Under the baobab: The women who have distinguished themselves in Happy Valley and beyond

Happy Women’s History Month. America was built on the backbone of its women. I was trained to be a strong and righteous man by the men of my village. I was nurtured to be a caring and responsible human being by the women.

My mother was 16 when I was born. She struggled to keep me alive and hopeful. Like millions of other American women during World War II she worked in factories, drove trucks, and did whatever job was required to save democracy. One of my grandmothers cleaned rich white folks’ houses. My other grandmother ran a blues speakeasy on the Chicago’s Southside. Both were essential to the survival of the nation as are many women today in different capacities.

Dr. Neeli Bendapudi is the first woman and person of color to become president of Penn State. Other women who have distinguished themselves at the university include:

President council members: Kathleen Bieschke, vice provost for faculty affairs; Andrea Dowhower, interim vice president for student affairs; Yvonne Gaudelius, vice president and dean for undergraduate education; Shannon S. Harvey, associate secretary for the board of trustees; Rachel A. Pell, vice president for strategic communications; Jennifer Stedelin, vice president for information technology/chief information officer; Sara Thorndike, senior vice president for finance and business/treasurer; Lora G. Weiss, senior vice president for research; Jennifer R. Wilkes, vice president for human resources and chief human resources officer.

Vice provosts and other vice presidents: Kathleen J. Bieschke, faculty affairs; Kathryn D. R. Drager, graduate education interim; Renata S. Engel, online education; Suzanne C. Adair, associate affirmative action.

Othe deans: Kimberly A. Lawless, College of Education; Marie Hardin, Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications; Danielle Conway, Penn State Dickinson Law (Carlisle); Tracy Langkilde, Eberly College of Science; Laurie Badzek, Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing; Kathryn Drager, The Graduate School; Faye A. Chadwell, University Libraries.

Women who have distinguished themselves locally and politically include Deanna Behring, Janet Engeman and Nalini Krishnankutty, who serve on the State College Borough Council. Centrice Martin serves as Ferguson Township manager and three of five Ferguson supervisors are women: Lisa Strickland, (chair) Patricia Stephens and Laura Dininni. The College Township council has two women serving: Carla Stillson (Chair) and Susan Trainor. Halfmoon Township also has two: Pattie Hartle and Rose Ann Hoover. The Patton Township Board of Supervisors was recently led by Pam Robb. Sita Frederick is the director of the Center for the Performing Arts. Jessica McAllister is the editor of the Centre Daily Times. Associate Dean Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia of the Penn State Law School accepted a presidential appointment as the Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Officer in the Department of Homeland Security.

In the world outside of Happy Valley, Kamala Harris continues to distinguish herself as the country’s vice president. Shalanda Young is the first Black woman to head the U.S. Office of Management. Janet Yellen is the Treasurer. Deb Haaland, Secretary of the Interior, is the first Native American to be named to the Cabinet. There are ten other women on the cabinet level in the administration. Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to serve, joins three other women justices on the U.S. Supreme Court. Maya Angelou became the first Black woman to appear on a U.S. quarter. Ariana DeBose became the first Afro-Latina to win best supporting actress at the Oscars. Two women are in the leadership of the Pennsylvania Legislature: Rep. Joanna McClinton is speaker of the House and Sen. Kim Ward is President Pro Tempore of the Senate. From the dismal foundations of disenfranchisement and secondary citizenship we are finally beginning to tap into our greatest resource, our sisters, mothers, daughters and partners.

This story was originally published March 6, 2023 at 6:00 AM.