VANCOUVER, Wash. – Washington State University Vancouver will celebrate women who have made a difference for others at its annual Women of Distinction event. The celebration and reception begin at 6 p.m. March 31 in Firstenburg Student Commons. The event is free and open to all registered guests. To RSVP and get a parking permit, visit .
Keynote speaker Diane Gregerson Bowe serves as board chair for Seattle-based One By One, which works to end obstetric fistula. She joined the board in 2012 after returning from living abroad in Tanzania.
Obstetric fistula affects more than two million women and girls living in poverty in the developing world. It occurs when a woman’s childbirth is obstructed and she cannot access medical help. Prolonged labor leaves the mother with a hole to her bladder or rectum through which she leaks urine, and sometimes feces, for the rest of her life. Fistula sufferers are frequently pushed to the edges of society, unable to board a bus, enter a hospital, pray communally or share a meal with others. Gregerson Bowe will share her passion for safe childbirth for all women and ending obstetric fistula.
All Women of Distinction nominees for the 2016 awards will be recognized for inspiring, mentoring and empowering others. The three Distinguished Woman awards to be announced at the event—high school student, Â鶹´«Ã½ student and community member—are selected by community and Â鶹´«Ã½ representatives.
High School Nominees
Makena Kerr is a senior at Fort Vancouver High School. She volunteers her time in Peru for Faces Foundation Portland, coaches a special-abilities gymnastics team and is a competitive gymnast.
Kiana Rahni is a senior at Union High School. She is active with her school’s speech and debate, Future Business Leaders of America and DECA chapters.
Kylie Sahota is a sophomore at Battle Ground High School. A dedicated student, she is involved in her school and community, and aspires for a biology-related career, possibly as a veterinarian.
Â鶹´«Ã½ Student Nominees
Eli Campbell is a junior majoring in creative media and digital culture. Campbell is passionate about equity access for all, student life, women’s history and technology.
Allison deVincenzi is a doctoral student in mathematics and science education and a teaching and research assistant for the College of Education. Her goal is to make mathematics accessible and enjoyable for all students.
Rachel Faulkner is a senior finance major. Through leadership in clubs, student government and on-campus jobs, she strives to make campus a great place for everyone.
Kourtney Foley is a senior majoring in earth and environmental science. She volunteers in the Molecular Biology Lab and with the Collective for Social and Environmental Justice.
Diana Fronko-Larson is a junior studying human development. She is piloting a music program for youth at Clark County Juvenile Court. In 2007 she received the City of Vancouver Community Inspiration award for inspiring young people in the arts.
Dustina Haase-Lanier is a senior majoring in social sciences. She is a social justice fighter, and has been a domestic violence and sexual assault advocate for 15 years.
Jasmine Rucker is a junior studying human resources. She is director of public relations for Black People United, an Impact Volunteer and a member of the campus HR Society.
Kirsten Turnquist Fanning is a senior majoring in management information systems. She volunteers with Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, PTA and Salmon Creek Little League.
Inna VanMatre is a freshman studying environmental science. She worked with the Election Board at Â鶹´«Ã½ this year and expects to continue working in student government.
Emily Vis is a senior majoring in business administration with a marketing focus. She helps current and future Cougs connect with the WSU community.
Jan Yochim a senior majoring in public affairs. Her passions are working with at-risk youth, research and K-12 education policy.
Community Member Nominees
Katie Archer is a political consultant, licensed attorney and owner of Archer Public Affairs. She mentors young people interested in politics and regularly volunteers her professional services.
Sherri Bennett has worked at YWCA Clark County for 18 years and is currently executive director. She says her personal values align with those of her employer: to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
Melissa Boles is an academic adviser at Clark College. Boles holds positions in the local Democratic Party, and was honored as Young Democrat of the Year in 2016.
Peggy Carlson is the district liaison for Students in Transition for Evergreen Public Schools. She coordinates services and provides support to students and families facing homelessness.
Jill Dutchess is the principal at Daybreak Primary School in Battle Ground, Wash. She works with staff and parents to help students become positive and productive members of the community.
Kris Henriksen is program coordinator for Clark County’s TeenTalk Program. She also coordinates Challenge Day events, gives classroom presentations on mental health and teaches youth mental health first aid courses.
Carol Hsu is an engineering professor at Clark College who teaches and advises students regarding academics, transfer schools and careers. She volunteers for outreach activities through the NERD Girls to encourage kids to study in the STEM fields.
Jackie Hull is a probation officer for Clark County juvenile court with a passion for helping young people turn troubled lives around. She is known for her work with those in the detention system, and she lectures and trains others to help as well.
Kim McDougall is a program coordinator in Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s Cougar Center. Her main goal at work is to help students reach their goals.
Michelle McIlvoy is director of student development at Â鶹´«Ã½. She has worked on campus for eight years and has been a student affairs professional for more than 15. Her life passion is to empower and mentor others.
Sarah Mocas is a senior instructor in computer science at Â鶹´«Ã½. She strives to enable young women to reach their potential in the demanding field of computer science.
Cindy Morical is the student success coordinator in Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s Student Resource Center. Through her advising work, she strives to empower students to find their purpose and fulfill their potential.
Mary Nolan is a grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She is a cancer survivor, loves God and her family, gardening and crafts.
Connie Osborne is a licensed medical hypnotherapist with a degree in educational counseling. For her work with cancer patients, she received honorable mention in 2015 for the Public Health Community Award.
Lydia Ranger began teaching in 2015 after working in the financial industry. She finds that teaching enables her to share knowledge and tools that can be used throughout life.
Monica Stonier is a teacher and instructional coach at Pacific Middle School. She served as a state representative and is running for re-election. She believes in setting an example for her own children and young women in Clark County.
D’Alene White is a probation counselor at Clark County Juvenile Court. She says she appreciates the opportunity her job gives her to impact young people’s lives in a positive way by helping them become successful adults and community members.
Liliya Yefimov is a student financial services advisor at Â鶹´«Ã½. She enjoys helping students navigate the complexities of financial aid and go on to graduate.
About Â鶹´«Ã½
Â鶹´«Ã½ is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave. in Vancouver, east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205, or via C-Tran bus service.
As one of four campuses of the Washington State University system, Â鶹´«Ã½ offers big-school resources in a small-school environment. The university provides affordable, high-quality baccalaureate- and graduate-level education to benefit the people and communities it serves. As the only four-year research university in Southwest Washington, Â鶹´«Ã½ helps drive economic growth through relationships with local businesses and industries, schools and nonprofit organizations.
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MEDIA CONTACT(S)
Nikki Hinshaw, Office of Student Involvement, 360-546-9465, nikki_hinshaw@wsu.edu
Brenda Alling, Office of Marketing and Communications, 360-546-9601, brenda_alling@wsu.edu