It is already March, the time in our Michigan season that brings snow, rain, warmth, and mud. By this description, I believe I have described this past winter. March is a time that we start to consider moving from our winter hibernation (if you are not a winter sports person), to enjoying more time outside and being able to enjoy the longer, 明亮的夜晚. 

Another item of importance in March is 妇女历史月. 你可能会问为什么这很重要. It is a time to celebrate the progress made for/by women and remember the important influences women have within our society. Women of influence are all around us, and sometimes we just do not recognize their role in shaping our world. 作为一个年轻女子, 回到我的社区, it was at that time I became aware of the influence of the strong women taking leadership roles in our community, but I did not genuinely appreciate their trailblazing, 宣传, and passion for change until I was older. 

The first woman of influence for me was my mother who I saw as a trailblazer when I think back on my childhood. I was growing up in an age when jobs for women were a bit limited, 但对我妈妈来说不是, 她并没有因此而退缩. She took on every task and never allowed gender to limit what she did. When I talked with her years later about what I saw as her trailblazer role, she was not even aware of the impression she was making on me as a young girl. My mother could hardly say no to anyone in need, and she was always willing to give a helping hand. Her life was not easy, and through every terrible bump in the road, she got through it and succeeded. She would tell me that when I find something wrong when facing any challenges, 不要只是抱怨, 直面这个问题, 找到解决方案, 参与其中. 她的影响力, and the influence of other women in our community while I was growing up helped me to decide to get involved!

Over the years Manistee County has had women who were also trailblazers, significantly impacted our community, and influenced my becoming involved in our community, and eventually a county commissioner. The first woman I remember is Betty Noteware, a woman who could move mountains. Betty was instrumental in the development of a mental health system for our community. She worked with others to establish the first mental health agency and board in 1972. Betty remained committed to mental health for decades. She was enthusiastic about the importance of having services here for citizens needing assistance. To this day Centra Wellness has an award “The Betty Noteware Award” presented to staff who are exemplary in their job. I was able to meet Betty when she was on the mental health board, and when she was on the board of the Manistee County Medical Care Facility. Betty was small in stature and soft-spoken, but she had a roar. She was a fierce advocate for our community. 

Another woman I had met and appreciated was Sheri Wild, former County Commissioner and Chair of the County Commission for a time. 当我了解雪莉的时候, she certainly was not about keeping the status quo, she was always looking to improve our County. She spent time with me, providing support and information while encouraging me to run for office. When discussing public office, I could recall two pictures that resonated and remained with me. One was of Sheri as the Chair of the County Commissioners and the other was Colleen Kelly. 我从没见过凯利市长, but I remember it as a poignant moment seeing her chairing our city council as Mayor of Manistee, and all these years later we have had two more women leaders representing our city as Mayor. 

Today I hope that young women see articles and think about the number of women in in our community in leadership roles. We have women leaders in many areas, including our county administrator, chamber president & 首席执行官, 旅游局局长, vice president and directors in healthcare, 执法侦探, 我们学校制度的原则, and many more from the classrooms to the women working at home, their leadership and examples will influence the younger generation of women and they will not think twice or find it unique to see a woman in leadership roles. Thank you to all the strong women who promote strength and leadership to our younger generations daily. 

凯伦·古德曼, LMSW, is the Chief Operating Officer for Centra Wellness Network, County Commissioner for the 6th District (West side City of Manistee), Commissioner on the City of Manistee Housing Commission, and Vice Chair of the Manistee Downtown Development Authority.