“Several years ago, I finally embraced the fact that I’ve lived a charmed life. For 31 years, I’ve been married to a man who still makes me laugh. We’ve been blessed with three incredible children: Joe, Maggie, and Cindy. I’ve been a teacher, a stay-at-home mom, a business woman, a graduate student, a volunteer, a writer, and for a very brief time, a political candidate. I love my rural Boone County life.” What do you think are the biggest challenges for professional women today? As a woman born in the 1950s, the bulk of my challenges have been dealing with male counterparts. I’ve had my head patted by men, my bottom patted by men; I’ve been talked over and underestimated. Conditions have improved, but I still believe the fundamental challenge is overcoming gender. All other challenges (family, balance, salary inequities, etc.) emanate from there.

What is something you wish you could change about your self? I would love to be able to belt out a tune—on key.

Name one thing not many people know about you. I can write cursive in mirror image. When I taught school, I used to write assignments in mirror image on the blackboard just to freak out my students.

What is the best business advice you’ve ever received? Having raised two cowgirls, I’ve learned a great deal from rodeo. We learned early on that:

• Life isn’t fair; get used to it.
• Don’t worry about the things you can’t control.
• When things don’t go your way, you can take your horse to the barn and pout, or cowgirl up and try again.

How would you describe your leadership style? My leadership style is the same as my style of parenting and teaching: I’m extremely fair. I’m extremely consistent. We all obey the agreed upon rules. If not, there are consequences. I am sympathetic but unswerving when meting out consequences.

Has your career path held surprises along the way? You’ve read the papers recently, right?  For me, the gauge of someone’s character is the poise and graciousness with which they accept life’s surprises. I’m hoping others will see it that way too.

What do you do to relax? Nearly anything I do on our farm relaxes me. We have a garden, a lake, a beach (Bondi Beach, we call it), a fishing/swimming dock, woods, wildlife, and creeks. We also have a screened-in porch and walls of windows in the house from which to view it all. What more could you want?

What is one personal goal you haven’t yet achieved? I’m still contemplating earning a PhD. I love being a student.

What is your workplace pet peeve? I’m very laid back and have a high threshold for behaviors that often annoy others in the workplace.  I can adapt to nearly any environment.

Who do you consider a career mentor and why? I can’t name just one. When I came to MU in the mid-1970s, I worked with the pioneers of the movement to heighten the awareness and reduce the incidence of violence against women.  I was trained as a rape crisis counselor and volunteered at our community’s first rape crisis center. That experience forever changed my life. And although it didn’t launch a career in social services or counseling, it made me brave, and shaped the way I treat others and expect to be treated.

What is your dream job? My dream job is to write comedy for late night TV hosts.

What do you hope to be doing in 10 years – personally and professionally? Personally, I’m hoping to have grandchildren in 10 years. Professionally, I imagine I’ll still be writing.

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