In my business life spanning the most recent ten years or so, Linda Gilden took me from one level of business life to another just because of her commitment to work excellence and to a friendship.Wannette Jauregui faithfully managed the books at the office while longing for her passion for nursing.Over the years, there was Janet Grant, Ruth Luna, Susan Milani, Rosa Ramirez, Elvira Ramirez, Jackie Gallagher, Becky Dyer, Linda Richards, and Elizabeth Romero.On a daily basis, those steady friends who do their own special work and make a difference in our town and in the world are Peggy Kelly, Debbie Johnson, Kathy Long, Marianne Ratcliffe, Madeline Burleson, Brenda Stewart, Beverly Harding, Molly King, Connie Tushla, Donna Stewart, Marsha Rae, Vicki Horne, Carolyn Leavens, Elsa Campbell, Anita Pulido, Stuart Monteith, Shirley Hendren, Laura Espinosa, Mary Ann Krause, Leslie Krause, Becky Ariaza Shide, Sally Phelps, Jennifer Carter, Maria Bombara, Joanie Largen, Sue Chadwick, Janet Lindsey, Rita Graham, Betsy Taylor, Pam Colvard, Pat Novak, all the nurses, the teachers, waitresses, business owners, the mothers, the wives, and so many others.In my church life, there’s Emily Cantero, Virginia Hernandez, Lydia Rodriguez, Patty Patterson, Kathy McKeever, Anita Osuna, Dorella Shields, Priscilla Anderson, Eva Rodriguez, Margaret Frost, and others.In my personal life, those who were key for me on a recent important day when prayer was all-important were Susan Kulwiec and Linda Simmons.I know I have left someone out and I will think of her in the night and thank God for her again.Each of us is a part of some woman’s life, somewhere, who is better and richer for our presence in it.A Woman of History is one whose day begins and ends with important work that adds value to the life we live here together.
March is Women of History Month
March 29, 2002
Columnist
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I’m so glad I’m not a woman of history. I would have hated the prairie; ironing without polyester, cooking without natural gas, and not having a shower in the house.
I love being surrounded by women who make history every day by taking care of other women and those who allow me to take care of them while they take care of me.There was a luncheon in town this weekend for women who wanted to commemorate the journey that women begin every morning as we open our eyes to a new day.We shared some thoughts about what we need in our daily lives to make it through it, understand it and make it better. The denominator common for all of us was our acknowledgement of our need to pray daily.The women of today who share my life amaze me. Three of them should be retired, but they choose to spend their day at the office. Having Marcia Crow is like having a mother, a sister and best friend be the first one in the back door each morning. I have to be careful about what I ask Marcia to do for she will do it... no matter what.Then there’s Gretchen Thorpe. She manages the rent money for over 200 renters and their landlords. She has a private office because of her honorable and demanding duties. She could be at home reading a book or gardening with a retirement income, but she chooses to follow Marcia in the back door every morning.Midge Jagels, also of retirement age, manages the Ojai office and is grateful for the chance to be needed. Midge was raised in a Southern Baptist orphanage and loves the idea that we need her on a daily basisBehind Gretchen is a much younger Josie Chavez Patterson. Josie skillfully and cheerfully manages everything in the company, including the tech support division. She has three little ones at home but with the help of own her full-time mom, Mrs. Chavez, the children are safe so Josie can take care of us.Then comes Wendy Luna Vega with her own beautiful daughter. She takes the reins from Marcia for the afternoon shift. Wendy, with her glorious smile and ability to translate into Spanish with grace, adds an element to the company that blends youth and intelligence.Sparkling Debi Billen joins us in the local office on Wednesday to deliver the ads to Fillmore and keep vigil in the Fillmore office from Monday through Friday. She has two small boys at home who require Mom’s attention no matter where she spends her day.Samantha Hernandez works with all of us and attends Ventura College vying for those skills that will make her successful in her own right some day soon.Cynthia Dunbar’s tour begins every day at 9 am goes until we are done for the day. Her desire to please, fill the gap and be the messenger for the company, makes her an invaluable business and personal friend.
