Whilst listening to a podcast about yet another possibly innocent person (Letters From Sing Sing, first episode) convicted of murder, I heard an advertisement for a podcast featuring strong women. March, it seems, is Women's History Month. It kinda seems like all year should be filled with Women's History, but that's an argument for a different day. 😊
I was cleaning our bathroom as I listened to that podcast. I'd been meaning clean for several days, but waited until I was "in the mood". Podcasts make perfect company for cleaning! I began thinking back about the many strong, smart, talented women I've been privileged to work with during my employment years.
Co-workers, supervisors, and contractors:
-at my very first "real" job, as office manager at Gamble Robinson, a grocery wholesaler in Sioux Falls, SD. Nancy, the person who'd been the office manager suffered a stroke at age 33. She was out indefinitely. It was an office of four women, not including me. I didn't have the first idea about how to be an office manager I was fortunate that Karen was the go-to for training. She was understandably a bit pissy when they brought a no-nothing college girl in to be the top office dog. Nancy was a formidable wife, mother, and great worker. It took me a while, but I won Karen and the crew over by treating them with respect. When I eventually left the Sioux Falls Office, Karen took over as Office Manager. Thanks, Karen!
-From Sioux Falls, I moved up (down) to the Omaha Branch of Gamble Robinson, located in the Old Market. There I met three totally different strong women. Netta was a large passionate Italian mother/wife - picture puffy black hair and lots of makeup. Lila was a chainsmoking lesbian - a bit cranky until I pierced her crabby defenses. She called me "Kid". And Pat, the personal secretary to the division chief. Pat was a Creston native, a stately older woman (probably all of 55 😏). Those three taught me a great deal. You are not forgotten, ladies!
-When Paul and I were married in 1982, women from both of my former offices attended. The friendship was strong! Paul and I moved to Osage for his job. I eventually landed a local job at Fox River Mills - a sock and glove manufacturer in town. My experience using an IBM System 36 computer teamed me up with Karla, the original computer department of one. The two of us were charged with managing data and entering orders by hand. Karla - who still works there - taught me a lot. There were lots of great female co-workers - so good at their jobs at the awesome Fox River.
-When we moved to Creston in 1986, I finally landed a job at First National Bank in bookkeeping in March of 1987. There I learned how to pronounce each strange family name while stuffing statements into envelopes, and preparing them for mailing. (Ripperger is pronounced Reebarger) Sandy, Cathy, and Pam were great coworkers. Eventually, I was promoted to loan clerk and had my own little cubby-hole desk upstairs. There I got to better know Sharon - the marketing director and Lamona, the only female loan officer. Syd and Barb were in customer service out front - helping people with account needs. Artie was the chief teller with a dedicated team around her. Eventually, a new girl was hired fresh out of college. Julie is now the bank president! The bank was full of strong excellent women.
-My next job in an office/co-worker setting was in the mid-1990s at Gits Manufacturing where I was a product manager. This was the most challenging job of my career. Purchasing and manufacturing lead times (how long it took to procure or manufacture) were over a year at times. Jeanie and Cynthia helped train (and counsel) me through the ups and downs. We had some good times in a little office amid each manufacturing process. Twins Tracy and Toni were also fun to work with. We're all still Facebook pals.
-After two grueling years at GITS, I saw an advertisement in the local paper - looking to hire a Recycling Educator for three counties. This is easily my favorite ever job. At my first trash conference I met three amazing women - Susan, Barb and Pam were peers doing similar jobs. We met periodically to share resources and support. They meant the world to me.
I was an office of one - located in Creston's Restored Depot home of City Offices and the city congregate mealsite. Judy was the Creston City Clerk - and the brains of the operation. My grant-funded was managed and paid for by the county - so several times a week I hiked a couple of blocks over to the Union County Auditor's office. There I reunited with Sandy (former bank pal) who was now the elected Auditor. Her team was great to work with - Angie and Joanie. I also got to know the treasurer, Linda, and the recorder, Paula with their staffs. Friendly and top-notch!
-After the grant ran out, I was promoted to Landfill/Recycling manager. My office moved to the Union County Landfill where I worked with dedicated scale operators - all women. Marie, Carolyn, and Beth all were wonderful with customers, so kind and efficient. There was one woman I won't name who the contractor fired after she threatened me. She didn't like the new office with my oversite and told me she had a gun and knew how to use it. Scary! Good thing, Christine, a young female environmental consultant attended monthly board meetings and partnered with me in managing the joint!
-Nealy ten years later, I was hired for the career job I'd been dreaming of at the Department of Natural Resources. By then I was age 50, no longer a "kid". At DNR I met and appreciated so many excellent female co-workers. Traveling together for program audits and visits was a highlight. Becky, Angie, Amy, and my supervisor Jen were the women I worked with the most. I must not forget about fab external program partners - Shelly, Mary, and Kathleen. They are all excellent and dedicated public servants. I miss them but enjoy following their family escapades on social media.
I've likely forgotten to name some of the office women I was blessed to work with. And there are a few that, though they didn't threaten me with a gun, weren't my favorites. I'm sure I make that list for some. Some people - men and women - live for the drama. It's not my thing.
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| What I looked like at the end of my work days |
While writing this blog I was thinking of the new normal. Many people no longer work in an office setting. I loved the one day a week I was able to telework when employed by the State of Iowa. But I never considered doing that more than 2 days a week. I'm not sure how well I'd get to know co-workers without frequent in-person contact. I believe employers need to find ways to build teams and for strong employees to mentor others. It's a changing work world - they'll figure it out! Because there are so many strong, smart women in charge.
