News Director Geoff Dunn presents award to the Hangar Theatre's Lisa Bushlow
In an area as diverse as ours it shouldn't be surprising that there are a large number of accomplished women from every background or walk of life. The surprise at last week's Cayuga Radio Group's Women's Expo 2008 was the depth of inspiration gained as this year's class of '20 Outstanding Women You Should Know' had their stories told. "What I think is amazing about this year's class, not that last year's class didn't have the same qualities... but we had a broader spectrum of women this year," says Cayuga Radio group's News Director Geoff Dunn. "Geographically, diversity-wise, women from all walks of life and professional standing. That's fabulous."
The Expo took over the TC3 Sports Complex on May 8th. Area businesses had booths around the space where they could showcase their goods and services. But the real focus of the evening was two presentations, each honoring ten women. Honorees were escorted onto the stage by tuxedoed radio hosts and presented with flowers and a plaque as their nominating letters were read. Then each woman gave a brief speech.
I feel honored in every way," says Hangar Theatre Executive Director Lisa Bushlow. "For someone who you would think would be used to the public attention like I am on stage, I have to say that I'm humbled and I'm honored. I would never be able to do what I do with and for the community without the support of my very good friends and all of my mentors, or without the inspiration of my children."
Gay Nicholson (right) is honored for her leadership in sustainability initiatives, including Sustainable Tompkins
Audrey Edelman (right), of Audrey Edelman RealtyUSA, was the principal sponsor of the expo.
This was the second year Cayuga Radio Group has hosted the event. "It was something that we had looked at that was successful in one of our other parent company markets," Dunn says. "They had done it and received tremendous response. We thought that it makes so much sense to duplicate that and do our own in Ithaca given the nature of our community and the number of people who give of their time and talents every day."
This year's 20 included Beverly Baker, Michelle Courtney Berry, Lisa Bushlow, Ann Carter, Evelyn Goldsberry, Cynthia Henderson, Rita Hernandez-Wright, Helen Hudson, Janet Krizek, Stacy Marko, Oretha Zaye Mayu, Jayden McCune, Mimi Melegrito-Palmer, Sharon Millick, Deb Mohlenhoff, Lynda Myers, Gay Nicholson, Serenity Sutherland, Maria Van Soest, and Teresa Whitaker.
Deb Mohlenhoff is honored by Morning WHCU host Dave Vieser. Mohlenhoff was honored for community service including her work as Team Captain for Relay For Life, and a large variety of service and charitable organizations
"It's the stories you hear," Vieser says. "The mother who is handling children when her husband was in Iraq... a dirt race car driver... a woman who's an organ donor coordinator... it's such a wide variety of different deals. Also the areas -- we've got women from Syracuse, Elmira, Ithaca, and Cortland -- it;s all over the place and that's what makes it special."
The honorees were chosen from among about 200 nominees this year. A handful of Cayuga Radio Group employees screened the nominees, narrowing it down to 20. "We have a lot of fun doing it," Dunn says. "There are actually three or four of us who pick them out. If we disagree we go to the next cycle. It's a great experience to read all the nominations."
Cortland's Bangals, Bags, and Bling was among many businesses
showcased at Women's Expo 2008
"It really does warm my heart to see all the people and get to know all the women -- last year's 20 women and this year another 20 -- it's incredible," said the event's principal sponsor Audrey Edelman at the end of the program. "It's nice that women are recognized for the things we all can go through on a daily basis and inspire one another."
"The woman from Liberia who had lost her husband and then found him," Dunn says. "Those are really heart-wrenching. But I don't think you can single out any one story, because they all stand on their merits. They all have wonderful stories to them. Stories that they tell and that others tell about them."
Susan Johnston
When WHCU's Morning Newswatch host Dave Vieser is asked about women that have influenced him he doesn't hesitate. "It would be Mom," he says. It would also be some of my teachers. And now it's my sister. I don't have a wife so in many ways my best female friend is my sister. And -- not kissing up here! -- Susan Johnston as General Manager has been there for me both personally and professionally. She's a very special woman. A large reason why we have this event is Susan and her success with our company."
Johnston, who was recently honored with the new title of Cayuga Radio Group President/General Manager, came up with the idea of hosting an expo here. "Every year we're going to have 20 more women," she told the crowd. "I think we're going to take over not just this place, but Schoellkopf Stadium and we'll levitate the entire place with all the energy that's there."
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