Managing a healthy balance between careers and families was one of the topics of a four-woman panel at the Women’s Philanthropy & Leadership Workshop on Tuesday, hosted by the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Meridian Society. The Society’s annual workshop included a panel discussion, a keynote speaker, a luncheon, recognition of awards and a welcome by SIUE Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe.
Having a husband who does all the housework is one way of helping find the balance, said Regina Hays, SIUE University police chief, to a laughing audience of mostly women. Hays told the crowd that her career in law enforcement began when she became the first female hired at the Edwardsville Police Department in 1978.
Hays was one of four panelists, all of whom are SIUE alumni. The other panelists included: Dr. Briana Oller, dentist and owner of Simply Smiles Dental Care; Tanya Patton, principal in the Edwardsville School District #7; and Dr. Susan Schaberg, dermatologist and owner of Schaberg Dermatology.
“One thing you have to learn is that things will not be perfect,” Oller said. “Having a perfect office, family, house, does not exist.”
For women trying to succeed in their careers, one piece of advice given by all the panelists was to benefit from a mentor.
“Find someone who will support you,” Patton said. “I had two wonderful women in my life. One important thing one of my mentors told me was, ‘You are still responsible for your behavior regardless of what happens to you in life.’”
Another word of counsel for women in business came from Schaberg. “Reinvent yourself,” she said. “I’ve changed careers several times. Try to figure out what you like. Take chances and go for it.”
Also at the workshop, Furst-Bowe welcomed about 130 participants. “On behalf of the University community,” Furst-Bowe told the crowd, “I want to congratulate the Meridian Society for its ongoing work offering women philanthropic and leadership opportunities, and I want to renew SIUE’s commitment to partnering in these activities.”
During the luncheon, the 2013 Meridian Award recipients were announced. The organization awarded nearly $25,000 for programs to benefit the region. SIUE programs/partnership organizations and the amounts they were awarded include:
• “Building Sustainable Regional Communities,” Department of Speech Communication/Granite City Youth Center, $2,500
• “Celloboration! Let the fun begin: Educational activities for cellists of all ages,” Music Department/Metro East String Association (MESA), $1,500
• “Children’s Literature for the Transgender Community,” Department of Anthropology/Transvisibility Program of LGBT Center, St. Louis, $1,000
• “Failure is Not an Option: Capitalization Grit for Academic Achievement,” School of Education/East St. Louis Charter High School, $2,100
• “Fostering an International Speaker Series,” the Center for International Programs/St. Louis Council on Foreign Relations, World Affairs Co., $3,000
• “Friends of Lovejoy Library High School Writers’ Contest,” Friends of Lovejoy Library/57 Local High Schools, $1,000
• “Handicap This! Presentation: Increasing Disability Awareness,” Department of Special Education & Communication Disorders/Socially and Educationally Engaged Community, Inc. (SEEC), $1,095
• “Hospice Volunteer Initiative,” School of Pharmacy, Class of 2015/Hospice of Southern Illinois, $1,400
• “It’s Your Garden – Grow It!” The Gardens at SIUE/Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, $3,500
• “Oral Health Education Program for Madison County Public Schools,” the SIU School of Dental Medicine/Madison County Regional Office of Education, $3,000
• “Prevention of Prescription Drug Abuse in Youth,” School of Pharmacy/student chapter of the American Pharmacist Association and Student Society of Health System Pharmacists, $1,500
• “Training in Goal Setting, Time Management, and Professional Image for Fontebella Maternity Center Residents,” Department of Speech Communication/Fontebella Maternity Shelter, $2,000.
“These partnerships are so important to the University and to the community at large,” said Furst-Bowe. “SIUE’s value of citizenship calls for social, civic and political responsibility and active partnerships. It’s through collaboration that we are able to further our programs and the development of professional and community leaders, strengthening the social, political and economic base of our community for years to come.”
About the Meridian Society
As an auxiliary organization of the SIUE Foundation, the Meridian Society promotes women’s leadership and invests in SIUE community-based projects. Through pooled resources and collective giving, the women of the Meridian Society demonstrate a spirit of philanthropy and a commitment to making a positive impact in the community. The Meridian Society accepts funding applications for projects benefitting SIUE Community Based Projects. Bringing together the financial power, influence and voices of women since its inception in 2003, the Meridian Society has given 72 awards totaling over $181,000. This year’s Meridian Society president is Elizabeth Keserauskis, SIUE assistant vice chancellor for University Relations and executive director of University Marketing & Communications.
Photo Information:
Panelists from left to right are Dr. Susan Schaberg, Tanya Patton, Dr. Briana Oller and Regina Hays.