Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM) will celebrate several community members during the Tribute awards reception at Stafford’s Perry Hotel in Petoskey, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, November 8. Tribute reception tickets are $25 per person and can be reserved by calling WRCNM’s main office at (231) 347-0067. Highlighted below are a few of the accomplishments of this year’s community-nominated Tribute award recipients.

Advocate Award
Cindy Okerlund, retired educator, volunteer and child advocate

Cindy Okerlund combined 27 years of experience as a science and health teacher with her love of biking and her interest in promoting youth mental and physical health through exercise.

In 2015, Okerlund began the successful Kid’s Biking Club at the Top of Michigan Trails Council. She decided to expand the idea and developed a new program specifically for local fourth grade students called Kid’s Biking Initiative.

“Never before in history, have children been so plugged-in and so out-of-touch with the natural world. Any program providing kids with the opportunity to be outside and exercising, especially in our northern Michigan area, is a win-win for them, their families, their schools, their communities and the environment around them,” wrote Okerlund when seeking grants for the initiative. Several organizations provided funding and the initiative was launched.

On a first-come, first-served basis, ten fourth grade classes in Emmet County signed up for the inaugural program. Prior to hitting the bike trail, students were prepped during gym periods and those with physical or cognitive challenges were paired with an adult to ride tandem. Those who had never ridden a bike were taught to ride; no one was left out and everyone was set up to succeed.

Students, teachers and adult volunteers met at Spring Lake Park. Students were fitted for bikes and helmets and provided instruction in bike safety and map reading. Soon they were off on the four mile stretch of bike trail between Spring Lake and the Oden Fish Hatchery. Along the way they learned area history, the importance of the hatchery, met staff at Little Traverse Conservancy, learned about the importance of preserving our natural resources and enjoyed a picnic lunch. Their final lesson on the trail was at the Round Lake platform. Members of Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians spoke of the Hiawatha Pageant that took place in that exact location from 1905 to 1915. Students learned how the pageant was a way for tribal members to celebrate their heritage and for others to better understand their culture.

More than 300 students have participated in the program and learned about themselves, teamwork, the environment and the importance of protecting it. They also experienced the joy of exercising both mind and body while enjoying local bike trails. Okerlund refers to the project as ‘pedaling with a purpose’ and what a worthy purpose!

Business/Professions Award
Ashley Brower Whitney, role model, volunteer and community leader

The people in Ashley Brower-Whitney’s personal and professional network describe her as a leader, employer and volunteer who is selfless, caring and capable.

She is a career professional and single mother and those who know her say she has “pure grit and determination.” As a business owner, she is a mentor and role model and empowers other women within her agency. As a volunteer, she projects joy, good humor and selflessness.

Brower-Whitney is supportive of the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce and serves as Chairperson of the Thriving Petoskey Initiative which is a local conscious-business movement for improving the quality of life for all people in the area by promoting better business practices. She is also a mentor in the Chamber’s Leadership Little Traverse program.

Brower-Whitney serves as a member of the Petoskey YMCA Executive Board and is its representative to the Traverse City YMCA. Christian Smith, Executive Director of the YMCA said she is making a significant and lasting impact on the Y by ushering in a new era. Smith said he is impressed by her energy, generosity, caring nature and interest in programs that will help working families in the area who are trying to make ends meet.

As an employer, she is generous in flex time so staff can be with family as needed. She supports volunteerism – from pounding nails at Habitat for Humanity to staffing for Victim’s Services Unit. She encourages staff to join service groups and provides related financial support. She has also organized a group of Petoskey business owners to share the unique experiences, challenges and rewards of being a second generation business owner. Regionally, statewide and nationally, Brower-Whitney is a leader within the insurance industry and contributes to her field of expertise as a speaker on various insurance topics.

Brower-Whitney is described as having a “tremendous interest in and commitment to people in our community.” She was a key creator of a “happiness group” for female friends who gather regularly to recharge, laugh and share a meal. The personal growth group is much like the one co-founded by her mother, Shannon Brower, and some of the Founding Mothers of the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan which continues to this day.

Community Service Award
Kathy Biggs, dedicated community leader

Kathy Biggs is a person who gets involved and takes action when she sees a need. She has taken on many leadership roles in the community over the years.

Biggs served on the Board of Directors of the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM) for two three-year terms from 2000-2006. During her tenure, Biggs was Secretary, Vice President and President and served on the Women Can/Women Do fundraising committee. She continues to volunteer as a table captain at Women Can/Women Do-Emmet County, a major WRCNM fundraiser for the past 18 years. She and her husband, Steve, accepted the role of honorable Chairpersons for the ‘40 for 40’ fundraising campaign that raised more than $40,000 in forty days for the WRCNM’s 40th anniversary.

For nearly two decades, Biggs supported students and local schools as a member of the Public Schools of Petoskey’s Board of Education; for nine of those years she was the School Board President. To further support students and enhance learning opportunities, Biggs founded and continues to support the Petoskey Education Foundation. The Foundation provides funds to students and public schools in the Petoskey area.

Biggs enjoys reading and discussing books as a member of a book club at McLean and Eakin Booksellers. She was so impressed reading the book “Waking Up White”, that she took the book to her church and guided a discussion group with the goal of generating a better understanding of race and diversity. She has also served on the Elder Board at her church, the First Presbyterian of Petoskey.

The time and effort that Kathy Biggs has devoted to the community over the years demonstrates her leadership and dedication to the well-being of and services to women and children. She is a worthy recipient of this year’s Tribute Community Service Award.

Man of Action Award
Dave Kring, business owner, volunteer and philanthropist

Dave Kring, owner of Dave Kring Chevrolet Cadillac in Petoskey, supports the growth and achievement of women employed at the dealership and in the community. He encourages female staff involvement in the community through activism, participation and volunteerism.

His philosophy has a ripple effect throughout the entire dealership as he provides women the opportunity to pursue careers in a traditionally male dominated industry. One of the women on his team said she is proud of her growth and accomplishments and grateful for the continued support he provides through proper training and sales tools. He also employs women in marketing, finance, service and other key roles throughout the business.

Kring has supported the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce Athena Award for more than 25 years. This award celebrates the potential of all women as valued members and leaders of the community. The award honors women who strive toward the highest levels of professional accomplishment in their chosen field, have devoted time and energy to their community in a meaningful way and who also open paths so that others may follow. Through Kring’s dedicated sponsorship of this award, many amazing women have been recognized and celebrated for their contributions.

Every October, Kring makes sure the dealership supports “Making Strides against Breast Cancer”. Kring invites female staff members to organize and champion the event which provides them with a way to step forward and lead philanthropic action that boosts staff morale and encourages community participation.

As an annual tribute to the Tallberg tradition, Kring purchases meat from the Emmet County Fair 4-H Livestock Auction to benefit local food pantries, as well as the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan’s Safe Home.

Kring is also a huge supporter of community groups and organizations and encourages all staff – men and women – to take part and become involved.

Pinnacle Award
Mary Biagini (MaryB), educator, fitness instructor, volunteer, feminist and activist

Mary Biagini’s influence has been felt far and wide as the lead teacher/coordinator/director extraordinaire of the Char-Em ISD Teen Parent program. Her more than 25 year role in this position connected her to countless teens who became pregnant during late middle school or high school and chose to stay in school. She developed curriculum, putting emphasis on the life and relational skills to become a young parent, while also meeting state requirements for credits toward returning to high school and/or graduating. She taught with passion, guided many young women to complete high school and college. She was a mentor to many. Her unrelenting spirit of energy and goodness oozes from her and she is affectionately known as “MaryB” in many local communities.

After her retirement from Char-Em, she worked enthusiastically as a Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan Playgroup leader to bring young moms and children to a fun, creative and happy place where they connected with others. Her empathy, understanding, imagination, dedication and fun-loving, creative spirit were key ingredients in the popularity of Playgroup during her more than 10 year involvement. Her positive impact was clear from the comments and feedback of program participants: “she helped me become a better mom”, “my child constantly asks when we can go see MaryB again”, “Playgroup is the highlight of our week”, and “she helped me understand what was normal for each stage of my child’s early life”. Through Playgroup, Biagini touched the lives of hundreds of moms, dads and young children.

Biagini is a wonderful and avid volunteer because she believes in community and giving back. Her efforts have been appreciated and welcome by the humane societies in Emmet and Charlevoix counties, Boyne City Food Pantry, Planned Parenthood, WRCNM Gold Mine stores and others.

Her impact is far-reaching and evident in the fact that many families have stayed in touch with her and invited her to their children’s high school graduation – or even the college graduation of a child or grandchild of someone Biagini inspired, supported and believed in.

Biagini has made a difference in many people’s lives because she openly and lovingly has dared to treat them with respect and openness. She has helped people believe in themselves at vulnerable times. She has brought fun, laughter and joy into lives of many with her varied talents and skills. She has believed in the goodness of people and all of what then can be, and have to offer. Most importantly, she has helped many see their own potential and their good selves. She is the epitome of a SHERO.

Youth Award
Students Advancing Sexual Safety, local students working to prevent sexual violence
Students Advancing Sexual Safety: Olivia Nolff, Alayna Oakley, Grace Garver, Nadia Webster and Colleen Fantozzi. Not pictured Adriana Myers.

Students Advancing Sexual Safety (SASS) is a newly founded group at Petoskey High School (PHS) to bring about awareness and prevention of teen sexual assault and harassment. Research shows that young people are particularly affected by issues of sexual violence and student peers advocating for social change is important in these formative years.

SASS worked with Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM) to create training on the topics of substance use and sexual consent among youth. Their contribution helped the training by providing a realistic baseline for the views of young people in our community.

They assisted with the annual White Ribbon basketball game and encouraged men and boys to take the White Ribbon pledge to not commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls. Engaging all students and community members – not just women and girls – is an important part of preventing sexual violence.

The SASS group has advocated within their school for more comprehensive sex education because research shows a comprehensive sex education course can help reduce the risk of sexual violence for a school. Additionally they make informational materials and resource information available to their fellow students, by collaborating with WRCNM and Child Abuse Prevention and Education Council (CAPE). During April’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month, SASS planned a series of events to do just that – raise awareness among students, as well as in the community.

The members of SASS are students who are passionate about engaging their fellow students. They take part in many extracurricular activities including the Diversity Club to promote diversity engagement at PHS, the Gay/Straight alliance to advocate for and support LGBT+ students, several members are a part of the volleyball and softball teams and some are members of the robotics team. Many of the students involved in SASS also take honors and AP classes.

This group has shown great initiative navigating the systems involved in being established as a school club. They have also shown grace under pressure when fellow students have questioned the need for the activities they have promoted. This form of adversity is common for those who undertake the work of social change, but this group of young people has persevered.