March is a time to take a breather, reflect, and shout out the incredible women who’ve rocked history and today’s world. It’s all about fierce stories of grit, smarts, and leading the pack, reminding us of the ongoing fight for equality and the massive steps we’ve taken. In this blog, we’ve rounded up tales of badass women smashing ceilings, flipping the script on society’s norms, and blazing trails for themselves and others. From the bold moves of Mary Hulst in religious leadership to Alissa Roath’s strategic and innovative leadership in defense and Teresa Moon’s simplified and to-the-point approach to financing within government contracting. We’re also shining a light on Jennifer Coulter-Lissman’s logistics leadership, the badass crew of The Bode of Directors, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s rock-solid dedication to lift her state. Each of these women’s stories is inspiring, showing the world the fierce impact women have in every career and industry.
Mary Hulst
In response to being told “Women can’t be pastors” during her time at Calvin University (then Calvin College), Mary Hulst confidently replied, “I believe God has different plans.” In 1996, she made history as the first ordained female Minister in the US Christian Reformed Church at East Avenue CRC in Grand Rapids. Despite the Eastern Avenue Wedding being the first female-ordained ceremony in CRC history, it faced controversy, yet had a significant turnout on March 22, 1997.
Despite encountering severe community backlash, hate mail, and even death threats, Mary Hulst remained steadfast in her pastoral duties. Presently, she has served as the Chaplain of Calvin University for over a decade, showcasing resilience and dedication in the face of adversity.
Alissa Roath
We’re fully aware she might not be thrilled about us mentioning her, but we just had to chat about Alissa. Leading the pack at the National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC for short), Alissa is a total powerhouse. NAMC hooks up government contractors with Department of Defense gigs, equips members with the tools for success, and offers a boatload of resources for the crew.
Alissa kicked off with an art degree, but swiftly made her mark in Michigan’s defense industry – a whopping $30 billion sector in our state! Leading NAMC initiatives, strategizing, and uplifting fellow women in defense as Women in Defense Michigan‘s secretary. You rock, Alissa!
Teresa Moon
Speaking of badass women in government, there’s no way we can pass up Teresa. Anyone who’s met her will tell you Teresa is a total rockstar. She leads business development efforts for Parabilis, an alternative lending solution for government contractors. Parabilis is designed to help contractors succeed instead of hiding fees and restrictions in their payment options. Transparent, honest lending for people who need it…it can’t really get much better, can it?
Teresa and the Parabilis team are dedicated to assisting government contractors, going above and beyond to support them, even if they are not official clients. Teresa has taken it upon herself to establish connections nationwide, ensuring she can provide contractors with the resources they need. Not to mention, Teresa is actively involved in Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), advocating for public policy that empowers women-owned businesses. Teresa’s unwavering commitment and proactive approach are truly commendable. Thank you for all that you do, Teresa.
Jennifer Coulter-Lissman
Jennifer is the definition of a powerhouse. As President/CEO of NTG Supply Chain Solutions, she creates the vision, calls the shots, and finds the people who can make it happen.
We’ve known Jennifer for over a decade, and every time she’s been involved in a project, she puts her all into it. Plus, she’s, yet again (are you sensing a trend?) a woman leader in a male-dominated field. Jennifer has a track record of outstanding success, and she was even named one of the 2022 Top 10 Women in Logistics. Never stop crushing it, Jennifer.
Bode of Directors
It’s a group of women that call themselves the Bode of Directors. It’s like a modern-day hit squad; they are the smartest, sassiest, and most accomplished women I’ve had the honor of knowing. The bat signal goes out, and these women show up. Their weapons of choice? Wine, sarcasm, Type A-ness, vast network and big brains.
The best part is they’re intuitive and will force you to go on vacation, to dinner or show up at your house and force-feed you to ensure you are getting proper nutrition. They’ll also sic their mothers on you to ensure you go and get your yearly mammogram.
Get you a group of women that show up in big ways, and never ever have to be asked.
Adrienne, Sue, Lisa, Jen T., Jen J. and others – you’re a force.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
As a Michigander, it’s impossible to discuss remarkable women without acknowledging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. She stands as a prominent figure in Michigan’s political landscape, embodying the essence of an ideal political candidate – dedicated to uplifting her constituents.
Gov. Whitmer is actively shaping a robust foundation for students, beginning with childcare support for families in need, ensuring over a million hungry kids in public schools receive free breakfast and lunch, and contributing to university initiatives for a brighter tomorrow. By repealing a longstanding 1931 law, she has symbolically broken barriers of the past, allowing Michiganders autonomy over their bodies, notably by nullifying restrictions on abortions and protecting medical professionals in their duties. This transformative legislation empowers individuals to make personal choices regarding their health and well-being.
Whitmer embodies strength and resilience. Despite facing criticism from Trump for prioritizing Michigan’s safety during the pandemic, enduring threats from an armed mob planning her kidnapping at the state capitol, and fearlessly challenging long-standing ideals and policies, she remains undeterred. Her determination to challenge the status quo and drive progress is unwavering, proving that no obstacle, man or otherwise, can impede her path.
Reflecting on these amazing women, it’s clear their persistence, leadership, and groundbreaking achievements have opened new paths and inspired empowerment everywhere. Mary, Alissa, Teresa, Jennifer, the Bode of Directors, and Gov. Whitmer show us what determination is all about. Challenges and norms? They’re just stepping stones to bigger things! Their stories celebrate progress towards gender equality and urge us to keep advocating, being resilient, and supporting women worldwide. Let’s carry the spirit of these trailblazers forward, honoring their contributions and our shared responsibility to create a fairer world for everyone.
