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Good morning, Fearless readers:
Happy 2025!
In this week’s Fearless e-newsletter, you will find:
- A compilation of Fearless moments from our Women of Influence alumni.
- A guest column from Harwant Khush about the power of nonverbal communication.
- In the headlines: Since retiring from teaching in Albia 13 years ago, Mary Sauter has raised nearly $75,000 a year to purchase brand-new toys at discounted prices.
- In case you missed it: A story from dsm magazine on memory cafes.
- Lots more!
— Emily Barske Wood, Business Record special projects editor
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Women of Influence alumni share fearless moments
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COMPILED BY EMILY BARSKE WOOD, SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR
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Women of Influence alumni gather together in October 2024. Photo by Duane Tinkey.
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In celebration of 25 years of our Women of Influence awards in 2024, we asked our alumni to share about a time they were fearless. As you read, you’ll see that many point out that acting fearlessly does not mean having no fear. It means moving forward despite it.
Moments of courage come in everyday life and also in times that end up being pivotal in the course of our lives. Some of these experiences are personal, some are professional. Some require advocating for ourselves, some require advocating for others. Some of these moments mean we must say no, some mean we must say yes. All of them are fearless in their own right.
This is a small selection of the responses, which have been edited for clarity and brevity. See all the responses on our website.
Joyce Chapman, 2001 honoree
As a relatively new employee, I discovered a defalcation committed by a senior staff member. The amount was insignificant, but I had to be fearless to report the finding.
Renee Hardman, 2004 honoree
One of my many fearless moments was the decision to run for office the very first time. I knew that there was only one other woman who had run for West Des Moines City Council — but there had never been an African American woman who had run in 125 years of the city’s history.
Teri Wood TeBockhorst, 2011 honoree
I have stepped out of my comfort zone to face my fears on many occasions. One of my fearless moments that I will carry with me forever was when I faced my fear of flying by boarding a military C-130 fuel tanker, climbed down into the "bubble" of the plane and refueled an F-16 fighter jet while in the air over South Dakota. The captain told me we were flying over South Dakota because we’d affect fewer people if we blew up over that state than if we blew up over a more populous state. That was fearful.
Angela Franklin, 2014 honoree
I was in my eighth year of presidency of Des Moines University, having launched the first successful comprehensive fundraising campaign with plans to add a few new programs and build support for our research enterprise at our 3200 Grand campus. We only needed to ask for a property zoning change to allow for modest growth. With the denial of this request came a question of how and if DMU could ever grow beyond its current footprint. A bold suggestion to just relocate the campus and build an entirely new campus from the ground up was my fearless moment.
Diana Deibler, 2017 honoree
At age 6, I walked 2 miles on a gravel road to trade two rabbits for a baby pig — without my parents’ permission. It was a small, yet life-changing act of determination and fearlessness. From that day forward I believed that if I wanted something, I could make it happen. I named my pig Matilda and every Saturday while my mom was getting her hair done, I’d put a dog harness on her, Matilda, not my mom, and walk around town.
Mary Andringa, 2020 honoree
After the sudden death of our 19-month-old grandson, I found the only way to accept this very sad happening in my life was to understand that each day is a gift. I am not guaranteed that my loved ones and friends will be with me the next day, so I need to appreciate each and every day.
Dr. Aneesa Afroze, 2022 honoree
As an infectious disease physician, I have always believed that nothing will excite me more than the challenge of diagnosing and treating a rare exotic illness. Until one day, almost a decade ago, this excitement had turned into fear. In September 2014, we got the news of the first patient in Texas with Ebola virus disease. A wave of fear gripped our nation and we needed to prepare. As the only female frontline physician on the emergency preparedness team, despite knowing the consequences of exposure to this disease, I jumped into the ship to serve my purpose. I realized that this was my moment to be fearless.
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Guest commentary: The power of nonverbal communication
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Individuals use two primary modes of communication: verbal and nonverbal. Verbal communication relies on language and words. Nonverbal communication is expressed through gestures, facial expressions, body language, tone of voice and other physical cues.
Extensive research highlights the profound impact of nonverbal communication on human connections. A widely cited study by Mehrabian (1971) famously theorized that communication consists of 93% nonverbal elements (55% body language and 38% tone of voice) and only 7% verbal content. Recent research suggests that nonverbal cues account for 70% to 80% of communication. These and other studies affirm the enduring significance of nonverbal communication in effectively conveying messages and establishing connections.
Nonverbal communication has been integral to human survival, predating the development of spoken language among early Homo sapiens. It served as the primary means of interaction, enabling cooperation and social bonding in prehistoric communities. In his inspiring work "The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals" (1872), Charles Darwin highlighted the evolutionary importance of nonverbal cues, describing them as fundamental to expressing emotions and social communication.
Mastering nonverbal communication is essential for cultivating confidence, charisma and speaking competence. Investing time in mastering nonverbal skills, especially hand gestures, is crucial for anyone aiming to excel as a communicator.
Six tips to enhance your hand gestures
- Project confidence, competence and trust with palms up: Open palms facing slightly upward convey transparency, openness and reliability while showing that the speaker has nothing to hide. This gesture promotes collaboration and trust. Avoid fists or showing the backs of your hands, as these can appear defensive, aggressive or untrustworthy.
- Highlight lists, numbers and sizes: Use hand gestures to enumerate numerical listings or demonstrate size. For example, while saying, "There are three pillars to success: strategy, execution and persistence," show three fingers. It is like subtitles for a speech but better.
- Stay in the power box: This is the area between the shoulders and waist where hand gestures are most impactful. Gestures within this area encourage attention and avoid distractions.
- Match gestures with vocal tone: Match your gestures to the emotional tone of the message. For sincerity, place your hand over your heart. For example, "It is a profound and tragic loss" is expressed by placing a hand over the heart. Open arms gestures express enthusiasm and joy.
- Signify unity and collaboration: Bringing hands together signifies teamwork and collaboration, like saying, "We are in this together." For example, use this gesture for statements like, "Innovation thrives when research and development work hand in hand."
- Make abstract concepts concrete: Visual representations best explain abstract ideas like growth, sizes and shapes. For example, use an upward gesture for growth as you say, "Our sales have been climbing steadily since Q1." Or use a downward motion to say, "Our company is on a downhill course."
Six hand gesture mistakes to avoid
- Avoid pointing at the audience: Pointing a finger comes across as aggressive or hostile, and it may feel like you are delivering a sermon or scolding. Instead, use neutral gestures, such as a sideways or closed hand with an extended thumb, that convey action without confrontation. Politicians often use this technique effectively.
- Don’t cross your arms: Crossing arms at the chest might make a speaker powerful. To the audience, it means, "I’m either defensive or about to lecture you." It creates a psychological barrier between the speaker and the audience. Instead, keep your posture open to build connections. Remember: "Arms crossed; connection lost."
- Keep hands out of your pockets: Hands in pockets might seem casual, but they can also indicate nervousness or disengagement. Instead, let arms hang naturally in a relaxed and open position. As comedian Jerry Seinfeld quipped, "What’s the deal with hands in pockets? It’s not like they’re cold in here!"
- Avoid fidgeting: Using objects like pens, jewelry or gadgets as props can distract your audience and signal nervousness. If you need an object as a prop, keep it on the side and use it only when necessary.
- Avoid repetitive gestures: Repeating the same gesture can make the speaker monotonous and look like a robot. Aim to vary movements to complement the message.
- Avoid wild or exaggerated gestures: Overly dramatic and flailing hand movements can distract from the message. Instead, ensure gestures are intentional, purposeful and controlled to reinforce points effectively.
The goal is not just to speak but to communicate — to ensure that words and actions resonate in harmony. With appropriate hand gestures, nonverbal communication transforms one’s delivery from a mere presentation to a compelling and memorable communication.
Harwant Khush contributes to research and curriculum development of Tero International Inc.'s programs with an emphasis on intercultural coursework. She spent her early childhood in Tanzania, Africa, and later on moved to India. She obtained a master’s degree in psychology from the Punjab University, Chandigarh, Punjab, India, and a master’s in education from California State University. She spent a significant number of years in the Philippines, as a part of the international community at the International Rice Research Institute. She obtained a Ph.D. in Education from the University of the Philippines, Los Banos (UPLB).
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"IGNORE THE GLASS CEILING AND DO YOUR WORK. IF YOU’RE FOCUSING ON THE GLASS CEILING, FOCUSING ON WHAT YOU DON’T HAVE, FOCUSING ON THE LIMITATIONS, THEN YOU WILL BE LIMITED."
AVA DUVERNAY
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Johnston mayor sets 2,500-mile running goal to support local food pantry: Johnston Mayor Paula Dierenfield finished her "Mayor’s Run for Food 2024" on Nov. 15 with an official total of 2,383 miles. She promised to run 1 mile for every $10 or bag of groceries donated to the Johnston food pantry in December 2023. The annual fundraiser has raised over $81,130 since it began. She’s set a goal of 2,500 miles for the initiative’s 11th year.
Four Iowa hospitals ranked among the best for maternity care by U.S. News & World Report: Four Iowa hospitals are considered high performers for maternity care by U.S. News & World Report: Mercy Medical Center Cedar Rapids, MercyOne Birth Center Mason City, MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center and University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center. U.S. News analyzed 817 hospitals across the U.S. on metrics such as cesarean section rates, severe unexpected newborn complications, breast milk feeding and more. MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center had lower rates of severe newborn complications than the other three hospitals, according to the Des Moines Register.
Real-life Mrs. Claus: Retired Iowa teacher provides Christmas gifts for thousands of kids: Since retiring from teaching in Albia 13 years ago, Mary Sauter has purchased Christmas presents for children in need across the state of Iowa. Sauter raises nearly $75,000 a year to purchase brand-new toys at discounted prices. Elementary schools identify children in need and their interests to benefit from Sauter’s kindness. She has given toys to more than 18 school districts across Iowa and ensures each child receives gifts related to their interests, according to a story from KCCI.
‘There’s room for creativity’: Farmer, conservationist awarded for sustainable ag practices: Wendy Johnson of Charles City was awarded the 2024 Iowa Aldo Leopold Conservation Award. The award from the Sand County Foundation celebrates farmers’ and conservationists’ work, hoping to inspire landowners to "embrace conservation practices that improve soil health, water resources and wildlife habitat." Johnson, a fourth-generation farmer, is the third Iowan to win the award, according to the Cedar Rapids Gazette.
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More women are planning to vacation alone in 2025 (NBC News). From Caitlin Clark and Simone Biles to a new hockey league, women’s sports had a pivotal year (McAlester News-Capital). New York employers must now offer paid medical leave during pregnancy (AP News). For many rural women, finding maternity care outweighs abortion access concerns (The 19th). Afghan women dare to dream of life free from the Taliban and ‘gender apartheid’ in 2025 (Sky News). Fewer women will serve on Capitol Hill, but they’re setting new records in the states (CNN).
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BY HAILEY ALLEN, dsm ASSOCIATE EDITOR
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Jes McCauley started a Memory Cafe at the Franklin Avenue Library and now helps run the monthly program. Photo by Duane Tinkey.
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Jes McCauley first learned about memory cafes a couple of years ago at an American Library Association conference in Chicago. She attended a lecture on the topic and was inspired by what she learned.
A memory cafe is a space dedicated to folks living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other cognitive impairments, and those who care for them. "It’s a space for people to feel safe, with no stigma, to just connect with others and have fun," McCauley said.
McCauley is the adult services librarian at the Des Moines Public Library on Franklin Avenue, so she’s often on the lookout for ways the library can better serve its older patrons. As soon as she heard about memory cafes, she knew she wanted to set one up in her library. Keri Jacobson, her counterpart at the North Side Library, jumped in to help coordinate a cafe at that location, too.
Read more
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At its core, Fearless exists to help empower Iowa women to succeed in work and life. We believe that everyone has a story to share and that we cannot progress as a society unless we know about one another. We share stories through featuring women in our reporting, featuring guest contributions and speakers at our events.
We are always looking for new stories to share and people to feature. Get in touch with us!
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