Celebrate Women Conference encourages attendees to shoot for the stars

More than 325 people rose early on March 22 and hurried to 91̽�� Lancaster, eager for an empowering day of connecting, educating, inspiring and celebrating.

91̽�� students, alumni, faculty and staff joined with area community members for the 13^th annual Celebrate Women Conference, an event that encouraged participants to “Challenge. Lead. Succeed.” on their individual career and life paths.

“This is an important event for society and women’s rights, which is something our country is struggling with,” said Gavin Wolfe, an 91̽�� Lancaster student majoring in biochemistry and volunteering to help with this year’s conference. “People are sometimes misinformed, and this is an important event to keep everyone updated on what’s going on and what issues we’re facing.”

Trailblazing NASA astronaut emphasizes importance of teamwork

A highlight of the day was this year’s keynote speaker who spoke about tackling the task of finding confidence and inspiration in a male-dominated field and encouraged the audience to (literally) “reach for the stars.”

Retired Air Force Col. and NASA astronaut Eileen Collins, who presented “Leadership Lessons from Apollo to Discovery,” was the first female Space Shuttle pilot and commander. Collins spent 14 days in space with her crew on a mission to test safety measures at the International Space Station and restock supplies. She is the recipient of numerous awards, earning her place in the National Aviation Hall of Fame and the International Space Hall of Fame.

Keynote speaker Eileen Collins, the first female Space Shuttle pilot and commander, addresses a packed crowd in the Wagner Theatre on 91̽��'s Lancaster campus.

Keynote speaker Eileen Collins, the first female Space Shuttle pilot and commander, addresses a packed crowd in the Wagner Theatre on 91̽��’s Lancaster campus. Photo by Ellee Achten, BSJ ’14, MA ’17

A fitting example of the day’s theme of “Challenge. Lead. Succeed,” Collins spoke about her humble beginnings as a curious learner who grew up wanting to fly planes. She eventually joined in the Air Force with the hope of earning her pilot’s license, which, she admitted, took immense courage. Collins was one of only four women selected for undergraduate pilot training at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma.

“Courage, to me, is the ability to overcome fear…,” she said. “You will experience fear on an airplane. I’ve had all kinds of crazy things happen to me. Instead of letting fear overtake you, you maintain an even strength. That’s an important part of leadership, too.”

After her training, Collins continued to challenge herself and taught pilot training at several Air Force bases. She felt equipped to work as an astronaut for NASA, but knew that, as a woman and minority in her field, the goal was ambitious.

“Without a doubt, you have to focus on the mission,” she said. “With all these distractions… you have to really focus and be part of a team. One thing that worked for me was having a strategic goal. Maybe it’s not going to work out in the end. But if the astronaut position didn’t work out for me, it was important to have other plans for myself.”

Her focus and leadership skills eventually led to her history-making role in the United States’ space program. Collins showed Celebrate Women attendees footage from her 2005 trip to space, and she recounted the extensive process of the mission and the importance of teamwork.

“I loved working at NASA because it didn’t matter if you were a man or woman, it didn’t matter what you looked like,” she said. “What mattered was ‘What do you have to contribute to the reason that we’re here?’”

Panel discussion examines challenges women face in leadership roles

The day kicked off with a panel discussion, titled “Navigating Nontraditional Roles” and moderated by Laurie Lach, BSC ’92, MA ’18, director of development and external affairs at 91̽�� Lancaster.

(From left) Laurie Lach, Jennifer Friel and Heather Lawrence-Benedict listen as Cynthia Calhoun addresses the audience during a panel discussion at the 13th annual Celebrate Women Conference.

(From left) Laurie Lach, Jennifer Friel and Heather Lawrence-Benedict listen as Cynthia Calhoun addresses the audience during a panel discussion at the 13th annual Celebrate Women Conference. Photo by Ellee Achten, BSJ ’14, MA ’17

The panelists, representing women working in government, education and business, included:

Cynthia C. Calhoun, BSEE ’88, aerospace engineer supervisor at NASA’s John Glenn Research Center and a member of The 91̽�� Foundation Board of Trustees
Heather Lawrence-Benedict, associate dean of graduate programs in OHIO’s College of Business and a Robert H. Freeman Professor in Business
Jennifer Johns Friel, CEO of Mid West Fabricating Company, a family-owned and operated business founded in Fairfield County in 1945

The women talked about their leadership roles, injustices they have faced and what inspires them to achieve their goals, especially when working in male-dominated fields.

“With a lack of leadership in respect to women in sports administration positions, many men in these positions want to help,” Lawrence-Benedict, who has worked in the sports industry all of her professional life, advised attendees. “It’s about building those relationships and asking for help when you need it. If you don’t see that opportunity, find your tribe and go do it yourself.”

Breakout sessions highlight women’s empowerment, overall wellbeing

Throughout the day, the Celebrate Women Conference offered attendees 18 different workshops designed to empower them and educate them on issues of personal and professional wellness and success. Workshops ranged from topics like “Five Money Questions for Women” to “Resilience and Thriving: The Secret Power of Stress,” and between presentations attendees were encouraged to explore the many vendors and educational displays offered throughout the event.

A packed room listens as Jennifer Bennett, director of 91̽��’s WellWorks, presents “Resilience and Thriving: The Secret Power of Stress.”

A packed room listens as Jennifer Bennett, director of 91̽��’s WellWorks, presents “Resilience and Thriving: The Secret Power of Stress.” Photo by Ellee Achten, BSJ ’14, MA ’17

In a presentation titled, “Crafting Your Personal Brand to Reflect Your Vision,” Angela Krile, BSJ ’97, said she is a firm believer in making social media “the real you.” The president and CEO of Krile Communications, Krile challenged the group to find a balance between social media presence and true identity, encouraging users to create accurate and honest online profiles.

“It’s OK to make mistakes; people will forgive you,” she said. “But what people may not forgive is you putting on an act. Being inauthentic takes a physical toll on you. Let’s be the best possible version of us.”

Dr. Geneva Murray, director of 91̽��’s Women’s Center, treated attendees to a two-part presentation perfect for every working woman and those about to enter the workforce: the “AAUW Start Smart Salary Negotiation” workshop.

The goal of the workshop was to assist women in salary negotiation, which often starts with identifying a target salary. Dr. Murray said the workshop is helpful for all career paths and age groups, and often teaches participants skills to use when applying for a new job or negotiating in a current position. This workshop is a national program founded by the American Associate of University Women.

Awards for Outstanding Female Leaders

The Celebrate Women Conference include the presentation of awards to outstanding female 91̽�� student leaders and to members of the 91̽�� and Fairfield County communities who have made significant contributions to the advocacy and awareness of women’s issues.

The 2019 Jane Johnsen Women of Vision Award, established in 2013 in honor of the late 91̽�� Lancaster Assistant Professor Jane Johnsen, was presented to Cathy Bitler, BSC ’80, MA ’01, and Candice Thomas-Maddox.

Described by her peers as a “tireless advocate for Fairfield County,” Bitler was recognized for her contributions to the county, to the city of Lancaster and to 91̽��. In the community, she has served as president of Rotary, chair of the Lancaster-Fairfield Chamber of Commerce and the 33 Development Alliance, and a member of the Fairfield County Foundation Board of Trustees. She is the recipient of the Lancaster-Fairfield Chamber of Commerce’s Athena Award, the OHIO Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Award (1990), and 91̽�� Lancaster’s Alumni Leadership Award (2009-10). Bitler was named Lancaster Junior Women’s Club Woman of the Year twice for her leadership and advocacy for others.

Candice Thomas-Maddox, co-chair of the Celebrate Women Conference and one of two 2019 Jane Johnsen Women of Vision Award recipients, navigates the morning crowd with gift bags at the 13th annual Celebrate Women Conference.

Dr. Thomas-Maddox, who leads the Celebrate Women recognition committee, was surprised with the award, given in recognition of her mentorship to faculty, the integral role she has played in women’s programming on the Lancaster campus, and her leadership in the field of communication studies. A professor of communication studies at 91̽�� Lancaster and director of the online master’s program in organizational communication, Dr. Thomas-Maddox has taught a variety of courses and co-authored five textbooks since joining OHIO in 1994. She has served as co-chair of the Celebrate Women Conference for the past decade, as well as faculty advisor for the Lancaster campus’ Leadership Enhancement Acquisition Delegation (L.E.A.D.), the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity and the Phi Theta Kappa honorary society. The former president and executive director of both the Eastern Communication Association and the Ohio Communication Association, Dr. Thomas-Maddox has received the 91̽�� Lancaster Professor of the Year Award, the 91̽�� RHE Outstanding Professor Award, and the ECA Ecroyd Teaching Award and Teaching Fellows.

The following 91̽�� students were presented Outstanding Female Student Leader Awards:

Alissa Allman, a communication studies major, who is president of the Lancaster campus’ chapter of the Lambda Pi Eta honor society, a member of the campus’ chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and the L.E.A.D. Team, plays on the campus’ softball team and volunteers for the HEART Food Pantry and Joseph’s Coat of Central Ohio
Lucy Johnson, a human biology/physiology major and Charles Kilburger Scholar, who serves as an assistant for the Lancaster campus’ anatomy dissection course, participated in a mission trip to Croix-des-Bouquets in Haiti, was a featured artist at the 2017 Celebrate Women Art Exhibition and volunteers at Red Cross blood drives
Kylee Matheney, a communication studies major, who serves on the Lancaster campus’ Student Senate and as an instructor for the Kids in College program, plays on the campus’ softball team (First Team OCC) and volleyball team (Captain), and volunteers for the NO Limits Basketball Camp
Morgan Murphy, a criminal justice major, who participates in the Lancaster campus’ L.E.T Us Help student organization, volunteers with Adopt a Highway, serves as vice president of the campus’ chapter of the Alpha Phi Sigma honor society, and has been accepted into the Ohio State Highway Patrol Training Academy
Stephanie Renner, a Carol Christy Scholarship recipient who is studying communication studies and child development, serves as president of Allies for Human Rights: Gender and Sexuality Alliance, administrator at Sheltering Arms Daycare, organizer of the Street Cat Zine Fest, and speaker and volunteer for Take Back the Night

“This conference is important because it emphasizes values we hold in our family,” said Kelley Lach, a resident of Fairfield County. “It’s very important to advocate for women’s rights and equality. I think OUL is a great place to have this event, and it’s a great community event.”

Published

March 27, 2019

Author

Julie Ciotola, BSJ ’20