Allison Scahill, residence life coordinator”I think (a strong women is) someone who is not afraid to say what is on her mind and who is able to stand her ground even when things get rough. It is important to continue recognizing these women of strength to achieve equality within both men and women. I think this particular event, especially at a place like Baker University, is a great way to honor those women who have made an impact on our campus because it lets people see what goals they want to reach.”
Michelle Pressgrove, junior”I think that it is really important and unique to honor women on campus that have shown strength. I think that it provides encouragement for other women on campus and it also helps recognize so many women that are really involved in making campus life better.”
Britt Strick, senior”After becoming a peer educator this year, I became more passionate about helping those in need. I have done a lot of research about violence against women and plan on continuing that passion to after I graduate.””I think this award shows that there are students out there who are helping women and men overcome problems, and I think it is really important that Baker encourages women as leaders.”
Tiffany Bagsby, sophomore”I think a woman of strength resembles someone who cares about scholarships and academics, who exudes themselves as a woman of intelligence and one who is able to achieve great things for her and her community.””A lot of times women achieve things that are not normally recognized, and this way they are. With 19 nominees, it really shows how much women are affecting Baker’s campus right now.”
Shekinah Roe, sophomore”A woman of strength needs to have perseverance no matter what happens and she is able to go about her life without being bitter about things that might affect her. For a woman of strength, no one would be able to take away her happiness and nothing would get her down.””I think there were a lot of nominees from Zeta Phi Beta because we had to bring something new to the campus and even though we have come across a lot of hardships within the sorority process, we have all worked together to persevere and not let anything affect us.”
Kelly Vaughan, junior”I think a lot of times women are not really honored that often besides in sports and what not, so it is really special to have these nominations to honor those who are everyday individuals such as faculty and students as one. … I think it is a really good thing to keep this award at Baker because it gives women across campus a connection.”
Megan Brokaw, senior”I believe that all women have strength within them, some show it daily, others only when forced by adversity, and some don’t know they have it at all. It is important to recognize women of strength to show all women what is possible to achieve and to show and inspire future generations of girls.”
Charmaine Henry, assistant professor of biology”(A woman of strength is) someone who is persistent, works towards goals, who is always willing to explore various options and not give up when the going gets rough. I think students love to have role models that display positive qualities, and it is really good for those students to actually see someone achieve those obstacles. I think I make a good woman of strength because I can always find the good in any situation and I would like to think people are inspired by my life.”
Theresa Yetmar, assistant athletic director”I think a woman of strength displays an ability to embrace a set of core values and stay true to those values and beliefs, even in the face of adversity. … I think I can be classified as a woman of strength because honesty is one of my core values. Strength can be represented in a myriad number of ways, with personal integrity being one of the most important ways to do so.””This award is important because it represents a way that Baker University can highlight Women’s History Month while connecting with members of its own faculty, staff, and students who have capitalized on the foundations built by the strong women who have gone before us.”
Regan Dodd, head tennis coach”I think to be a woman of strength, it is really important to stand up for what you believe in. Every year you get older, you have to be ready to adjust and to make good decisions for both you and those around you.”
Michelle Burton, junior”I believe a woman of strength is a woman that embodies the characteristics and qualities of what all women strive to be. A woman of strength is a role model for the women around her, young and old. She is full of life and has her own special creative quality. She is what all people strive to be, not just women but men too.””Too often men are recognized for the things they do while women are pushed to the back burner. This award should, and with any luck, will ignite a fire of passion, determination and leadership in other women. I hope that by receiving this award other young women will strive to become women of strength too. “
Molly Ediger, senior”(I think I was named a woman of strength) because I tore my ACL and went back in the (basketball) game twice. I think it is important to recognize women because a lot of times we are put on the back burner to men; special events like this make people aware (of) the wonderful strong women out there.”
Bailey Boehm, sophomore”A woman of strength is someone who is selfless in that she is always thinking of others. Her integrity is never breached; she stays true to herself and stands for what she believes in. A true woman of strength is someone who sets a good example for others to follow and keeps constant her high standards, her optimistic outlook on life, and positive attitude, even when trials or adversity arise.”I have to say that the only reason I can be considered for this award is because of the influence my mother and mentor have had on my life. These two women of strength have taught me for as long as I can remember that a person’s integrity is something never to be sacrificed. Listening to this advice for so many years has instilled in me this value and hopefully I will be able to have as big of an impact on other women as they have had on me.”
Kat Conoley, freshman”It’s important to acknowledge people’s strengths so they can be role models for others. I was nominated by Wendi Born, my psychology teacher and my mentor; because I guess I am not afraid to have an unpopular opinion.”
Shelby Coxon, associate dean of students”A woman of strength is someone that is a role model. They go after what they want and follow their own path. Many women go unrecognized for all the amazing things they do, so events like this are very important.”
Patti Heiman, adjunct instructor of communication”Setting good examples is always important. We have a lot of young women here at Baker who needs to understand that they can stand on their own and achieve what they want in life and they can do it with dignity and character. Recognizing these women who are of strength, whether they are faculty or other students set good examples for the other women here.”
Diane Holden, non-traditional student”I think a woman of strength entails a woman of independence and someone who is able to stand on her own. She is able to step into any role and run with it. A woman of strength shows that no matter what valleys she has to crawl through, she still ends up screaming from the mountain top.” “I am a survivor, and I have had to overcome so many obstacles in my life. I have learned from my trial and errors that life is not what is handed to you but what you make of your life. From my mother, we were taught independence is the key to any successful woman. I feel I am a very headstrong and determined, independent woman.”
Jacinta Deruso, junior”Being in Zeta Phi Beta, we do a whole lot of community service and things for other people. Right now, we are trying to get together and help out at a daughter/woman shelter for battered women.””The award is important to give people something to strive for and gives younger kids a good role model and somebody to look up to.”