When I was a young girl, I was very shy. However, when the opportunity arose, I asked a lot of questions. My first women of influence were my aunts. Sandy, Dot, Mary, Shelby, and Elaine were always delighted to see me and answered my endless questions. Other women of influence were teachers like Nancy Cook. As a student teacher at Keefauver Elementary, Nancy would read with me on the steps outside of Sally Crist’s kindergarten classroom. I still have the Dick and Jane books, including the Town and County Teacher’s Manual these ladies gave to me. From that time, at age six, I wanted to be a teacher and used the teacher’s manual to teach my siblings. Other influential women include the joyful Sunday School teacher Ms. Jane Nutter. I admired her acorn pin. To my astonishment, she took it off her lapel and gave it to me. I still have the pin. Dr. Mallula told me I could not possibly teach students and be Senior Class President. I accepted that challenge. Throughout my career as an educator, there have been many women along the way who challenged me and gave me opportunities to become an educational leader. Other female colleagues made me laugh so hard my ribs hurt or would stop me from working long enough to enjoy a civilized lunch. I am grateful for all these women and their gifts…gifts of joy and support, for what they saw in me and helped me see in myself.
Carrie Soliday is a YWCA Board of Directors member, currently overseeing Administrative Functions at the YWCA of Gettysburg & Adams County.