Athena Acceptance Speech: Wisdom From My Mom
Award Speech Presented December 11, 2019
WOW! Thank you! My friends are all excited that I am receiving this award as they did not want to hear that I am the Susan Lucci of this award for one more year. And the CLA Holiday Parade held last week-- great job- very impressive! Riding down the street people kept calling my name! As I looked, I did not recognize anyone who was shouting my name. I told my husband Bill who was driving, “I don’t know these people, and they are calling me!” He answered, “Barb, your name is on a sign on each side of the car.”
Athena—she was the Goddess of War and Wisdom. These past few weeks since I learned of this honor, my mind started thinking of my own Mom. Those of you who have daughters or is a daughter, know that many times mothers and daughters, well-- we are at war. Yet, it was the wisdom of my mother that came to mind for me. In my family, my mom worked. She was a nurse, the head nurse of the ER at Holy Spirit Hospital. So I thought it was the norm for a woman to work. My parents shared jobs. Since my mom worked 11 to 7, my dad would get us up and make my brother and me breakfast. Then, when mom returned home, dad left for work and her job was to get us off to school. I assume after we left, she went to bed. However, every day we came home for lunch, and it was ready for us. She taught me balance.
My mom also taught by action—and another of her lessons was to volunteer. She was an avid volunteer for the American Red Cross for many, many years. When the Air Lift from Viet Nam occurred in the 70s, Indiantown Gap was one of the areas that received the families. My mom was the first Red Cross Volunteer to go to the Gap to perform health screenings. She took her 15 year old daughter Barbara to assist. My duty was to distribute diapers and formula. I watched in awe of my mom’s strength in helping and assuring families as she tended to them with a smile, all the while understanding that each family was in such a difficult situation.
A few years later I learned another valuable lesson from my mom. I turned 18 the same year that 18 year olds were allowed to vote. Ford was running (you can do math—you now know my age) My mom called me at College and asked if I had registered to vote and to which party. Just having watched the Nixon era, I said with great pride, “Independent.” She called a few days later and told me, “You will be home Friday afternoon—no ifs ands or butts.” Imagine my surprise, when I did as I was told, to enter my living room to be greeted by the heads of the Cumberland County Republican Committee: Senator George Wade, Hal Mowery and Dick Stewart, who handed me papers to sign to become a Republican. Turns out, my mom was the neighborhood committee woman for many, many years. And that’s how I became a Republican. In fact a few years ago I saw Dick Stewart at the West Shore Chamber Business Expo, and he remembered her quite vividly!
My mom had the wisdom to show me in action not words. Balance, Become active in your community, and surround yourself with people who can. So when I started Kauffman Creative Services—it seemed natural as a woman to work and have a family. It was not exactly that easy.
My first step was to do the first thing my mom taught me- I volunteered. The call was to the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce where I became active in various committees. In fact I still volunteer in the Chamber—one of which I am chairman of the board—and I hope you all give to the Foundation to support graduating seniors in both trade schools and higher education—see me later!
Then I surrounded myself with people who can. Some of these people are not with us anymore: Leon Hoover, Carlos R Leffler, Bob DiMatteo, Bob Blecker, John Anspach. Jon Ritter, Jim Hanford, Henry Funk, General Bob Harris,—and most recently my dear friend and sounding board for many years, who caught the garter at my wedding and who I introduced to his wife, ABC 27 Sports Director Gregg Mace. And there are those who still mentor me whether they know it or not—and are keeping me at the top of my game-- ---Bob Ladd, Bob. Ken and Dave Funk, Greg and Jon Zinn, and even a new generation who I think are teaching me more than they are learning from me: Ben Ilgenfritz and Jordan Meck.
All of these men have one thing in common—they introduced me to some of the strongest and most outgoing of women to work with and whom I am proud to call my friend. Again, some are not with us: Betsy Greer, Ruth Dietz, and Norma Gotwalt, who guided me as I met with the County Commissioners to found the Lebanon County Commission for Women. And many others of whom are sitting here at Athena table—Kathy Snavely, Jennie Murphy Shifflet, Kim Kreider Umble. There are those women who I surrounded myself with who are Athenas in their own right: Kay Schreckengast, Margie Yohn , Traci Unal, Susan Alger. My writing partner,Tony Rose, who balances those women. There are many, many more who started as business associates and have changed to great friends. All of you believed in me, offered guidance—, and listened to me when the challenges seemed in- surmountable. Thank you just does not seem enough in showing my appreciation for the amazing and talented people you are.
My last note of praise and thanksgiving goes to my family. To my mom first, to my children Chessie, Katy and Anna, who are three amazing young women, who hopefully know that despite my business, they do-- and always will --come first. And finally, to my husband Bill who is truly my partner. . . .my soul mate. He has always been there . . . Thank you to all of you—from my bottom of my heart. You are all great people.