5 Strong Maine Women For International Women’s Day

It's a political year, so let's start with a Senator I admire. Susan Collins has my respect because she's broken several glass ceilings, including being the first woman nominated by a major party for Governor of Maine. And while she certainly knows her way around Washington, she also seems to never lose touch with her Aroostook County roots and the best interests of Maine people.

I'm happy to say that one of my personal heroes is also one of my dearest friends. I've known Heather McCarthy since I hired her as a part-timer at the station. Now, she's the Executive Director of the American Folk Festival, that fills the Bangor Waterfront each August with music, food, and culture from around the world. I'm impressed, year after year, with how flawlessly the event runs, and admire Heather for her role in finding the talent, coordinating everything from vendors to volunteers, and making sure it's a continued success.

Katherine Dolley was the first General Manager of Q-106.5 and one of the original owners of the company. She and a few other (male) partners created Castle Broadcasting, and started Q-106.5 back in 1986. Katherine, who passed away in 1997, was a consummate professional who taught me how to stand up for  myself and not let anyone steamroll over me. I will always be indebted to her for the examples she set, and for taking a shy, quiet girl under her wing.

I've never met Anna Kendrick, but I've certainly followed her career. And just when I thought that I knew the scope of her talents, she walked on-stage at last year's Oscar's ceremony and shared her incredibly beautiful singing voice. But beyond the glamour, I can see the Portland-born Maine girl whenever I watch her face-off against Jimmy Fallon on some of his funny challenges. She's got spirit and refuses to lose. Go, Anna!

I couldn't complete a list like this without honoring the strongest woman in my life, my Mom. Born in Aroostook County, she was incredibly shy when she boarded her first airplane to fly to California (where my Dad was stationed) and get married. Through the 60's and 70's, she often took care of us on her own while my IBMer Dad was away at school. And then, when she thought her time raising kids was over, she ended up helping me raise mine so I could work. I'll never be able to repay her for all she's done for me and for our family. But I can say thanks for helping me become another strong woman from Maine!