2 Nichols Hills & NW OKC Community Magazine
Nichols Hills & NW OKC Community
This one’s for the Girls! Cover story BEAUTY, BRAINS AND GRACE AT EVERY AGE 4-9 Join us as we highlight the beauty, intelligence and grace of six Oakhoma City women. The ladies, born in six different decades were style by Charlene Wagner of Balliet’s in the latest spring and summer fashions. Call or visit Balliet’s to get a closer look at these beautiful styles. Photos are by Fran Kozakowski.
Ladies in the News Donita Thomas, above, was among the dozen “Leading Ladies” honored during the Oklahoma Hospitality Club’s event. Page 15.
Did you know?
United Way Women’s Leadership Society Incoming OCU President Martha Burger, Julie Hall, Charlotte Richels and Terry Cornett at the organization’s annual luncheon. Page 12
•Women live longer than men because their immune systems age more slowly. •The longest human pregnancy was 375 days. •Women perspire half the amount as men. For more, see Pages 10, 11 & 14.
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The 20s
Kylie Smelser Marketing Specialist OGE Energy Corp.
Kylie graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in marketing and advertising and a minor in Spanish. She was also a member of Chi Omega. Upon graduating, Kylie began her career at OG&E and has been there for three years, serving on the Public Service Leaders team, United Way Committee, Retail Energy Advisory Board and Safety Task Force Team within the company. She actively participates in the Junior Achievement program and enjoys representing OG&E in support of various community events and customerfocused services. Kylie is a member of AMA-OKC, which brings together marketing professionals within Oklahoma City to create an opportunity to network and provides access to best practices, trends and resources within marketing, sales, advertising and public relations. She is passionate about fitness and just recently began teaching the H.E.A.T ™ fitness class at the YMCA and OneHealthyBod in Edmond. She also enjoys traveling, reading, playing volleyball, cheering on the OKC Thunder and spending time with family and friends.
Best beauty tip/secret Years of playing volleyball led me to take a simple approach in my beauty habits. I really don’t enjoy wearing or taking the time to put on a full face of make-up. My daily make-up routine consists of a little blush, a great lip color and some mascara. This can really go a long way, takes very little time and keeps my face cleaner. With that, I want to continue to feel comfortable with minimal make-up as I age so taking care of my skin is a main priority. I wash my face every morning and night and am always sure to moisturize afterward. Drinking a lot of water throughout my day is helpful in maintaining healthy skin, too!
Getting it all done
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I’ve always been a planner and have my weeks well thought-out between work, teaching, church, having a social life and making sure I eat and sleep in between. Don’t get me wrong though, I can definitely hang back and go with the flow, which is exactly what I need to “get it all done.” It’s important to find that balance between feeling productive and accomplished yet taking the time to be spontaneous and just enjoy myself. As there will always be busy seasons in life, I’ve really found the value in being intentional with how I spend my time and who I spend it with. It’s all about deciding what you want to do each day and surrounding yourself with others who will only build you up!
The 30s
Rachel Holt COO, Senior General Council Office of Juvenile Affairs First Lady of Oklahoma City Rache was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pa.. She attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C. where she majored in criminal justice. Rachel and Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt married in 2003 and moved from Washington D.C. to Oklahoma City in 2004. She attended the University of Oklahoma School of Law and graduated in 2007. Rachel worked as an assistant district attorney for Oklahoma County and an assistant attorney general. Rachel and David have two children, George, 8, and Maggie, 6. Her hobbies include cooking, living room dance parties, vacationing at the Jersey Shore and attending Thunder and Energy games.
Best beauty tip/secret: Eyebrow waxing is essential. Making time to relax with your girlfriends. If you want chocolate, eat the chocolate!
Getting it all done: David and I go over schedules every day to determine care for our kids. Our children are our No. 1 priority and during this hectic season, there are many times that we decide that I will miss an event to be present with our kids. Family dinner is very important to us. We are blessed with an awesome sitter, Gracie, who picks our kids up from school everyday, works on homework and piano, and shuttles them to all of their activities. We could not function without her. I have recently started using the service Shipt, which is game-changing. I order groceries online from Target and a shopper buys and delivers them to our home. I had groceries delivered to our home at 9:30 p.m. the night of David’s swearing in. I’ve also tried to engage the kids more in tasks like laundry folding and meal preparation. My time with my girlfriends is also essential to my wellbeing and David fully understands, encourages and supports my time recharging with my amazing tribe. Most importantly, my husband is my true partner and does an equal amount of kid care. Nichols Hills & NW OKC Community Magazine 5
The 40s Molly Fuhrman Executive Director INTEGRIS James L. Hall Jr. Center for Mind, Body and Spirit Molly is a graduate of Colorado College and earned a masters degree in counseling psychology from the University of Central Oklahoma. She is also a licensed professional counselor. Molly is a member of the Oklahoma Project Woman Board, the Harn Homestead Board, Winter Ball Committee Member and the Junior League Advisory Board. She is also active in Christ the King Catholic Church. Her hobbies include skiing with her husband Chris and step kids Charlie and Austin, tennis and traveling. I also love hanging with my parents, nieces, nephews and siblings.
Best beauty tip/secret: Where the mind goes the body will follow! Keeping a healthy positive mind will lead to a healthy beautiful body. Positive self-talk, prayer and deep breathing are also super important. I try to incorporate a grapefruit, avocados and Almonds into every meal. They are good fats. My husband’s Muscle Westbrook shakes help me maintain a healthy glow.
Getting it all done: It takes lists, lots of lists. Having a husband who is a fabulous cook also helps tremendously! We would all starve if not for Chris. We also have very supportive friends and family who aren’t afraid to step up and help out when needed.
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The 50s Liz McLaughlin Mom, Wife Community Volunteer Liz graduated from University of Oklahoma in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. She worked for Ceridian until the birth of her and her husband Tim’s first child. and transitioned to a career as fulltime mom after that. Liz is involved in Fields & Futures, Cleats for Kids, the Children’s Hospital Foundation and the McLaughlin Family Foundation. Her hobbies are watching her kids do anything. Libby plays Deer Creek Soccer, Garrett is on the Southern Methodist University Soccer Team and Lamar plays for the Portland Timbers 2. She is a coach in the OKC Police Athletic League's new OKCPS Elementary League with Matthew. In the winter league that just ended, she coached fifth and sixth grade girls basketball as son Matthew coached the boys. She is a also a supporter of OKC Energy FC — all things soccer!
Best beauty tip/secret: Be happy. I have learned over the years what a lot of women already know. If we fill our bucket with things that feed our soul, make us happy, put us in a better position to serve others and don't sweat the small stuff, the rest takes care of itself. We also do what we can to eat healthy and enjoy exercise and outdoor activities as often as schedules allow. And I certainly don't mind indulging in a spa day every now and then!
Getting it all done: I don't! I've learned to say no and better manage expectations. And I don't mind asking for help when needed. It helps that our children are now young adults and I don't have to be in four places at once — at least not as often. If you had asked me this question five years ago, you would have heard a very different answer! Nichols Hills & NW OKC Community Magazine 7
The 60s Linda Slawson Community Volunteer A former beauty queen and model, Linda holds a marketing degree from the University of Central Oklahoma. A true world traveler, she has enthusiastically visited all 50 states and 7 continents. Married 38 years to Steve, they share in the same guiding principle: give generously of your time, talents and finances to the community. Linda is a sustaining member of the Jr. League of Oklahoma City and Edmond Women’s Club where she served as President. As an etiquette instructor she spoke for over 20 years to various youth groups and cotillions. She is a board member of Infant Crisis Services, and also stays active with Go Red for Women, Impact Oklahoma, Juliette Lowe Leadership Society and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Best beauty tip/secret: Smile. I mean genuinely smile at people. Not only does it light up your face and make your eyes twinkle, it immediately puts people at ease. It is universally understood and cost virtually nothing. Give it a try!
Getting it all done: To be fair, I am naturally organized and efficient attributes I can trace to my mom. In addition, I cannot overstate the importance of Jr. League training I received in my 20s. From Roberts Rules of Order to timed agendas, from facilitating a board meeting to working in the trenches behind the scenes, the league prepared me to go out and make a difference in the community. I am forever grateful.
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The 70s Brenda McDaniel Community Volunteer Brenda has a bachelor of science degree in education from the University of Oklahoma and a master of science degree in education from Northwestern Oklahoma State University. She is married to Tom McDaniel. Her career included being a teacher, reading specialist, psychotherapist and working in Learning Differences in multiple Oklahoma Public Schools. She was the first lady of Oklahoma City University and Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Her hobbies are children, grandchildren and extended family dinners and activities, reading, golf, cards, painting and fun with friends. Brenda is involved in Nichols Hills United Methodist Church’s mentoring, missions, altar guild and care ministry programs. She is a member of the Civic Center Foundation Board and served as co-chair of Allied Arts’ yearly fundraising campaing. She works with the Oklahoma State Arts Council and has served on many, many other boards since the family moved here in 1982. “I love how Oklahoma City is such a giving community. It has been great fun to be with Tom as he serves as the chairman of the Maps III Advisory Board and attend all the ribbon cuttings and openings of each event the last seven years,” she said.
Best beauty tip/secret: SMILE: It removes all wrinkles and makes me feel good.
Getting it all done: I have good work habits formed while growing up on a farm in Beaver County.
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We are women, hear us roar! The female body and mind is a marvel, and many different things distinguish women from men. The following are just a few of the many things that make women unique. Health & body Women live longer than men on average because it is believed their immune systems age more slowly. (Source: Tokyo Medical and Dental University) Womens’ brains may be larger than male brains, but they both contain the same number of brain cells. (Source: Wellcome Trust and Women differ from men in many unique ways.
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Medical Research Council Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute) Due to high production of estrogen during puberty, girls' brains generally mature two years earlier than boys'. (Source: Encyclopedia of Children's Health) Women cry on average between 30 and 64 times a year, whereas men do so between six and 17 times. (Source: German Society of Ophthalmology) The longest human pregnancy on record occurred in 1945. Beulah Hunter
carried her baby for 375 days. (Source: Time magazine) A female's heartbeat is faster than a male's. (Source: LiveStrong) Women have a greater number of taste buds than men. (Source: Physiological Society) Women blink 19 times per minute. (Source: Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics) At birth, a female has 1 million eggs. By the time she reaches puberty, only about 300,000 remain. Of these, only 300 to 400 will be ovulated during a woman's reproductive lifetime. (Source: Cleveland Clinic) Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of U.S. women. (Source: American Heart Association) Women perspire half the amount as men. (Source: Science Daily) Lifestyle Buttons on women's clothing are on the opposite side than the buttons on men's clothing. That is because men dressed themselves during the last few centuries, while women were typically dressed by servants. (Source: Smithsonian magazine) Continued on Page 14
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United Way Women’s Leadership Society
Mo Anderson, former CEO of Keller Williams Realty, was the inspirational speaker during the United Way of Central Oklahoma’s Annual Women’s Leadership Society Luncheon. She addressed how Oklahoma compares to other locations in her speech, “A Tale of Two Cities.” Above: Steering Committee members, from left, front row, Julie Hall, Natalie Shirley, Co-Chairman Judy Love, Co-Chairman Alice Hager, Jane Thompson, Kirk Hammons and Kathy Martin; and back row, Martha Burger, Jane Harlow, Robin Roberts Krieger, Nancy Ellis, Susie Stussi, Beverly Funke and Charlotte Richels. At left: Steering Committee Co-Chairmen Alice Hager and Judy Love flank speaker Mo Anderson.
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We are women, hear us roar! Continued from Page 11
Men, not women, were the first to wear high heels. (Source: The Society Pages) Women are generally very interested in and able to distinguish facial expressions, emotional tones in voices and nonverbal cues. (Source: Psychology Today) Women pay less for auto insurance because they're statistically less likely to get into car accidents. (Source: National Association of Insurance Commissioners) More than 80 percent of women wear incorrectly-sized bras. (Source: Triumph lingerie company) Employment & money Women earn more than 60 percent of all the college degrees issued in the United States. (Source: National Center for Education Statistics) Only 20 percent of women in the United States earn more than $5,000 more than their spouses. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau) The smallest wage gap between men and women is in New Zealand. (NZ Ministry for Women) Miscellaneous The word "woman" is purported to be derived from the Middle English word "wifeman," meaning "wife of the man." (Source: Dictionary.com) A 43-year-old female school teacher was the first person to ever ride over Niagara Falls in a barrel. (Source: History.com) There are 9 million more women than men in Russia. (Source: Pew Research) The average woman in the United Kingdom will own 111 handbags during her lifetime. (Source: Daily Mail)
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Women in the News During its 52nd Annual Ladies in the News luncheon at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club, the Oklahoma Hospitality Club honored 12 of “Oklahoma’s Leading Ladies.” The honorees were: Cheryl Borelli, Gail Box, Suzanne Broadbent, Terri Cornett, Maxine DeCocq, Kelly Dyer Fry, Jennifer Grigsby, Cynthia Glover Henderson, Willa Johnson, Lisa Kalman, Robin J. StephensonBratcher and Donita Thomas. The event benefited the Oklahoma Foundation for the Disabled and OKC Metro Allianc’s Women’s Firstep. Ladies in the News honorees Cynthia Glover Henderson, Terri Cornett amd Maxine DeCocq model fashions from Dillard’s at Penn Square.
Honorees: Above, Cheryl Borelli and Gail Box; and at left, Lisa Kalman and Robin StephensonBratcher.
- Photos by Fran Kozakowski
Ladies in the News honorees: Jennifer Grigsby, Kelly Dyer Fry and Donita Thomas.
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