League of Women Voters to honor women in government March 29

Beverly Bodem

ALPENA — The League of Women Voters of Northeast Michigan invites the public to a community dialogue and reception celebrating women in government at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 29 in the Stillion Room at Alpena County Library.

March is Women’s History Month, and the program is celebrating six women who have served in various roles in the Alpena community over the years. The six panelists are Alpena Mayor Cindy Johnson, former State Representative Beverly Bodem, former Alpena Mayor Carol Shafto, District Court Judge Lora Greene, Alpena City Council member Karol Walchak, and Alpena Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Anne Gentry.

In addition to the panelists, the League of Women Voters will honor Vernie Nethercut with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Desserts and refreshments will be provided at this free program. Seating is limited, so attendees are asked to RSVP on the League of Women Voters of Northeast Michigan website at lwvnemi.org.

LWV members Elaine Stenger and Kathleen Bower explained why the League is celebrating women in government. Stenger is the vice president of the Northeast Michigan league, and Bower is the secretary.

Anne Gentry

“First of all, we want to give full kudos to Carol Lund,” Stenger said. “This was her brain child.”

Lund is a member of the League’s leadership team. She and her husband are currently in Cambodia. She will be back to Alpena for the March 29 program.

“March is Women’s History Month, and we have a lot of really good women leaders,” Stenger said, adding that the League wants “to celebrate the accomplishments and the talents of these women.”

She said the event is an opportunity to bring women together to meet, connect, and inspire each other. Men are welcome to attend the event, as well.

“The League is basically an educational institution,” Stenger explained, adding that the League is nonpartisan and membership is open to everyone, including men. “Our goal is to help people become better citizens.”

Karol Walchak

Some of the topics to be covered include how these women have navigated through challenges in their careers, how they have helped move communities forward, and what each panelist can teach attendees about being better citizens.

“The whole idea is to reach out and connect,” Stenger said. “We told the panelists we really want a dialogue. We want people to hear from you, and we want you to hear from them.”

Stenger added that the event was appropriately timed during Women’s History Month.

“The most frequently quoted woman in history is ‘anonymous’,” Stenger said. “Most women’s quotes from the past were termed ‘anonymous.’ For our whole civilization, women haven’t gotten due credit. I’m still amazed at the things women, particularly women scientists, don’t get credit for, still.”

“In the past, women authors and probably women journalists had to use pseudonyms, or initials that sounded like a man,” Bower added. “It’s time to step up, and it’s time for Alpena to recognize their women that have worked so hard.”

Carol Shafto

Carol Shafto

Carol Shafto grew up in Northeast Michigan, is a mother, grandmother, former mayor, multi-award winner, and Lego builder extraordinaire. She has been recognized as an outstanding alum, graduate, citizen, and public servant. As a Nationally Certified Planner educated in Michigan, Shafto was the Director of Planning and Evaluation for Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency for 38 years. She also served for two years in the U.S. Air Force.

As a public servant, Shafto served on the City Planning Commission for eight years, was elected to Alpena City Council for 12 years, and then served as Mayor of Alpena for four years, retiring in 2011. She was never defeated in 16 years of elected office.

“We opened a door for women to serve in government here,” Shafto said.

Her greatest achievement is working with federal and state representatives to designate Thunder Bay as the first National Marine Sanctuary in fresh water. Shafto was awarded the National Environmental Hero award in 2002 and is thrilled to be known as “The Mother of the Sanctuary.” She has served on the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council since 1997, and she is a charter member of the TBNMS Friends Board.

Cindy Johnson

“I’ve always been inclined to service,” Shafto said. “I do it because I believe I have something of value to give. If I can make my community a little bit better, why not?”

She has encountered challenges.

“Planning is generally or was then, a male-dominated field,” Shafto said. “I was one of two certified planners in the region. In the early days on Council, I needed to prove myself to be accepted and respected. I was only the second woman to ever serve on Council at that time. Needing to prove myself quickly dissipated. I believe men are or were accepted at face value, and women have to earn it.”

She added that her advice to women in or considering leadership is to be prepared, know the issues, be honest, own your positions and why, relate to the constituency, and be approachable and available.

Anne Gentry

Lora Greene

Anne Gentry has been the executive director of the Alpena Downtown Development Authority since the spring of 2017. She manages day-to-day operations and leads the execution of DDA goals, programs, and strategies.

She graduated from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature, with a concentration on English and Italian literature. She has also studied in Bologna, Italy, and Adelaide, South Australia.

Gentry also serves as a board member for Thunder Bay Theatre in Alpena, and Michigan Downtown Association, a statewide association for downtown revitalization, education, and advocacy. She grew up in Alpena and is proud to be a part of the downtown’s renaissance in her DDA role.

“After college, I worked at the marine sanctuary here in Alpena and volunteered with the DDA through that position,” Gentry said. “I really fell in love with the downtown at that point and got to see first-hand the role that governmental organizations like the DDA play in creating a strong community and enhancing the quality of life here.”

She talked about some challenges.

“I think the hardest challenge is balancing a variety of different perspectives, stakeholders, and opinions,” Gentry said. “When you work with the public in such a visible role, everyone has an opinion on the work that you’re doing. You have to balance a variety of interests and personalities, all while staying focused on the long-term vision and big-picture goals.”

Some challenges relate to gender.

“I was in a particularly challenging position when I first started in this role — I was 24, fresh out of college, and a young woman in a male-dominated sphere,” Gentry recalled. “Like Ginger Rogers said, she did everything that Fred Astaire did but backwards and in heels. Economic development and government are still two very male-dominated fields. Especially when I first started, it was intimidating occupying those spaces and feeling like I didn’t belong. Over eight years, it’s become easier to believe I deserve a spot at those tables given my experience and track-record of successful projects. Having mentors (both men and women) has also been immensely helpful over my time as a leader.”

Gentry’s advice to other women is, “Keep sticking to it. You only learn through difficult situations (I know I have had a fair amount of them). Seek out mentors. Truly believe you deserve a seat at the table. And don’t forget to remind yourself why you started this work in the first place.”

Lora Greene

Lora Greene is the Chief Judge Pro Tempore for the 26th Judicial Circuit Court. She was appointed Probate Judge for Montmorency County in June 2021, and reelected in 2022 and 2024, which includes presiding as the 88-2 District Court Judge and Family Court Judge for Montmorency County. Prior to that, Greene was a practicing attorney for 31 years, Alpena County Administrator, and an adjunct faculty member for Alpena Community College.

Her current and past community activities include involving students in Law Day moot court activities, being a member of the LWV, and serving as a board member for the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan, Besser Museum, Alpena hospital, and Thunder Bay Theatre, to name a few.

“I am involved in government and volunteer services for the opportunity to serve,” Greene said. “To be involved in the matters that affect our day-to-day life. To be heard and be a part of our democracy.”

She talked about challenges.

“Communication and trust are daily challenges,” Greene said. “Miscommunication leads to misunderstandings, errors and decreased morale. The importance of proper follow-up and delegation of responsibilities is critical to maintaining relationships. I try to establish trust through transparency, and keeping my word.

Her advice to other women considering leadership roles is, “Do it. Keep trying. Attend meetings and know for sure you want to be involved before you take on the responsibility. Build the skills you need.”

Beverly Bodem

Beverly Bodem was born in Wisconsin and has spent the past 50 years in Alpena. Amazingly, for 42 years of that time, she has been active in politics.

Beginning in 1976, she was the Office Manager and Public Relations Director of WHSB-FM radio station. In 1984, she used her innovative marketing ideas to help create a new radio station in Rogers City and served as General Sales Manager.

From 1991 to 1998, Bodem was a well-respected State Representative of the 106 District. Her constituents knew she was truly there for them. She served on committees of importance to Northeast Michigan: Conservation, Environment and Recreation, Economic Development, Senior Citizens and Retirement and Health Policy.

Active in many volunteer positions, Bodem still advises businesses, campaigns and social service organizations in leadership and team building, organizational development, community relations and innovative marketing plans.

Karol Walchak

Karol Walchak was born and raised in Alpena and left in 1978 to attend college. After earning her doctorate in English and teaching for 10 years, she returned to Alpena in 2000, where her family roots run deep.

She is now a member of the Alpena City Council and is passionate about downtown historical development, improving the north side, and recycling. She is a mother of two and grandmother of three. Her first job was at the Dairy Queen on Chisholm Street, from which she developed a good work ethic. She has also worked as a food server, bartender, card dealer, and English professor.

In addition to City Council, Walchak is active with the Human Sex Trafficking Force, the Council for Humanities, and serves as the moderator for Knowledge Bowl.

Cindy Johnson

Cindy Johnson was born and raised in Alpena, and is proud to be a part of this wonderful community. Before being elected to City Council, she served on the Alpena Planning Commission for 11 years. She served as chair of the Historic Study Committee, which established Alpena’s only single site designated historic district, Memorial Hall, which is registered with the State of Michigan.

“I also served on the DDA Design Committee for the better part of 20 years, helping to transition our downtown to offer a unique experience for tourists and locals,” she said in a written statement. “We initiated the Downtown Facade Program that is still going strong today.”

She is finishing her eighth year on Council.

“It is an honor to serve on City Council, and to be a part of moving Alpena forward,” she said.

“When two women come together, they can change the world,” Stenger said.

For more information about the League of Women Voters of Northeast Michigan, visit lwvnemi.org.