Sharon Brewer, Bad Axe BPW

 Sharon first learned about BPW when planning a Reality Store for the Special Education students of Huron County.  Sharon was so impressed with the program and the women who operated it, that she considered joining BPW.  After retiring from her position with Huron Intermediate School District, Sharon became a BPW member so she could be more involved with the Reality Store.  She is currently serving as President.

After a divorce, Sharon pursued her college education in order to support herself and her children.  She had been a Day Care worker for several years before returning to Delta College enrolling in the Child Care Curriculum.  Her instructors encouraged her to get her four year degree in education. With two small children, she enrolled in the school of education at CMU.   While substitute teaching she discovered  her calling was to work with children with disabilities and completed her studies in Special Education.  She spent the next 20 years at the Huron Intermediate School District teaching and holding the position of Transition Specialist.

Sharon continues to be involved in programs who support programs for children with special needs. Her favorite is the Special Olympics where she coaches, volunteers and serves on their executive board.  She is on the RICC committee, an organization that supports people with disabilities make life choices; and a board member of Directors at Thumb Industries who provide work opportunities for persons of disabilities. Sharon is the church clerk and maintenance engineer at Calvary Baptist Church of Bad Axe.

She enjoys spending time with her two children and eight grandchildren.  Sharon’s favorite saying is: “It is a good thing that I have retired because I don’t have time to work anymore.” Sharon is truly a “Shining Star.”

 Marci Browne, Alma Area BPW

  Marci, a licensed real estate broker, opened her own office “America’s Choice Realty” in Ithaca in 2007.  In St Louis where she opened her first office in 2003, she was also a member of Middle of the Mitten Committee and the Downtown Development. She has served on the Grievance Committee, the Pro Standards Committee and currently is serving on the board of directors for Central Michigan Board of Realtors. For 18 years prior to becoming a realtor, Marci had been a bookkeeper and business manager for a GM Dealership. 

Since joining BPW in 2004, she has worked at the Reality Store, helped with  BPW’s Highway Pickup, helped at Women’s Aid Shelter and has been a business sponsor for the Young Careerist event.  For the past two years she has served as a Co-Chair for the Princess Ball which is Alma Area’s largest fund raiser. 

Currently Marci is a member of the Ithaca Rotary Club, the Ithaca Downtown Development and chair person for the Ithaca Promotions ambassador of Gratiot County Chamber.  For the past 10 years she has been really active with the Gratiot Relay for Life either as a team member or organizing a team.

Marci is married to Mike, a retired General Motors electrician.  They have two children and two grandchildren. Marci is a busy lady from the middle of the mitten. She is truly a Woman of Achievement and a “Shining Star.”  

 Nancy Herber, Port Huron BPW
She is a 5 year member of BPW.  Nancy has been the Corresponding Secretary for the past two years. Nancy has been active in many areas of the clubs fundraising as well as being on our reservation call committee. 

Nancy is a recent retiree from the Post Office, a job she held for 30 years. While working she received several awards and recognitions for her dedicated efforts within various departments.

 While her children were in school, she was very active in their school activities and after school events by being a room mom, team mom and den mom.  She enjoyed being a member of various groups some of which she also became their secretary or treasurer.  She has been active in her church for many years and is currently on Church Council. She belongs to Heart Works and enjoys helping assist in a Brownie/Girl Scout Troop. She enjoys reading, learning to knit, increasing her computer skills and gardening. 

Nancy has been married to Scott for 36 years and has two children, Beverly, who is a speech pathologist and Scott who is a counselor. She has 4 grandchildren and is involved with them on a regular basis. Since she is retired, “she doesn’t know what else life will bring her way, but plans to stay  involved with many different activities.”

Linda Schaub, Jackson BPW

While President of the Jackson BPW, Linda arranged to have one meeting a month be dedicated to legislation and political action in Michigan and in the community.  Candidates for office were invited to speak about issues related to both the state legislature and US legislature.

She is actively involved in events that benefit the Aware Shelter which helps make services available to women in crisis. She is Vice Chair of S. Central Chapter of the American Red Cross, and Executive Director of Development for Spring Arbor University.  

As the immediate Past President of the Jackson BPW and with her work at Spring Arbor University, she states her goals as “I’m just like every other working woman trying to make a meaningful contribution through my work and constantly working to find some kind of life-balance so that my family also considers me a successful wife, mom and grandmother.”

Linda has been a member of BPW for 5 years.  This has opened many opportunities and avenues for her assisting in mentoring younger women, involving herself in the community with activities that impact women, serving as an advocate for working women and families of the Jackson community and providing leadership skills for others in the organization.

Melanie White, Elk Rapids BPW
Melanie has been a BPW member for about three years.  She has served as treasurer and is currently the Vice President.  She headed the Scrapbook Committee which won the Anna Howard Shaw award last year.  She has been on the Scholarship Committee, helped at the Reality Store and the Fish Pond.  She always is ready to help when she is called upon.

Melanie has been a member of the Elk Rapids Order of Eastern Star.  She served two years as Worthy Matron and has held an office every year.  She is also a member of the Elk Rapids Lions Club, serving as a board member for two years and presently is the membership chairperson.

Melanie is continuing her education through the College Network. Her first goal is to get an associate degree in Nursing and then a bachelor of science in Nursing.  She has been a Licensed Practical Nurse for 22 years working in long term care, acute care and in physician’s offices.  She is currently back to long term care at the Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility in Bellaire.  She said, “I have loved all of my nursing positions and continue to love what I do.”

She and her brother bought a house in Central Lake as an investment. They plan to restore the house and rent or sell it when the market improves.  She has two “outstanding” children.  Her son is currently employed with CC Power and her daughter is a senior at William Woods University.  She has one grandchild, Jake, who is entering the first grade this year.  She says, “he is the coolest.”
Elk Rapids is proud to name Melanie White as our Woman of Achievement.

Patricia Willis, Harriet A. Myer BPW

Pat is principal owner of Willis & Machnik Financial Services, LLC, a full service investment firm in Jackson, Michigan. 

She has been Harriet A Myer BPW’s treasurer for the past two years, and members know when she is in the room that discussion and action will certainly be evident.  She has been a mentor of many women over the years, always on the quiet, that most do not know about but the person she is mentoring.

An active member of the Jackson community, Pat has had significant involvement with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, Ella Sharp Museum, the local chapter of the American Red Cross, the Michigan Theatre and President of the Board of the Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce where she instituted several mayor award programs that recognized women.  A past recipient of the Athena award, she has also been recognized in the community in a number of other ways.

With pride, we salute our member Pat Willis as our Woman of Achievement for 2009 and a real “Star who Shines.”

Brenda Selle, Monroe BPW 

Brenda joined BPW, she has jumped right in with enthusiasm and great new ideas.  She agreed to be a Vice President for the chapter, and co-chaired several events that drew up to 50 participants and resulted in growth in the chapter’s membership.  Brenda is an Arbonne Independent Consultant and a Life Coach. She has provided her business products for BPW events.

Brenda is an avid supporter of women, and is a Stephen Minister which allows her to assist women on a one-on-one basis. Her Life Coaching is also focused on helping women in the community remove obstacles to their success.  She is a great example of women supporting women, and a positive role model for BPW and a Star who Shines.