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“Women of Influence” in the Lehigh Valley

Top Left to Right: Gloria Domina, Andrea Hemphill, Tracey Saab, Sally Gammon
Front: Pamela Varkony, Deborah Booros, Not shown: Hon. Kimberly McFadden

“Women of Influence” was launched at the Power Of Women Fall Networking Event, in October, 2009, as a way to highlight the many women in our community who are out there making a difference every day. Some names you will recognize, others are less well known but they are no less dedicated to making life better for others. In fact, one nominee received such glowing recommendations from her many supporters that we created an additional category, “Community Service” to recognize her.

Hundreds of votes were cast for the winners, and along with those votes also came the names of many women who are impacting our lives and neighborhoods in positive ways, who did not win. We hope their friends and colleagues will nominate them again next year.

I, along with the Power Of Women Advisory Committee, wish to thank all those, both men and women, who participated in “Women of Influence”, and to express our deep appreciation to our “partners”, Walton Consulting and Lehigh Valley Magazine.

Pamela Varkony
Power Of Women Founder

Winner for Government:

Honorable F.P. Kimberly McFadden, President Judge
Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County

Why she was chosen: bright, honest, fair-minded

During a college organic chemistry course, Kimberly McFadden had an epiphany: A summer internship spent at Scribner Publishing had created a “fork in the road”. After spending afternoons with the original manuscripts of such literary giants as Hemmingway and Fitzgerald, and watching Charles Lindbergh come and go from her boss’s office, Ms. McFadden was off to law school. “My major in French studies showed me how to research and examine text. I knew I could write and I was good at analysis”.

“The first year out of law school was tough” McFadden recalls, but it was made easier because I was clerking for Northampton County Judge Palmer, a wonderful man with a true sense of his role. Then the court had five judges, many of whom still serve. Now the court has nine judges and the former clerk is the first woman to ever hold the position of President Judge.

A “local girl”, born and raised in Limeport, Judge McFadden says she loves to ice skate because “it helps to overcome her fear of falling”. An analogy for the advice she offers to abused women, “You have to not be afraid. Ask for protection and allow people to counsel you through the process. The courts are available to help you.”

Winner for Business:

Andrea Hemphill, Independent Sales Director
Mary Kay, Inc.

Why she was chosen…warm, dependable, encouraging

“Warm and encouraging” are not usually words associated with a woman who is successful in business, but Andrea Hemphill isn’t just in business…she’s trading in futures. Her own future began by taking out student loans to attend the Art Institute of Philadelphia. After graduation, Andrea’s first full-time job, as a commercial interior designer, sounded glamorous, but she says, “I was on the lowest wrung of the ladder, organizing fabric swatches and putting sample boards together. I needed to earn extra money to pay off my loans.”

Andrea’s mother, a fan of Mary Kay cosmetics, suggested she try selling the line part time. “All I knew was that my mother used the products and you could win a pink Cadillac”. I was so afraid to “sell”; I didn’t want to be pushy. Becoming part of the Mark Kay family and philosophy quickly dispelled those feelings. Today, Andrea manages independent sales consultants from Pennsylvania to Florida, and has won eight cars along the way, although they are no longer pink.

“It is a thrill to mentor and coach other women to run successful businesses. When I was younger, life was more about “me”. The older I get, the more life is about the people I can help. When I live life like that, it just keeps getting better.”

Winner for Non-profit Organization

Gloria Domina, Founder
Women in Art in PA

Why she was chosen: strong, compassionate, selfless

The first time you meet Gloria Domina, you’re struck by her wonderful smile. You would never dream that for 25 years she kept a secret from all but her closest friends: Gloria lived in an abusive relationship. As a coping mechanism, she took up art. To her surprise, someone offered to buy one of her paintings. Wanting to help others, she donated the money to a shelter for abused women in Quakertown. Eight years later, Gloria, a registered nurse, is retired and directing WIAIP full time, which may be why the organization has grown to support women’s shelters across the Commonwealth.

“Artists are very generous people” Domina says. Over 35 artists and 55 volunteers contribute to the success of WIAIP and its co-op shop, located in Allentown, where the public can purchase everything from oil paintings to pottery to jewelry, and where “clients” can access an emergency food pantry or receive clothes suitable for re-entering the workforce.

“I didn’t work this hard when I was on the clock” Gloria says, “But I’ve lived these women’s lives. I want to show them there is a way out; they don’t have to stay and be abused. Abusers try to divide and conquer, Women in Art in PA strives to protect and liberate.”

Winner for Education:

Deborah Booros, Dean of Lifelong Learning
DeSales University

Why she was chosen: innovative, accomplished, committed

Deborah Booros had been a practicing dental hygienist for six-teen years when her husband, a golf pro, became manager of the Allentown Municipal Golf course. She quit her job to be near him, taking on the responsibilities of community liaison and event planner. When her husband returned to the PGA Tour, she enrolled in the ACCESS program for adult learning at DeSales for “something to do”.

“It opened up an entire new world for me”, she says. “I gained a new perspective as a woman. I was recognized and accepted by my peers.” Deb became so enamored of education that after receiving her undergraduate degree from DeSales, she went on to earn her Masters at Kutztown, returning to DeSales to work. Since becoming Dean in 2001, Deb has revolutionized the ACCESS program, including doubling the number of courses offered online and establishing virtual collaboration between students and teachers.

As an administrator and a teacher, Deb says she is amazed by the courageous young women she encounters. “They’re holding down full time jobs, going to school, and still trying to make their kids’ baseball games. They understand you have to play the hand you’re given in life. You have to live each day like it’s your last and pursue learning like you’re going to live forever.

Winner for Healthcare:

Sally Gammon, President and CEO Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network

Why she was chosen: visionary, strategic leadership

Growing up, Sally Gammon couldn’t see that many of her life choices were guiding her to the position she holds today: A successful CEO of an organization that under her leadership has grown to 1700 employees and 40 locations. ”Looking back and thinking about how I often encountered resistance and challenges, I now wonder if I had to work harder than the men around me to be successful.”

A self-described “tomboy”, Sally learned about the field of physical therapy and was hooked. She says “It wasn’t exactly one of those fields “promoted” for women, but it was acceptable and fulfilled my predisposition to be active and my desire to help and heal.” It wasn’t long before she was creating ground-breaking cardiac care programs and moving into administration.

Since taking the helm at Good Shepherd in 1997, Gammon has formed a partnership with the University of Pennsylvania and increased annual patients served from 10,000 to 56,000. Sally shares the success of Good Shepherd with the “great people” surrounding her, “I work with the best of the best. People who come here are committed to the core values of compassion and caring established by the Raker family. Leadership is not always easy, but by using the best minds around me, we get results.”

Winner for Community Service:

Tracey Saab, Founder, Community Warriors

Why she was chosen: enthusiastic, dedicated, driven

Tracey Saab describes her organization as a “grassroots effort to help children and families in the community”. Writing on community warriors.com, Tracey says, “the name came to me when I was thinking about how to describe a group of people who will stop at nothing to do what they are able to do to help those in need! I feel this is my purpose and I hope to keep reinventing ways to help others as long as I am able!”

Inspired by the birth of their daughter, Eva Grace, in 2007, Tracey and her husband, Fred, began their charitable efforts that year by collecting $5,000 in books, toys, and gift cards which they donated to Pediatric Specialty Care Center at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg. The volunteers of Community Warriors continue to support pediatric causes as well as to meet other Valley-wide charitable needs.

As a wife, mother, and co-owner of TSM Recycling, Tracey embodies the spirit of today’s multi-tasking woman, “In between taking care of customers, I update the company website, and I often bring Eva Grace to work with me. I leave at 2:00 to focus on Community Warriors, which is my passion. I believe everyone can make a difference; it’s not about money, it’s about dedication, time, and smiles.”