LeadHERship 2023 Delivers Mentors to Women in Parks and Recreation

Women working in parks and recreation throughout and beyond North Carolina gathered at the Durham Armory on March 15th for several days of networking, learning and mentoring. Created in 2011, LeadHERship was designed to be an educational opportunity for women in parks and recreation to discover leadership strategies through engagement, insight and networking with successful female leaders.

Dedicated to helping women in the early stages of their career connect with accomplished leaders, Dale Smith recruited speakers and facilitated the event with a passion to instill personal growth. In addition to making sure newbies were at a table with veterans, Smith also led an interactive session called “Buddy to Boss” designed to provide support for the journey into supervision and to offer a refresher for long-time managers.

Creating a space to listen and learn

Some of the most accomplished leaders in parks and recreation are NC State alums, such as Michelle Wells, executive director of NC Recreation & Park Association. Wells graduated from NC State with an undergraduate degree in Recreation Resource Management.

“While all the speakers provided great nuggets of wisdom, I enjoyed an exercise where we shared with someone we didn’t know about our successes,” said Wells. “The person I partnered with had a great list. When she was finished, I was able to help her add to her list of accomplishments by asking questions.”

Wells attends the LeadHERship workshop each year for two reasons.

“The first is personal growth. I love learning from speakers outside of the profession who may bring a different perspective and getting those reminders on how women contribute to the leadership of business, government, and community,” said Wells. “The second reason is I want to support younger professional women in their journey. Providing encouragement and connections, answering questions, and learning from their perspective and experiences.”

Wells noted a few of the lessons learned shared by Becky Benna from Five Parks Metroparks in Dayton Ohio that resonated with her: Be fair and respectful; Keep your eye on the long game; Keep learning; Have the courage to do the right thing even when it is hard; Have a stress outlet; and don’t let fear stop you from taking calculated risks.

Many firsts in female leadership

One of this year’s sponsors was Sonya Reddick Shaw. She is the first African American woman to earn her Ph.D. in parks, recreation and tourism management from NC State. She focused her research on the career experiences, challenges and success strategies of African American women in public parks and recreation. A life time member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Shaw is a retired parks and recreation director with over 30 years of experience in municipal parks and recreation. One of the most accomplished women in the field, Shaw is dedicated to helping women pursue their next level of greatness and helping organizations develop employees for success.

“Years ago, I remember presenting one of the first conference sessions in NC discussing the challenges women face in the workplace as a practitioner,” said Shaw. “We had an awesome panel of women discussing their experiences with Vonda Martin serving as our moderator. A couple of years later, the women’s leadership conference would be birth out of this effort and help so many women connect across personal and professional experiences. I had no idea that 15 years later, I would establish a business focused on helping women in entry and middle level management positions pursuing their career dreams of leading in upper-level management positions. Amazing how things come full circle and I’m still able to help other women with their career mobility dreams.”

Wells and Shaw are among many recognized women leaders in parks and recreation. LuAnn Bryan is another. Beginning her career as a park ranger for NC State Parks, Bryan earned her masters’ degree in recreation resources and natural resource management at NC State. Her career and community experiences range from serving as advancement chair for the Boy Scouts of America to serving on the board of directors for the Park Ranger Institute and becoming a parks and recreation consultant.

The fourth female park ranger for NC State Parks, the first female recreation planner for Duke Power, and the first female recreation and parks director for the Black Mountain Recreation and Parks Department, Bryan has blazed many trails. Today, she is a project consultant with McGill Associates.

“I believe that the mentoring that can happen at this workshop has a lasting impact,” said Bryan. “I also think taking the time to step away from work and reflect on yourself and how you can continue to learn and grow professionally is essential. The LeaderHERship workshop makes this happen.”

Hearing your own voice

Leadership 2023 served up three days of networking, interactive sessions and inspiring speakers. A crowd favorite, Patrice Andrews, Durham’s police chief, delivered sage advice for women at all stages of their lives and careers: “Your value does not decrease based on someone’s ability to see your worth. Not every time you put yourself first is a time for an apology. Every time you suppress our voice you lose a bit of yourself.”

Andrews is the second African American women to lead the department. A graduate of North Carolina Central University , Andrews earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice rose through the ranks of the police department in the Bull City, starting in 1997, when she walked the beat as a patrol officer.

Inspiring the next generation to lead with authenticity

Designed to ensure women in the early stages of their career connect with accomplished leaders, this year’s LeadHERship conference delivered. All speakers and presenters shared both professional and personal experiences along with tips and proven tactics to help women navigate a growing industry and support their female colleagues.

“I loved the diversity of presenters and their different perspectives on leading authentically,” said first-time attendee, Kitty Gayner. “It was validating to hear that we all share similar challenges regardless of our unique positions in the industry.” Gayner is the Recreation Program Specialist for Holly Springs Parks and Recreation.

Holly Springs is one of many municipalities in North Carolina recently awarded funding for enhancements to park facilities as well as improved accessibility in community recreation.

North Carolina continues to invest in parks and recreation

The North Carolina Parks and Recreation Authority, which oversees the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF), recently approved $17.4 million to fund nine capital improvement projects and six land acquisitions for North Carolina state parks. This investment follows more than $500 million in funding included in the state’s biennium budget funding for parks, trails and conservation projects. The 2021 state budget also included $10 million for the Park and Recreation Trust Fund to provide matching grants to local governments for parks facilities for children and veterans living with disabilities.

Resources from the nation’s oldest technical assistance program for parks and agencies

The LeadHERship workshop is a highlight for many women in parks and recreation throughout North Carolina and from other states. NC State’s Recreation Resources Service (RRS), the nation’s oldest technical assistance program for parks and agencies in North Carolina, presents this event as part of the professional development opportunities offerings for recreation and leisure professionals.

In addition to providing technical assistance, applied research, and continuing education for the state of North Carolina, RRS offers services to government agencies, citizen boards, civic and service groups, schools, youth agencies, hospitals, senior centers, commercial, and non-profit organizations. RRS began as a function of the State of North Carolina Recreation Commission in 1943 and is the only organization of its kind in the United States.