News

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion recognized remarkable and gifted women who, among other things, have helped improve the lives of others and overcome obstacles to obtain success, at its third annual Phenomenal Women’s Luncheon on Wednesday, March 22. 

SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook congratulated SIUE’s 18 Phenomenal Women for their contributions to the University and the community. Mary Jo Pembrook, PhD, volunteer piano teacher at the SIUE East St. Louis Center and Phenomenal Woman recipient, welcomed the women and their guests. 

“These women are champions for their efforts in helping create a diverse and inclusive environment at SIUE and in the region,” said Venessa Brown, PhD, associate chancellor for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion. 

“Phenomenal women are all around us,” said Mary Jo Pembrook. “Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space, was on campus last week. Katherine Dunham, who has a building named for her on campus and who started the performing arts program at the East St. Louis Center, had an international career. The first student enrolled at SIUE in 1957 was a female named Geri Kay Howell, who later became a school teacher.” 

“I have always been struck by how much power there is among the collective of women,” said guest speaker Veronica Delgado, graduate student in art therapy counseling and graduate assistant in the Women’s Studies program. “There are still unacceptable issues such as gender-based violence but we have made progress. I am grateful for the women who fought, died, and been humiliated, and who continue to do so for the rights that we have today. We are all connected to women who have done and are still doing some amazing things.” 

“Thank you for the many ways you are making this campus and our community a better place,” Pembrook said. “What I love about SIUE is that we value people.” 

David Heth, director of Financial Affairs nominated his wife, Annette, an SIUE alumna. Heth gave a breathless account of some of the ways she’s made being an ordinary third-grade teacher extraordinary. 

“There was a child whose parents abandoned him, and he was living in a trailer with his grandmother,” Heth said, as his wife sat quietly beside him. “Annette discovered that he enjoyed writing and illustrating. She got him into the Young Author’s Contest. The young boy won a writing contest out of the entire school and then in the district. Then he went to state for a writing award, and she went with him. Annette has also either helped him get scholarships or paid for him to go to summer writing camps at SIUE for the past five years. 

“There was also a girl who was a selective mute,” Heth continued. “She had chosen not to speak for quite some time. Annette worked with her for approximately a year, and got her to participate in class and to paint. At the end of the school year, the same girl sang in a talent show in front of the entire school.” 

Some Phenomenal Women said it was especially nice for others to nominate them for the honor, because it’s sometimes hard for females to celebrate themselves. 

“What has been a struggle for me is knowing my own self-worth,” said Kalisha Turner, EdD, adviser in Academic Advising. “I have to tell myself that it’s OK for me to give it my all in motherhood, in school and in work.” 

When Guim Kwon, PhD, associate professor in the School of Pharmacy, first came to the U.S. from Korea at the age of 18, she spoke little English. She was determined not to let the language be a permanent barrier and worked for five years to master English. 

“Going through that helped strengthen me,” Kwon said. “I don’t think it’s hard to be a woman. I’m too confident.” 

When a woman finds herself fully engaged in everything in her life, some could consider that as a superwoman syndrome, according to Linda Omondi, PhD, coordinator and clinical associate professor at the SIUE WE CARE Clinic. “I just strive to keep putting my best foot forward,” Omondi said, “and helping others is the most important thing.” 

“It is an honor to support this program, and to give people in the University community an opportunity to celebrate the women they work with by nominating them for this award,” Brown said. She also added that the Phenomenal Women’s Luncheon was the brainchild of Erika Hall, graduate assistant in the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, who will graduate with an MBA in May. 

SIUE Phenomenal Women and their departments include:

• Dr. Mary Jo Pembrook (Honorary), music instructor, SIUE East St. Louis Center
• Alechia Abioye – advisor, Academic Advising
• Lore Baker – Community-At-Large
• Courtney Breckenridge – director of communications and client relations, NCERC
• Carmen Connors – senior in the School of Business, Student Government
• Kiah Earl – senior, College of Arts and Sciences
• Annette Heth – Community-At-Large, alumnus
• Kim Isenberg – director of operations for Softball, Athletics
• Lara Jennings – director, East St. Louis Learning Resource Center
• Carolyn Kribs – faculty, SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School
• Dr. Guim Kwon – associate professor, School of Pharmacy
• Dr. Elizabeth McKenney – assistant professor, Department of Psychology
• Dr. Linda Omondi – coordinator and clinical associate professor, Family Health/Community Health Nursing
• Dr. Shelley Price-Williams – coordinator, School of Business
• Vivian Rodgers – office support associate, Kimmel Student Involvement Center
• Korinna Saathoff – senior, School of Education, Health and Human Behavior
• Dr. Kalisha Turner – advisor, Academic Advising
• Arielle Weaver – director of the Student Conduct Program, Housing 

Photos:

Eighteen women were honored at SIUE’s third annual Phenomenal Women’s Luncheon on Wednesday, March 22. 

Speaking at the Phenomenal Women’s Luncheon were (L-R) Venessa Brown, PhD, associate chancellor for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, Veronica Delgado, graduate student in art therapy counseling and graduate assistant in the Women’s Studies program, and Mary Jo Pembrook, PhD, volunteer piano teacher at the SIUE East St. Louis Center and Phenomenal Woman recipient. 

The originator of the idea for SIUE’s Phenomenal Women’s Luncheon was Erika Hall, graduate assistant in the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion (right) with Venessa Brown.