Happy Women's History Month from the Inclusion Diversity Equity & Action (IDEA) Team! This month we spoke with several of our hardworking, powerful, and incredible staff members from across our organization and asked them what Women’s History Month means to them, and to also reflect on women in their life who have inspired them along the way. We have so many impressive female-identifying staff working at Encompass, and we are so excited to spotlight a few! At Encompass, we know the power of women, so please join us in celebrating and recognizing the amazing women in our lives- and those who paved the way for us today!
Thank you to Jillian, Ricki Lee, Michaela, and Veronica for participating in this feature, we are so excited to learn more about you all!
Jillian R., Adult SUD Residential Manager of Clinical Services
Q: What does Women's History Month mean to you personally, and how do you celebrate and honor the women who have shaped your life?
Jillian: Women’s History Month is a time for me to reflect on the women who have paved the way for me to have a voice. I acknowledge that it hasn’t always been acceptable for us to follow our passion and power throughout history. Because of those who courageously spoke up for what they believed in before my time, my voice is able to be heard today.
Q: Can you share a story about a woman in your life or in the community who has inspired you or influenced you, and how has she impacted your perspective?
Jillian: As I grew into who I wanted to become, the lineage of women on my mother’s side greatly influenced me. My mother came from generations of women whose purpose was to provide for underserved communities. I grew up on stories of the women in my family fighting for the equality and humanity of others. My mother has told me stories of her train-hopping to get supplies to various reservations, and about her grandmother who helped start a school for children who would not otherwise have access to one. When I was young, I watched my mother believe in people who needed second chances without effort and without expectations. She would tell me, “sometimes all someone needs to do better is someone to believe that they can.” She showed everyone grace because that is what all humans deserve. More importantly, my mother and my grandmother took action for something they believed in and I aspire to do the same.
Ricki Lee S., Program Manager, ALTO Adult Outpatient SUD Treatment & Counseling
Q: What does Women's History Month mean to you personally, and how do you celebrate and honor the women who have shaped your life?
Ricki Lee: This month has historically been an opportunity to learn about and acknowledge the impact that women have had on our societal development, as well as revel in the power of womanhood. As I’ve gotten older, I recognize the importance of discussing intersectionality, inequity and rights development around wages, professional roles, and reproduction, the fight for trans women’s rights, and the need for our country to develop and evolve more for W.O.C. I love talking to younger generations about their perception of female-identifying people and hearing them discuss estrogen as a superpower, body positivity, and lifting all women’s voices up.
Q: Can you share a story about a woman in your life or in the community who has inspired you or influenced you, and how has she impacted your perspective?
Ricki Lee: I’m going to have to name one of my Encompass colleagues: Bernadette F. Bernadette hired me for the Alto Outpatient program and gave me such encouragement and compassionate supervision that I was able to develop academically, professionally, and personally in ways I never thought possible before working under her. She was organized, instructing, and formidable, though she maintained kindness, humor, and grace throughout our time working together.
I learned from Bernadette what professional boundaries look like, how to integrate my personality traits into my clinical provision, and how to advocate for myself. Watching her lead as a woman in power fostered the belief in myself that I could do the same: be a leader without suppressing the gifts I gained as a woman in the world.
Michaela F., YHDP Case Manager, Transition Age Youth (TAY) program
Q: What does Women's History Month mean to you personally, and how do you celebrate and honor the women who have shaped your life?
Michaela: Women’s History Month means taking some time to reflect on my life and the women who have carried me, literally and metaphorically. I have been blessed to have always been surrounded by women who are unabashedly themselves, always seeking to further explore their femininity and the power that comes with a womb, rather than focusing on what we are limited to do or be in a patriarchal system. Women's History Month for me is a time to be mindful of this gratitude for the women who are in my life and those who came before me. I can manifest and honor their influence by taking care of my own body, listening to its ebbs and flows, and also by continuing to encourage other female identifying persons around me to embrace the beauty of what it means to be a woman.
Q: Can you share a story about a woman in your life or in the community who has inspired you or influenced you, and how has she impacted your perspective?
Michaela: I would like to share a story about my roommates, Angela and Victoria. Living in a household of three women creates a powerful web of support, intertwined with wisdom, guidance, and love. They have taught me how to listen to my body, and that those assigned female at birth operate on a cyclical pattern, a non-linear path that can be leaned into and learned from when followed. They inspire me daily to be empowered in my body and stay connected to the earth, which just so happens to also operate cyclically! My perspective will be forever changed, knowing and recognizing that as a woman I am deeply connected to the circle of life.
Veronica T. G., Program Assistant III, Si Se Puede Residential Treatment Center
Q: What does Women's History Month mean to you personally, and how do you celebrate and honor the women who have shaped your life?
Veronica: Women’s History Month represents a special moment to celebrate all women- especially the ones before me who supported and set a pathway for progress and success. I celebrate and honor the women in my family by continuing to encourage, motivate, and empower all of the women in my family. I feel it’s important to continue to uplift each other. I find that empowering each other is the key to maintaining positive influential changes.
Q: Can you share a story about a woman in your life or in the community who has inspired you or influenced you, and how has she impacted your perspective?
Veronica: The first person that comes to mind when sharing a story about a woman in my life that has inspired and influenced me would be Alice Florio. She was my very first mentor, and boy did the stars ever choose a good one for me. I was in my very early 20’s when I met her. She taught me to always be humble, to always lend a helping hand, and to never lose the “yes I can” attitude. I hold those teachings near and dear to my heart. She was much older than me and she taught me that youth is only around for a moment, and one day I would be the one needing “extra help”. As that time starts to get closer, I catch myself reflecting on her words. Her words and teachings are what I continue to pass to my daughters. Seeing my girls grow up to be independent strong women makes me feel proud to be a woman because we can do it all, too.
Thank you, Jillian, Ricki Lee, Michaela, and Veronica, for sharing your thoughts and influences. You are all shining examples of strong, compassionate women for other women to emulate in our organization.
We hope you will take time to reflect and learn this month, and recognize the importance of the countless women whose contributions have shaped our world. Through their dedication, perseverance, and unwavering commitment, they inspire us to continue the journey toward a more inclusive and equitable society for all.