A look at exceptional women in Champaign County, Part 4

When Rita Garman graduated from law school In 1968, she struggled to find employment. 'No one wants to talk to a woman attorney,' she heard. Fifty-four years later, Rita retired from the Illinois Supreme Court after 21 years (three as chief justice) and, with 48 total years on the bench, the longestserving Illinois jurist. She now practices with Webber Thies. 'There is no doubt I have had the role of a lifetime, a privilege to serve the people in the court system at every level,' Garman said. 'I am pleased that 40 percent of Illinois lawyers are now women and, in many law classrooms, women outnumber men.' Currently, Anna Benjamin, Ramona Sullivan, and Colleen Ramais hold court in Urbana. Julia Rietz has served as Champaign County's universally respected State's Attorney since 2004. Although she prosecutes lawbreakers, Rietz believes 'People are basically good, and I encourage my staff to believe that, because otherwise we would become cynical and disillusioned.' For nearly 13 years, Shayla Maatuka has led Maatuka Al-Heeti Emkes LLC as principal owner and managing partner. She has practiced law for 17 years, with commercial litigation as a focus. She is a past 40 Under 40 selection, and won the Athena in 2023. Roaa Al-Heeti joined the practice in 2010 and became a partner in 2013. Elizabeth Angelo is Chief Nurse Executive and Senior Vice President, Carle Health, and also President, Carle Foundation Hospital. Amanda Steffen has been with Carle for 18 years and is Executive Director of Advanced Practice Providers at all sites. Dr. Jamie Fulfer, Medical Director for Women's Services, assures quality Ob/Gyn care for the region. In 19 years with Christie Clinic, Candace McGregor, MD has served as Chief Medical Officer and on its Board of Directors. She now focuses on her Ob/Gyn practice. Dr. Caitlyn Foote leads dermatology, one of Christie's largest departments, currently staffed by nine women physicians and advanced nurse practitioners. Andréa Fain is executive assistant to the director of the Cancer Center of Illinois, newly designated as one of eight elite national research institutes that focus on innovative approaches to cancer detection, treatment, and prevention. Fain is past president of Illinois Administrative Professionals at UIUC, and president-elect of the Champaign Rotary Club. Nancy Mella-Oliver is in her 18th year as administrator of Windsor of Savoy Retirement Home, now Vice President of Operations for owner Greencroft Communities. She is a Director at Life Services Network of Illinois, and has devoted 35 years to hospital administration and geriatric care management. Debra Reardanz has been with Clark-Lindsey for 17 years, the past four as President/CEO of Lindsey Communities. She won the Athena in 2017. She is on the Board of Advisors, UI Health Technology. Jen Shelby sold the last of her three auto dealerships in 2021 to devote herself to Shatterglass Films/Flyover Studios, where she is a producer/executive producer, or simply does 'whatever needs to be done.' Shelby co-founded the Rantoul enterprise. Cindy Somers runs Spherion Staffing and Recruiting with offices in Savoy, Decatur, and Bloomington. Originally partnered with her father, she became sole owner in 2012. Somers has received the 2014 and 2024 United Way Spirit of Caring, the 2018 Entrepreneurial Excellence Award for Management, the 2012 Athena, and the 2011 CU Schools Foundation Community Impact Award. Last May Monica Miles Shellman stepped in as CEO of the Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club. As COO from 2023, Shellman had spearheaded the Club's growth and impact. Says former CEO Amy Susan Brown: 'She is the smartest, hardestworking, most extraordinary young woman I know.' In December, Sara Sandquist completes four years as Executive Director of the Champaign Park District. 'It's really not typical to have 14 facilities and 62 parks for a city the size of Champaign,' Sandquist said. 'That was very attractive, to come someplace…with really good bones.' Kelly Hunt is in her tenth year with Farm Credit Illinois headquartered at Mahomet, soon to mark two years as CEO. Her background is as a practicing CPA, but she has a family heritage in Central Illinois farming. Mary Tiefenbrunn has been Executive Director of the Champaign County Humane Society for 19 years, and led the design of new facilities on Kearns drive where the Society relocated in 2023. They tripled their former space and significantly upgraded conditions for animals. After a 30-year career in education, Minnie Pearson is in her second term as President of the Champaign County NAACP. She has been honored with the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Outstanding Achievement Award, and also the Dave Benton Crime Fighter of the Year award. Traci Barkley is in her 13th year leading Sola Gratia Farm, a ministry of St. Patrick's Lutheran Church. During peak season SGF staffers mount weekly donations to more than a dozen food pantries and soup kitchens. Since 2012, SGF has donated more than 180,000 pounds of fresh produce to hunger abatement programs The women leaders I have featured, plus a hundred more not mentioned, embody the power of vision, resilience, and purpose. Across different countries, industries, and backgrounds, they demonstrate how true impact is built through courage, continuous growth, innovation, and a commitment to creating positive change for others. They exemplify relentless pursuit of excellence and devotion to service. Whether they are transforming organizations, advancing technology, empowering communities, driving sustainability, supporting entrepreneurship, or inspiring future generations, these women continue to challenge boundaries and redefine what is possible. Women leaders shape and change our world. Not only do we need a woman as President of these United States, but if women led all influential nations, I believe we would have fewer wars and more positivity, cooperation, and caring consideration of our planet. Lex Tate informed me of this quote from Mao Zedong: "Women hold up half the sky." I say they hold up even more. After all, women give us the ultimate gift—life.