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© 2017 BOLIVAR HERALD-FREE PRESS
Amanda Sargent
Fly this girl as high as you can
Becky Keith
From daydream to reality
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
335 S. Springfield
Bolivar, MO
FLY
“As a female pilot, you have to prove
you deserve respect versus just putting on the
uniform and demanding respect.”
AS YOU CAN
Amanda, pictured in 2010, flies over
Seattle during her time as a scenic
tour helicopter pilot.
CONTRIBUTED 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.
Garretson Trash Service, LLC has been We have an office here in Bolivar and our
1117 S. Lillian
providing residential and commercial Bolivar, MO 65613 customer service team is ready to help in
trash service in the Bolivar area since 417-326-7507 any way we can to fit your needs. Lynn
1950. We strive to give quality service garretsontrash@gmail.com Brown, Leah Lehman, and Christy Taylor
garretsontrashservice.com
at a fair price. We are a family-owned are your customer service representatives
local business spanning 3 generations. Office & Yard Hours and are available during office hours listed
We appreciate the opportunity to serve Monday-Friday 7am-5pm to the left. If you need assistance, please
our community’s waste removal needs! Saturday 8am-12pm give us a call - we are ready to accommodate!
Meilani INSTRUCTOR OF
COMPUTER AND
They are simply learning opportunities
to prepare you for the next step; keep
OPTOMETRISTs
626 S. Springfield Ave. | Bolivar, MO 65613
BILL ROBERTS
Next to Woods Supermarket 800-213.BILL • BOLIVAR
Phone 417-326-6001 | Fax 417-326-6002 billrobertschevrolet.com
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Page 8 Today’s Woman Wednesday, September 20, 2017
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.”
Paula Silverest
417-225-0827
paula@j-s-realty.com
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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
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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
Your Local
Real Estate
Experts
Please call and let one of the ladies
from Hubbert Realty assist you with
all your Real Estate needs!
Paula Hubbert Ethel Mae Tennis Kim Scowden
HubbertRealty.com 417-399-5360 417-327-3220 417- 234-7392
Marie Havens Mary Gregory Rebecca Duncan
417-327-320 417-380-6403 417-399-2501
1022 W. Broadway, Bolivar
505605s
MLS
Wednesday, September 20, 2017 Today’s Woman Page 11
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
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
A Salute to the
Women of
Southwest
Electric Coop!
Southwest Electric Front Row L-R: Anita Ellis, Heather Fitch, Sandy Duffield, Patty Jones, Mattelyn Arthur, Michelle Woods
Back Row L-R: Terri Cloyd, Deborah Coble, Janice Walker, Cindy Young, Barb Haynes, Myrla Hall, Leslie Cantrell, Carol Hancock
Cooperative
800-262-0326 ~ www.swec.coop
505608s
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.
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Neverlate
Page 14 Today’s Woman Wednesday, September 20, 2017
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.
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.
Downtown:
Cindy Stringer, Daniella Carroll,
Courtney Meyer.
Renee
Sagaser FAIR PLAY R-2
SUPERINTENDENT
In general, how
do you overcome
challenges?
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
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