Local celebrities share “Aha!” moments that have helped them feel more empowered.
Donna Masterson
Assistant Director of Residential Services, YWCA Northeast Indiana
“A few months ago my pastor was talking about pausing under pressure and I often go go go. This has really stuck with me because it’s not the pressure, it’s the pause. The pause brings clarity in situations.”
Sandra Sullivan
Retired Medical Technologist and Chemistry Supervisor
“'Always be ready to learn new things,' is what Sister Luciata at the St. Anthony Hospital Laboratory shared with me a long time ago. It was an 'Aha!' moment for me as I realized that change is necessary, and being receptive to learning new things is important. Leading change can feel empowering. I led a change in the dress code policy at a former employer, which felt very empowering as I fought against a status quo mentality. Be willing to accept change but also to lead change."
Judy Roy
VP for Finance and Administration, Indiana Tech
“Years ago, I attended YWCA’s Circle event. The keynote speaker was Sara Hall. She was a victim of domestic violence who reclaimed her life through the rigorous rhythm of rowing. She became the 1998 World Master Champion in the women's single shell. My ‘Aha!’ moment was learning that lives that look perfect on the outside can hide a life that is anything but perfect. Domestic violence crosses age, race, gender, and socioeconomic boundaries. It can happen to any one of us. To this day, her book sits on my bookshelf as a reminder of the power that women can find to take back their lives, given support.”
Julia Stambaugh
CFO, YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne
"I have learned the importance of dreaming big. It can be common for people to let their own self-doubts negatively affect what they believe they can accomplish. Being confident in our talents and dreaming big goals often comes with a few barriers along the way. An 'Aha!' moment for me was when a former boss taught me the value in having difficult conversations that include grace and transparency. As a result, I have grown so much from this lesson."
Darius Darling
HR Specialist - Recruiting, Brotherhood Mutual
“There was a time in my life when I dreaded doing what seemed to be thankless and meaningless tasks. That was until I had a conversation with my mom, Valerie Messiah, who gave me my most memorable 'Aha!' moment. She told me, 'Son, you do what you have to do today, so you can do what you want to do tomorrow!' It was then that my life and perspective changed forever!”
Deborah Zehr
YWCA Board member and Co-Chair of YWCA's Marketing & Development Committee
"There is a term called 'glimmer,' which is opposite of a 'trigger.' Glimmers are micro moments in your day that make you feel joy, happiness, peace, or gratitude. An 'Aha!' moment for me is when I learned that we can train our brains to be on the lookout for glimmers. The more we are on the lookout for glimmers, the more these tiny moments will begin to appear, and you start to see things differently."
Courtney Washington
Clinical Psychologist, Parkview Health
"An 'Aha!' moment for me was when I learned the freedom that comes from empowering yourself. Empowerment can come from releasing yourself from guilt and shame restrictions that prevent you from being your authentic self. I felt empowered when I realized that I didn’t need to fit into feminine stereotypes to be a good woman. We should be genuine to ourselves even if it doesn't look like what society tells us."
Cammy Sutter
Community Volunteer
"As a young leader of women’s retreats, a mentor encouraged me to trust the capabilities of women! Women are smart, strong, and get things done. My 'Aha!' moment is just how much I can lean on them!"
Heather Essex-Guy
Racial Justice Coordinator, YWCA Northeast Indiana
"Allies come from all backgrounds. I was at a locally owned spot and the bartender and I struck up a conversation. He asked me my job and I replied that I am the 'Racial Justice Coordinator' for YWCA and explained what that means. He shared with me that he grew up in a small not diverse town, where bigotry was normal, stating that hearing that talk made him uncomfortable so he moved to the city as soon as he could. He assured that my job is necessary to help people like him to do and be better!"
Casey Claypool
Marketing and Development Manager, Citilink
“My ‘Aha!’ statement is the more I’m me, the more I’m enough- showing up fully authentic, using my voice, and experience has led me where I was meant to be.”
Melanie Hall
Retired, Fort Wayne Community Schools
“I used to take things personally and get my feelings hurt. My 'Aha!' moment was when I realized that how people act is usually a reflection of what is going on in their lives and may have nothing to do with me. This made me think more about others’ feelings and what I can do to help them, as opposed to what is wrong with me.”
Kim Carpenter
VP of Client Experience, Ash Brokerage
“I felt empowered when I changed my mindset to promote other women versus comparing myself to them. Everyone has their own unique and special gift. My 'Aha!' moment was when I realized I don’t have to be like others but I can instead celebrate them!”
Carla Kilgore
Director of Mission Advancement, YWCA Northeast Indiana
“It is one thing to know there are racial disparities in health and life expectancy, but it is another to experience a colleague suffering from diseases related to stress or having parents pass away young from preventable diseases. I really feel the privileges bestowed upon me based on the zip code where I grew up and the education my parents had access to. These insights have been an 'Aha!' for me, as well as the amount of work still needed so that everyone in our community has the same opportunities for good health, access to a quality education, and affordable housing.”
Randy Rusk
Community Affairs Manager, Do it Best Foundation
“I’ve found that most people are willing to give their time, talent, and treasure when you can clearly articulate the why and then provide a path towards action.”
Kathy Gaines
Happily Retired
“Empowerment can come when someone sees an ability in you and trusts you to do something you never would have dreamed of. This happened for me, and because of this, one of my 'Aha!' moments was when I learned from Fort Wayne Community Schools leadership that 'hope is not a strategy.' If we are looking to have different results, we will continue to receive what we always have received if we continue to do the same things. For change, empower others. See the ability in others. Trust in others.”
Ginny Clark
Founder of Bookstart and Community Volunteer
“In 2000, I knew it was important to select books that showed minority children in the illustrations so that the families of color could see themselves in the books. My 'Aha!' moment was when Jennifer Hayes, who was helping with the Read to Me program, pointed out to me that it was equally important for White children to see others in lead roles in the stories. This 'Aha!' moment changed my book selection process and my understanding of racism ever since.”
Kara Densmore
Community Executive Assistant, Old National Bank
“My daughter teaches me every day to be flexible and to treat everyone with kindness. She may only be three years old, but she shows me the importance of having fun in everything we do. My ‘Aha!’ moment is that learning can come from people of any age.”
Joyce Armstrong-Brown
Co-Owner, Aegis Sales & Engineering
"My 'Aha!' moment was realizing that we all want the same thing—to know that we matter. I love Maya Angelou’s words: 'People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you make them feel.' I strive to make the people I encounter feel seen and heard."
Kim Murphy
VP of Shared Services, Ruoff Mortgage
"I've had micro 'Aha!' moments throughout my entire life...a lot of them probably subconsciously! But every time I volunteer, or donate, or read a book or article, or have a conversation with someone, or attend an event, etc; I am actively aware of an 'Aha!' moment. And those golden nuggets are what keep me engaged and inspired to be more and do more!”
Marsha Smiley
Community Advocate
"While teaching third graders, I witnessed a child express fear of Asian people when I informed the class that Chinese guest speakers were coming to share their culture. My 'Aha!' moment was when I saw how engaged this child became with our guests while learning to use chopsticks. False perceptions can change with exposure to real experiences."
Steve Sullivan
Retired Educator
"We all have an opportunity to learn from others. I feel empowered when others look to learn from me. An 'Aha!' moment for me is when I elected to speak up at a Fort Wayne City Council meeting, which is when I discovered just how empowering speaking up on something I believe in can be. We all have a voice, and we should feel empowered in using it."
Harini Bonam
President, Sangam Fort Wayne
Young Women & Girls Committee
YWCA Circle Steering Committee
Community Advocate
"My 'Aha!' moment happened when I became a part of YWCA's Circle Steering Committee. It was the realization that my voice advocating against domestic violence, as an Asian American and Brown person, might encourage victims (men or women) to come forward and seek help. They don’t have to live in shame and fear. I feel it is my duty to continue to bring awareness, including my friends and family."
Hannah Shoue
Grants Manager, YWCA Northeast Indiana
"Before working at YWCA, I didn't know much about domestic violence or addiction. I applied to YWCA Northeast Indiana to use my skills to help women and further their mission. In my time here, I've greatly deepened my knowledge of how domestic violence and substance use affect women in particular, in addition to systemic barriers such as racism and misogyny. My 'Aha!' moment is that now, knowing that 1 in 3 women in our community have experienced domestic violence and understanding the clinical nature of substance use disorder, I have greater compassion for the variety of challenges facing women and survivors. I am honored to be able to make a slight difference in the circumstances of others through my role at YWCA."
Cheri Becker
Principal, Becker Consulting
"Leadership is a gift and privilege built on trust. To be a leader in the advancement of women, one must be willing to add your name to bring someone else forward. An 'Aha!' moment is that women cannot afford to stand in the shadows. Look for ways to help advance others. Seek out. Stay curious."
Tamyra Kelly
Public Information Officer, East Allen County Schools
"An 'Aha!' moment for me was when I realized that when we choose to forgive it opens up blessings that are stored up just for us! After you forgive…breathe, smile, and move forward."
Kayla Luithly
YWCA Northeast Indiana Marketing and Development Committee Member
"At times, I have experienced imposter syndrome. It was an 'Aha!' moment for me when someone I admire confessed that they, too, experience these feelings at times. Being authentic and vulnerable can be freeing! The more I practice being me with people I trust, the more I discover the beauty in it, especially during tough times."
Tom Salzer
Principal, Health & Wellness Market Leader
Elevatus Architecture
“Much of what I know about being a professional and a good family man I learned from my father-in-law, Bob Sebastian. He taught me how to set my priorities, with family coming first. My ‘Aha!’ moment is that not everyone has had support from family. I have an ‘Aha!’ moment at almost every YWCA board meeting when I hear what our clients face and how we help them.”
Dawn Clopton
Vice President - Community Development, Premier Bank
"In my spare time, I get the opportunity to coach cheerleading. Over the years, students come and go. Some names and faces I remember, but some I don’t. It wasn’t until my 7th year of coaching that I had a former student return to thank me for setting their life on the right path. While she was my student, she was homeless. But because I made an effort to keep her on my team and on a regular schedule with the others, she was able to build confidence, make the most of her situation, and learn valuable lessons about family and community. She was able to graduate and even attend college. She credits her success partly to me because I didn’t give up on her. My “Aha!” moment is to never give up on anyone because of their temporary circumstances. Help them overcome it!"
Becky Hill
Retired, former CEO of YWCA Northeast Indiana
"Rosetta Moses Hill helped me and everyone else realize how racism affected her on a daily basis. She was the best teacher. My “Aha!” moment is that we need to continually be learning to be good students of those around us."