Here’s to the Women Who Impacted Members of the GW Community Part 3
Throughout Women’s History Month, GW Today is highlighting strong women through first-person testimonials.
March marks Women’s History Month, and GW Today asked members of the George Washington University community to share a story of a woman who has shaped or influenced their lives. Here is the third and final installment of what some had to say about mothers, co-workers, friends, sisters-in-law and others.
Kathryn Bibler, B.A. '12, Columbian College of Arts and Sciences; staff, Office of Communications and Marketing
I met Pavi (Prakash Nair) as a junior at GW during our study abroad trip to Chile. After a few weeks, we were inseparable. We had the chance to live together for one semester, but since we graduated, we have always lived on different continents. She taught me to be a better human being and a better friend–staying close across the time zones while she did awesome human rights work on the Khmer Rouge trials, in the International Criminal Court and then as a lawyer in the UK. I have postcards from her stamped in Cambodia, the Hague, Singapore; and to this day, wherever she is in the world, I always send her a batch of her favorite chocolate cookies on her birthday. Thirteen years on, she is my dearest friend and my favorite travel buddy. In May of this year, Pavi will be officiating my wedding in Mexico!
Leia Ficks, B.A. '22, Elliott School of International Affairs; student, GW Law
It was anything but an ordinary day in St. Francis Hospital on a 2014 afternoon. My family and I were gathered around my Nanny’s bed as she received her associate’s degree. At the age of 78, amid a hard-fought struggle with lung and brain cancer, my Nanny finally achieved her dream of obtaining her college degree. Despite my young age of 13, I vividly remember her comment that she found determination to complete the degree from her grandchildren—three of whom are female. My Nanny’s tremendous perseverance and tenacity, even in the face of a cruel disease, serves as a guiding inspiration for my academic and personal goals. In the nine years since her passing, her legacy has had a profound impact on my worldly viewpoint and desire to pursue a J.D. Even on the hardest of days, I reflect on the hurdles she faced and obstacles she overcame in completing her degree. Mine pale in comparison to hers. In the face of great adversity, she pushed through. She was truly a remarkable woman and the exact embodiment of an empowered and strong-willed woman.
Veronica Franklin, staff, Division of Operations
Rose Dunnegan. There is not much recognition given to the work done by the GW Division of Operations, but Rose goes above and beyond to lift those of us who work in facilities and housekeeping. She listens and helps to resolve issues that arise. I actually would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Facilities/Housekeeping Support staff to thank Rose for her dedication.
Jerry Franz, staff, Milken Institute School of Public Health
I met Dr. Vicki S. Freimuth when I was a disheartened junior at the University of Maryland. I knew I had selected the wrong major, but I didn't know what the right one was either. Fortunately, I took a communications course with Dr. Freimuth (now emerita faculty at the University of Georgia) as an elective, did well in it and loved the material. This led to a switch to pursue a B.A. in communications under her mentorship and to opportunities to help her teach an introductory class in my senior year. Post graduation, it was Dr. Freimuth who helped me begin my practitioner career by persuading a new communications firm, Porter Novelli, to take me on as an intern. Dr. Freimuth was a junior faculty member when I was in school but went on to a brilliant career that included tenured faculty positions and eight years as head of communications for the CDC. I owe my career in the private sector to her. For planting the seeds of academia in my head so many years ago, I owe her the joy I have felt teaching and advising students in the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health. Thank you, Vicki. Your kindness and caring made all the difference.
Latricia Gianino, staff, School of Medicine and Health Sciences
I worked at GW School of Medicine Office of Admissions in D.C. from 2002 to 2004. I since moved back to Arizona. I found out a while after my time at GW that I had a cyst in my brain that needed to be monitored. Last year, the MRI showed that the cyst needed to come out. I was assigned a neurosurgeon here in Phoenix. She graduated from GW School of Medicine! I knew she’d do a great job! My colloid cyst was removed on Dec. 1, 2022, by Dr. Michaela Lee. Shortly after, I began working full time again for GW in a remote position with the School of Medicine Admissions Office. I feel like I have come full circle.
Fallon Goodman, faculty, Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Ruth Goodman. A 4-foot-11 force of wisdom, activism and grace.
When I got into graduate school, Gram sent me a glass owl figurine with a handwritten note in her distinctive cursive. Owls were symbols of knowledge, she wrote, apropos of my upcoming journey. More than anyone in my family, Gram appreciated the value of education. Perhaps this was why she took classes at New York University until age 82, when cancer stole her brilliant mind—the mind that self-taught five languages and absorbed a book a week.
Years later, while browsing an Austin antique store, I stumbled upon two owl figurines. I shipped Gram the big one and kept the little one.
When Gram died in 2017, I went back to her home, the place where my sister and I spent so many weekends. I entered her office—a library really, with books lining the walls and overflowing from her closet—and found the big owl perched on her desk.
I tucked it into my pocket.
I often work from home with my newborn asleep on me in her carrier. I sometimes gaze at the two owls on my desk and wonder when I will give my daughter the little one.
Seda Gunes, graduate student, Elliott School of International Affairs
One of the most influential women in my life is my mother. She was not sent to school after the fifth grade. Her father decided on my mother's education life. Later, my mother got married when she was 17 years old. Even though my mother could not continue her education, she has always been dedicated to improving herself. We survived the most difficult days of our lives thanks
to her resilience and fortitude. She helps my dad a lot. Although she is a housewife, she is the mother of five children and a very resilient woman. She raised three very strong women. She made sure that my sisters and I always had the education she couldn't have. Most importantly, she raised us as very strong women. She never let us be vulnerable to a man. She is also raising my twin brothers by teaching them to always be respectful to women. Thanks to my mother, there are two men in the world who know the value and importance of women. I learned from my mother how gender equality should be ensured even if our society does not allow it. I got my fighting and resilience side from my mother because she always taught me to be strong. I am proud of my mother and feel lucky to be one of her children.
Obaaheema Mesah, student, Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
My mother, Gladys Appiah, is a woman who has had a significant influence on my life. She is a cycle-breaker and radiates light wherever she finds herself. To know Gladys is to know what love is.
Her ability to balance her life by making ends meet, showing love to everyone who crosses her path, managing her time and leading through highs and lows inspired me so much as a youngster.
It was very easy for me to equate shunning my stress and anxiety with strength when I was younger. However, she helped me to realize and understand the value of having a support system. She taught me that it was perfectly okay to struggle on some days, and the necessity of having a community at all times in life. Gladys serves as my constant source of motivation that no matter what I am going through in life, there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
I acknowledge her for her courage, hard work and dedication in honor of Women’s History Month. Also, shout out to all Black women out there doing their best and making history!
Bridget Schwartz, staff, Center for Career Services
I have been blessed to be surrounded by many incredible women in my life, starting with my mom and grandmother, but professionally, the woman who influenced me the most was a past supervisor, Rachel Brown. She taught me to believe in myself and my potential, to lead with kindness and care, to persist through adversity, and gave me the courage to pursue my own leadership roles. I will forever be grateful to Rachel for the years of support she showed to her team and me. I am a better woman and leader because of her.
Fantine Moreta, student, Milken Institute School of Public Health
Maybe as with many of us, the woman who impacted and still impacts my life the most is my mom! Her life history impacted me on many of my choices, some positively and some negatively. But all with a purpose—to continue making me a better human being.
Denise Dombay, B.A. ’88, School of Business
My mom, Janet Dombay, has had a huge impact on my life. She demonstrated how a woman could be a successful and happy wife, mother, coach and full-time teacher. She instilled in me the importance of education. And she always made me believe I could achieve whatever I put my mind to—there were no limits due to gender and a strong education was important to my future. I clearly remember attending her college graduation from West Chester State University as a child. She sometimes took me and my sister with her to class when our babysitter was unavailable. Most of all she did all of this with humility and compassion—always finding time to help others along the way. She instilled in me the spirit of philanthropy and giving back whenever possible.