350 people attend annual Power of Women Luncheon

Women of business, entrepreneurs and professionals joined Southeast Missouri State University students, faculty, staff and alumni Wednesday afternoon for the third annual Power of Women Luncheon.

The expo and luncheon featuring a keynote speaker allows "philanthropists, entrepreneurs and extraordinary ladies of Southeast" to empower, transform and connect with past and future colleagues in the community, according to a news release from the university.

About 350 people attended the event.

Kathy Mangels, vice president for finance and administration at Southeast, took the place of Southeast president Ken Dobbins, who was to speak about the affect of Southeast women. Dobbins and his wife were out of town.

Mangels spoke of past women of the university who have left their mark on the university, such as Rosemary Crisp, a philanthropist, women's health activist and member of the Southeast Missouri University Foundation. The Rosemary Berkel Crisp Hall of Nursing was rededicated in 1988 in honor of Crisp, and it houses the campus health clinic, the Department of Nursing and the Department of Social Work. Crisp also is the name taken for the Rosemary Berkel and Harry L. Crisp II Museum at Southeast's River Campus.

Cynthia Fleck, a Southeast alumna who graduated in 1987 with a degree in nursing, was the luncheon's featured speaker. She lives in St. Louis and is a board-certified wound specialist, dermatology advance practice nurse and executive professional and philanthropist.

Fleck has presented more than 500 seminars and programs around the world and has written more than 250 articles and chapters for various peer-reviewed and clinical publications, according to the release. She is president of Cynthia Fleck and Associates in St. Louis and vice president of clinical sales and marketing for Vomaris Innovations Inc. in Phoenix.

One of Fleck's many mantras of the afternoon was "champions are made when no is watching," as she believes success comes to those from a place of solidarity.

Having a mentor can help one keep focus and provide inspiration to keep moving forward, and Fleck credited her inspiration to her mother, "the wind beneath her wings."

Being grateful for what one has, breaking through fear, giving no credit to luck and believing we become what we think about every day are mantras Fleck said she believes bring success to women.

Fleck encouraged the women attendees to smile, because it releases endorphins and "invigorates the soul," and to take care of themselves. Bodies need rest and exercise, and being able to forget grudges, forgive and move on allows individuals a better chance at success.

After the presentation, three female Southeast students -- Jordan LeeAnn Cavitt, Molly Eggleston and Linda Leigh Epley -- were given Power of Women scholarship awards.

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