In celebration of 25 years of our Women of Influence awards, we asked our alumni to share about a time they were fearless. As you read, you’ll see that many point out that acting fearlessly does not mean having no fear. It means moving forward despite it.
Moments of courage come in everyday life and also in times that end up being pivotal in the course of our lives. Some of these experiences are personal, some are professional. Some require advocating for ourselves, some require advocating for others. Some of these moments mean we must say no, some mean we must say yes. All of them are fearless in their own right.
Here’s what we heard. Responses have been edited for clarity.
Margo Blumenthal, 2000 honoree
My fearless moment was when I was in New York City at the law offices of Skadden and Arps. There were 17 attorneys seated around a table and taking depositions of a crook who perpetrated (at the time) the largest pyramid scheme in the history of the USA. I was able to obtain valuable inside information on the main crook. I stood up at the table and said: “As bad as this notorious crook is, you attorneys are no better than him, as you knew this case was over two years ago and you keep up the billable hours knowing we will prevail in this case.”
I departed the room, went to get a drink of water at a water fountain. The crook approaches me from behind, hits me on the back of the neck and says, “Little Iowa housewife, go back home where you belong, you are in over your head and you can lose your life.” I stood up and replied, I am not afraid of you — you should be afraid of me — I have located your overseas financial transactions. When the crook left the deposition he departed in a black limousine with his two armed bodyguards. We were the only company to win this case nationwide that I knew of at that time.
Joyce Chapman, 2001 honoree
As a relatively new employee, I discovered a defalcation committed by a senior staff member. The amount was insignificant, but I had to be fearless to report the finding.
Christine Hensley, 2001 honoree
Running for elective office!
Jerilee Mace, 2001 honoree
My fearless moment arrived in 1988, when I was asked to step into the role of executive director of the Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) when Douglas Duncan, one of the co-founders, passed away unexpectedly. Accepting that challenge changed my life.
Sunnie Richer, 2002 honoree
A professional fearless moment was leaving the large corporate world where I spent my first 20 years working for IBM and a regional bank. To maximize my long-term return and gain independence, I agreed to run a small software startup that focused on supporting the service functions in companies. I traded salary for ownership, and my gamble paid off financially and personally. But, it had the possibility of never making it.
Mary O’Keefe, 2003 honoree
Bravery is not the absence of fear, but moving forward in spite of it. And in spite of a broken heart. When our son died, and every day since then, we have to put one foot in front of the other and carry on.
Renee Hardman, 2004 honoree
One of my many fearless moments was the decision to run for office the very first time. I knew that there was only one other woman that had run for West Des Moines City Council — but there had never been an African American woman who had run in 125 years of the city’s history.
Kay Runge, 2004 honoree
My fearless moment lies in the old adage, if you don’t try, you will never know. In 2000, I was director of the Davenport Public Library when I went through divorce. At the same time this was happening, I got a call from a headhunter who asked me to apply for the director of the Des Moines Public Library to build a new central library for them. Emotionally I was reeling from a change in my personal life and then was invited to change my professional life. It meant moving to another city, leaving my support friends and arriving immediately. But I loved building libraries, so I took a chance and built a new central library with the London-based architect David Chipperfield, helped to raise $28 million and opened the Central Library at 1000 Grand Ave. on April 6, 2006. A chance I am glad I was fearless enough to take.
Dawn Taylor, 2004 honoree
When I needed a graduate assistantship and they had already filled the position, I told them I was too good to miss, so they made a second and I went to grad school.
Patsy Shors, 2005 honoree
The very moment I said yes to a business colleague and together we founded a software company. I was 62 and was thinking of retiring. It was an empowering decision and the experience was enormously gratifying. Also, I am still water skiing at age 80.
Connie Boesen, 2006 honoree
My decision to run for mayor of Des Moines is what I would consider one of my greatest fearless moments. Being elected has given me the opportunity to be the first woman mayor of Des Moines. It has been rewarding to realize the impact it has had on young girls and has shown them that anything is possible.
Shar Pardubsky, 2006 honoree
Moving on to another job after 26 years in a position I loved and helped grow. I moved on to positions where others made me feel I was good at what I did and had to offer others.
Alicia Claypool, 2007 honoree
Throughout 1995 our Greater Des Moines community was inundated with an anti-gay and alleged “Christian” messaging campaign that outed and later defeated a gay Des Moines school board member and attacked Des Moines Public Schools’ inclusive employment policies and proposed inclusive curriculum. I brought people together, and after numerous discussions and meetings, the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa was founded in 1996 as an education and advocacy group of people of faith and no faith committed to an inclusive and welcoming Iowa that affirmed our queer sisters and brothers.
Cyril Mandelbaum, 2007 honoree
I moved my CPA firm from my basement to the Financial Center and hired another CPA for more than I made the previous year.
Lori Chesser, 2008 honoree
Our firm has a five-person board, and two women were serving but one was termed out and another spot was open for election as well. I knew one woman was running but I felt called to run also. Despite concern about whether we would elect a majority-woman board, I decided to run. Both the other woman and I were elected and only after did a few men comment that the majority of the board was now women. I have enjoyed serving over the last two-plus years and am glad unwarranted fear did not prevent me from running.
Charlotte Hubbell, 2008 honoree
I was a youngish lawyer in charge of negotiations establishing a contract of service between HBO (my employer) and Comcast, a very large cable television company. I was the only woman in the room and it was quite intimidating, but I pulled through and got it done.
Rowena Crosbie, 2009 honoree
Tero’s business model was and is based on bringing people together in groups for learning. In an instant, COVID ended the business. Keeping people employed when jobs no longer were needed and revenue dropped to zero for an unknowable period of time required fearless leadership. Daily decisions became daily fearless moments.
Jacquie Easley McGhee, 2009 honoree
There was once a time when it was taboo, especially in the African American community, to reveal that one’s loved one was afflicted with a mental or behavioral health challenge. Ten years ago, our 18-year-old son, Ty, who had been diagnosed with clinical depression, ended his life, to the shock of family and friends. After a few years, I found my voice and began sharing our agonizing experience on public platforms. Our son’s tombstone is inscribed with his own words, “My bones ache, my soul screams and my mind is strained but I keep moving forward.” Sometimes being fearless is just moving forward.
Kristi Knous, 2010 honoree
I’ll always remember the moment I embraced my desire to lead the Community Foundation. Fear and lack of confidence kept that light dim for many years, but I read “Purpose Driven Life” and realized pursuing my dream was pursuing my purpose, so who was I to walk away? I shared my goal and registered for my master’s degree the following week. As soon as I believed it, I knew I’d do whatever it took to make it happen, even if that meant working full time and raising a family while pursuing my master’s. Gosh, I’m glad I let that light shine.
Teri Wood TeBockhorst, 2011 honoree
I have stepped out of my comfort zone to face my fears on many occasions. One of my fearless moments that I will carry with me forever was when I faced my fear of flying by boarding a military C-130 fuel tanker, climbed down into the “bubble” of the plane and refueled an F-16 fighter jet while in the air over South Dakota. The captain told me we were flying over South Dakota because we’d affect fewer people if we blew up over that state than if we blew up over a more populous state. That was fearful.
Nicky Schissel, 2012 honoree
As assistant commissioner of the Iowa Lottery, I was on a trip to review request-for-proposal proposals for a lottery vendor. It was me, four male staff and the company’s 15 men. I intensely questioned them about women in management positions. They flew a woman in overnight. She told me she had no idea why she was there.
Teresa VanVleet-Danos, 2012 honoree
The day I exercised my option to buy Rowat Cut Stone I was terrified! I didn’t have the funds for the down payment in hand and didn’t know exactly where I was going to get the money. I believed in my heart I could figure it out. So I signed on the dotted line. The rest is history as they say!
Alba Perez, 2013 honoree
Surviving domestic violence, homelessness, deportation and raising two children by myself while making mistakes due to post-traumatic stress disorder. More recently, recovering from two lung collapses, a chest tube and cardiothoracic surgery has changed the course of my life.
Kim Augspurger, 2014 honoree
If fearless is about having fears but taking action anyway, then my moment is when I purchased my company. I purchased it through an earnout, so I was quite motivated to make it work. Although I believed I always thought like an owner, actually being an owner is not the same. It’s a level of freedom to make decisions and at the same time a level of responsibility that can, at times, be overwhelming. The joy in between is helping the people that work for you and with you to be successful.
Michelle Book, 2014 honoree
It seems like we must be fearless every day in food banking. Helping people who are struggling to make ends meet with the most basic of necessities — like food — is exhausting work; it’s both heartbreaking and fulfilling every day. My most fearless moment was to take a stand to ensure every pantry visitor receives one three-day supply of food once a month at each pantry visit if they meet the pantry’s distribution criteria. It was controversial when implemented but has proven over time to be the just practice; times are tough, and people need the assistance. One must be fearless and choose the hard right over the easy wrong on behalf of those who have no seat at either the dinner table or the policy table.
Angela Franklin, 2014 honoree
I was in my eighth year of presidency of Des Moines University, having launched the first successful comprehensive fundraising campaign with plans to add a few new programs and build support for our research enterprise at our 3200 Grand campus. We only needed to ask for a property zoning change to allow for modest growth. With the denial of this request came a question of how and if DMU could ever grow beyond its current footprint. A bold suggestion to just relocate the campus and build an entirely new campus from the ground up was my fearless moment.
Lisa Lavalle, 2014 honoree
Fearless might not be the most accurate word for my story. Over a decade ago, my birthday ended in zero, my nest fully emptied, and my restaurant celebrated 20 successful, fulfilling years. An opportunity came my way, that my 60-year-old self found hugely flattering and daunting. I’ve never been one to set life goals. I just went through life day to day, and walked through the open doors if my gut said they felt right. When this opportunity was presented, I paused carefully, then quite soon asked myself what would I advise my daughters if this was their choice. Of course the answer was: Do it. Living life wondering “what if” is not the way. So, I continue to wake up each day and try to do things with people, and for people.
Dr. Susan Beck, 2015 honoree
It is now. Coming to the end of my career and wondering how I can affect others in a meaningful way.
Mashal Husain, 2015 honoree
I am fearless now! After 27 years in my career, I’m stepping into challenges I once thought impossible. Empowered and bold, I’m embracing every opportunity with newfound strength and confidence, breaking barriers and redefining what’s possible for myself. My future holds no limits, only endless possibilities.
Monica Friedman, 2016 honoree
One of our children was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety at the age of 10. Our journey, like many others, has been extremely difficult at times. We are fortunate in that we have always had the right wraparound support for our child, including doctors, medication, counseling and supportive teachers. We realize that all families do not have that same support. It is a true differentiator on the path of life with a significant mental health diagnosis. While our child is now an adult and thriving, we believe that we can help others by talking about our journey in an effort to reduce the stigma and raise awareness about the critical importance of qualified mental health providers for all families in need. Talking openly about our story has been an important fearless moment for me.
Diana Deibler, 2017 honoree
At age 6, I walked 2 miles on a gravel road to trade two rabbits for a baby pig — without my parents’ permission. It was a small, yet life-changing act of determination and fearlessness. From that day forward I believed that if I wanted something, I could make it happen. I named my pig Matilda and every Saturday while my mom was getting her hair done, I’d put a dog harness on her, Matilda, not my mom, and walk around town.
Georgia Van Gundy, 2019 honoree
Early in my career I was asked to take on a larger role with an organization that I had no experience in doing. The director of the agency I worked for told me he would teach me the role. He then turned around and left the organization, and I did not have anyone to teach me. I decided I would either choose to sink or swim. I dove into this new position, learned it on my own and was successful. It taught me that I could take on challenges I know nothing about.
Mary Andringa, 2020 honoree
After the sudden death of our 19-month-old grandson, I found the only way to accept this very sad happening in my life was to understand that each day is a gift. I am not guaranteed that my loved ones and friends will be with me the next day, so I need to appreciate each and every day.
Teresa Bomhoff, 2020 honoree
It was a choice between keeping my mouth shut or speaking up. A great organization was hearing a death knell. So I threw my hat in the ring. Yes, I’ll do it. I was off on a roller coaster not realizing how much it meant. But now, I know it changed my life.
Maura Nelson, 2020 honoree
Growing up in Atlanta, I decided to apply to colleges outside of Georgia, and outside of the South. I ended up at Northwestern University, where I didn’t know anyone. All of my good friends questioned why I wasn’t going to the colleges that they had picked — all in the South. I was nervous, and it was hard to leave friends and family at a time when cellphones and computers didn’t exist.
The first semester was not easy, and I found that, although I had gone to one of the best public school districts in Atlanta, my classmates seemed to have a better and broader education than I did. With a lot of work, I felt that I “caught up” and was able to have a successful academic career there. I also had opportunities to meet classmates and professors who helped change the course of my life, going from a speech major to an English major.
After my first year, feeling that I was up to more adventure, I went on a summer program to Europe, and that is where I fell in love with France. I did not know anyone participating on that trip, but after having survived my first year of college away from my family and friends, I realized I could take on the challenge of foreign travel. That trip changed my life, as I decided to take French classes when I returned to Northwestern in the fall of my second year. I eventually ended up returning to Paris the next summer to study French at the Sorbonne — the rest is history. I have been a French professor now for almost 40 years, and I love my job!
Janice Lane Schroeder, 2021 honoree
As an only child, I fearlessly identified the appropriate hospice care for my father in Illinois while transitioning my organization to hybrid status in Iowa within five days during the pandemic. I maintained child care services for essential workers, 24/7 shelter for survivors of domestic violence and their children, and ensured staff were safe as they provided in-home family and mental health services.
As I look back over the past four years, I realize now that I never had time to mourn the death of my father and other losses. I had to remain strong for my mother and for my staff as they continued to provide services to clients that had greater needs. I drew strength from the courage of my staff. They never complained. They just kept moving forward.
Sonia Parras Konrad, 2021 honoree
On my 40th birthday, I embraced fearlessness by quitting my job and stepping into the unknown. My gift to myself was launching the Law Offices of Sonia Parras PLLC, a bold move that marked a new chapter of independence and ambition in my legal career.
Dr. Aneesa Afroze, 2022 honoree
As an infectious disease physician, I have always believed that nothing will excite me more than the challenge of diagnosing and treating a rare exotic illness. Until one day, almost a decade ago, this excitement had turned into fear. In September 2014, we got the news of the first patient in Texas with Ebola virus disease. A wave of fear gripped our nation and we needed to prepare. As the only female frontline physician on the emergency preparedness team, despite knowing the consequences of exposure to this disease, I jumped into the ship to serve my purpose. I realized that this was my moment to be fearless.
Anne Bacon, 2022 honoree
In February 2020, it became clear that my adult brother’s mental illness was winning the battle, and he could no longer be autonomous in his decision-making. Since becoming his guardian, I have faced many fearless moments: filing commitment papers, meetings with the court, advocating for his physical and mental health care, securing appropriate supervised living and dealing with multiple jurisdictions and mental health systems when he was a missing person for eight months in California and Nevada. Anyone that must engage with our broken mental health systems is indeed fearless.
Jessica Dunker, 2022 honoree
At age 52 I had to decide if I still had more parenting in me. My husband and I had launched our three fearless daughters into the world and were empty nesting when 13-year-old twin boys from Colombia came into our orbit. It was a pivotal moment that eight months later had us standing in front of a judge in Bogota taking our family from five to seven. Scary. Rewarding. Exhausting. Invigorating. Right.
Blanca Plascencia, 2022 honoree
I applied for a business loan to open a new restaurant, a process that took nearly a year instead of three months. Despite the complications, I invested my own money and refused to give up. Every setback brought tears, but I composed myself, reminded myself of my experience and tapped into my resources and connections to find solutions. Now, my restaurant has been open for over two months and is thriving. Nothing is easy, but it’s always possible.
Julie Stewart, 2022 honoree
I decided to run for Altoona City Council and won. I only had about six weeks to run a campaign. Hard work paid off and now I am the only woman councilmember. I look forward to the next four years of leadership.
Lisa Shimkat, 2022 honoree
I recognized the importance of stepping forward — my priority was making sure my voice was heard. I spoke up, not just for myself, but to ensure those I represented had a seat at the table too. Fearlessness, for me, is about amplifying collective voices.
Laura Sweet, 2023 honoree
One time when it became apparent that I needed to step outside my comfort zone and take the lead in a distinct way was as our industry was responding to COVID. I oversaw our local organizational response efforts as well as at a national level with two of our overarching national industry organizations.
Mary Wells, 2023 honoree
Having no experience running for a public office, I ran for Polk County treasurer in 2022 and became the first African American county treasurer in the state of Iowa.
Rona Berinobis, 2024 honoree
When I was in eighth grade, a group of my friends began picking on another member of our basketball team. This person was working really hard and getting more playing time than some of the aggressors. They called her names, and at first, I looked the other way. These girls were very popular and were who I thought of as my friends. After a few days of the bad behavior and one of them calling her out to fight for no reason, I stepped in front of the girl being bullied and told her and the rest of them that it was enough, and that I was not going to stand by and allow it to happen anymore. I said that they were wrong — they were being petty and mean, and if they wanted to fight someone, it would be me. I told the one being bullied that I had her back. She started to cry and gave me the biggest hug. The primary aggressor’s jaw dropped, and the other girls took a step back. They said they were only kidding and from that point on never bothered her again. While I was cordial with the friend group thereafter — I realized that my time and energy needed to be spent with better people. Since then, I have always spoken up in the face of bad behavior and advocated for those that feel unable to stand up for themselves.
Jean Duffy, 2024 honoree
A fearless moment for me was when I decided to become an independent retirement plan consultant knowing that I was taking a step backward and would be personally responsible for making it work — and walking away from the stability of a salary and benefits.
Jann Freed, 2024 honoree
I have become fearless in nominating and lifting up others for awards — even people who don’t know me, but I know of the good work they have done and are deserving of recognition. It takes courage to reach out to people who don’t know you and who have more power, status and influence and ask them to write letters of support. I am asking them to spend their time helping me lift up their colleagues. But I have found this to be so rewarding.
Rachelle Keck, 2024 honoree
After successfully practicing law for nearly 20 years, I pivoted to a career in higher education administration. My pathway to the college presidency was through philanthropy. This new profession required starting over in a new field, which was daunting after having achieved professional success in the legal realm. My curiosity and faith fueled me through the challenges and risks associated with pivoting to a new career. For me, I had to go to grow; meaning, I intentionally switched institutions and positions to grow my skill sets and broaden my experiences. Throughout this past decade, my perspective has shifted and grown, as have my skills, contacts and sphere of influence. I have no regrets and remain grateful for the continued growth.
In memoriam
Two Women of Influence alumni recently died; the following moments of fearlessness were submitted to us about them as part of the 25th anniversary celebration.
On Teree Caldwell-Johnson, 2002 honoree
Even in her final days, Teree Caldwell-Johnson inspired all of Central Iowa to do more to speak up for underrepresented people. As a recipient of the Christine Wilson Medal for Equality and Justice, she lifted up families and children to achieve prosperity. She led Oakridge Neighborhood, remained an active voice for children on the Des Moines Public School Board and promoted inclusion and a welcoming attitude in our city. Teree always asked, “What more can I do? What more can we do?” Teree will be a model of committed service for years to come.
– Diane Glass, 2016 honoree
On Rosalie Gallagher, 2006 honoree
My mom died in June of this year. Even with a dramatic health diagnosis, she was still able to raise dramatic dollars for Variety – the Children’s Charity and promoted 50 pieces of mobility equipment to be donated for children in need for Variety’s 50th year in service.
– Kathleen Gallagher
