Every year on International Women’s Day and throughout Women’s History Month, there is a welcome moment to pause. It’s my honor to recognize the many ways women contribute to our communities.
In my life and work, as well as in volunteering and networking, I’ve had the good fortune to meet women whose leadership, creativity, and generosity shape the world around us in powerful ways. Some are colleagues, some collaborators, some friends, and some mentors. All of them bring thoughtfulness and integrity to what they do.
Here are just a few women who continue to inspire me.
Adult Literacy
Through Literacy Volunteers of Illinois, I’ve had the opportunity to witness the dedication of people who believe deeply in the power of education to transform lives.
Chamala Jordan is one of those leaders. Her commitment to literacy advocacy reflects the understanding that reading and learning open doors not only for individuals, but for families and entire communities. Work like this reminds us that literacy is not just an academic skill. It is a pathway to dignity, opportunity, and lifelong growth. Her professionalism and her quality of care at work inspires me to keep growing.
Nature
Environmental stewardship is another space where women’s leadership shines brightly.
Through Earth Gives, I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with Rhonda Bannard, whose support and encouragement strengthens not only me, but a growing network of people and nonprofit organizations working for nature’s benefit.
Volunteer work with the Sierra Club has also introduced me to dedicated advocates like Elaine Packard and Debbie Neustadt of the Sierra Club Water Sentinels. Their commitment to protecting waterways reflects a deep respect for ecosystems and the communities who depend on them.
Closer to home, leaders such as Katie Davis and Emily Engel with the Sierra Club Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter demonstrate how local environmental action creates climate justice from the ground up.
Creativity and the Arts
Women artists also play a vital role in shaping culture and perspective.
Guadalupe Colin is our former Social Media Manager and co-founder of Loteria Studio. Lupe inspires me with her ability to grow a family-run business. Loteria Studio a unique intersection of digital art, heritage preservation, and lifelong learning. Her desire to live abroad and learn the language is commendable.
Photographer Rita Anthony brings an eye for feeling through nature, capturing moments that reflect both personality and place. Likewise, Sarah Robson’s work through Sarah Robson Arts celebrates creative expression and the beauty that can emerge when artists remain true to their vision.
Artists remind us that creativity is not a luxury. It is a way of seeing the world more clearly and deeply.
Faithful Living
Some professional relationships begin through community conversations and grow into something much more over time.
Carmen Higgins is one of those connections. After meeting through literacy networking in public libraries, Carmen later referred the Church of Saint Francis to me during the early months of the pandemic, just as I had moved to California and was beginning to establish new professional roots.
Through that introduction, I also came to know Sr. Rabecca Collin, the deaconess of the church whose kindness and steady presence help keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes. Rabecca has also served as a trusted reference for the work we did together with nonprofit brand development and website design, offering generous support that reflects both care for the community and confidence in the work being done.
Friendship and Shared Values
Some of the most meaningful influences come through friendship.
Jacinda Virgin, my vegan friend, continues to offer thoughtful conversations about compassion for animals and the many ways kindness and justice can shape our lives and our communities. She’s a member of the board of trustees at the Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry and has worked for well-known vegan food brands.
Laurie DiVito, my bestie, has always been an inspiration to me, both professionally and personally. She has a respectable career as a scientist in regulatory affairs and she throws really great parties. Laurie is a dedicated mom and wife who happens to love living near bodies of water, which reminds me that nature provides us with great joy and amazement when we are present to appreciate it. Beyond that, she’s been my client and she’s referred clients to me. The stars truly aligned the day we met at Gannon University.
My mom, Rita Chase, stills shows me a world of love and care through her friendship with me. Without her gift of life and her steadfast dedication to my success, I literally wouldn’t be who I am today. Her mom, my grandmother, died from cancer before I was born. However, my mom proved she is tougher than cancer, beating it during the pandemic of all times! Whenever I think my life has been difficult, I remember that hers may have been a bit more so, and that inspires me to keep going.
Growing a Vision for the Future
My own nonprofit work through Lovethe.Earth has been shaped by many of these relationships. The side project that became a 501c3 nonprofit grew from a simple but powerful belief: that everyday choices can help support a healthier planet and a more sustainable economy.
Marieke Mertz was enthusiastic about collaborating on a social media post with me for Lovethe.Earth. With her own background in marketing, she’s also been active in referring me to opportunities to promote Lovethe.Earth as well as my own art.
The women mentioned here and more represent the many ways leadership can take form: through advocacy, creativity, mentorship, and collaboration.
A Community Worth Celebrating
Celebrating women’s contributions is not limited to a single day or month. It’s an ongoing recognition of the people who strengthen our communities through their work, their ideas, and their willingness to care deeply about the world around them.
To all the women whose paths intersect with mine through work, volunteering, and friendship—thank you for the leadership you bring every day.