Empowering women to greatness: An interview with the ladies behind the annual Power of Women Luncheon

Southeast Missouri State University will host its fourth annual Power of Women Luncheon on March 11, with the goal of connecting female students with opportunities, mentors and resources to enrich their education and entry to the career world. The event also raises scholarship funds for female students and highlights the accomplishments of female students and alumni.

What better occasion to feature this event than the annual "women in business" issue of Business Today magazine? To find out why the Power of Women Luncheon is so valuable to female students and local businesswomen, we spoke with five ladies behind the planning of the event: Dr. Erin Fluegge - Woolf, professor of management at Southeast; Cindy Gannon, senior associate athletic director and senior women's administrator; Dr. Trudy Lee, director of planned giving; Amanda Lincoln, director of development; and Angie Wilson, director of development.

Business Today: What does the Power of Women Luncheon mean to the students at Southeast Missouri State University? How have they benefited from networking with women at the university as well as out in the community?

Cindy Gannon: Having scholarship funds available for female students at Southeast Missouri State is a true testament to the commitment Southeast has to providing growth and future opportunities in the enhancement of females. The community and campus partnership initiated through this event has created a sense of pride and accomplishment in the enhancement of future female professionals.

Dr. Erin Fluegge-Woolf: My students totally enjoy the opportunity to network with the other guests at the luncheon. Several have mentioned it is exciting to see the women they met out in public in other settings and be remembered from the luncheon. My students also share with me that all of the guests are so friendly and welcoming and that the experience is very inspirational!

Amanda Lincoln: The opportunities for our students are tremendous! Aside from the scholarship dollars that are available to support them in their educational endeavors, the connections they make at the luncheon can benefit them as students but also as they launch their careers. I think it is inspiring for our students today to see the success and accomplishments of former Southeast students.

BT: Why is it so important for women in the community to get involved in something like this -- to build relationships with others in the business world as well as students?

Angie Wilson: In addition to the luncheon, the business expo is a great way to interact with hundreds of current and prospective customers, not only from the university community, but from throughout the region.

Dr. Trudy Lee: Men in the business world have always understood the importance of building relationships like this, but it is not as common among women. With the number of businesses owned or controlled by women increasing, it is more and more important for women to support each other and take advantage of these types of networking opportunities.

Gannon: The Power of Women event sums up the impact of the program. It's about women empowering others to aspire to greatness and make their mark in the world -- women inspiring others to carry the torch and pay it forward. The roles women serve in business and the impact it creates in communities have seen phenomenal growth, and with events such as this, not only does it highlight those individuals, it inspires others to make a difference.

Fluegge-Woolf: Networking is a key ingredient for success in business. Women promoting, empowering and mentoring other women makes for a stronger community because we can all learn from each other and support one another. Madeline Albright famously said, "There is a special place in hell for women who don't help other women." Why not help each other, especially students who are typically in the early stage of their careers, succeed?

Lincoln: I believe we rise to our very highest when we lift others up. Women who are involved with this event have a chance not only to help others, but to help themselves along the way.

BT: How have you personally been affected by a professional mentoring relationship? How did it make a difference in your career or life?

Wilson: I have had some amazing mentors throughout my career who have shared some very key philosophies.

A couple key philosophies include learning and growing professionally from every situation, especially if the situation doesn't go exactly as planned; don't take yourself too seriously; and don't be quick to overreact -- take a step back and look at the situation from different perspectives

Gannon: My career path was inspired and driven by very influential mentors early in my career -- individuals who recognized my potential and encouraged me to pursue my potential. I can never have imaged having such a rewarding career without the guidance of several very important women in my life. My hope is that along the way I have provided and will continue to provide that guidance to many talented young women who aspire to make a mark on the world.

Fluegge-Woolf: Carolyn Sandgren, president of Elite Travel Inc., has been a mentor, supporter and friend of mine since I worked at her travel agency about a dozen years ago. Carolyn is a very smart and savvy businesswoman, and I learned so much from her, not only about servicing customers, but also about being a successful woman in business. Carolyn is a real go-getter, and she inspires others, including me, to dream big.

Lincoln: I met Marcia Southard Ritter my first year out of college while working at the American Red Cross and she had an immediate impact on me. I was so impressed with all she had accomplished. She was a smart, brave, strong, successful and giving woman. She inspired and challenged me to always believe in myself and give my best every day. Also, Mary Burton took me under her wing and helped me build the foundation for my entire career. I wouldn't be where I am today without both of these remarkable ladies who took the time to lift up and mentor a young professional woman.

BT: What is your favorite thing about the Power of Women luncheon?

Wilson: Interacting and connecting with the many current students who attend as well as recognizing and learning more about the amazing scholarship recipients. The keynote speakers have also proven to be extremely motiving and empowering and demonstrate how female Southeast alums are leaders and mentors in a variety of professions.

Lee: I love to see the interaction among women of all ages and from many different backgrounds interact with an equally diverse group of students. It is great to see them making connections and learning from one another.

Gannon: My favorite part of the luncheon is seeing all of the networking that takes place throughout the event, and of course it is wonderful to meet and hear the stories of the scholarship recipients.

Fluegge-Woolf: My favorite thing about the luncheon is seeing my students shine in a professional setting. Two of the three first-ever recipients of the Power of Women Scholarship were my former students, and celebrating their university and professional service accomplishments was such a treat.

Lincoln: The connections made between our students, our alums and our flourishing business community is by far my favorite part of the luncheon.

BT: What is your best advice to young women?

Wilson: Look at every interaction as a learning opportunity.

Lee: Be confident and collegial with everyone you meet and expect to be treated as an equal in your field. Don't carry a chip on your shoulder because you are a woman. You will succeed if you work hard, stay positive and believe in yourself.

Gannon: Find your passion and live it. You will work many days of your life, and enjoying most of those days and striving to make a difference will contribute to the completion of your "dash," which will represent your life.

Fluegge-Woolf: Lean in, get off the sidelines and sit at the table and be heard. It's fantastic to be confident and ambitious, and don't be afraid to fail. These are all sentiments I believe in and echo content from recent books I've read: "Lean In" by Sheryl Sandberg, "Off the Sidelines" by U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and "The Confidence Code" by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman.

Lincoln: My advice is to always keep going! Keep learning, trying, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, achieving new goals, helping others, giving back, making a difference -- just keep going in whatever you choose to do and you will succeed.