Celebrating Staff “sheroes” for Women’s History Month

We have some strong and dedicated women on staff at Aberdeen Village, and in honor of Women’s History Month, we asked them to share with us a woman who they admire and how she has been inspirational for them.

Linda Mwanzi, assisted living director:
"I admire Florence Nightingale. She played a major part in reforming nursing by expressing the true meaning of it. She portrayed nursing in a positive way and contributed to abolishing behaviors that undermined women's dignity."

Heather Benney, director of nursing:
"I admire Florence Nightingale, often referred to as a ‘ministering angel,’ for the work she did during her nursing career. Florence worked in deplorable conditions during the Crimean War. The conditions were often not only dirty and ridden with rodents, but they also lacked the basic supplies needed to care for soldiers. Florence did not let the lack of supplies or poor conditions stop her from providing good nursing care, she always kept a positive attitude as she moved from patient to patient providing care. Florence was known as the lady with the lamp, as she often visited soldiers and the poor during the night with her lamp to ensure their well-being.

“Florence Nightingale is an example of the type of servant every nurse should strive to be. Florence demonstrated for each nurse that work conditions, availability of supplies, or the day’s circumstances should not affect a nurse’s ability to care wholeheartedly for another person who is in need. This is a very admirable trait."

Heather Holbert, speech language clinician, therapy coordinator:
"I admire Corrie Ten Boom. She was a Christian during WWII that hid Jews but was caught and sent to a concentration camp where her sister and father died. She survived and then forgave her German captors. She is a wonderful testimony to God's grace and her faithfulness is an encourager to all of us who call ourselves Christians."

Sandra Barnes, life enrichment director:

"I know that this might be old and a cliché, but my mother was the woman I always looked up to. She was always there for me and my sister. She made sure that we learned the right and wrong in everything, even when I felt I was right and she was wrong. I could voice my opinion in a proper manner and she would listen every time.

“My house was the one that all my friends wanted to come and play at because of my mom and her wonderful cookies and lemonade. She was not a harsh mother, but you knew when you had made her mad. She would make you feel so bad that you hurt her feelings that you were upset and willing to dish out your own punishment.

“My mother was the one who I would offer to be on all the school committees to be close to us girls and make sure that we had great parties. She raised us to know how to sew, wash dishes, cook, and clean a house. I am so thankful to have known such a lady and I owe all that I am today. She put all of her heart into loving her grandkids and then she was gone at a young age but, she had instilled her love into the grandkids so much that they still remember her now. I pride myself when someone that knew my mom tells me that I am just like her."

Renee Schoonover, case manager:
"I would have to say Princess Diana. She was an iconic figure with such beauty and grace. More than that she is also admired for her charity work. She spent hours visiting with people in hospitals, schools and homeless shelters. She helped raise money for certain charities. She was also a great mother and spent time with her sons teaching them and just having fun."

PHOTOS: At the top, from left to right: Linda Mwanzi, Heather Benney, Heather Holbert, Renee Schoonover. The other images are Sandra Barnes (right) and her mother.

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