Event brings national explorer to Rockford
Chamber members reach out to bring in more businesses
By Barbara Connors, RCC
More than 650 business women and men attended the Rockford Chamber’s sold-out Women in Business Expo and Luncheon at Cliffbreakers; listening attentively and laughing often as national author, physician and explorer Dr. Jerri Nielsen shared stories on what it was like dealing with chemical toilets, and lessons she learned crammed in close quarters with different personalities in subzero temperatures. Dr. Nielsen made headlines around the world when she diagnosed and treated herself for breast cancer while stranded at the South Pole.
As the emergency room doctor in a 1999 expedition to an Antarctic research station, she said she learned the value of teamwork and how all personalities and all skill sets were important in running an effective organization.
In order to treat herself for cancer, she said with a chuckle, “I taught the welder how to do biopsies. I taught the heavy equipment mechanic to do chemo.” With no treatment hospital nearby and months before a rescue team could arrive, there was little else she could do.
Nielsen said she learned important lessons through surviving the breast cancer and living in the inhospitable South Pole. “That’s what happens when you’re there. You have a transformation of your life.”
She shared with the audience her perspective toward personal difficulties. “The last thing you want is a flatline life, a gray world. The only thing that matters is [to ask yourself], did I really live? Was I here to see, that in chaos, I can find peace?”
After Nielsen, the Rockford Chamber announced the recipients of the annual Women in Business awards.
Baldwin Wins Woman Business Leader of Tomorrow
Joy Baldwin, assistant vice president, cash management services, Alpine Bank, accepted the Woman Business Leader of Tomorrow award, which recognizes an outstanding woman professional on her way to becoming a business leader and who has made significant contributions to improving her institution and chosen field of work. “I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by great women in my life,” Baldwin said.
Grist Cunningham Wins Woman Manager of the Year
Linda Grist Cunningham, executive editor, Rockford Register Star, accepted the Woman Manager of the Year award. Unable to attend due to a previous engagement, she said by video message played at the event that being a good manager was all about being a good teacher. With a background in education, she said a special passion of hers was finding and nurturing young people with talent.
Norwood Wins Woman Business Owner of the Year
MaryAnn Norwood, M.A., LCP, CEAP, CADC, owner and president of Pathways Employee Assistance Program, accepted the Woman Business Owner of the Year award, saying she’s been fortunate to have a career that touches the lives of people and their businesses.
The Women in Business Expo and Luncheon was hosted by the Chamber’s Business Women’s Council, which meets monthly to foster networking and education for women in business.
Thanks to sponsors: Swedish American Center for Women (presenting); OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center (silver); Rockford Register Star, Womanspace and American Cancer Society (supporting), and WREX TV 13 and 1440 WROK (media).
