‘Pillars in their community’: Women of Distinction honored

PALMER ¬— The first Women of Distinction award ceremony hosted by the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman drew a sizable crowd Friday night as 20 women from the community were honored, recognized for their various achievements in the economic and social stratospheres.

Michelle Overstreet, founder and executive director of MyHouse, was one of the 20 women selected that evening. She said that she was honored for even being on the list of so many inspiring women, several she went to high school with.

"I feel blessed there's a program that recognizes the outstanding women," Overstreet said. "There's really a lot of powerful women here."

Overstreet founded the youth homeless facility more than 10 years ago. She said that her journey has been educational and emotional. She said through the good days and the bad, for the women who are striving to make the change, "don't give up."

"Be persistent and consistent. Be in it for the long haul," Overstreet said. "Find a group of partners, a support team that can lift you up in that space of being a valuable community member... We have to work together. That's essential."

Davis hosted the event with the help of her marketing team. Davis emceed the event, walking up to the stage while Queen's "We Will Rock You" echoed in the Raven Hall.

"...Keep on fighting to the end," Davis said, quoting the song.

Davis said each of the 20 nominees showed two prominent traits — their love and their humanity.

"Our humanity is what connects us all as mortal beings and love the fundamental element that holds us all together," Davis said.

Regional publisher for Wick Communications, Alaska and Colorado, Dennis Anderson, took to the podium and held his hand to his chest as he looked around a room of familiar faces from the community he’s learned to call his own after moving his family to the Valley from Colorado.

"This is quite an honor for us to put this on," Anderson said.

He said that picking the keynote speaker, Mat-Su Borough School District superintendent Dr. Monica Goyette, was a, "hit out of the ballpark."

"She has shown us what a strong woman can do when given an opportunity to do so. She's led the school district through some serious issues and she's come through like a champ. We really appreciate your efforts Dr. Goyette," Anderson said.

Goyette said she found a list of common characteristics amongst the nominees, based on their interviews and profiles. The top descriptors she said she found were faith, family, hard work, grit and community involvement.

"Grit, I love that word," Goyette said.

She said as an educator, she couldn't help but prompt the room into a group exercise, asking them to share with their table the various strengths they saw in each other. People from each table laughed and played along. Goyette reined them in and left them with a parting message of resiliency, the fuel for their fires, "that ability to bounce back, the common theme."

"Hard-work plus resilliency equals grit, which a lot of you talked about having," Goyette said.

Stephanie Allen, executive director of United Way of Mat-Su, won the award for the 2018 Woman of Distinction for her various philanthropic works in the Valley, particularly through the non-profit program. When her name was announced, she threw her hand over her mouth. Before, during and after the ceremony, Allen, like many of the other women there shared hugs and hearty handshakes until everyone packed up to leave.

"I'm just really overwhelmed," Allen said. “It's a blessing to work with so many people who care about our community."

Business owner, community volunteer and business manager for the Children's Place, Michelle Sturgeon shared a post-ceremony quote via text message, "I was humbled just standing on stage with a group of women that I often look up too, inspire to be like, and enjoy working with. I see a group of leaders on my left and right, that represent passion and have the courage to do the hard jobs that lead to real change in our communities. I see leaders that are invested, and want the best for all of us in Alaska. The strength of the women on that stage tonight was very impactful! The hugs and congratulations shared before we all walked off stage was amazing. I feel everyone was proud to be there representing diversity and being a woman worthy of distinction in our community. We are all so proud of Stephanie Allen, she is an incredible asset and one amazing lady!”