Washington State University Vancouver will celebrate 32 women who have made a difference for others at its annual Women of Distinction event at 6 p.m. March 31 in Firstenburg Student Commons on campus, 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave. The free event is open to all registered guests. To RSVP and get a parking permit, visit www.vancouver.wsu.edu/distinction.
Keynote speaker Diane Gregerson Bowe will share her passion for safe childbirth for all women and ending obstetric fistula. After living in Tanzania, she joined the board of the nonprofit organization One By One that works to end obstetric fistula. She is the board chair.
Obstetric fistula affects more than 2 million women and girls living in poverty in the developing world. It occurs when a woman’s childbirth is obstructed, she cannot get medical help and has prolonged labor that leaves a hole in her bladder or rectum through which she leaks urine or feces for the rest of her life. Fistula sufferers often are not allowed to board a bus, enter a hospital, pray communally or share a meal with others.
Three Distinguished Woman awards — one high school student, one WSU Vancouver student and one community member — will be announced at the event.
Women of Distinction nominees
High school students
• Makena Kerr: Senior, Fort Vancouver High School; volunteered in Peru for Faces Foundation Portland, which performs cleft palate surgery; a competitive gymnast who coaches special-abilities gymnastics team.
• Kiana Rahni: Union High School senior active in speech and debate, Future Business Leaders of America and DECA chapters.
• Kylie Sahota: Battle Ground High School sophomore involved in school, community; aspires for a biology-related career, possibly veterinarian.
WSU Vancouver students
• Eli Campbell: Junior creative media and digital culture major; passionate about equity access for all, women’s history and technology.
• Allison deVincenzi: Doctoral student, mathematics and science education; teaching and research assistant, College of Education; wants to make mathematics accessible for all students.
• Rachel Faulkner: Senior, finance major; holds leadership positions in clubs, student government, on-campus jobs.
• Kourtney Foley: Senior, earth and environmental science major; volunteer, molecular biology lab and Collective for Social and Environmental Justice.
• Diana Fronko-Larson: Junior, human development; piloting music program for youth at Clark County Juvenile Court; 2007 Community Inspiration award, city of Vancouver.
• Dustina Haase-Lanier: Senior, social sciences major; domestic violence, sexual assault advocate for 15 years.
• Jasmine Rucker: Junior, human resources; director of public relations, Black People United; Impact volunteer, member of campus HR Society.
• Kirsten Turnquist Fanning: Senior, management information systems major; volunteers with Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, PTA and Salmon Creek Little League.
• Inna VanMatre: Freshman, environmental science; volunteers with WSU Vancouver election board, student government.
• Emily Vis: Senior, business administration major with marketing focus; helps current, future Cougs connect with WSU community.
• Jan Yochim: Senior, public affairs major; passionate about working with at-risk youth, research and K-12 education policy.
Community members
• Katie Archer: Political consultant, attorney and owner, Archer Public Affairs; mentors youth interested in politics.
• Sherri Bennett: Executive director, YWCA Clark County; personal values align with YWCA’s: to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
• Melissa Boles: Academic adviser, Clark College; 2016 Young Democrat of the Year.
• Peggy Carlson: Liaison for Students in Transition, Evergreen Public Schools; coordinates services, provides support to students and families facing homelessness.
• Jill Dutchess: Principal, Daybreak Primary School, Battle Ground; helps students become positive, productive community members.
• Kris Henriksen: Program coordinator, Clark County’s TeenTalk program; teaches about youth mental health.
• Carol Hsu: Engineering instructor, Clark College; through NERD Girls encourages youth to pursue STEM careers.
• Jackie Hull: Probation officer, Clark County Juvenile Court; passion for helping young people turn around troubled lives.
• Kim McDougall: Program coordinator, WSU Vancouver’s Cougar Center; helps students achieve goals.
• Michelle McIlvoy: Director, student development, WSU Vancouver; passion to empower, mentor others.
• Sarah Mocas: Senior instructor, computer science, WSU Vancouver; enables young women to reach potential in demanding field.
• Cindy Morical: Student success coordinator, WSU Vancouver’s Student Resource Center; strives to empower students to find purpose, fulfill potential.
• Mary Nolan: Great-great-grandmother; cancer survivor; loves God, family, gardening.
• Connie Osborne: Licensed medical hypnotherapist with degree in educational counseling; honorable mention, 2015 Public Health Community Award for work with cancer patients.
• Lydia Ranger: Began second career as teacher in 2015 after working in the financial industry; enjoys sharing knowledge, tools valuable throughout life.
• Monica Stonier: Teacher, instructional coach at Pacific Middle School; former state representative running for re-election; believes in setting example for her own children and young women.
• D’Alene White: Probation counselor, Clark County Juvenile Court; appreciates positively impacting young people’s lives by helping them become successful adults and community members.
• Liliya Yefimov: Student financial services adviser, WSU Vancouver; helps students navigate the complexities of financial aid.
