Sharing their stories at the Powerful Women’s Conference are (l to r) Nicole Stanton, Dr. Duka Anokye, Isola Jones and MaryLynn Mack.
Story and photo by Floyd Alvin Galloway
One word can describe the eighth annual Positively Powerful Women’s award luncheon, phenomenal! The awards program, founded by Dr. Joel Martin, an international trainer, speaker and coach; has grown to a new level this year. Held at the Ritz Carlton Phoenix on June 6, this year the program evolved into, not only the luncheon, but a leadership conference featuring an array nationally and internationally presenters.
During the awards program six women were recognized for their outstanding contributions in community and career tracks.
The 2015 Positively Powerful Woman awardees were: Nicole Stanton, Phoenix first lady and partner at Quarles & Brady; Isola Jones, internationally recognized mezzo-soprano; MaryLynn Mack, deputy director at Desert Botanical Garden; Bonnie Lucas, president/CEO, Law Enforcement Specialists, Inc.; Dr. Duku Anokye, director of International Initiatives for the ASU New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences; and Rev. Delphine Rodriquez, minister and educator.
“(These women) have made tremendous achievements professionally and personally and their contributions have made a positive impact in their communities… The 2015 class of honorees is an exceptional and talented group,” said Dr. Martin.
The women shared inspiring stories of how they overcame the many challenges that life can throw at you, from being raised on the reservation in extreme poverty, being raised by grandparents, balancing career, political life and family life. These women have faced the challenges and overcame them. They noted that road wasn’t easy and had some pitfalls but with perseverance they achieved their dreams. The honorees participated in a unique dialog on the topic “The New Feminism” moderated by Terri Ouellette of ABC 15’s Sonoran Living.
Above left to right are emcee Terri Ouellette, MaryLynn Mack, Rev. Delphine Rodriguez, Dr. Joel Martin, Bonnie Lucas, Isola Jones and Dr. Akua Duku Aokye. Inset at right is special guest and presenter Dr. George Fraser.
In Dr. Martin’s keynote address she also noted the challenges she faced in corporate America, as woman, and Black woman. Those challenges gave her the inspiration to create the Positively Powerful program. Martin, the president, Triad West Inc., said she was pissed. “In my ‘pissdomism’ came the vision of the Positively Powerful Women’s awards luncheon, there is much that we can accomplish by working together,” said Dr. Martin.
This vision was a way to give women a way to collaborate, celebrate the accomplishments of women and to inspire them to live their dreams. The morning and afternoon workshops provided the vehicles for the vision to take place. Conference speakers included Rev. Dr. Helen Hunt, Deborah Bateman, Loretta Love Huff, Kristi Lee, Diane Santiago and Suzan Hart. Capping off the day was national networking guru, Dr. George Fraser, CEO of FraserNet and the Power Networking Conference, who added to the toolset for success.