Women Who Inspire Me: Shelter-in-Place Edition
Like many of you, I’m struggling to find the positive in what we’re all going through right now. Push past the bad news, though, and you’ll find story after story of inspiring women rising to this historic occasion, providing the unparalleled leadership, McGyver-esque creativity, and life-giving sustenance so many of us crave.
These are some of the women who inspire me right now.
Yolanda Fisher
Cafeteria Manager, T.W. Brown Middle School
Dallas Independent School District, Dallas, Texas
Dallas Independent School District cafeteria manager Yolanda Brown and her team of sheroes – assistant managers Porsche Lacey, Keke Lafyette, Shannon Wiggins, Pamela Harrington and Katrina Harris – have braved coronavirus since Dallas temporarily shuttered its schools March 23. Under the Fisher’s direction, the group have been cooking, serving and sealing as part of the massive school district’s efforts to feed some of North Texas’ neediest children, making and serving an estimated 2 million meals to students and families now taking instruction at home. “Most people look at us as a cafeteria lady,” Fisher told the Dallas Morning News recently. “I look at it as service…It’s an honor for us to serve those kids.” She and her colleagues renew my faith in mankind, one pre-packaged meal at a time.
Jayde Powell
Pre-Med Student, University of Nevada
Funder, Angel Shoppers
When pre-med student Jayde Powell read early headlines about COVID-19, she immediately sprang into action, recruiting and training a small army of volunteer, free-delivery shoppers for those who can least afford exposure to the virus – the sick and the elderly. “As a pre-med student, I know that people who are older or people who have heart, lung or immune conditions are especially at risk for contracting the virus,” she told CNN. In less than a month, she has grown her fledgling Shopping Angels service organization from an initial 20 members recruiting from the ranks of her medical fraternity, Phi Delta Epsilon, to hundreds of volunteers across the country. Powell has also created a GoFundMe campaign to make sure those on a fixed income continue to reach out during this difficult time.
Calliope Tien
6-Year-Old Cello Student
Columbus, Ohio
When Calliope Tien, 6, and her older brother, Taran, 9, first heard that 78-year-old neighbor Helen Schlam had begun self-isolating to protect herself from coronavirus, the budding music student quickly organized an impromptu cello concert to cheer her up. Clad in a special dress, Calliope and her suit-clad brother – supported by their enthusiastic mother, Rebecca Tien – played classical tunes on Schlam’s porch. “It was a good way to remember the value of connection,” Rebecca told The Columbus Dispatch,“especially at a time like this, when everyone feels disconnected.” Thank you, Rebecca. It’s clear to see where Calliope and her brother get their sense of service.
Sara Lederman and Sruthi Shankar
Medical Students, University of Minnesota Medical School
Co-Founder, CovidSitters
Like Jayde Powell, medical students Sara Lederman and Sruthi Shankar immediately recognized the impact the unfolding pandemic would have on our nation and, specifically, our frontline healthcare workers pressed into service to fight the virus. In the last month, Lederman has recruited and paired nearly 300 student volunteers with hard-pressed Minnesota doctors, nurses, kitchen staff, janitors and hospital administrators to provide services ranging from child care to pet sitting to shopping. “Everyone’s superpowers are coming out,” Lederman told CNN. “We are realizing so many of our classmates have incredible skills and talents that we didn’t know about until now.”
Schweta Tahapa
Mechanical Engineer/Lab Manager
Newark, New Jersey
One mask at a time, 29-year-old mechanical engineer and lab manager Shweta Thapa has become a one-woman-show, using her 3-D printing, hardware and software skills to make some of the medical products our nation’s healthcare workers so desperately need. One of the earliest professionals to join the 10,000-strong Women in 3D Printing organization’s initiative’s drive for its members to print and deliver masks, Thapa has taken on the time-consuming task of 3-D printing the now-scarce breathing masks so essential to safety when dealing with COVID-19 patients. “We see all the healthcare systems are pushed to their limits and beyond, so we are doing as much as we can to help,” Thapa told New Jersey’s Star-Ledger. Women like Thapa truly break the mold.
Dr. Connie Miller, ER Doctor and Mother
and Jamie Renfro, Event Planner and Mother
San Diego and La Mesa, California
As an emergency-room physician for Kaiser Permanente San Diego, Dr. Connie Miller immediately found herself at the front of the fight against COVID-19 – never hesitating to join the medical fight but deeply torn by the risks she might be bringing home to her young family. In nearby La Mesa, event planner and camping enthusiast Jamie Renfro read an article about early efforts to match medical professionals exposed to COVID-19 with RVs, allowing them to be home but separate from their families. Within days, Renfro delivered her RV to Miller’s driveway, giving the exhausted doctor a safer place to crash at the end of extended shifts.
“They are offering such a wonderful gift that allows us not to worry so much,” Dr. Miller told San Diego’s ABC affiliate state KGTV Channel 10. “Even though everyone thinks we are all the heroes and we are working in the front lines, truly Jamie Renfro and her family, they’re my heroes right now.” Renfro insisted that “it’s a way for me to thank them for what they’re doing. Just giving them a sense of peace of mind Is just really what makes me happy.”
So many women sewing masks and donating their time and money and cooking and delivering
So much female grace and light in the face of our shared darkness. I know you, too, are seeking out and finding sources of feminine wisdom, strength and courage in these trying times. Please share the stories of the women giving you hope in the comments below!