
Contact us
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