Women's History Month: Voices of the Staff (Part 2)
3/19/2021 8:45:00 AM | General, Features
As part of the celebration of Women's History Month, we will learn about members of the Michigan Athletic Department staff and what women's history means to them. This is the second of two installments in our "Voices of the Staff" series and includes:
- Wanda Smith, administrative assistant, Academic Success Program
- Ann G. Vollano, assistant athletic director, compliance
- Claire Coates, staff athletic trainer
Wanda Smith
Title: Administrative Assistant, Academic Success Program
Hometown: Quincy, Florida; Current: Ypsilanti, Michigan
Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
A: I have a variety of hobbies that keep me busy outside of work hours. I am an avid crafter. I enjoy sewing, jewelry-making, crocheting, just to name a few. My passion for sewing allowed me to donate about 300 homemade cloth face masks to various non-profits.
Q: Why do you think it's important to celebrate Women's History Month?
A: It is important to celebrate Women's History Month because it is an opportunity to showcase all the achievements of women in the fields of science, government, sports and medicine, just to name a few. This also shows girls of all ages what us as women have done and how we continue to leave our imprint on history through great achievement, no matter how small or big.
Q: Who are some of your "SHEROES" (female heroes!)?
A: My mom, for providing me with motherly love and always supporting me, my brother and sister any way she can. A mother's love is never-ending. My grandmother because she is the thread that binds the family together. She passed away last year at the age of 95. She was my SHERO. She provided me with years of unconditional love and life lessons that I will always cherish.
Q: Favorite female entertainer (music, actor), author, artist or other professional?
A: Cicely Tyson is one of my favorite actresses because she had a wonderful career and always portrayed all her characters with elegance whether she was on the stage, in film or on television.
Q: Favorite quote?
A: "Whatever you want to do, if you want to be great at it, you have to love it and be able to make sacrifices for it." -- Maya Angelou
Ann G. Vollano
Title: Assistant Athletic Director, Compliance (mother to two fur babies, who are also co-heads of the household, Mayzie and Maddie)
Hometown: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
A: Working out, hiking, gardening, anything outdoors, spending time with family and the fur babies.
Q: Why do you think it's important to celebrate Women's History Month?
A: Because it is important to highlight contributions of women to events in history and society.
Q: Who are some of the "SHEROES" (female heroes!)?
A: I am very fortunate to be surrounded by strong and powerful women in both my family and at Michigan Athletics. My mother Gina and my partner Natalie would be my ultimate sheroes. I am proud that my mother was one of the few women who went to college in the 1950s and graduated with a degree in sociology. She along with my father have always encouraged me to follow my dreams and are both big supporters of women's rights. My partner Natalie has been with the Lansing Fire Department for over 20 years. She has shattered the glass ceiling and has risen to the rank of captain. There are very few women in the fire department, and I admire her strength and courage every single day. I am also very fortunate to work with some of the most talented women in our field. They are smart, strong, and selfless -- the embodiment of what it means to be the Leaders and Best.
Q: Favorite female entertainer (music, actor), author, artist or other professional?
Michelle Obama, Pink and Julia Roberts
Q: Favorite quote?
A: "Women and girls can do whatever they want. There is no limit to what we as women can accomplish." -- Michelle Obama
Claire Coates
Title: Staff Athletic Trainer (Field Hockey and Cheerleading)
Hometown: Grosse Pointe, Michigan
Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
A: Spending time with family (new mom), cooking and crafting when time allows.
Q: Why do you think it's important to celebrate Women's History Month?
A: I appreciate that it brings awareness to how far women have come, but also how far we still have to go.
Q: Who are some of your "SHEROES" (female heroes!)?
A: The ultimate mover, shaker, activist and protector, Harriet Tubman. She reminds me to be courageous and that any time I choose to complain, things could be much worse.
Q: Do you have a favorite quote from one of your role models/sheroes?
A: "Do all the good you can, for all the people you can, in all the ways you can, as long as you can." -- Hillary Clinton
Q: Favorite female entertainer (music, actor), author, artist or other profession?
A: It's a tie: Kerry Washington (aka Olivia Pope) because "It's been handled," and Wonder Woman because she blocks bullets with her hands and reduces dislocated shoulders at the same time! (Sounds like an athletic trainer to me!)
• WHM: Voices of the Staff (Part 1)
• Women's History Month 2021
