Dr. Sandra Williams Ortega is our matriarch, our inspiration, and the reason every product we create carries purpose and love. Born in Baltimore in 1937, she became Maryland’s first African American woman commissioned as a U.S. Air Force Officer and Morgan State University’s first female Air Force officer, personally commissioned on July 4, 1958, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Throughout her pioneering career, she broke down barriers of race and gender while building programs that changed the lives of thousands of military families, foreign-born spouses, and disaster-struck communities.

Her legacy is one of resilience, advocacy, and unstoppable spirit. She earned advanced degrees—including a Ph.D. in Sociology and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Morgan State University—and went on to serve as an educator, humanitarian, and community leader. After Hurricane Katrina, her leadership was so impactful that March 23rd was proclaimed “Sandra W. Ortega Day” in New Orleans.

But her most enduring lesson was not just about achievement. It was about power:

“If you are in a position of power and do not push back on oppression and unjust behavior—whatever the personal risk—you have abdicated your responsibility to help make a more just world.”

At Who Is Sandy?, we stand as a living tribute to Dr. Ortega and to the countless women of color who, like her, light the way for generations to come. Every handcrafted candle, every tribute plate, every curated treasure carries her spirit: her defiance of stereotypes, her devotion to community, and her unwavering belief that every woman’s voice deserves to be heard.

Our brand is more than a business—it is a celebration of boldness, creativity, and empowerment. Through Sandy’s story, we invite you to carry that history forward with us—one beautiful, empowering piece at a time. This studio is my love letter to her: curated vintage plates and catch-alls, teacup candles poured in rescued cups, and statement necklaces that honor bold women. Each piece blends history with a little ceremony—because everyday life deserves gentleness and sparkle.