Women on the Rise
The Women on the Rise award was created to honor women who have broken down barriers and stereotypes who have helped to lead the way for other women through their exemplary service and excellence in a non traditional career.
This years event will be held on September 30, 2010 from 5 pm - 7:30 pm at the Crowne Plaza City Centre Hotel. The keynote speaker is Patricia Shiu, Director of the Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.
Prior to her appointment as Director of the OFCCP, Shiu served for 26 years at the Legal Aid Society- Employment Law Center in San Francisco, where she was director of the Work and Family Program, as well as the Gender Equality Program. She helped pass the California Medical Leave Act and the Gender Equity Program, which deals with sexual harassament, pregnancy discrimination and unequal pay.
Sponsorship Opportunities are available for Women on the Rise. Become a sponsor and receive tickets and recognition on the website and in program book. Click here to view the sponsorship form. You can also purchase ads for our program book (separate than sponsorship). Click here to view the program book ad form. Please call 216-861-6500 ext.47 if you have questions or would like to attend the event. Thank you for your support!
2009 AWARD WINNERS
Elizabeth Bunn- 2nd term Secretary Treasurer, United Auto Workers (UAW), Detroit, MI. Ms. Bunn, former Director of UAW’s Women’s Department, created and led the union’s Work and Family Resource Unit. She is a respected champion of bargaining rights, improving working conditions for all as well as providing a blueprint for action to advance women within the UAW. Elizabeth has merged her experiences as wife and mother with her law degree from Wayne State University, to create innovative programs that support and reinforce strong family units.
Valerie Catchings, Personnel Director, Automotive Manufacturing, General Motors, Parma, OH. With over 30 years experience in human resources and as the first female Personnel Director at the Parma plant, Ms. Catchings has promoted awareness of women’s health and the need to understand and address issues facing women in the non-traditional work environment. Valerie has a broad, forward thinking concept of what women can be in the workplace, and she mentors others as they pursue training and advance in their careers.
Brenda King, Junior Reliability Engineer, General Motors, Parma, OH. Passionate about exposing young women to non-traditional career opportunities, Ms. King led the way for 51 female John Adams High School students to participate in General Motors’ 2008 Simulated Work Environment (SWE). SWE is a workshop that teaches participants team building, how to set and meet goals, problem solving and decision making. This experience provided an opportunity for these young women to build confidence and develop unique skills.
Jill V. Akins, AIA, Van Auken Akins Architects, LLC, Cleveland, OH. This principal of Van Auken Akins Architects is a registered architect and certified plan examiner, with over 25 years of experience in architectural design, programming, project management, construction management and interior design. Selected as one of the Top Ten Women Business Owners in Northeast Ohio, Ms. Akins has met current economic challenges with initiative and creativity, growing the firm’s already impressive client list and pursing projects that are rewarding for her employees. Jill continues to impact her community through mentoring students from diverse backgrounds and her long association with the Harvest for Hunger Drive.
Molly Rorvig, TAB Technician, Sheet Metal Worker, Local 33, Cleveland, OH. In just five short years, Ms. Rorvig has advanced from finishing HHW’s Pre Apprenticeship Training (PAT) course to being promoted to TAB technician working for Kahoe Air Balance Company. By placing first in the Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Regional Contest, Molly earned a place to compete in the International Competition where she placed fourth.
Julie Wolin, PhD, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Cleveland State University (CSU), LeeAnn Westfall and Erin Huber, graduate students, Environmental Studies. These three women are responsible for the installation of a 7,000 square foot “green roof” on CSU’s recreation center. The roof contains 15,000 plants that will extend the building’s roof life 30–40 years. The $250,000 green roof was part of the original design of CSU’s recreation center but plans were abandoned due to cost. With Professor Wolin’s guidance, Westfall and Huber began meeting with CSU officials two years ago to move the project forward. They hosted fundraisers, approached foundations, solicited donations from CSU family and alumni and secured a matching contribution from CSU for up to $125,000.
Calli Frehmeyer, Mason Tender, Local 310, Cleveland, OH. Ms. Frehmeyer has been an active Hard Hatted Women volunteer and board member as well as the immediate past president of the board. Calli has also been involved with Allied Cleveland Tradeswomen. Ms. Frehmeyer has been a mason tender for 17 years for companies including RAF, VIP and Cleveland Marble. She is a tireless and passionate supporter of HHW and helped to mentor women as an instructor for PAT. She is a volunteer who incorporates meaningful participation to any project. Calli’s association with HHW has been pivotal in smoothing our organizational transitions; she is adept at building collaborative relationships.
Nancy Hanlan, Beaver Excavating Co., International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 18, Cleveland, OH. An operating engineer since 1979, Ms. Hanlan started out as one of the first women in her field and now serves Beaver Excavating in Canton as a Project Analyst and a designer of GPS site-models. As the company’s Equal Employment Opportunity officer, Nancy is a champion for women and other minorities in the construction trades. Nancy has acted as a mentor and an advocate for Hard Hatted Women’s clientele, by presenting in classrooms as a Role Model Speaker, and most recently by guiding policy for the Women in Ohio Roadways Construction project, which has recruited 110 women for heavy highway construction apprenticeship program. The daughter of a union ironworker, Nancy understands the importance of solidarity to obtain family-supporting wages. It is in that spirit of camaraderie that she advocates for her fellow tradeswomen.
Lorraine Bertosa: Nominated by Hard Hatted Women. Lorraine Bertosa has been a tradeswoman for over two decades. A true advocate and educator, she is one of the founding sisters and visionaries of Hard Hatted Women’s mission. A union Carpenter, Lorraine decided to form her own landscaping company called Gardening Girls. This summer when her granddaughter graduated from HHW”s Rosie’s Girls camp, Lorraine’s pioneering work had come full circle. Lorraine has bee a frequent volunteer and instructor of HHW programs.
June Flowers: Nominated by Nancy Hanlan of Beaver Excavating. June Flowers celebrates her 30th anniversary as a union laborer this year (2008). As a member of the bridge crew for Beaver Excavating, she always brings a smile and a hard-working attitude to the job site. “June has shown her children and other workers that by taking care of her job, it will take care of you.”
Martha Grevatt: Nominated by Sharon Danaan. A tool and die maker for over 20 years, Martha serves as an inspiration to women everywhere. She works at Chrysler-Twinsburg Stamping Plant and is a member of the Executive Board for the United Auto Workers Local 122. Martha is a frequent public speaker and writer with an upcoming book entitled, “In Our Hands is Place a Power.”
Lily Leadbetter: Nominated by Hard Hatted Women. Since taking her fight for fair pay to the Supreme Court and now the United States Congress, Lilly has become a tireless advocate for an end to pay discrimination. Her work impacts the lives of all working women, and the families who rely on their income.
Gena Lovett: Nominated by Shervon Reed. In July 2007, Gena was named the first female plant manager at Alcoa’s Cleveland Works, where she leads the manufacturing operations for three of Alcoa’s businesses. Under her leadership, the facility has implemented a diversity help chain that ensures equal opportunity for all employees. “She is a strong leader and an inspiration to women of all ages. Gena has been an inspiration to me and the members of our women’s committee because she is truly a person that has a vision of greatness. She is a strong leader that fiercely and fearlessly rises to any task, while still being humble and compassionate.”
Bonnie Teeuwen: Nominated by Hard Hatted Women. As the youngest and only female District Chief for the Ohio Department of Transportation, Bonnie takes on many of the district’s largest projects including a total redesign of the I-90 corridor. She started out the District 12 as a Bridge Manager and after leaving for a job in the private sector, was appointed by Governor Strickland to her current position in 2006.
Sabre Towers: Nominated by Margie Chambers. Sabre is a General Supervisor and Quality Systems Engineer at General Motors in Parma. During a 26-year career, she has helped jumpstart a committee on Women in Manufacturing and currently serves as the groups Chairperson, to provide support to women professionals, and expose young women to careers in the field. She is an inspiration to women at the plan, urging them to work to reach their fullest potential.
Eloise Tufts: Nominated by Calli Frehmeyer. Eloise has been a dedicated carpenter for over 25 years. She is a frequent volunteer and occasional instructor for Hard Hatted Women since the early 1990’s. She is a person of great integrity and great generosity. She is always willing to lend a hand and has always been a passionate advocate for women in the trades.
2007 AWARD WINNERS
Janet Ashe: Serving as Deputy Director of Administration and Treasurer at the Cleveland Museum of Art, Janet has reigned as a sentinel for female opportunities in construction. Her personal dedication ensured that women and minorities have been actively engaged in the workforce during renovation of the museum.
Kathryn Hall: As the Assistant Vice President of Institutional Diversity and Equity at Case Western Reserve University, Kathryn has been instrumental in ensuring that local female and minority entrepreneurs have fair access to contracting opportunities with the University. Her passion is to advance open access to all entrepreneurs for the economic development of both the city and the region.
Rocky Hwasta: A member of Carpenters’ Local 212 since 1985, Rocky has been an advocate for tradeswomen for many years. In 2003 Rocky co-founded Allied Cleveland Tradeswomen (ACT). She helped develop an ACT scholarship award program and partnered with HHW to create a Tradeswomen Mentor Program.
Joan Pfingsten: During a 25-year career with the Cleveland Metroparks, Joan has held numerous positions, including being the first woman to serve as a Park Manager. Joan has contributed her time and talents to HHW since 2001. Currently, in addition to serving on the HHW Board, she provides instruction, mentoring and hands-on opportunities for women in Pre-Apprenticeship Training.
2006 AWARD WINNERS
Darlene Glass: Is a board member of HHW and member of Carpenter’ Local 212. She is a graduate of HHW’s Pre-Apprenticeship Training program and now serves as an instructor. This summer, Darlene became a journey women carpenter and was awarded apprentice of the year by her local, the first female to ever receive this award.
Marjorie Chambers: Has served on HHW’s board since 1999. She is a Tool and Die Maker at General Motors in Parma and a dedicated member of United Auto Workers Local 1005. Margie has achieved many firsts. She was the first female steward of her local, the first woman to be awarded the Ohio State Apprenticeship Council Journeyperson of the Year award, and has recently been elected the first African American female vice-president of UAW Local 1005.
Ruth Gross: Is an active volunteer with HHW and training instructor as well as graduate, Ruth is also a board member of our sister organization, Allied Cleveland Tradeswomen. Ruth has been a bricklayer with Local 5 since 1992. Ruth was the first woman from the area to be appointed to the Executive District Council of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftspersons.
Lynn Martins: Is an HHW pre-apprenticeship training graduate currently working at the City of Cleveland Water Department. Lynn is the first woman in the water department to obtain her CDL and recently became the first female foreman.