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© 2017 BOLIVAR HERALD-FREE PRESS

TODAY’S WOMAN 2017

A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE BOLIVAR HERALD-FREE PRESS


WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

Amanda Sargent
Fly this girl as high as you can

Becky Keith
From daydream to reality

Rachel Short Bacon


Engines in her DNA

Denni McColm
Leading an IT dream team

Connie Tate
Proving it’s never too late
Page 2 Today’s Woman Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Join the
BH-FP for the
free Women’s
Summit Sept. 22
All Polk County ladies are Crawford, R-Buffalo, will be the
invited to the fourth annual Bo- featured speaker.
livar Herald-Free Press Wom- A light lunch will be served
en’s Summit from 11 a.m. to at the summit, and there will be
1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, at Citi- door prizes and more. While the
zens Memorial Hospital Commu- event is free, seating is limited.
nity Rooms. The event will conclude at
The summit, organized by the around 1 p.m., but those needing
BH-FP, aims to provide local to leave can do so at any time.
women with a forum in which Last year’s Women’s Summit
they may build connections and welcomed around 60 local wom-
discuss relevant issues. en to hear from speakers Allison
The theme for this year’s event Curts Dishman, former Pleasant
is “Beyond Boundaries” and mir- Hope Middle School principal,
rors the focus of the BH-FP’s To- and BH-FP Associate Editor Jes-
day’s Woman special section. sica Franklin Maull.
The special section features Please RSVP by calling Becky
Polk County women whose lives Baker, editorial assistant, at 777-
push beyond expected boundaries. 9723 or by emailing news@boli-
Newly elected Sen. Sandy varmonews.com.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Becky Baker, Jessica Franklin Maull, Katy Goodwin,
Latisha Russel and Jill Way.

ON THE COVER
Bolivar-born, Seattle-reared helicopter EMS pilot
Amanda Sargent lands back home in Polk County.
STAFF PHOTO/JESSICA FRANKLIN MAULL

The Ladies of the Bolivar Herald-Free Press

Melissa Burks Amanda Orrell Deanna Moore Becky Baker

Peggy Skopec Amy Gardner Jill Way Karen Jump

335 S. Springfield
Bolivar, MO

Candace Shade Mandie Jackson


417.326.7636 Pam Rice Jessica Franklin
Maull
Wednesday, September 20, 2017 Today’s Woman Page 3

FLY
“As a female pilot, you have to prove
you deserve respect versus just putting on the
uniform and demanding respect.”

Helicopter EMS pilot Amanda


Sargent lands back home in Bolivar
By Jessica Franklin Maull
high THIS GIRL AS

AS YOU CAN
Amanda, pictured in 2010, flies over
Seattle during her time as a scenic
tour helicopter pilot.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The credit for her childhood interest


jessicam@bolivarmonews.com in flying, she said, lies with her father,
also a pilot.
Always at the ready with a sharp “When I was about 2 years old, my
sense of humor, after a 12-hour shift and dad bought a Piper Tri-Pacer, and I was
two flights, Amanda Sargent kicks back strapped, willingly, into it,” she said.
on a sofa and trades quips with male “There are no pictures, and I have no
flight crew members in the base-cum- way to prove or disprove it, but rumor
living-quarters at Citizens Memorial has it that I was perched high on my
Hospital, which doubles as the crew’s booster seat holding onto my dolly as
home-away-from-home. my dad did whoop-de-dos and barrel
It’s no surprise that this Seattle-reared rolls. I had a smile on my face the entire
gal looks right at home at the Bolivar time. It was probably those first flights
base. Bolivar is, after all, her home. which defined what I wanted to do for
Born at Bolivar’s Rios clinic, to the rest of my life.”
Wayne and the late Phyllis Sargent — As a child, she said she thought fly-
perhaps best known in the area then as ing was nothing unusual.
the owners of the Gold Rush restaurant, “I thought everybody’s family had a
which then occupied the space on the plane,” she said.
northeast corner of the square where 3 Then, a few years later, after the
G’s Frozen Custard is today. STAFF PHOTO/JESSICA FRANKLIN MAULL move to Washington, she said her dad
Amanda, the youngest of three chil- Amanda Sargent explains Elsie II’s controls to a young girl during an sold the plane.
dren and the only girl, spent her first impromptu tour Friday, Sept. 1. “It broke my heart,” she said.
three years as a Polk Countian before But she said she had a plan. Imme-
edges she, as a helicopter pilot, is a mi- job.”
her family moved to Bremerton, Wash., diately after turning 18, she began fly-
nority in “a male-dominated industry “I’ve been more inspired by other
just outside Seattle. ing lessons in Bremerton only to face
within a male-dominated industry.” women in this industry because I know
In the decades that followed, she was disappointment when the flight school
“Less than 6 percent of pilots are fe- they’ve had to work just as hard as I
no stranger to the area, returning for closed shortly thereafter.
male, depending on the statistics you have to get to where they are now,” she
summer trips to visit her uncle, Dale Two years later, during the summer
Sargent, and cousins Emily, Anna and look at,” she said. “Even less than that said. “They’ve all succeeded in the face
of 2001, she began again at another lo-
Mary. fly helicopters.” of preconceived doubt and discrimina- cation.
In July, with an airline transport rat- Although the training requirements, tion and fought twice as hard as a male “We all know what happened in Sep-
ing — the highest rating a pilot can of course, are the same for both men and in the same position to get there.” tember (2001),” she said, “which in
achieve — and 4,000 hours of flight women, Amanda said female pilots “get In spite of the opposition she and turn forced that flight school to close,
time under her belt, she made her return questioned more.” other female pilots face, Amanda said as well.”
to Bolivar, joining three other pilots at She said there are still chief pilots and she sees herself in an enviable position. She said a few years went by without
the CMH base, operated as a partnership companies who say they will not hire a “I can change opinions,” she said. “It any “progress” toward her “dream of
between CMH and CoxHealth. woman. doesn’t bother me if people have this flying,” and then she heard a helicopter
‘A male-dominated industry’ “(As a female pilot) you’ve got to opinion (that a woman cannot be a good flight academy’s radio ad.
Aviator sunglasses perched on her earn the respect,” she said. “You have pilot) initially. It bothers me if they “I couldn’t call the number fast
head and clad in a blue flight suit, to prove you deserve respect versus just can’t change their opinion after they’ve enough,” she said.
Amanda is all pilot. Long blonde hair putting on the uniform and demanding seen us do our job.” After attending a seminar and taking
and glittery lilac manicured nails bear respect.” A girl on a mission a demo flight, she said she knew fly-
witness she is also all woman. Earning that respect, she said, “is not Despite the statistics, Amanda said ing helicopters was “exactly” what she
Even though she says she “hates to about trying to be ‘one of the guys.’ … there was never a question in her mind wanted to do.
think of it that way,” Amanda acknowl- It’s about being a pilot and doing your growing up that she would be a pilot. See Fly, Page 4
Page 4 Today’s Woman Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Fly From Page 3


Within 18 months, she had become a certified flight instructor
and began teaching at Tacoma Narrows Airport in Washington.
However, disappointment struck again.
“In true Amanda fashion, my flight school filed bankruptcy,
and I was once again looking for a job,” she said.
She went on to fly for a scenic tour company and eventually
landed a job in Houma, La., where she flew offshore, transport-
ing workers to oil rigs.
She said she began looking to make a change due to a decline
in the oil industry, and the chance to return to Bolivar, she said,
was more than just an opportunity to return to her birthplace.
One of the biggest draws, she said, was the aircraft this post
would allow her to fly. Speaking fondly of the twin-engine MD-
902, officially N902LC but affectionately dubbed “Elsie II,”
Amanda said, “It’s got tons of power and tons of lifting ability.”
Aside from advancing her career, Amanda said the transition
to the air medical industry provides “a greater sense of purpose.”
“It’s not just transportation,” she said, though she is quick to
point out that she is not medically trained and does not provide
care to patients.
‘Inherently risky’
Despite her modesty, the fact remains being a HEMS pilot is STAFF PHOTO/JESSICA FRANKLIN MAULL
risky. Amanda preps for takeoff on a patient mission Friday, Sept. 1.
In February 2009, the National Transportation Safety Board,
citing a University of Chicago Medical Center study by Dr. Ira
Blumen, reported the job of helicopter EMS crew member as
the highest-risk occupation in the country. The risk of death for Amanda
HEMS crews was nearly twice that of airline crews and almost poses in
five times that of coal miners and law enforcement officers. costume
In February 2014, the Federal Aviation Administration issued with her
sweeping reforms to improve HEMS safety. brothers
In December 2016, Blumen reported the industry’s overall during
safety record shows signs of improving. His report said in 2016, Bolivar’s
a HEMS crew member had a 1 in 850 chance of being in a fa- Wee
tal accident, a risk that has decreased significantly from 1:50 in People
1980. Parade in
Nonetheless, Amanda admits the job remains “inherently the early
risky,” adding that she has personally known other HEMS pilots 1980s.
who have died. CONTRIBUTED
She takes that knowledge and the responsibility to safety very PHOTO

seriously.
However, as with the pushback she has faced for being a wom-
an in a male-dominated field, the danger does not deter her.
“It’s what I want to do, so I’m going to do it,” she said.

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505612s
Wednesday, September 20, 2017 Today’s Woman Page 5

Meilani INSTRUCTOR OF
COMPUTER AND
They are simply learning opportunities
to prepare you for the next step; keep

Conley INFORMATION SCIENCE pressing forward. Finally, share


your knowledge and experiences; the
only way we can keep pushing beyond
What is a major challenge you’ve faced in your job, boundaries is if we are empowering
and how have you overcome it? others to do so as well. I look forward
The first major challenge I faced was making the to the day when pushing the boundaries
mental shift from industry to academia. Every becomes the norm. 
semester brings new adventures accompanied
by various challenges. I did not overcome In general, how do you overcome
this challenge alone; I am blessed that I challenges?
have a phenomenal department and Through prayer, perseverance,
university who support me, share and an amazing support
their wisdom willingly and who system — the love of
continually challenge me to be a my life and husband,
better professor. My colleagues William, my family,
have contributed in significant friends and SBU family.
ways to help me overcome I do not always use
challenges in life and the the best approach, but
workplace.   I strive to pray over
the situation and bring
What advice would you give it before God, then
other women who are pushing I seek wise counsel,
“beyond boundaries”? and finally, I refuse to
First, keep your focus give up. Life has and will
upward. God uniquely be filled with challenges,
designed each of us with and it is my hope and
gifts and talents to honor desire to honor God with my
and glorify Him. You will response and actions. 
face setbacks and failures,
but they do not define you.

STAFF PHOTO/LATISHA RUSSELL

What is a major challenge you’ve faced and how


Tammy have you overcome it?
As the superintendent, I make decisions daily that
Erwin HUMANSVILLE R-4
SUPERINTENDENT
impact not only the financial side of things but the
entire district as a whole. And again that means, at
times, making staff decisions that can affect people I
What advice would you give other women who are
have known for 12 years. As hard as that is, I try to make
pushing “beyond boundaries”?
every decision with the “what is best for our students”
My advice to other women who are pushing “Beyond
thought process. Unfortunately that does not always make
Boundaries” is to do things that are out of your comfort zone.
everyone happy. You learn a lot about people when they do
Do not be afraid of the status quo or limit yourself out of fear.
not get what they want, but that is part of the job.
We never know how resilient and capable we are unless we
At the end of what could seem like even the
are willing to get out there and be challenged by something
worst day, I know I am still very fortunate. 
new. Stepping out of your comfort zone can challenge you
I have a job I love. I work with amazing
and give you the opportunity to grow as a person and
people who love our students. Our school
inspire others to do the same.
board, parents and community care and
My next piece of advice is to know your tribe.  Take a
support us. I have been blessed with
look at the people that you surround yourself with each
amazing mentors and fellow administrators
day. Do their actions and choices reflect your values?
to help me or just listen to me rant. Most
Are they supportive of your goals or threatened by
importantly, I have a family and friends who
what you want to accomplish? Unfortunately, there
support me and understand how important my
are always people who will gain satisfaction from
position is and the amount of time it requires.
your failures or will speak negatively about you
           
behind your back. Try to not waste your time
In general, how do you
or energy on people who do not want to help
overcome challenges?
you be your best self and achieve your goals.
I try my hardest to stay positive, organized,
Negative people are powerless without your
and work hard daily.  I feel by doing
response.
these three things, I am able to handle
Finally, you are always responsible for how you
unexpected challenges when they occur. I
act, no matter how you feel. Treat people with respect,
am the person with a calendar on her desk
regardless how they may initially treat you and take
at work and on the refrigerator at home with
time to listen. Just remember that no matter the situation,
dates and times to keep track of everything
never let your emotions overpower your intelligence.
Always have either a clipboard or a Post-it
STAFF PHOTO/LATISHA RUSSELL
note with reminders for home and work. 
Page 6 Today’s Woman Wednesday, September 20, 2017

FROM DAYDREAM TO REALITY


While
she said
she’s most
comfortable
responding
to medical
emergencies,
Becky has
also worked
both brush
Central Polk County Fire Protection
and structure
fires. District firefighter Becky Keith realizes her
longtime dream to serve her neighbors
CONTRIBUTED
PHOTO/KEN WITT

By Jill Way connection with my neighbors and to my dis-


Jillw@bolivarmonews.com trict. This is us.”
From daydream to reality
At first glance, people may think Becky Growing up in rural eastern Kansas as
Keith is more flight than fight. the middle daughter of an electrician and a
Her petite stature, easy smile, kind eyes homemaker and author, Becky came to Bo-
and humble attitude make her seem more livar to study church recreation at Southwest
like a friend next door ready for a visit than a Baptist University. As a student, she met her
trained first responder ready to jump into any husband, Daniel, who was studying computer
situation at a moment’s notice. science.
But looks can be deceiving. The pair married and lived in various lo-
As a volunteer firefighter with Central Polk cations, including Tulsa, Dallas and Kansas,
County Fire Protection District and a mem- for Daniel’s work, with Becky working as a
ber of Polk County’s Community Emergen- stay-at-home mom to their four kids, Joshua,
cy Response Team, Becky is not one to shy Rachel, Virginia and Beth.
away when things get hard. Instead, she’s the In 1999, Daniel and Becky brought their
one running into harm’s way when her fellow family back to Bolivar, with Daniel taking on
Polk County neighbors need help. a job as the manager of distribution systems
All types of people, including women, play for Bass Pro Shops in Springfield.
important roles within volunteer fire depart- “For the most part, I was home with the
ments, Becky said. kids,” she said. “That was my choice, and I
“Volunteers don’t come in set packages,” was very happy to do that.”
she said. However, Becky always had thoughts of a
And without a doubt, she said volunteering different path in the back of her mind.
as a firefighter has changed her life. “I had mentioned to Daniel, if I’d ever
“Honestly, I really am a homebody,” she chosen a career, one of the things I would
said. “But I’ve gone on calls and been in dif- have considered was a career as an EMT,”
ferent situations and have come away think- she said. “I think I have the right personality
ing, ‘This is my neighborhood, this is my for it, but I had never gone that direction.”
county.’ It just really has helped me make a See Reality, Page 7
505333j
Wednesday, September 20, 2017 Today’s Woman Page 7

Reality From Page 6


Five years ago, she set out to make she was named the district’s Firefighter
those fleeting thoughts a reality. With of the Year.
her kids out of the house and more time She said to earn the honor, firefight-
on her hands, Becky began thinking ers need to serve for more than a year
about becoming a volunteer firefighter but not be an officer with the depart-
after visiting a Central Polk County fire ment.
station for a meeting. Becky was quick to mention several
“I wasn’t really sure I was a good others were also honored for their ser-
candidate,” she said. vice in 2016, including Billy Marshall
With Daniel as her “biggest encour- as Recruit of the Year, Seth Marshall
agement,” Becky started taking first aid as Cadet of the Year and Deputy Chief
classes at Polk County Health Center. Jeff Witt as Officer of the Year. She said
There she connected with Kermit Har- Chris Mumm and Cary Peterson both
gis, who was working to form Polk received chief’s pick awards.
County’s Community Emergency Re- “I do feel we all work very well to-
sponse Team. gether,” Becky said. “I really walked
“I took my first CERT class with a into it not knowing anything, and ev-
group of Boy Scouts,” she said. eryone has been really, really helpful,
Becky became more involved as Har- so supportive and encouraging.”
gis expanded the CERT program to in- She has worked hard to learn her
clude adults, not just kids. way, taking additional training every
“One day, he looked at me and asked, chance she gets. Becky is now a certi-
‘So would you like to volunteer as a fied EMT, and she just finished Fire I
firefighter?’” she said. “I quickly said, and II training, passing her certification
‘Yes!’” test this summer.
Interviewing with Chief Ken Witt, National statistics show Becky’s role
Becky said she was “very unsure I could as a firefighter is not common for wom-
even be helpful.” en. According to National Fire Pro-
She said Witt encouraged her from tection Association statistics, women
the very beginning. comprised only 4.6 percent of career
“It was men — Daniel, Kermit, Chief firefighters nationwide from 2011-
Witt — all along who told me, ‘Yeah, 2015.
you can do it,’” she said. Out of 814,850 total volunteer fire- “It was men
She said her kids were “a little sur- fighters nationwide in 2015, only all along who told me,
prised” by her new focus. But, she 72,250 were women, according to
beamed with pride when talking about NFPA. That comes to around 11 percent ‘Yeah, you can do it.’”
her grandkids’ reactions. female volunteers nationwide.
“It made me smile when I heard one While she said she’s most comfort-
of my granddaughters say, ‘My grand- able responding to medical emergencies, STAFF PHOTO/JILL WAY
ma’s a firefighter,’” she said. Becky has also worked both brush and As a volunteer firefighter with Central Polk County Fire Protection Dis-
From rookie to respected firefighter structure fires. She said any call can be trict and a member of Polk County’s Community Emergency Response
Becky began volunteering with Cen- both mentally and physically demanding. Team, Becky Keith is ready to run into harm’s way when her fellow Polk
tral Polk County in 2015, and by 2016 See Reality, Page 8 County neighbors need help.

Celebrating with the women of Polk County -


thank you for all that you do!
Proudly Serving
Our Customers for
80 Years!

Left to right: Cheryl Nutt, Teresa Robertson, Sheila Zimmerman, Debbie


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Left to right: Becky Jenkins, Betty Mock, Kayla Spurlock,
Jody Horch and Alyssa Walker.

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505668b
Page 8 Today’s Woman Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Reality From Page 7


“Firefighting is a very, very strenu- do everything, but I think there’s some-
ous job to do,” she said. “And I feel thing I could do.”
like I’m strong for my age and as a Chief Witt reiterated this belief.
woman in general, but there are a lot “I always tell new volunteers that we
of things that are very tiring and very are all equal and that I expect the same
difficult to do.” from both men and women,” Witt said.
That’s when working together effec- “Being a volunteer on this department,
tively is so important, Becky said. with our small number of volunteers,
“It comes from my background,” you are expected to be able to fulfill
she said. “We were a country family, the requirements of any role within the
and we did a lot of outside work to- department once you are trained and
gether. We all had a job to do. We all have some experience.”
did what we could, and we got the job He called Becky “a unique find”
done. When I thought about volunteer- when it comes to volunteer firefighters.
ing, that’s how I saw it. I know I can’t “I have seen a handful of others who

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Becky began volunteering with Central Polk County in 2015, and by 2016
she was named the district’s Firefighter of the Year. She is pictured here
with Chief Ken Witt after receiving the award.

have served before Becky that could “Often, I have run into something
definitely handle themselves like her,” and thought, ‘What in the world am I
Witt said. “With Becky, her matu- doing?’” she said. “What I try to tell
rity and enthusiasm are her strongest myself is, ‘Give it a year, and you’ll
traits.” know more than you do now. You’ll be
Even though she said some days are farther along.’ Sometimes I’ll go home
hard, Becky plans to keep responding discouraged … but when the pager
Becky Keith, pictured with her husband, Daniel, and her granddaughters. to calls for service and seeking oppor- goes off again, I say, ‘Ok,’ and head
The couple also has two grandsons. tunities to train. back out the door.”

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505186b
Wednesday, September 20, 2017 Today’s Woman Page 9

Paula Jonson
CITY OF HUMANSVILLE MAYOR AND CANCER SURVIVOR
Crystal
In general, how do
What is a major challenge
you’ve faced and how have
Rorie
you overcome BOLIVAR POLICE
you overcome it?
challenges? DEPARTMENT DETECTIVE
In 2007 I was diagnosed with
Me, personally, I think
Stage 3 breast cancer, and I was
about it. I sit in a quiet
given a less than a 30 percent chance
place and think about all What is a major challenge
of living. I chose every treatment they
the pros and cons. And I you’ve faced and how
had. I never missed an appointment.
pray and I ask God to have you overcome it?
I made sure I was there. I
give me guidance
went through three years
in what I A major challenge I have
of treatments and I have
should do. I faced going into this
now been cancer-free
very seldom career is having the
for 10 years. And I went
ever let the stigma that “this is a
through it all alone.
world see man’s job.” I continue
me down. to overcome the
Any advice
When I challenge daily. I
you’d give other
walk out, reinforce the ability to
women who are
I always do the job at hand. I
pushing “Beyond
have a prove to my coworkers
Boundaries?”
smile on I am able and qualified
Well, I think you’ve just
my face to do my job as a
got to stay diligent. You
no matter police officer. I also
know, set your goals. I
how bad I’m have a husband who has
know there’s always been
feeling. I always confidence in me that I am
glass ceilings for women,
try to smile, and able to do this job and hold
but I’ve always managed to
I try to treat people my own.
overcome them in my work and
like I want them to
career, but just be
treat me back.
persistent. Look your best, do your
best and don’t lose track of
your dreams.
STAFF PHOTO/KATY GOODWIN STAFF PHOTO/LATISHA RUSSELL

505742b
Page 10 Today’s Woman Wednesday, September 20, 2017

IN HER
DNA
Marine mechanic
Rachel Short Bacon
takes pride in
'unorthodox' role
By Jessica Franklin Maull
jessicam@bolivarmonews.com

Rachel Short Bacon, owner of Boli-


var’s Shorty’s Marine, is not your aver-
age marine mechanic. Sitting amid the
seafoam green, mounted-fish-adorned
walls of the small office in her shop just
east of Bolivar, she recounts her path to
what many may consider an unorthodox
career for a woman.
STAFF PHOTOS/JESSICA FRANKLIN MAULL
According to the U.S. Department
Above, Rachel and fellow mechanic George Gordon work together to diagnose a malfunctioning outboard
of Labor, in 2016, women represented
behind the shop east of Bolivar. Below, George and Rachel use a marine battery to test a part.
less than 4 percent of mechanics in the
nation. When Rachel headed off to me- her male schoolmates.
chanic school after graduating from Bo- “There were several guys who did not
livar High School in 1999, women were like me,” she said. “One in particular.
even less represented in the industry — He gave me hell. He did not like a fe-
a fact, which Rachel says, took her by male in that school.”
surprise. On one occasion, she said one of her
Growing up, she said, no one ever schoolmates, targeting her because she
seemed to think her interest in engines was a woman, took her four-wheeler
was anything but “normal.” This was without permission and “tore it up.”
certainly true within her family, she She said she tried not to let the in-
said. cident upset her. Instead, she made the
After all, one could say engines are best of the situation and repaired it her-
in her DNA. The daughter of Roger self for class credit.
and Debra Short, owners of Show-Me After graduation, Rachel returned to
Muffler and Brake in Bolivar, Rachel, a Missouri to find a job as a mechanic,
self-described “tomboy” who says she an endeavor that was anything but easy,
still feels “awkward in a dress,” grew up she said.
around engines. “I applied everywhere, and no one
“I was always in the shop,” she said. was going to hire a 19-year-old female
When she was a child, she said her as a mechanic,” she said.
dad would work on projects at the fam- Instead of giving up, she faced the
ily’s home, too, which stood just across said, when she began taking a mechan- months — and he never missed a day problem head on with methodical deter-
the street from the shop on West Broad- ics class. — ‘Are you sure you want to move to mination, armed with a complete list of
way Street. She recalls one project “That was the only class I actually Phoenix, Ariz., to go to school?” she every mechanic shop in Missouri.
in particular, which stands out in her showed up for,” she said, laughing. “I said. “I started at the A’s,” she said. “I
memory: her dad’s restoration of a 1957 was one of the better ones in the class. An education in being the minority didn’t care what town they were in.”
Chevy. … Nobody questioned why I was in a Rachel said it wasn’t until she ar- She eventually landed her first job at
“It was neat to watch because it was mechanics class.” rived at mechanics school that she be- Anchor Marine in Lake Ozark, where
his car when he was 16, and he just hap- When she made the decision to pur- gan to understand how unusual it was she said she learned a great deal.
pened to find it by the VIN,” she said. sue a career in the field and attend a for a woman to pursue a career in the “(The head mechanic) took me under
While she did not actively join in on the mechanics institute in Phoenix, Ariz., industry. his wing and showed me everything he
restoration, she said watching him work her family, friends and teachers “never “There were only probably five — or knew about boats,” she said.
was something she will never forget. really brought up” the fact that it was an six at the very most — females out of A family affair
“Dad was always doing something, unorthodox path for a girl, she said. about 400-500 students,” she said. “It Rachel’s time in Lake Ozark provid-
and I was always around,” she said, In fact, she said, the only concern wasn’t difficult, though, because some ed her with more than just professional
adding that he never seemed surprised her dad showed had to do with how far of (the guys) were very nice.” growth. It was there that she met her
at her interest. away she would be moving. Some, but not all, she said, recalling husband, Bryan.
The same was true in high school, she “My dad asked me every day for six resistance she received from some of See DNA, Page 11

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“‘Are you that girl


that works on boats?’
Yes, that’s me.”

DNA From Page 10


In April 2005, at the urging of her
family, Rachel opened Shorty’s Marine,
and the couple eventually relocated to
Fair Play, where they live today with
their 8-year-old daughter, Lily.
The business’ name is a nod to some-
thing she and her dad share in addi-
tion to a love of engines: a nickname.
Roger, Rachel said, has been known as
“Shorty” for years. She, too, gained the
nickname under separate circumstanc-
es. During her time at Lake Ozark, her
boss there, without knowing Rachel’s
father was called the same thing, also
began calling her “Shorty.”
When it came time to come up with a
name for the business, Rachel said, she
didn’t have to think too hard.
“It seemed like the right name,” she
said.
Facing skepticism
As the owner of the marine mechanic
business, Rachel said she has been fortu-
nate to have male employees — includ-
ing current mechanic George Gordon,
whom she described as “the best thing
to ever happen to Shorty’s Marine” —
who have never questioned her role.
However, she said she has faced some
“skepticism” from potential customers
who “look down their noses and don’t
think a female should be doing this.”
Others, she said, will bypass her
completely.
“It’s every day that a man comes
in and asks, ‘Can I speak to your me-
chanic?’ or just acts like he doesn’t see
me,” she said. “It used to bother me. It
doesn’t bother me anymore.”
On the other hand, she said, over the
years as her work earned a reputation,
more and more customers seek her out
specifically.
“They’ll ask, ‘Are you that girl that
works on boats?’ Yes, that’s me,” she
said. “… There’s a lot of people who
only want me working on (their boats).
It’s really encouraging.”
All in all, she said, facing the skepti-
cism is not a bad thing. In fact, it is one
of the things she loves about what she
does.
“That’s what I love about me because
of my daughter,” she said. “It just shows
her she can go outside the boundaries of CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
what people think you can do. I feel like Above, Rachel works to remedy a Johnson outboard motor. She said growing up no one ever made her feel her
a good role model for her.” interest in engines was anything but "normal."

Right, marine
mechanic Rachel
Short Bacon
opened Shorty’s
Marine in Bolivar
in 2005.
STAFF PHOTO/JESSICA
FRANKLIN MAULL

At far right,
Rachel, pictured
here with
daughter Lily,
says she is proud
to work in an
industry in which
women are the
minority to show
her daughter she
can “go outside
the boundaries of
what people think
you can do.”
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Page 12 Today’s Woman Wednesday, September 20, 2017

CMH’s information technology


leadership works together to
bring cutting edge technology
to the hospital. Pictured in CIO
Denni McColm’s office are, from
left, Heather Cline, McColm,
Karrie Ingram and Sherry
Montileone.
STAFF PHOTO/JILL WAY

DREAM TEAM All-female IT team keeps CMH


on the cutting edge of technology

By Jill Way the big city, and I was like, ‘No, I want this role, where I’ve been longer now, Cline “is responsible for protecting
jillw@bolivarmonews.com to go back to the farm,’” she said. I realized I was tired of that and ready our systems and the important confi-
Starting out as the hospital’s human for something new,” she said. “This is dential, protected health information
1988. resources director, she quickly moved always changing.” that CMH holds on our patients,” she
Ronald Reagan was out, and George to chief financial officer. New role, new team said.
H. Bush was in as President of the U.S. She said she was happy and com- From that moment on, Denni said her Denni said her team is always up for
The Iron Curtain was falling, and the fortable working in finances, but her job has been to “interpret what we’re a challenge.
World Health Organization began its life took a different path in the early doing for the rest of the organization.” “I hope they feel empowered to solve
mission to eradicate polio. 2000s when the hospital began efforts She said the department has gone problems in unique ways,” she said.
Technology made enormous ad- to update and centralize its computer from eight employees to 40 over the Leading the way
vancements. It marked the first per- systems. years. When Denni took over as CIO in
manent intercontinental Internet link “We had not invested in our IT,” “It’s been a great move,” she said. 2003, she knew her team had its work
between the U.S. and Europe, as well Denni said. “I had been on teams over “We’ve grown so much.” cut out for it.
as the first Internet-based chat protocol. the years, and we would say, ‘Oh, we Denni credits much of the depart- “We literally started from scratch,
The idea of the World Wide Web was need to upgrade.’ But it was working. ment’s success to the current team of but I had a great team then, too,” Denni
first discussed at the European Organi- Around 2000, we started looking at women leading the department. said. “We did a lot of work building the
zation for Nuclear Research, or CERN. new systems. I was heavily involved in Sherry Montileone is CMH’s net- foundation.”
And Denni McColm first joined the the teams that were deciding how we work and support manager. She has She said they moved from separate
staff at Citizens Memorial Hospital/ wanted to move into the new electronic worked with the hospital since 2000. computer systems for each element of
Health Care Foundation. world.” “She has been a critical part of our the hospital, like billing, pharmacy and
A lot has changed in Denni’s 29 years She said one day, she received a success in moving CMH to the elec- lab, to one information system combin-
at CMH, arguably no area as much as phone call from Chief Executive Offi- tronic health record and in keeping our ing all services. She said this made re-
information technology. cer Don Babb that would change every- systems running and safe day to day markable changes in continuity of care
As chief information officer since thing. and across multiple upgrades and itera- for patients.
2003, Denni has spent most of her ca- “Our CEO called me up out of the tions,” Denni said. With the centralized system in place
reer keeping CMH on the cutting edge clear blue and said, ‘You know, I don’t Karrie Ingram is the department’s and driven by CMH’s growth, Denni
of technology. really feel good about how this is go- Health Care Information Systems Man- said CMH was then one of the first
Earning a bachelor’s degree in busi- ing. I don’t know what’s going on, and ager. hospitals to eliminate paper charts. The
ness from Missouri State University I don’t feel confident. Do you want to “In her current role, she manages a organization’s records were completely
and a master’s in business administra- lead this project?’” team of software analysts and provides digital by 2006.
tion from the University of Missouri, Although it wasn’t in her plan, Denni project management for major IS proj- “It was a good thing, because it’s a
Denni said she always wanted to come said working in IT has been a perfect ects at CMH,” Denni said. lot more efficient,” she said. “It’s dan-
home to Bolivar and work for CMH. fit for her. Finally, Heather Cline is CMH’s gerous to have two sources of truth.”
“All of my classmates were going to “When I got out of finance and into HIPAA Privacy and Security Officer. See Team, Page 13

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“Owned By Those We Serve”


Wednesday, September 20, 2017 Today’s Woman Page 13

Team From Page 14


She said her team is currently looking to Denni’s first computer at CMH in 1988 looked just like the one
upgrade the organization’s systems again. pictured here, she said. The human resources team “found
“We’ve been successful at connecting it under a desk.” She said someone had purchased
all of our systems together so the user it, but they didn’t know how to use it.
only goes to one place to access anything CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/DENNI MCCOLM

from an x-ray to MRI,” Denni said. “But


to make that work, there’s connecting
systems in the background.
“When we first started this project,
Sherry said, ‘I want to be like electric-
ity. They turn it on and it works. They
don’t know how, but they turn it on and
it works.’”
Pioneers in long-term care
In 2005, Denni’s team took on a unique
challenge. She said CMH’s IT depart-
ment is “pretty much pioneers in long-
term care” systems.
She said CMH paved the way for elec-
tronic medication administration records
in long-term facilities. With CMH’s sys-
tem, nurses use photo IDs to identify pa-
tients and register medication doses.
“It’s very rare in long-term care but
very important when you think about
the number of medications administered
long-term,” Denni said.
She said before adding CMH’s most very minimal information, Denni’s team to the patient, which saves so much time.” Technology Advisory Committee for the
recent long-term care facility in Stockton, worked to bring patients as much infor- ‘Pushing boundaries’ U.S. Government Accountability Office.
the organization’s long-term care loca- mation as possible. She said CMH priori- While there are more female CIOs now She said young women interested in
tions were already administering around tizes patient information. than in the past, Denni said information working in IT shouldn’t be afraid “just
2 million doses of medication each year. “All lab test reports, radiology reports, technology is still a male-dominated field. because there’s a lot of boys in the class.”
“Even if we have the smallest error rate discharge summaries, doctor’s notes — She laughed, saying she’s received “Don’t be intimidated,” she said. “Nur-
ever, it’s still a lot of errors,” she said. everything’s out there,” she said. “It’s more than one letter and phone call for ture the talents, interest, excitement you
She said the photo ID system helps yours. It’s all out there for the patients.” “Mr. Denni.” have. There are so many exciting things
prevent those errors. She said providers also use the portal “But I think our team is pushing women can bring to the field.”
Effective patient portals to reach out to patients after their visits boundaries,” Denni said. “In some ways, She said IT isn’t just about “sitting in
She said CMH’s patient engagement to CMH, saying “it’s great customer ser- women are more resourceful.” a dark room programming anymore. It’s
side of the patient portal is also ahead of vice.” Denni is pushing boundaries herself making things happen.”
its time. Through secure messages, patients through her involvement with various Denni said women can use IT to make
Starting the process in 2009, Denni have a direct link to their physicians. committees throughout the nation. a difference in people’s lives.
said, “We were a very early adopter.” “Phone calls are a thing of the past,” Most recently, she was one of 15 people “That’s what we say,” she said. “We
While other health systems provided she said. “The doctor can respond directly appointed to the new Health Information say we’re saving lives.”

The Women of OakStar Bank

Front row, left to right: Carole Gray, Jenni Williams and Kenadie McCrickard;
Back row: Beverly Smith, Cindy Hood, Kim Segui, Karen Lombardi,
Jeannie Brown, Tammy McClure and Macy Legan.

340 S Springfield Ave, Bolivar, MO


417.327.4480
www.OakStarBank.com
505606b

505335b
Neverlate
Page 14 Today’s Woman Wednesday, September 20, 2017

“God can Self-taught artist Connie


give you a Tate hones talent later in life
gift you never
knew you had
— and can
turn it on just
like that.”

TOO
By Becky Baker mer/early fall, Tate said she thought, “Man,
beckyb@bolivarmonews.com I wish I could draw those flowers.” She said
the Holy Spirit prompted her and said, “You
Connie Tate, a self-taught artist and resi- can.”
dent of Citizens Memorial Healthcare Facili- So she went inside, searching for those
ty in Bolivar, said that reading books by Toby sketchbooks she had previously purchased.
Neal, which are set on the Hawaiian islands, Once she found them, she took them out-
is her inspiration for the many paintings that side, and choosing one, she began drawing
hang on the walls and door of her room at everything she saw. Knowing she wanted to
CMHCF. add color to the page, she found some old
After seeing Connie’s artwork, one would Prang watercolors in her ex-husband’s fish-
never guess she did not realize she could ing tackle and other supplies. Though the tin
paint or draw until later in life. of watercolors was dirty from age on the out-
“One day I was at Walmart and felt led by side and inside, she said she cleaned it up and
the Holy Spirit to buy a sketchbook,” Con- “sat down and just began to paint.”
nie said, referring to a day in 1993. “When A resident of CMHCF since Dec. 6, 2010,
I finally found them directly across from the Connie uses a sketchbook about the size of
photo albums, I found two sizes and won- a 4-by-6-inch photo to draw and paint. She
dered which size I should buy. The Holy said she uses her Kindle to browse Pinter-
STAFF PHOTO/BECKY BAKER

Spirit instructed me to ‘Buy both of them.’” est to find pictures of beach scenes in Ha-
But when Connie arrived home, she placed waii and other tropical paradise locations to
them in her craft room, promptly forgetting sketch.
about them. She then takes those sketches and paints
And, not until she had already turned 40 with watercolors. Once finished, her daugh-
that September did she ever think about the ter takes some of the originals and enlarges
sketchbooks again. them to 11-by-14-inch prints, which she said
Enjoying her flower beds of pansies, day she has sold to many people.
lilies and nasturtium one day in late sum- See Never, Page 15

Celebrating

69 Years in Business!
Crystal Colbert with Rose Roweton.

ROWETON'S HOME CENTER Formerly Roweton’s Western Auto


Owned and operated by the Roweton Family since 1948
www.rowetonshomecenter.com • www.rowetonappliances.com
NE Corner of the square in Bolivar
326-5611
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Janice Lee and Marie Rush

Proudly Serving
The Ladies of Front Row, left to right: Carolyn Kirklin, Tabetha
Polk County! Fields, Cindy Meyer, Serena Branstetter and Trish
Berry. Back Row: Juley Rice, Nancey Blakey, Julie

Auto Mall
Wade, Jennifer Ross and Richanda McKinley.
Not Pictured: Rita Clay and Cheryl Boyd.

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Fri. 6:00 - 2:00 (Breakfast & Lunch)
3111 S. Springfield Ave. • Bolivar, MO Sat. 6:00 - 11:00 (Breakfast only)
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Wednesday, September 20, 2017 Today’s Woman Page 15

Never From Page 14


“God can give you a gift you never knew you had — and can
turn it on just like that,” she said. “It’s amazing what He can do.”
Likening it to a story in the Bible, Connie began to talk about
how God gifted Moses and the Israelite people with the gift of
working with gold, silver, fine linens and precious stones in the
Old Testament after giving Moses specific plans to build the tab-
ernacle. According to the Bible story in Exodus, even though
Moses wanted to argue with God about his own abilities, God
let Moses know that he had already anointed him and the people
of Israel, who were former slaves, with the gift of working with
the precious metals, fine linens and gems that God called for in
His plans.
A woman of many talents
Connie also spoke of her love for music and playing instru-
ments. When she was just a young girl, her father told her that
she was going to learn to play the organ. After taking lessons, she
learned to read music and also played many instruments, such
as the steel guitar, a 12-string guitar, a baroque flute, dulcimer,
violin, banjo, chantrey, psaltry and a crystal flute, over the years.
“I loved playing the violin,” she said. “The dulcimer was a
STAFF PHOTOS/BECKY BAKER
wonderful experience, and the 12-string guitar is gorgeous and
A resident of CMHCF since Dec. 6, 2010, Connie uses her Kindle to browse Pinterest sounds like a harp.”
to find pictures of beach scenes in Hawaii and other tropical paradise locations to paint. She said she still has many of the instruments in storage, but
one in particular she treasures the most — the dulcimer she
played is one that her father made.
Connie said she had previously done some sewing and count-
ed cross stitch prior to using her painting talents and now has
In dabbled in calligraphy, painting birdhouses and taking enlarged
addition to prints of her paintings and putting on canvas bags.
painting Also, she has used small books to transcribe in calligraphy
paradise full chapters of the Bible, one of which was given to a former
scenes, resident of CMHCF. She shared that she never knew the extent
Connie has of the impact of this scripture book on this lady until one night
dabbled months after the lady’s death, a CNA from a different wing of the
in other facility worked on Connie’s wing. This CNA shared with Connie
art and how much this woman treasured the scripture book, often hold-
craft work, ing it to her heart.
including Breaking into tears when telling the story, Connie said, “You
painting never know how God may use you.”
birdhouses. “Some days I take my notebook (to the sitting area near her
room), and I sit and pray, asking God for ideas,” she said. “He
is so creative, and He gives me so many ideas. ... He is so won-
derful.”

Bolivar Main, Left to Right:


Robin Sawyer, Renay Bunn,
Tania Crawford, Jane Francka,
Robin Woodmansee,
Keisha Reynolds, Annette Sears,
Alyssa Chapman-Altic,
Dorilene Koehler, Melissa
Bruschi, Kaitlyn Painter,
Dianne Lakin. Not Pictured:
Rhonda Cates.

Downtown:
Cindy Stringer, Daniella Carroll,
Courtney Meyer.

1630 S Killingsworth Ave | 111 W Jackson St | Bolivar, MO


417-777-3322 • www.fsbmo.com
505667s
Page 16 Today’s Woman Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Renee
Sagaser FAIR PLAY R-2
SUPERINTENDENT

What advice would you give


other women who are pushing
“beyond boundaries”?

I believe each day we need to


remind ourselves to stay
focused on what really
matters. It’s important
to deal with each and
every issue but make
sure you spend the
majority of the day
dealing with what
really matters.

In general, how
do you overcome
challenges?

Challenges are just


an opportunity to
succeed. I see the
box, and I know the
parameters of the box,
and I value the box. But
I don’t just think outside
of the box, I dance
around the outside of
the box to see what could
happen if we would try…

STAFF PHOTO/LATISHA RUSSELL

We would like to
recognize all of the
hard-working women
of Polk County who
Standing:
do so much to make
Frances Haralson our area a better
place to live, work,
and Amy Bayless.
Seated: Shanie
Kennedy and
Giana Andrews.
and play!
From your
friends at
State Farm,
Giana
Andrews,
Giana Andrews, Agent 417-326-2636 Agent.
930 S. Springfield • Bolivar, MO gianaandrews.com
505762b

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company • Home Office: Bloomington, IL


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