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George empowers others through her work and volunteerism

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Photo by Dan Lassiter

Barbara George of Nasco is one of this year's Women of Distinction.

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Regina Dunkin

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Linda Reinhardt

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Marjorie A. Sell

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Barbara J. Tapovatz

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Phoebe Tobias

JANESVILLE — Barbara George is a woman all women can learn from.

“She cares about women and making sure they understand anything is possible,’’ said Kristina Bakke, a co-worker of George’s at Nasco in Fort Atkinson.

George, 58, of rural Evansville, also is a businesswoman, community leader and pillar of her family.

That’s why she has been selected as one of this year’s YWCA Women of Distinction. Word of the recognition has left George smiling ever since.

“I was extremely honored and surprised,’’ said George, who is not accustomed to be in the spotlight.

“There are some great women who’ve received this distinction in the past. I’m very humbled,’’ she said.

Those who know George say she is worthy of the honor.

“Over the years, she has been a strong role model for women in rural settings and small business. She is an avid family advocate and ‘walks the talk’ regarding the importance of family to our youth, community and society,’’ Catherine Laderwrote in her nomination letter.

Lader and George have worked in the community together for 37 years and share a passion for education.

George is a “valued member and leader who steps up when a need arises” with the Wisconsin Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Council, Lader said.

George has been a member of Wisconsin Rural Leadership, YWCA of Rock County, UW-Madison’s Association of Women in Agriculture, Rock County 4-H Fair, Rock County FmHA, Evansville School District Policy Committee and United Church of Christ Memorial Fund.

During more than three decades helping with the Rock County 4-H Meat Animal Sale, she spent many of those years cashiering the event and registering buyers. She served as trustee, secretary and vice president of the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, is a former 4-H club organizational leader, clothing leader and past foods leader and was secretary or treasurer of the Rock County 4-H Fair Alumni for more than 15 years.

“As I look at what I have done in the line of volunteering and getting involved in our community, I guess it seems so much a part of life and what a person does I have a hard time separating it from other things I do,’’ George said.

That’s understandable because as Nasco’s family and consumer sciences director since 2003, George has had “the opportunity to influence thousands of students and men and women who seek education about healthy eating, sewing, parenting skills and many other topics,’’ Bakke said.

Nasco produces 20 catalogs. George leads two of them, offering products to meet the needs of dieticians, teachers, farmers, ranchers and various industries, Bakke said.

George said she couldn’t imagine life being very fulfilling without involvement in organizations and giving back to the community.

“Mentoring young people and learning from them has been important in my life. Home economics or family and consumer science, as it is now called, is the perfect vehicle to do that because it encompasses all the important life skills people use every day,’’ she said.

Bakke said George is a model for all to live by and has made her way by doing what people should do daily: “Be committed to your family, your friends and your work, do the best you can do every day, be helpful and kind and work hard.”

WOMEN OF DISTINCTION

Regina Dunkin

There aren’t many people who have a day proclaimed for them, but Regina Dunkin can list Aug. 6, 2006, as “Regina Dunkin Day” in the city of Beloit. She also is the first African American to earn the YWCA Rock County Woman of Distinction award.

Dunkin is the executive director of the Merrill Community Center in Beloit. But in every role she’s served, she has an achievement that reflects going above and beyond the scope of her responsibilities.

She has a history of establishing and enhancing programs for children, teens, seniors and neighborhood groups. This includes the first children's program for the Beloit Domestic Violence Center, Girls Who Rock mentorship program, Community Action’s Fresh Start program, and overseeing the building of a new Merrill Community Center.

Dunkin’s personal and professional experience includes numerous volunteer commitments, memberships and projects plus a long record of additional awards. She serves on several local boards of directors including Family Services, Eclipse Charter School, and Court Appointed Special Advocate Program for abused and neglected children plus the State Public Defender Board through appointment by Gov. Jim Doyle.

Dunkin has earned the School District of Beloit Hero Award, United Way’s Coordinator Award, Citizens Academy Award, Outstanding Girl Scout Award, NAACP Community Award, League of Women Voters Women in Politics Award and many more.

Dunkin lives in Beloit with her husband, Tom, and has three children and two grandchildren.

Linda Reinhardt

Linda Reinhardt is associate professor of psychology at UW-Rock County in Janesville.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from the College of St. Catherine and master’s degree from UW-Madison, where she also earned her doctorate—no small task for anyone, but especially for a woman in the 1970s, when untraditional roles and occupations for women were just beginning to emerge.

Reinhardt has been teaching in the UW systems since 1982, after working two years with a multidisciplinary pain management team at University Hospital and Clinics, Madison. She also is the author of many scholarly research papers. But according to her nominators, it’s what Reinhardt does beyond the classroom that distinguishes her. She is a campus leader who always is leading committees and coordinating campus celebrations.

Reinhardt makes it her mission to inspire young people into continuing education. She was one of the original faculty members who created and implemented UW-Rock’s science, technology, engineering and math program for middle school girls.

Reinhardt is the founder of the Future Educators Club and advisor for the Beta Mu Chi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international fraternity of two-year colleges where a majority of students in both clubs are women and first-generation college students.

Reinhardt’s passion is using her knowledge to help those most vulnerable in the community. She served on the committee for United Way of North Rock County’s Impact Area and Design Team and the agency’s Community Needs Assessment. She is a member of the Human Rights Committee of Rock County Health Care, a member of the UW-Rock County Foundation Board, Zonta International and League of Women Voters.

Reinhardt is known for her knowledge of trivia and is the lead player in four fundraising trivia contests where the UW-Rock team took first place.

Marge Sell

Handing out food, personal necessities, vouchers for a warm place to sleep at night and seeing the lines at ECHO grow in a struggling economy could stir pessimism. But not in Marge Sell, ECHO’s food pantry coordinator, who is known as a “bright, community angel who is always quick to lend optimism even in the most troubling times.”

Sell is probably best known for her work at ECHO. But as her coworkers and professional acquaintances attest, it’s not just the food and supplies she delivers, it’s the hope she gives that comes from her heart and, in it, humor, compassion and an historical dedication to helping others.

In 1976, Sell started at the local food pantry as a volunteer. She went on to organize ECHO’s Thanksgiving basket project and Christmas Day dinner. She has been known to make up holidays just to have a reason to give special gifts. Sell was instrumental in developing the Mobile Market, a partnership between ECHO and Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin to distribute food and surplus items throughout the region.

Her wit, energy and empathy are what others notice most.

“Any day Marge is involved in a person’s life is a sunny one,” said Karen Lisser, ECHO executive director.

Sell believes in offering positive solutions to challenges, and she communicates that to clients, volunteers, staff, children and others. In addition to her work at ECHO, she was involved in Girl Scouts, hockey and other youth group activities and is a volunteer at Rotary Gardens, where she is working on becoming a master gardener. She is active on several regional and statewide food and hunger committees.

Barb Tapovatz

“Yes” is probably the most frequently spoken word by Barb Tapovatz, who can be found volunteering for nearly everything she is asked to do.

After 27 years in administration at Alliant Energy, Tapovatz used her 2004 retirement as a springboard for getting even more involved in her community.

While working for Alliant Energy, she got her real estate license and sold homes for seven years before retiring from the utility company. Tapovatz continues to sell real estate and is program chair for the Rock/Green Realtors Association.

Volunteering might be a way to fill the emptiness since her husband, Warren, died shortly before her retirement. She’s often recruited to volunteer because of her work ethic, commitment to tasks, facilitation skills, problem-solving ability and enthusiasm for every job she embraces.

Tapovatz has been vice president and president of the Hedberg Public Library Board of Directors, a board member of the Janesville Concert Association (now Janesville Presents!) and is an usher at the Janesville Performing Arts Center. As a member of the Janesville Art League, she donates many of her watercolor paintings to charity. Tapovatz serves on the Rotary Garden dinner dance and garden walk committees.

She is a member and secretary of the Bower City Garden Club of Janesville and an active member of First Lutheran Church. It also is not unusual for Tapovatz to deliver a meal to a neighbor, friend or senior in need, and on her way, stop and add to the 12 gallons of blood she’s donated to the local chapter of the American Red Cross.

Phoebe Tobias

One of Phoebe Tobias’ nominators “would rather take on a Badger in a fight than Phoebe Tobias.”

Like a badger, Tobias is fierce when it comes to standing up for her causes and will protect the local young at all costs.

Tobias recently retired from being a patient advocate in alternative medicine to devote herself to her family and charity work with a primary focus on women and children. Board president of the Boys and Girls Club of Janesville, Tobias has served the organization for six years. During this time she has provided knowledge, labor and love, including repairing broken tile at the center, joining the children in games and encouraging them to reach for their dreams.

She serves on these boards of directors: the Janesville Literacy Council, UW-Rock County Foundation, American Red Cross South Central Wisconsin chapter and Janesville Noon Rotary Club. In addition, she will co-chair United Way of North Rock County’s 2009 annual fundraising campaign.

Tobias also has been active in affecting change on the international level by working with Women for Women International, an organization teaching women in war-torn countries skills and trades for self-sufficiency. She also has worked with Amnesty International, and Campaign Free Tibet because of her admiration for a country whose societal mission was based on compassion.

But it’s Tobias’ commitment and appreciation for Janesville and its future that keep her focused on local work. She is known for standing up for her beliefs in a gentle, compassionate way that gets results and earns her respect and admiration from others. She also rolls up her sleeves and helps at every event—from digging in the dirt for local projects to soliciting donations for fundraising activities.

Tobias’ discussions almost always involve her daughters and grandchildren—the catalyst for her desire to be a great role model for women. Her daughter, Catlin Johnston, said her mother gives effortlessly and loves unconditionally.

“She has helped our community continuously for many years without any expectations except to see those in need receive the help they deserve. I admire her as a woman and my mother.”