2 THE MONTANA STANDARD, BUTTE, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2011
About Women of Distinction The Montana Standard has solicited nominations for its annyal Women of Distinction awards for several years. The awards honor women who, through business, volunteer work, community contributions or other acts, have had a positive effect on their community. A panel of staff members at the Standard selected 10 women this year from nominations to be featured in this publication. The women will be honored at a special event beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the Maroon Activity Center. The event is free and open to the public, sponsored by The Standard. During the ceremony, one woman will be honored as the 2011 Woman of Distinction.
CARMEN WINSLOW / THE MONTANA STANDARD
SHARLET BEST A volunteer extraordinaire BY EMILY POST for The Montana Standard
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ore than 200 Butte kids create lasting memories each summer, thanks to Sharlet Best. As secretary-treasurer of Big Butte Kiwanis and treasurer of the Kiwanis Sunshine Camp board, Best does everything from hiring summer camp staff to arranging camp meals, writing grant proposals and organizing an annual fundraiser to keep Sunshine Camp funded. Best has volunteered in the position since around 2001. Jack Hanley, a longtime Kiwanis member, asked her to get involved. “Jack was a mentor; he always looked on the bright side of things,” Best said. Beckie Hoffmann, president of the Big Butte Kiwanis Club, nominated Best as a 2011 Woman of Distinction. “She has a really bubbly personality, she’s not judgmental and takes everything in stride,” Hoffmann said. The camp is a free, week-long summer experience — the only vacation some kids have, she said. “Sharlet really makes a difference volunteering,” Hoffmann said. “The kids go swimming at the YMCA, go to the fire department, and last summer we took them up to Our Lady
for a barbecue.” Best said giving back to the community is what motivates her. “I hadn’t ever heard of other communities doing something like this,” she said. “I went to camp and then was a counselor and want to give back what I learned.” Best is committed to Kiwanis. She is an adviser to the Aktion Club, a chapter of Kiwanis dedicated to adults with disabilities, and recently agreed to be an adviser for the Key Club, a high-school-based service club sponsored by Kiwanis International. She works for the Transportation Safety Administration at the Bert Mooney Airport. “Every day is different and you never know what’s going to happen. I like protecting the public and making people feel safe,” Best said. “When they see a person from their community that they know, they seem more at ease. My goal is to put a smile on everyone’s face.” Her advice to young women and men is to be a mentor to kids. “A lot of kids don’t have anyone to look up to or to get good advice from,” Best said. She also emphasizes the importance of a positive outlook on life and encourages everyone to volunteer. “It’s worth it,” Best said. “It’s a lot of work, but seeing the smile on the kids’ faces is all I need. I see kids in the paper and tell my son, ‘that was a Sunshine camper!’ ”
THE MONTANA STANDARD, BUTTE, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2011 3
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4 THE MONTANA STANDARD, BUTTE, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2011
GAIL FISH
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ELLEN DONOHUE ‘Just an outstanding person’ BY EMILY POST
Honoring those who served STORY AND PHOTO BY PAULA J. MCGARVEY
for The Montana Standard
for The Montana Standard
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llen Donohue hasn’t ever run into a burning building. “There’s always room for improvement,” she joked. Donohue has worked as a social worker for 20 years for organizations such as Hospice and Safe Space, a shelter for abused women, and serves on the Community Health Center and Urban Revitalization Agency boards. She earned her law degree four years ago and is a deputy county attorney in Anaconda. “If you met her you’d see why she deserves to be recognized. So few people are as selfless. She helps people who have had the hardest time, trying to make their lives better,” said Cindy Stergar, executive director of Butte Community Health Center. Raised back East, Donohue, 44, has lived in Montana since 1994. She said she learned at the feet of two amazing people. “My parents always emphasized how fortunate we were. I remember as a teen going to soup kitchens.” Now, to give back, she volunteers at the Folk Festival, and washes dishes at the rescue mission on Thanksgiving, joking that she can’t cook. “Volunteering is so fulfilling. I get more in return than I give; it feels selfish,” Donohue said. Donohue’s parents, Pat and Ilene Donohue, continue to be her inspiration. “My mom had eight kids, has written a children’s book, was an RN for years, went back for a bachelor’s and graduated with a law degree when she was 58,” she said. “My dad coached many teams. They were always giving back to the community.” When asked what she looks forward to in her daily life, Donohue replied, “waking up.” She said she likes who she works with and loves her job. “I like looking at the whole situation, victims and offenders. I try to remember to be kind and try to find a sympathetic resolution because everyone is fighting a difficult battle and the majority do the best they can,” she said. Among many accolades, Stergar underscored Ellen’s sense of humor.
See DONOHUE, Page 7
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ail Fish developed a keen appreciation for the sacrifices made by those who serve their country and their families first hand. Her first husband, Eugene Oullette, had served in the U.S. Marine Corps, and together they raised seven children. At the time of Oullette’s death in 1990, one of her sons was serving in Kuwait in Operation Desert Storm. Fish said she’d requested an honor guard from a local veterans organization at the funeral and was disappointed when only one person was available to pay tribute to Oullette’s military service. That event prompted her to get involved in supporting local veterans and their families. Now in her 70s, Fish’s commitment has only grown over the past two decades. Today, she volunteers between 40 and 50 hours a week, keeping her focus on the welfare of veterans and their families. “It’s like having a full-time job, but the only compensation is that it makes me feel good,” she said. In 1992, Fish was working as a
Tupperware distributor and ended up falling in love with her freight delivery man, John Fish, a veteran Marine who was also widowed. The courtship resulted in marriage and the union gained her a stepson and refueled her desire to serve those who had served. The couple were already each strong supporters of the local Veterans of Foreign War and its Auxiliary, and within a year of her marriage, Fish had also joined the United Veterans Council of Butte Silver Bow Honor Guard. She began serving at military ceremonies and funerals and, when the need arose within the Council for a chaplain, Fish answered the call. “I’ve been chaplain, now, for 12 years,” she said. Fish’s list of contributions to local veterans and their families is lengthy. She has served as VFW Ladies’ Auxiliary Post 1448 president for the past 24 years, as well as two terms as district president and one term as state president. She is a past Montana State Cancer Chairperson for the VFW Ladies’ Auxiliary, an organization that directs a portion of the organization’s annual
See FISH, Page 6
THE MONTANA STANDARD, BUTTE, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2011 5
ANN GEIGER Advocating for survivors of brain injury STORY AND PHOTO BY PAULA J. MCGARVEY for The Montana Standard
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t was during her internship at the state hospital at Warm Springs in the early 1980s that Ann Geiger first encountered a brain injured person — an experience that changed her life. Geiger was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in music therapy from Eastern Montana College in Billings and during her internship she found herself being mentored by a variety of professionals working with the mentally ill and people with brain injuries. After graduation in 1984, Geiger continued working at Warm Springs where she assisted a neuropsychologist in finding activities to stimulate patient’s brains in areas that weren’t affected by injury or mental illness. “It was there that I saw that people with brain injuries had a different potential,” she said. In 1990, she accepted a position as the director of the brain injury program at the former Bozeman Care Center. While at the facility, she worked with brain injury survivors to develop an in-house extended rehabilitation unit, which grew from six to 20 patients during her first three years at the facility. While working in Bozeman, Geiger extended her involvement with the needs of the brain-injured to both the state and national level. It was during this time that Geiger met Dorothy Solyst, Gail Gunderson and Sharon Armold — all employees at the facility. When the Care Center shifted its focus of care, the four women’s expertise and friendship proved to be the
impetus for the creation of Liberty Place Inc. a nonprofit organization they created to help meet the needs of survivors of brain injuries. “We call ourselves the ‘founding mothers,’” Geiger said. The four envisioned Liberty Place as an assited living facility where brain injury survivors could experience “the freedom to try” in an environment where they could learn to thrive, despite their limitations. Based in Whitehall, in the past 15 years, the organization has continued to grow and currently employees 30 people, working in two, separate assisted living facilities and an office. Liberty Place provides aroundthe-clock care along with in-house activities to stimulate clients’ cognitive and physical aspects, as well as helping to manage therapies for those able to live more independently. “You have to look at the person as a
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whole,” Geiger, Liberty Place’s current executive director, said. With a goal of helping brain injury survivors reach their potential, Liberty Place tries to help brain injury survivors see beyond their disability. “You have to help them see their potential … they may have limitations in an area, but it doesn’t mean their whole life has been taken,” Geiger said. Though Armold has since moved on to other endeavors, Geiger said Solyst and Gunderson still maintain their involvement with Liberty Place. Solyst, a retired occupational therapist, and Gunderson, a retired nurse, both serve on the organization’s board of directors and assist in staff training. The three remain passionate about their commitment to help the brain injured. “Helping them is our challenge and our reward at the same time,” Geiger said.
to all the Women who were nominated for
2011 Women of Distinction
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Fish ... Continued from Page 4 dues to support veteran’s facing a cancer diagnosis. She also served as state chairperson for the Stamp Out Cancer program, which earns money by collecting cancelled postage stamps for the benefit of cancer research. Whether it’s helping with the annual Marine Corps Toys for Tots holiday toy drive or helping the DAV raise money for new vans to transport veterans to medical appointments, Fish finds time to give of her time. Over the past 30 years she’s made an ongoing commitment to bake cookies for veterans, donating a total of more than 10,000 dozen cookies to the Marine Corp League, Fort Harrison Hospital and Anaconda Veteran’s Clinic. Fish has
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continuously helped organize the packing and shipping of countless care packages to local service men and women overseas. She currently serves on the board of directors at the Fort Harrison Liberty House in Helena. “That’s a place where veterans’ families can stay overnight when the veterans are hospitalized,� she said. When asked what motivates her to keep on giving to Montana veterans, Fish replied: “The veterans gave a whole lot for us. It makes me feel good to be able to do for them.�
Congratulations to Southwest Montana’s Women of Distinction! We are proud to have you as part of our community!
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Filling big shoes at the Food Bank BY EMILY POST for The Montana Standard
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athy Griffith hit the ground running in her new job, which is especially busy this time of year.“We’re picking up stuffing and sweet potatoes,� Griffith yelled into the phone while working one recent afternoon. Griffith has been the Butte Emergency Food Bank director for more than a year, taking over for Jim and Joanne Cortese. “Kathy had really big shoes to fill, and she rose to the occasion,� Patty Higinbotham said. “Her organizational skills, grant writing and fundraising are keeping the food bank healthy and vital to our community, and she’s great with volunteers.� Griffith manages over 100 volunteers at the food bank. “I couldn’t do it without the wonderful volunteers who back me every day,� she said. Joanne Cortese continues to inspire Griffith on the job. “She is an amazing lady, so in tune with what people need,� Griffith said. “The Corteses did a marvelous job for eight years and left a good foundation which makes me better able to do the job.� The main factor that motivates Griffith is to give back. “It is my time to give back for all the blessings I’ve received,� she said. “My family is very blessed.� When not working at the food bank, Griffith enjoys spending time with her granddaughters in Belgrade and Salt Lake. “They brighten my day. They’re the reason we’re here, right?� Griffith said. “Grandparent is the best role in life — you have the time to enjoy them.�
See GRIFFITH, Page 7
To all the nominees and especially St. James’ own, IDA REIGHARD, for the 2011 Women of Distinction Award!
We are proud of you!
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HOLLY MCCAMANT Positive attitude, willingness to help BY EMILY POST for The Montana Standard
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aking a difference in people’s lives and in the community is Holly McCamant’s daily goal. Her reward is positive feedback from the people she helps stay healthy. “It is so good to hear so many people say because I keep them motivated to work out, they’re not at risk for anything,” McCamant said. McCamant, an exercise instructor, spent the last seven months as interim director of the Butte Y, and has worked in other capacities for the Y over the years. She is also active in civic and other nonprofit organizations and events. “What I love most is interacting with other people,” she said. Among her many duties, she leads a diabetes prevention program at the Y, which educates people about exercise, stress and nutrition. She said lifestyle change is the one thing that studies say prevent the onset of diabetes and manage the disease.
See McCAMANT, Page 8
CONGRATULATIONS to Butte’s Women of Distinction! We are proud of your accomplishments!
Here’s to Brooks Hanna Ford’s Women of Distinction CARMEN WINSLOW / THE MONTANA STANDARD
Griffith ...
Donohue ...
Continued from Page 6
Continued from Page 4
Born in Butte, Griffith left at age 12, and returned for college. She met her husband, Rick, at Montana Tech and went on to raise two children in Butte, Angie and Brian. Griffith served on the United Way board for several years and has also helped with Butte’s Special Olympics. One thing Griffith would stress to young women on how to be successful is to follow their hearts. “Women possess so many skills. If they use their natural instincts and follow their hearts, they’ll be successful,” Griffith said.
“She is very funny in positions that are often quite bleak. Ellen is totally committed to our fellow human beings, just an outstanding person,” Stergar said. Donohue’s advice for women is to be kinder to each other and lift each other up, give themselves more credit, and embrace education. She said she wasn’t the best student as a youngster in school, but now thinks education is empowering. “Grad school was one of the best decisions I ever made.” she said.
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OLIVE PEARCE Music, people, cooking add up to fulfilling life BY EMILY POST for The Montana Standard
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love for music and people. That’s what Olive Pearce says is the source of her passion. Pearce volunteers playing the organ at Butte nursing homes and frequently cooks dinner for friends. “Olive is a gifted organist-pianist who voluntarily plays several times a month at all nursing and assisted living facilities in Butte,” said Dorothy Duddy, second cousin and friend. Duddy highlighted a long list of Pearce’s inspirational pursuits. “She routinely works out at the YMCA, makes dinner at her home several times per week for up to eight people, provides rides for seniors who don’t drive, and buys tickets to community concerts for those who wouldn’t otherwise go.” “My God, if I ever tried to keep up with her it would be something else,” Duddy said. Pearce began piano lessons with Jan Estlick when she was 40. “When my husband would leave for work, I would practice for one hour,” Pearce said. “You can know music, but you can’t play if you don’t practice.” Now she plays every Monday at a different nursing home, and has played at Unity Church since 1980. “After my husband died, music was my salvation,” said Pearce. She also plays at weddings and funerals by request. At 82, Pearce doesn’t think twice about jumping on a plane twice a year headed
CARMEN WINSLOW / THE MONTANA STANDARD
for Houston to visit her daughter. “I love southern food,” she said. “Gave up the crown of best cook in the family when my daughter moved down there.” Pearce loves to cook, and it sounds like the crown for best cook is debatable. The day of this interview, she made Jack Daniels brisket for four friends, but said pasties are another specialty.
See PEARCE, Page 12
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McCamant ... Continued from Page 7 “Those taking only meds to treat the problem go down a bad track, like dialysis,” she said. Ida Reighard, a nurse and diabetes coordinator at St. James Healthcare, lauded McCamant for her drive. “Holly is always, always positive, sees where work can be done, is not afraid to dive in and improve things, Reighard said. “We can get really rundown, especially in health care, we need those rock people like Holly to rejuvenate us,” Reighard said. “I try to surround myself with them.” Sally Bardsley, an associate professor in Montana Tech’s Safety, Health and Industrial Hygiene Department, and Gina Terry of Butte, both worked at the Y with McCamant. They encouraged her to return to college at age 49. She agreed, and said the decision has helped her on a new career path. “I’m in a different spot than I otherwise would be,” McCamant said. “That is what I am most proud of — I had three kids at home and was a single mom at the time.” Her four kids also constantly inspire McCamant. “They teach me so much and have become above and beyond what I could have expected,” she said. Her advice to young women is to find a career they love. “You want a job where you feel that you’re doing what you enjoy, not just a paycheck,” McCamant said. “Sometimes you have to search hard, but find what makes you tick.”
SARAH RAYMOND Career path guide matches people, professions STORY AND PHOTO BY PAULA J. MCGARVEY for The Montana Standard
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s director of the Career Services at Montana Tech of the University of Montana, Sarah Raymond, 38, has a passion for matching people and professions. “We have a simple mission…to help students and alumni with their career exploration, preparation, implementation and management,” she said. A native of Fargo, N.D., Raymond graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Saint Catherine in St. Paul, Minn., in 1995. Her first job was with Minnesota Public Radio, where she gained experience as an event planner — a serendipitous twist of fate providing her with the right skills and resume to apply for a 1999 job opening for a career fair coordinator at the University of Montana in Missoula. Raymond’s parents had previously relocated to Missoula, and Raymond was thrilled to get the job and be closer to her family. In 2006 Montana Tech was looking for a career services director and Raymond decided to apply for the job. Lured by the opportunity, as well as the history of the city of Butte and Montana Tech, she was offered and accepted the position. In the process of moving and working with students at Tech, Raymond said she realized that she had found her “niche.” “I love what I do and I love what I do because of where I am,” she said. In her day-to-day duties, Raymond is dedicated to inspiring people to realize their potential and find rewarding career opportunities. She does this, along with her staff, by providing the necessary resources, informative workshops, access to cutting-edge technology and one-on-one career counseling.
See RAYMOND, Page 12
Congratulations to all of the Women of Distinction
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IDA REIGHARD Fighting diabetes through education and support STORY AND PHOTO BY PAULA J. MCGARVEY for The Montana Standard
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or Ida Reighard, a career in nursing opened her eyes to the devastating effects of uncontrolled diabetes and inspired her to make fighting and preventing the disease the focus of her work. Reighard already knew that she wanted to become a nurse when she left her home town of Hot Springs to enroll in the nursing program at Montana State University in Bozeman. Graduating in 1996 with her bachelor’s degree in nursing, she went on to become a registered nurse, all the while, simultaneously meeting, yet, another goal— to marry and raise a family. From the start of her nursing career, Reighard began to encounter patients dealing with diabetes — some suffering with long term complications associated with the disease, such as kidney disease, blindness, heart disease, stroke and poor circulation resulting in amputation. After moving to Butte in 1997, began working at the Rocky Mountain Clinic, providing diabetes education to patients with or at risk for the disease. Reighard went on to take a position as diabetes educator at the Butte Community Health Center, where she served for nearly nine years. In 2009, she became the Diabetes Educator for St. James Healthcare. “The single most important thing people can do (about diabetes) is to learn about it. We can prevent problems if people are aware of how to manage their disease and people are educated and empowered,” she said. Reighard said that she believed diabetics need support, empathy and education to succeed in controlling their disease. She provides these elements daily in her work in a variety of ways. Reighard helps implement grant money for use in local programs, such as coordinating diabetes education classes for diabetics and those at risk for developing the disease. She also manages the local Diabetes Support Group for adults and a Family Support Group for children with diabetes and their families, both of which meet on a monthly basis at the hospital. Reighard also works with the Butte Community YMCA in implementing a Diabetes Prevention Program, where people at risk for the disease can combine exercise and education in their battle to prevent diabetes. Through all these aspects of her job, Reighard achieves her goal to help people stop the progression of the disease before any damage is done. “It’s such a sneaky disease. People don’t see the urgency,” she said. The rewards come in improving the quality of people’s lives and the knowledge that she has helped save them from potentially debilitating complications and/or an early death. Reighard considers her work a success when, “…people have those awakenings and ‘aha’ moments where they realize they can do it and we’ve identified the barriers to keeping them from being able to manage their disease.” Reighard lives in Butte with her husband, Ron, and their four children. In addition to her work, she supports her children’s involvement in the 4H program, local sports and Scouting. Her children can regularly be seen alongside their mom, helping her in her crusade against diabetes at local health fairs and diabetes education events throughout the community.
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GLADYS SANDBORGH Providing a lifetime of service STORY AND PHOTO BY PAULA J. MCGARVEY for The Montana Standard
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or Gladys Sandborgh, 88, serving others has truly been a way of life. “There’s so much to do…there are so many things happening. I just have to get up and go,” she said. A woman of faith, who regularly attends Mass at St. John’s Catholic Church, she shared a “jingle” that continues to inspire her: “You must keep giving and giving, it’s true, but just ‘til the Maker stops giving to you.” Sandborgh’s call to service came in 1944, when America was in the midst of World War II. Merely 20,
See SANDBORGH, Page 12
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Sandborgh ... Continued from Page 11 Sandborgh left her job at a grocery store in her home town of Simms, Mont. and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. She was stationed at an air station outside of San Diego, Calif. “They assigned me to deliver mail to various offices on a scooter,” she said. Sandborgh served in the military for 26 months, and went on to pursue an education in yet, another service field— teaching. She married her husband William in 1950 and together they raised three sons. William’s job in the airline industry initially took the couple to California, but he, too, went on to pursue degree in education and the two returned “home” to Montana in 1972. They both were hired as teachers, working for School District No. 1 in Butte—Gladys in elementary education, and William in special education. Married for 37 years, Gladys continued working for five years after William’s death in 1987. Though she retired from teaching in 1992, her dedication to serving others was only beginning. “I’ve always felt that I’ve been so fortunate to be so healthy and I wanted to use it for someone besides myself,” she said.
Pearce ... Continued from Page 8 “People love pasties,” Pearce said. Pearce said she’s a morning person and that’s how she gets everything done. “I like to get any appointments done early so I can have the afternoons to do
Raymond ... Continued from Page 9 Raymond shared her favorite quote, borrowed from Ben Stein, an American lawyer, economist and author, which she regularly uses when presenting to students: “The indispensible first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want.” And Raymond is committed to helping students and graduates do just that. Raymond said that one of her biggest career challenges has been helping students and graduates prepare for and navigate the job market in a down
She maintained her connection to education through the Montana Retired Teacher Association, and also holds a lifetime membership in the Women Marines Association. Sandborgh joined the local Marine Corps League in 1989 and maintained a presence in the 4th of July Parade for more than a decade. She continues to assist at military ceremonies and funerals, serving in the local honor guard through the United Veterans Council. A former Red Cross volunteer, Sandborgh served from 1998 through 2006. In addition to serving in several different states providing post-hurricane support, in 2001, at the age of 78, she flew to New York City in the wake of 911. There, she rode with emergency support drivers, delivering meals to rescue workers. “I just try to help people when they need help,” she said. When not volunteering, Sandborgh continues to remain active. She has a passion for painting, using acrylics to capture some of her favorite outdoor scenes. She maintains her home, yard and gardens; swims regularly at Fairmont Hot Springs, and enjoys hiking with her good friend, John Gabelman, 90. A testament to the benefits of remaining active, the two recently climbed the Maude S Canyon trail on the East Ridge from bottom to top.
what I want,” she said. Similarly noted of other 2011 Women of Distinction nominees, Olive is always positive. “No matter how good she feels or doesn’t, Olive always has a positive attitude,” Duddy said. “She’s independent, generous, and an all-around good person, just a tough act to follow.’’
economy. Through coordinating internship experience and career coaching, she works to help students acquire the necessary skills, as well as helping them to learn to present and market themselves. “It’s competitive out there, but there are still opportunities,” she said. Constantly inspired by a new crop of students each year, Raymond’s enthusiasm is fueled by the reward she experiences from helping people find their own career “niche.” She follows-up the decision making process with continued support as she helps students complete their education and find jobs in their field after graduation. “When you are passionate about
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