Discover the power of who you are.

“Rose Award” Recipients

2006 :: 2005 :: 2004 :: 2003 :: 2002

Criteria for Rose Award nomination - a woman who exemplifies our mission:

Woman Within International offers educational opportunities for women to discover the power of who they are and encourages them to communicate this truth in their relationships, families, workplaces and communities.

A Rose Award Recipient is a woman who gives or has given her time, service, and gifts to provide opportunities for women to discover the power of who they are.

Service can be in relationship to aspects of the Woman Within Training Weekend, serving on local boards, or in general service to the larger community. This might be a woman who is in service working in women’s shelters, perhaps an attorney who represents battered women in getting restraining orders, or a woman who volunteers her time to support women living with breast or ovarian cancer.

There are many women in all regions who live this mission. Each year, Woman Within International Ltd invites the local regions to nominate one local woman to be honored as a recipient of this award (known as the President’s Rose Award), along with the nominees selected by the Board of Directors of WWIL from the larger community.

If you know of a woman that meets this criteria for nomination - a woman who exemplifies the mission of Woman Within International, and whom you feel deserves this recognition, please contact the WWIL office.

2006 Recipients:

Dubravka Deppen:: of Glenview IL, attended her Woman Within Training weekend May 1997 in Wisconsin. Dubravka is nominated by Woman Within International (WWIL) as a retiring president of Woman to Woman Midwest Inc. While serving as the president of her Region, she was focused on keeping the mission and vision of Woman Within alive. She had passion for diversity, fairness, and clarity in all areas of her leadership. Dubravka brought to her community a vast knowledge and experience of not for profits and how to navigate in the business world. Her dedication to this work will be felt by many in her region and beyond.
Judy Donovan:: of Indianapolis IN, attended her Woman Within Training Weekend March 1994 in the Midwest. Judy is nominated by Woman to Woman Midwest Inc. Judy has served two terms on the Midwest Board, both as director of community affairs and as Initiation Coordinator. She has additionally served in numerous capacities in the Indianapolis community, including that of President. Judy is also a veteran team leader and is responsible for mentoring numerous women into this position. She also continues to mentor local women into leadership roles in the Indianapolis community and the Midwest. Woman to Woman Midwest Inc. would like to honor Judy in recognition for her dedication to the mission of the organization while she has challenged us to think outside of our “comfort zone”. She did this initially by her vision to take the weekend to our local communities. In 2000, an Outreach Weekend took place in Indiana which has served as an inspiration for numerous communities. Since then, weekends have happened in Missouri/southern Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, and Memphis. She worked tirelessly to make the first weekend happen and has continued to work with communities to help them make their weekends happen. She does this from her heart, but also takes care of the logistics that make these weekends so successful.
Judy recognized early on that a key strength of Woman to Woman Midwest is the many communities that exist within our region and pushed the Board to support their desire to host Woman Within Trainings. By supporting Woman Within Weekends in Indiana, Missouri/southern Illinois, Kentucky, Iowa and Tennessee in addition to our home base in Delavan, WI, the WWTW has become more accessible to women—a value and result that Judy has championed. She has done this while maintaining her sense of play and keeping her life in balance.
Liane Durra:: of Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa, attended her Woman Within Training Weekend October 2002 in the UK. Liane is nominated by Woman Within International (WWIL) as a pioneer who was instrumental in bringing the Woman Within Weekend to the women of South Africa. Liane has worked diligently with the local women of South Africa to bring this work to her country. She is dedicated to making the program available to all women, regardless of culture or means. She has served many hours in readying the women ahead of time for the weekend, she hosted women in her home, and she staffed both weekends in a row, at the same time as working full-time at her career. We appreciate all your efforts, Liane.
Catherine Harris:: of London UK, attended her Woman Within Training Weekend November 2003 in the UK. Catherine is nominated by Woman Within International (WWIL) as a retiring president of Transitions Europe Ltd. Catherine brought a huge heart and excellent leadership to her Region. She was attentive to the community’s needs and knew when to step up and step aside. Her alignment with International in bringing Woman Within to the South Africa women was a great asset as her community gave of time, finances, and energy to make this weekend happen. It was also under her leadership that Woman Within was offered to French Speaking women as Transitions Europe offered a full team of French speaking facilitators for French-speaking women. Thanks, Catherine, for your dedication and service.
Stephanie Kramp:: of Wayland MA, attended her attended her Woman Within Training Weekend May 2002 in the East Coast. Stephanie is nominated by Woman Within International (WWIL) as a retiring board member of WWIL. Think of a woman full of passion, love, focus and lots of energy and you get a picture of who Stephanie is. Stephanie was responsible for bringing Woman Within to the Boston area. She was instrumental in developing a marketing plan for Woman Within International and served as a catalyst to bring the organization together. Stephanie’s love of this work is evident in all that she does and says. Stephanie now focuses a lot of her time and energy on her one year old son, Gabriel, however, she still has energy left over to serve by staffing weekends and being active in the East Coast Sage Circle community.
Gloria Mais:: of Patchogue NY, attended her Woman Within Training Weekend September 1998 in the East Coast. Gloria is nominated by East Coast Sage Circle Inc. Gloria has served as ECSC Treasurer since 2002, with her term expiring in 2008. Gloria stepped up to the plate of treasurer when ECSC needed strong financial guidance. Previous treasurers, although well intentioned, did not have the skill sets to guide our growing organization into fiscal responsibility and accountability. Gloria had to tidy up our books, create a chart of accounts that made sense, straighten out tax liabilities and create a spreadsheet that could be read and understood by the Board of ECSC so we could begin to make decisions based on sound financial information. Gloria has paid our bills in a timely manner, and created the proper paper trails that are required by our not-for-profit status. It became clear that the day to day bookkeeping for ECSC was becoming burdensome and Gloria helped ECSC navigate the way to hire out the bookkeeping responsibilities for the organization.
Gloria is supportive and is accessible to the local regions of ECSC as they set up their books and has been an active member of her local region in New York. Gloria is a generous donor to ECSC and staffs every time she gets a chance. She is a role model for integrity and blending of heart and head.
Terri Ondrejka:: of Highlands Ranch CO, attended her Woman Within Training Weekend June 1987 in Wisconsin. Terri is nominated by Woman Within International (WWIL) as a retiring board member of WWIL. Terri served as Treasurer of the International Board and guided the Board through some treacherous waters. Think of a whirlwind of energy, and you have a picture of Terri. Terri was the pioneer for the Colorado outreach weekends and has served tirelessly to pass on her torch and energy to the new members of the community. The love that shines through Terri’s eyes is enough to know that she gives from a huge heart that loves working with women.
Judith Pauly:: of various parts of the USA and will retire (someday) to Trinity FL, attended her Woman Within Training Weekend November 1988 in Wisconsin. Judith is nominated by Woman Within International (WWIL) as a retiring board member of WWIL.
Judith has been with the Woman Within Program for almost 20 years and has served in numerous roles—as Weekend Leader (formerly Crone), presently as a Facilitator 3, as a presenter of the original Woman Within Level 2, presently a presenter and author of Women Empowering Women. Judith is an example to all of us as a woman who knows how to age with grace, beauty, outrageousness, and a sense of humor. She continues to touch the lives of hundreds of women and has been to South Africa to serve the women there three times in the last two years. Now that takes dedication and love for this work. Thanks, Judith!
Judy Rudin:: of San Diego CA, attended her Woman Within Training Weekend March 1999 in Wisconsin. Judy is nominated by Women Worldwide – West Coast Inc. Judy moved to San Diego the same year as attending the WWTW. Having seen and felt the transformative experience of the weekend, Judy lost no time in lending her skills to promoting training weekends in her new community. She connected women through graduation celebrations and development of new circles. Judy developed protocols for existing e-circles to offer “open circles” for the purpose of introducing women to Woman Within; and adapted the E-Circle Manual into easy to use modules for an 8-week training guide.
Judy has generously given her leadership skills through staffing numerous trainings, including WWTWs, WEW, ODST and Woman Within Level 2: Archetypes of the Castle. She is a FIT 1; has served as the San Diego and WW-WC Empowerment Circle Coordinator and on the WW-WC board as Director of Empowerment Circles. She is stepping into the role of WW-WC President in January, 2007.
Judy is a model of empowerment not only for the WW-WC community, but for her three children as a parent resource in their schools, and for the community at large as the owner of Yes I Can! Self Defense for Mind and Body, teaching holistic self defense workshops for women and girls. In her daily walk, Judy celebrates community, and demonstrates connection and heart-led communication.
Jocelyn Tate:: of Albuquerque NM, attended her Woman Within Training Weekend December 2001 in California. Jocelyn is nominated by Woman Within International (WWIL) as a retiring board member of WWIL. Jocelyn traveled to the Board Meetings from New Mexico and brought the sunshine and beauty of her soul with her. Jocelyn’s clarity, her ability to ask the hard questions, her dedication to integrity and accountability are traits that blessed the International Board.
Yvonne Taylor: ofLondon UK and Cape Town, South Africa, attended her Woman Within Training Weekend June 1996 in the Midwest. Yvonne is nominated by Transitions Europe Ltd. Yvonne has served in many roles as staff member on WWTW and is currently a Facilitator-in-Training Level 2. It has been unanimous in the voting for Yvonne Taylor to receive this award. She has been selected because of her work with the South African WW weekends. In organizing and coordinating these weekends, she showed commitment; focus; energy; generosity; the ability to bring diverse groups together and the ability to resolve many complex conflicts. Her contribution has been outstanding and she is a truly valued member of our community.: of Houston TX, attended her Woman Within Training Weekend April 1993 in the Midwest. Bettina is nominated by EnVision Connection Inc.
Bettina has supported and encouraged so many women to do the WWTW since she participated in her own weekend thirteen years ago. She is a strong Facilitator and has served as an empowered leader and Wise Woman to many who have come before her and will continue to do so to those who come after her.
Congratulations to all of these women for their dedication to and their continued support of the mission of WWIL, as well as their local communities!!

2005 Recipients:

Paula Alter: of Bray, Berkshire, England, attended her Woman Within Training Weekend (WWTW) in New Forest, England in November 1996. Paula is nominated by both Woman Within International (WWIL) as a retiring president of Transitions Europe and by TE as a dynamic member of their community.

Paula has served in many capacities within the Transitions Community, as Treasurer and then President on the Council (despite saying she would never be president and that she would only be on the Council one year!), as coordinator of One Day Staff Trainings, as Team Leader (and developing and supporting other women into this role), Facilitator-in-Training, staff member, member of an e-circle and active community member.

Paula models the WWI mission in everything she does. She brings to the community precious gifts of calmness, honesty, grace, compassion, creativity, humility, gentle strength, natural nurturing, respectful communicating, joyful enthusiasm and a great sense of fun and humor. She is always willing to listen and encourages and supports women to step up in the community to take their place. She has given tirelessly of herself and her energy just because "She loves the weekend".
Jeanine Baker:: of Bellaire, Texas, attended her WWTW in Texas in February 2000. Jeanine is nominated by WWIL as a retiring president of EnVision Connection Inc.

Jeanine has served on two EnVision Connection boards between 2001 and 2005 … first as Quality Control Coordinator and then as President. As President, Jeanine also served as Staff Coordinator and continues to do so now.

From the time when Jeanine first attended her Woman Within Training Weekend, she has volunteered to support multiple endeavors in her local community. As President, one of her most outstanding accomplishments was to make the EnVision Connection community more cohesive and let outlying area women know that they were an important part of EnVision Connection.
Gina Bulcke:: of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, attended her WWTW in Ontario in February 1998. Gina is nominated by WWIL as president of the retiring region of Women Worldwide Connections Inc. Gina has staffed several WW weekends in her community, and has served as the president of the Women Worldwide Connections Inc board of directors for the past couple of years. She continues to serve in this capacity, leading her community into the new territory of being a community rather than a licensee of Woman Within. Gina has worked for the Children's Aid Society as a child protection worker, with addiction services, and currently in one of the local hospitals. She is completing her PhD in social work with a specialty in research.
Dubravka Deppen:: of Glenview, Illinois, attended her WWTW in Wisconsin in May 1997. Dubravka is nominated by her region of Woman to Woman Midwest Inc.

Dubravka has staffed many WWTW and has served the WTWMW board of directors first as a Director-at-Large, then as its President. She is now in her second term as President.

WTWMW honors Dubravka with the Rose Award and recognizes her dedicated, compassionate vision that serves the highest good of their region and communities. Her balanced leadership honors both the heart and the intellect.

During the past few years as president, Dubravka has kept in the forefront the common threads that connect Woman to Woman Midwest, the other regions and Woman Within International—even in the face of substantial differences in how we might move forward. She has led the Woman to Woman Midwest Board of Directors in finding the common ground on which we can celebrate our uniqueness and diversity while working together to expand the reach of this transformational, healing work for women, our families and communities.

Dubravka has recognized that a key strength of Woman to Woman Midwest is the many communities that exist within the region and has supported their desire to host Woman Within Trainings. By supporting Woman Within Weekends in Indiana, Missouri/southern Illinois, Kentucky, Iowa and Tennessee in addition to their home base in Delavan, WI, the WWTW has become more accessible to women—a value and result that Dubravka has championed.

Thank you Dubravka for your vision, your passion and your integrity, we have all been blessed with the fruits of your labors.
Jane Herring-Choate:: of Chevy Chase, Maryland, attended her WWTW in Wisconsin in September 1991. Jane is nominated by her region of East Coast Sage Circle Inc.

Jane is a founding mother of the community on the East Coast. She was part of the original Advisory Board and served as Staff Coordinator for WWTW. Jane was the first Team Leader on the East Coast and the only Team Leader for many years! She has remained an active member of the East Coast community for 15 years, currently serving her second term as ECSC Secretary.

Jane has been the solid rock on which ECSC is built. She has contributed to the organization for 15 years. She is the historian, founding mother, team leader, teacher, mentor. Jane is tenacious in love for the WWTW, the ECSC community, and her circle of ECSC sisters.
Melissa Kay:: of Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, attended her WWTW in Wisconsin in November 1994. Melissa is nominated by her region of Transitions Europe Ltd.

Melissa is the only woman within the Transitions community to have served twice on the Council, most recently as Staffing Coordinator. She has staffed all but four of the trainings in the UK, is a Facilitator-in-Training, an E-circle guide and has staffed One Day Staff Trainings.

As one of the very first women from the UK to do the training Melissa played a big part in laying the foundations for the practical framework on which their community has been built. She also played a significant role in preparing for the first bilingual English and French weekend and particularly in using her language skills to help develop appropriate language for use on the carpet. She models commitment in her work in the community, often traveling hundreds of miles to honor commitments she has made. She believes passionately in the power of this work. She speaks her truth clearly even when it is easier to stay silent. She enthusiastically empowers and supports other women to step up and take their place.
Louise Lovdahl:: of Kenosha, Wisconsin, attended her WWTW in Wisconsin in October 1993. Louise is nominated by WWIL.

Louise has worked on behalf of WWIL on the last three (3) joint MKP/WWI Conferences. She is a woman of unending service and energy. She has done an outstanding job as coordinator of the workshops and key note presenters. She worked extremely hard to bring a woman of the caliber of Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D to the women that attend this conference in 2005. Louise was a key member of the core planning team for this conference, working many hours on all the details. She has sat on numerous boards and committees in the WWI organization, always advocating for women and multi-cultural issues, and without her love and dedication this conference would not be what it is today.
Rebecca Pradt:: of Houston, Texas, attended her WWTW in Texas in September 1997. Rebecca is nominated by her region of EnVision Connection Inc.

Rebecca has been the Financial Officer on the EnVision Connection board for four (4) years. She has staffed numerous WWTW, in almost all positions.

Rebecca is a natural leader. She has always been willing to help support every endeavor sponsored by the local community. She is a quiet, gentle, and powerful influence on newer members of the community. Rebecca shows her integrity for all to see.
Esther Robertson:: of Wadsworth, Illinois, attended her WWTW in Wisconsin in March 1996. Esther is nominated by WWIL.

Esther epitomizes the mission of Woman Within through her whole woman self. Her very presence as a loving, caring, authentic crone invites women of all ages to open themselves to their own full potential. Esther has been an active leader in the community since 1996. As a facilitator, staffing in many regions, support staff for the WWIL the workshops of WEW, WWL2, HWS as well as lead staff on team-led weekends Esther has touched and helped hundreds of women at a soul level.

She continues this healing work through her own workshops in the communities to guide and teach mothers how to break the patterns of giving negative messages to their children. Not only does she enlighten young women, she honors and celebrates the crone in older women through her workshop and the personal life model she shares. As described by the Woman to Woman Midwest Board, “Esther is a model of a compassionate, empowering, spirit-filled woman and a leader who is committed to supporting women’s healing and transformation.”
Kathie Wickstrand-Gahen:: of LaMesa, California, attended her WWTW in Wisconsin in December 1991. Kathie is nominated by her region of Women Worldwide – West Coast Inc.

Kathie helped create Women Worldwide-West Coast in 1997, serving on the initial Advisory Board. She has served as Staff Coordinator and Participant Coordinator. She has been a leader of Empowerment Circle Trainings and One Day Staff Trainings. She has also served as the WWWC Facilitator Contact person as well as staffing many of the West Coast Woman Within Training Weekends.

Women Worldwide-West Coast was extremely "Blessed" when we "inherited" Kathie upon her move from the Midwest to the West Coast. Kathie has been a LEADER from her beginnings in Woman Within. Her first staffing experience in the Midwest was as a Team Leader and she went on to serve on the Midwest Board. She was asked to "DO IT" and she "DID". This is an example of the woman she is and how she "Shows Up"!!! She has always been an encouragement to men and women as a "Coach". She has demonstrated that in the competitive athletic arena, serving as a Swim Coach at several Universities and today as a Personal Life Coach with her own firm, International Coaching Society. Kathie is involved with "PET Paws", training dogs for the handicapped, as well as giving many hours to the local Red Cross. For these and many more reasons too numerous to list, Kathie is the WWWC nominee and a "Gift" to all of Woman Within!!!

Congratulations to all of these women for their dedication to and their continued support of the mission of WWIL, as well as their local communities!!

2004 Recipients:

Valerie Adamski:: from Half Moon Bay, California, did her WWT weekend in Windsor, Ontario, Canada in May 1997. She is nominated by Woman Within International, Ltd. to receive this award as past president of Women Worldwide – West Coast Inc.
Valerie has been an important and involved participant in Women Worldwide - West Coast since inception. She served as secretary for WW-WC Inc. from its origination in 1999 until January 2001, Vice-President from January to September 2001, and President from September 2001 until September 2003. She successfully led the process of creating the not for profit status for the West Coast region in 2001. She is currently serving as Past President and Advisor on the WW-WC Board. She continues to work diligently to uphold the standards of the organization and make the Woman Within® Training weekends available on the West Coast. She staffs frequently in other centers and other programs such as "Healing the Mother Wound". She has a special interest in bringing an initiation program to teenage girls. Her dream is to build a Center where different types of emotional and spiritual work can be done by all ages and all genders.
Maureen Barnes:: from St. Albert, Alberta, Canada, did her WWT weekend in Windsor, Ontario, Canada in September 1997. She is nominated by Woman Within International, Ltd.
Maureen has been the driving force in bringing the Woman Within® Training Weekend to the province of Alberta. She organized a committee of Alberta women to buy supplies, promote and advertise the weekend, recruit staff, and find a facility. Maureen traveled to various cities to participate in WWIL workshops and to other regions to staff WWT weekends in order to gain the skills needed so that she could take on one of the leadership roles for the first Alberta WWT weekend. And she is willing to do it all again for the second Alberta weekend scheduled for September 2004!! Because of women like Maureen, and the women she recruits, the Woman Within® Training Weekend continues to grow and reach women in remote parts of the country.
Dale Herink:: from Prospect, Kentucky, did her weekend in Delavan, Wisconsin in October 1993. She is nominated by Woman to Woman Midwest Inc.
When Dale did her Woman Within® Training Weekend in Delavan, Wisconsin in October of 1993, she was one of only a handful of women in Kentucky that had attended the Weekend. Despite the fact that it was several more years before a community could form, Dale never lost the strength of her vision for a vibrant and connected community of women in Kentucky and southern Indiana. With the help of Rhonda Schladand and Valerie Young, Dale developed the first Weekend Intensive version of E-Circle Training, which was first presented in March 1999. Dale served as the first leader of the Woman To Woman Kentuckiana Leadership Circle, a position that she held jointly with Rhonda Schladand until 2004. Dale also served on the Woman To Woman Midwest Board of Directors as Director of E-Circles and contributed her unique talents to creating opportunities for support and connection among women from all over the Midwest region. Dale continues to serve the Woman To Woman Kentuckiana community as a leader of the E-Circle Training Guides. She has supported and encouraged the growth of the Kentuckiana community with her wise and compassionate leadership.
Cheryl Kramer:: from Houston, Texas, did her weekend in Texas in February 1995. She is nominated by EnVision Connection Inc.
Cheryl has served as Empowerment Circle Guide and Coordinator, and Vice-President. Cheryl is a woman of beauty and grace both on the inside and outside. She is known throughout the EnVision Connection community as a woman that completed all her assignments promptly and with a smile on her face! Cheryl is organized and organizes EnV! She has the nickname as the “E-Circle Guide Queen”. Cheryl is lots of fun too – EnV appreciates Cheryl for being Cheryl!
Christel Libiot:: from Cheltenham, Maryland, did her weekend on the East Coast in May 1998. She is nominated by East Coast Sage Circle Inc.
Christel has been a member of the Capitol Area Council since its inception and is now the President. She has served on the ECSC Board of Directors. Christel has served the ECSC community selflessly since going through her WWT weekend. She single-handedly organized the administrative and supply aspects of the ECSC weekends. Christel is always ready to take on a task to benefit reaching out to the community. It is her mission to bring the WWT weekend to all women.
Suellen Mayberry:: from San Diego, California, did her weekend in Ramona, California in December 2000. She is nominated by Women Worldwide – West Coast Inc.
Sue has been an integral part of the WW-WC community since her initiation, volunteering at the very next opportunity to staff and has recruited many women into the organization. She has served in the very difficult position of Supplies Coordinator for WW-WC, which often means moving supplies from San Diego to Seattle WA and various sites in-between. Sue has demonstrated her administrative abilities and has performed admirably as an Assistant Team Leader, definitely on the Team Leader Track. Sue is currently serving on the WW-WC board as Director of Programs, searching and securing sites for the various programs we present and coordinating with Woman Within International. She has proven herself and her dedication to WW-WC and their vision by performing every task that presents itself and more! Sue is currently interim Treasurer, simply because there is a need. Sue not only contributes to WW-WC but also to the Red Cross and was especially singled out and honored by President Bush last year for her hard work during the terrible San Diego fires, even at the risk of her own health.
Cassandra Ogier:: from Lewes, East Sussex, Dorset, England, did her weekend in England in November 1997. She is nominated by Transitions Europe Ltd.
Cassandra has served as a staff member for Woman Within® Training Weekends and a member of the organizing committee for Women Empowering Women (WEW). Cass was nominated to honor her bringing Woman Within to the women in her area. She is honored for her wisdom, for just getting on and “doing it” cheerfully and with joy, anything that supports the growth of women around her, whether as a staff member on a WWT weekend, or as a woman in her own community of Lewes. Cass lives, exudes, this work in a way that impacts other women such that they see what might be available for themselves.
Janice Reaume:: from Windsor, Ontario, Canada, did her weekend at Lake Delavan, Wisconsin in October 1990. She is nominated by Women Worldwide Connections Inc.
Janice has served as President of the WWC board, has led many empowerment circles over the years and has served in numerous other supporting roles in the Windsor community. Janice is also the only Facilitator in this region. Janice is one of several women who brought Woman Within to Canada. She has been steadfast since the very start of this organization, serving in a variety of roles. She has been an avid community supporter for years.
Gloria Smith:: from Windsor, Ontario, Canada, did her weekend in Windsor, Canada in March 1993. She is nominated by Woman Within International, Ltd. as past president of Women Worldwide Connections Inc.
Gloria Smith is a long time member of the Woman Within community in Canada. She is a member of an e-circle that has the longest history of any E-circle's in the Windsor community. With the utmost commitment and grace, Gloria served as President (2000-2003) and Past President (2003-2004) of the Board of Directors of Women Worldwide Connections, Inc. She also served as a member of the International WW Board of Directors. Gloria continues to contribute her time and energy on the facilitation track, staffing nearly all of the local weekends. For many years Gloria has been a regular leader of empowerment circles in the Windsor area, and her mentorship skills have been generously showered on many, both in the WWC community and in the wider Windsor, Ontario community where she has been a Big Sister and a valued Hospice volunteer. Gloria has always brought wisdom, grace, sacredness, optimism and commitment to all of her endeavors.
Charlene B. Tosi:: from Fenton, MI, never went through the Woman Within® Training Weekend … The WWTW went through her to US!!!
Char has held almost every role within this organization except participant. She is the founder of this amazing program that has brought healing and personal growth to more than 7200 women over the past 16+ years. She is the owner, past president, writer, facilitator, cook, administrator, board member, sage, trainer, mentor, consultant, workshop presenter, and most importantly, a good friend to many of us. Char Tosi has faced every change within this organization with hope, goodwill and a genuine desire to serve the women in this community, and the world.
Char’s dream is to continue our mission of healing women worldwide. Not just the ones who speak English, or come from the privileged middle class. She knew we had to start somewhere. That somewhere has been here, that new territory is the world. Because of this program, and who Char Tosi is, many, many women have “come on board” and joined her in the dream of reaching out to women of all cultures, races, religions, here and abroad. This program transcends all of those limitations. It is only our own human fear that limits us and Char is committed to move past that fear.
We join Char in taking the steps to make the dream become a reality.
Thank you Charlene B. Tosi for your vision, your commitment to the healing of women, your willingness to be “the Queen” …. for putting yourself out there to be seen. An old license plate of yours back in 1991 read “U R LOVE” … Char Tosi, you are love.

2003 Recipients:

(as presented at the 2003 Summer Conference)

President’s Rose Awards:

Rhonda Gaughan:: This special woman deserves extra special recognition because not only was she nominated by her own community, Envision Connection, but also by the board of WWI. Two nominations for one award for one woman! Rhonda has served WWI and her local community for many, many years. Recently she has finished her term as regional president where she transitioned the organization from one in crisis to one in joy and celebration. She demonstrates graceful leadership by modeling wisdom, fairness and integrity. Her energy and dedication to this work inspiring. Rhonda doubly deserves this award because her community wanted to recognize her as a leader, woman and friend but also because WWI wanted to recognize her talents, energy and the many countless gifts she has given to woman throughout the organization.
Suzannah Hart:: From what I’ve heard, there is little Suzannah hasn’t done to support the continued growth of WWI and Woman Worldwide West Coast Inc. so it is no surprise she was chosen by that community to be honored with the Rose Award. She has literally single-handedly built an active and growing community of women in the Grass Valley and Sacramento areas and started “E-circle Open Houses”, generating interest and creation of several e-circles. In her spare time she is a passionate and focused member of the regional board of directors and has willingly stepped into a leadership role, exhibiting graciousness and business savvy.
Maggie Johnson:: WWI and Woman Worldwide Connections would like to recognize Maggie for her ongoing support of Woman Within International and the Canadian region. She is a founding member of the Canadian community and a "regular" staffer at weekends. Her dedication to continuing her own work as well as those around her is amazing. She continually supports the growth of Woman Worldwide Connections through outreach activities and open circles.
Mary Donovan Scuka:: Mary has steadily served the East Coast Sage Circle WWI community since her weekend in October 1993. Her mission is to create a place of community for women after they have attended a weekend, and Mary has fulfilled that mission in so many ways. Her efforts around building community have helped shape the East Coast Sage Circle including planning graduations and social events to writing protocols, policies and training manuals. WWI and in particular the East Coast Sage Circle would not be where they are today without the tireless efforts of this woman.
Katrina Taee:: Transitions Europe and WWI are pleased to honor Katrina for many contributions in laying the foundation for the European center. Her mother energy nurtured the community in its infancy and her wise Crone energy supports the center as it continues to grow and develop. Women around her feel valued and her continued love and support to WWI is invaluable.

Retired WWIL Board Members:

Francie Baltazar:: Francie's passion and gifts can be summed up in the name which came to her during her Woman Quest, and which is also the name of her business -- Fire Heart. She’s a true ball of fire and anyone who knows her won’t argue with that!
Francie’s expertise and countless hours working with MKP on this joint conference for the past two years have shaped the very conference you are about to experience. Her strength, wisdom, vision, and years of experience in helping small grow has helped the WWI board tremendously. As Initiations Director, she brought a "big picture" understanding of systems, policies & procedures, and the need for uniformity in our training’s. One of the things we admired about her most on the board was her willingness to speak her truth, often at the risk of being unpopular. She is not here this week only because she is 8 months pregnant, and happily awaits the arrival of her son.
Doris O'Brien:: Having spent many years as a nursing administrator, Doris O'Brien brought
her expertise of performance evaluation and quality control in her role of
Certification Director. She updated, refined and communicated the
certification protocol to the Board, Facilitators, Facilitators-in-Training,
and the Crones. She is also a certified Facilitator for WW and has served
on the EnVision Connection Board of Directors. Even in the midst of the
tragic loss of her husband, Kevin, Doris never failed to be present to women
needing her guidance.
Laurie Riedman:: Take a bundle of energy, a huge heart, a heap of determination, a dose of
magic, and combine them with marketing expertise and you’ve got Laurie Riedman. Laurie continues to build a local WWI community in Rochester, New York and has also served WWI as Marketing Director since October, 1999.
During her term on the WWI board, she has spearheaded the creation of a new logo, a new brochure and an updated website. She has spent countless hours of her time, energy and passion to bring quality and professionalism to the image of Woman Within. Laurie has stood strong through the storms of change of the organization and continued to bring light and optimism to every meeting and task we faced.
Denise Smith:: After being initiated in May of 1998, Denice jumped right in to help her local community and hasn’t stopped since. From stuffing packets, guiding e-circles and staffing weekends Denise continues to serve her local Texan community. On the WWI board level, she first served as Vice-Chair of WWI where she began building the bridge between WWI and MKP by Chairing the First Official MKP/WWI Joint Conference in Philadelphia. She has most recently served WWI as past chair of the WWI Board. Denice is a woman of service, integrity and passion. She loves this work and has given thousands of hours to insure its continuation.

Past Presidents / Weekend Leaders (Crones):

Alison Davis:: Being separated by the big pond never stopped Alison Davis from being the
stable bridge between WWI and Transitions, Limited. Alison made numerous
trips to the US to make connections and get clarity for her community. With
gentle strength, unending dedication and commitment to the work of healing
women, Alison served the women in Europe to expand the offerings in England
to plant seeds of doing Woman Within programs in France and South Africa,
which are now beginning to take root and sprout.
Sheri Zuccato:: Fierce and tender. Passionate and loving. A talented facilitator, leader,
mentor and guide. Sheri Zuccato has given her gifts to the Board as Crone
Representative in 2002. She brought the experience of having served as
President of Women Worldwide West Coast as it established itself as a
Center and a NFP organization. Blending her knowledge of serving as
President of a region and the wisdom of her Crone leader, she held the
sacred energy of this organization in her heart through her service to the
Board.

Service to WWI Community:

Marilyn Jaffe:: Intensity, brilliance, humor, sparkle and compassion powers this woman whose
vision and leadership has made this conference a reality for women. Marilyn
Jaffe is President of Women in Circle and is very active in the Woman to
Woman Midwest Region through her work with the regional newsletter, the Rose
Vine, leading Empowerment Circles, and coordinating special events with MKP
Chicago. Her humor and leadership has been a great asset to the success of
the Joint Conference.
Louise Lovdahl:: This woman's last name describes the essence of who she is-love. When
Louise Lovdahl walks into a room-or into your computer through an e-mail-her
very presence brings lightness and love. Louise has contributed her
organizational strengths to the MKP/WWI Joint Conference for the past two
years through the coordination of the workshops and presenters. She is
always advocating for women and multi-cultural issues and without her love
and dedication this conference would not be what it is today.
Judy Mills:: Vision, dedication and organization only partly describe this Canadian woman
who not only was a founding member of the Canada community in 1993, but
continues to serve the Canadian WWI community, Women Worldwide Connections, Inc. as Communication Director. Judy Mills is a Certified
Facilitator and has traveled to many new centers in the US and Europe
offering her talents and gifts of organization and facilitation.
Terri Ondrejka:: Weave together the distinction of being in the first group of initiated
women, the talents of being a pioneer, an organizer and a master marketer,
and the strands of a deep love and determination to bring Woman Within to
Colorado and you’ll get a sense of what Terri is all about. Terri Ondrejka spent many many hours to bring Woman Within to the Denver Community in May 2003. Because of her dedication, wisdom, and 'sweat of her brow' her dream became a reality. It is a great honor to welcome Terri to the WW International Board.
Christine Tosi:: Christine has woven her gifts of creativity, magic, computer expertise and a way with words as editor of the WWI International Newsletter, the WEB,
since 1999. Christine upgraded and expanded the possibilities of this
publication through her humor and artistic efforts. Her mission is to
connect all the Woman Within Communities together with her skills and
talents. We are grateful for her talent, energy and time.

2002 Recipients:

(as presented at the 2002 Summer Conference …)

Retired WWI Board Members:

Joanne Alfeld:: … served the WWIL board as Certification Director. Joanne developed the standards by which we are certifying our leaders today.
Mary Ann Armour:: … past chair of the Woman Within International Board. She brought her passion, her soul and her love for this work at a time of change and growth. Mary Ann devoted thousands of hours to ensure that WWIL would achieve not-for-profit status. She helped to create the current mission and vision of Woman Within, and ran the last, and possibly the hardest, leg of the race to take WWIL from a cottage industry to an International not-for-profit organization. She is a talented facilitator and remains active staffing weekends. We are so grateful for her passion and service.
Joyce Brahm:: … is an active crone and mentor in our organization. She served on the WWIL board blessing our community with her queen energy.
Gaye Hall:: … an active crone and has given thousands of hours to WWIL. One of her most recent gifts is the design and development of the Crone-in-Training program. Gaye brings feminine strength and sacredness to all she does.
Marlene Nappa:: … one of WWIL’s first crones, past president of the Canadian and has served on the WWIL board since its inception. Marlene’s gifts to Woman Within are her warrior energy and her ability to see what others could not. She consistently and continually calls us to higher ground.
Deb Richards:: … served on the WWIL board as Treasurer. Her commitment and demand for financial responsibility is a guiding principle we use today. Her passion for our work is demonstrated every weekend she staffs.
Rene Riley-Adams:: … has served as WWIL’s board secretary and is a facilitator-in-training. With her magical way with words, she co-created the most current Woman Within brochure.
Gloria Smith:: … a “quiet trail-blazer”. As President of Women Worldwide Connections, her vision, insight and wisdom are doing great things in Canada. She took the risk to be the first Regional Representative to serve on the Woman Within International Board and brought sacred connection with her presence.
Karen Kahn Wilson:: … a retired crone, past president of East Coast Sage Circle, and past board member of WWIL. She is a brilliant facilitator and talented teacher. Karen planted the seeds from which the East Coast Sage Circle has grown.
Monica Wright-Dempsey:: … served on the WWIL board. Monica has brought clarity and wisdom in times of challenge and transition. When Monica spoke, we listened.

Retired Weekend Leaders (Crones):

Jennifer Gilchrist:: … one of our first crones and gifted the community with her balanced wisdom. She demonstrated the true archetypal energy of a Crone.
Karen Kahn Wilson: (see above)

President Awards:

Maggie Anderson:: nominated by the West Coast board … Maggie had a vision of having Woman Within trainings on the West Coast. She was the spark that made it happen. She is a certified facilitator, and it would be great to have her frequent flyer miles for the countless trainings and workshops she has attended around the globe. Words cannot express how grateful Woman Within International is for her gifts of time, energy and support.
Juliette Clancy:: nominated by the Transitions Europe board … Juliette was the first president of Transitions Europe and served her region for 4 years. Juliette is a pioneer and was instrumental in bringing the Woman Within Training Weekend to the UK.
Linda Iler:: nominated by the Women Worldwide Connections board … Linda has served her region by creating a number of opportunities for women to learn about the Woman Within Training Weekend.
Carol Kahn:: nominated by the Midwest board … Carol’s commitment and dedication runs deep. She has served in many roles in the past 12 years and has blessed Woman to Woman Midwest and WWIL with many gifts. She has modeled leadership in her regional community by empowering and mentoring the community, touching many women’s lives.
Martha Posey:: nominated by the EnVision Connection board … Martha has served on the regional board and states that her guiding life principle is that “people are the most important part of my life’s journey”. Martha lives this principle each and every day.
Diane Vella:: nominated by the East Coast Sage Circle board … Diane was chosen because she models a leadership style abundant in wisdom, serenity and playfulness. She has served her region on the board in a number of positions for the past 6 years.