YWCA recognizes women of distinction

Kris Nolan Brown, CEO of Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraska, was named as the YWCA's 2015 Woman of Distinction during a Thursday evening banquet that recognized women's accomplishments throughout Grand Island.

In an evening that included both laughter and tears, Mary Berlie, the executive vice president of the Economic Development Corporation was honored as the YWCA's 2015 Young Woman of Achievement.

Becky Pauly, a home visitor for the Head Start program, was honored as the YWCA's 2015 Woman of Courage.

Brown was recognized for working at Goodwill for 36 years, including 30 years at the CEO of Goodwill of Greater Nebraska, and credited with taking an organization that served 22 people at its inception to one that now serves more than 1,000 people each year "in a rural area spanning 55 counties with a population of just over 464,000."

She also was credited with being the head of an organization that helps people with disabilities or barriers achieve success through the use of Goodwill services that address mental health needs, barriers to employment, developmental disabilities and homelessness.

Brown's leadership was cited for helping Goodwill of Greater Nebraska's retail operations thrive, with more than 674,000 customers served in 2014 and 18 million pounds of donations that were collected to be sold and recycled. The dollars raised from those donations provided services for more than 1,000 people.

"I am honored," said Brown, after she took the podium to receive her award. With so many other notable woman also considered for the 2015 Woman of Distinction, Brown said, it was a privilege just to have been nominated herself. "I want to thank the employees of Goodwill," Brown said. "You are the ones who have made what we do happen."

She also thanked the support of her family. "I have been lucky in my family and blessed in my work," Brown said.

Melissa DeLaet, the YWCA's 2014 Young Woman of Achievement, read Berlie's nomination by Randy Gard, the past president of the Economic Development Corporation, one of three nominations she received.

"As president of the Economic Development Corporation, having a strong team is a crucial component in attracting new businesses to our community," he wrote. "Mary was my executive assistant and in that position, she must have superior communication skills, organizational abilities and human resource charisma that must be second to none. Mary has all these traits and more."

His nomination said that Berlie stands out for her age demographic in Grand Island, noting, "It doesn't get any better than Mary Berlie."

"Holy smoke!" exclaimed Berlie when she took the podium, drawing a laugh from the audience. Berlie thanked a number of people for helping her achieve her success. She also lauded the positive impact the YWCA has on the community, including its impact not only on women, but on children.

Berlie said the work of the YWCA — which has the motto of "Eliminating racism, empowering women" — not only will have a positive impact on little girls as they grow into adulthood, but also on little boys as they become adults.

Pauly was recognized as the YWCA's 2015 Woman of Courage because of all she has overcome in her life. Past Woman of Courage recipient Brook Sautter noted that Sautter lost her mother when she was just 24 years old. She also lost a close companion to suicide.

Sautter said that Pauly, a single mom, started working part time as a paraeducator at Head Start. Pauly decided to return to school to earn her AAS, or associate of applied science degree, in early childhood education.

Pauly became employed full time by Head Start even as she was completing her degree. After earning her degree, Pauly first became a lead teacher with Head Start before becoming a home visitor for the program.

Sautter noted that Pauly was approached by Nebraska's Child Protective Services to assume guardianship for a young lady named Mikayla in order to keep her from entering the state's foster care system.

Sautter noted that all Pauly's daughters, Baylie, Brianna and Mikayla, praise her for her courage. In addition to caring for daughters, Pauly also cares for her father, who has cancer, by handling his finances and making sure he gets to his chemotherapy appointments. In addition, Pauly has power of attorney responsibilities for her brother, who also needs her help.

Pauly's voice was tearful when she took the podium. "I wasn't expecting this," said Pauly, who went how to talk about how much her family, especially her daughters, mean to her. "I love you all," she said.

While singling out three women for special recognition on Thursday, the YWCA decided to publicly recognize all nominees for all the contributions they make to Grand Island.

Consequently, Marcy Fedde, JC Penny store leader, and a two-time breast cancer survivors was honored for the encouragement she gives to others. Connie Hameloth, oncology outreach coordinator for CHI Health St. Francis, who also has overcome cancer more than once, was similarly recognized. Both were nominated for 2015 Woman of Courage.

Dawn Taylor, managing partner for Eakes Office Solutions; Gloria Thesenvitz, president and co-founder of Nova-Tech; Carolyn Weidner, HR director at Hornady Manufacturing, Lynne Werner, director and trust officer of Wealth Management Group at First National Bank; Tonja Broadwell Brown, human resources for Kelly Supply Company; Lisa Brown-Olsen, who works with the Language Project and immigrant families; Jan Cook, retired educator, UNK adjunct professor and community volunteer; Dana Jelinek, executive director for grand Island Area Habitat for Humanity; and Diann Muhlbach, who has volunteered for many community organizations, were all recognized for being nominated for 2015 Woman of Distinction.