Women's History Month: Voices of the Staff
3/5/2021 8:30:00 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 first of two installments in our "Voices of the Staff" series and includes:
- Sanhita Hoskeri, financial operations associate
- Kat Hart, director of ticket customer service
- Jenny Scherer, facility manager
- Lora Durkee, ice hockey and aquatics administrative assistant
Sanhita Hoskeri
Title: Financial Operations Associate
Hometown: Proud to be a native of Mumbai, India. Mumbai is the financial capital of India similar to New York City and the world's No. 1 densely populated city (75,000 people per/sq. mile).
Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
A: Pre-COVID, I used to enjoy in-person gatherings and exercising at the gym. Now, I am connecting, celebrating and exercising worldwide via Zoom. The highlight of my virtual experience is doing yoga and dabbling with artwork sessions online. Of course, Netflix binge-watching comes to the rescue at times.
Q: Why do you think it's important to celebrate Women's History Month?
A: Reflecting on the history helps us to appreciate the present more. Thanks to the contributions of incredible women and men in the past, I enjoy financial freedom, ability to vote and express my opinion. For me, the Women's History Month celebration is also an opportunity to value the intrinsic qualities of a woman such as compassion, nurturing and emotional intelligence.
Q: Who are some of the "SHEROES" (female heroes!)?
A: I am fortunate to have been surrounded by strong women in my family starting with my own mother. Growing up, I admired my mother for her composure while beautifully balancing a successful career and home front. This meant financially and emotionally supporting her children, her siblings and her husband's extended family for education, health and well-being. This has resulted in a successful life for my sister, several family/friends and myself. Today she continues to be my "SHERO" for exhibiting positivity and strength despite battling cancer for the past 4+ years.
Q: Do you have a favorite quote from one of your role models/sheroes?
A: "Don't burn the bridges" is my favorite quote from my mother-in-law, who is also my SHERO. It has helped me to strive and maintain long-lasting relationships in my life.
Q: Favorite female entertainer (music, actor), author, artist or other profession?
A: Melinda Gates -- Empowering the poorest women and girls worldwide to transform their lives.
Q: Anything else you'd like to say?
A: I am grateful to be employed at the University of Michigan Athletic Department, which has allowed me to strike a balance between family and work. It has been possible only because of the wonderful support and understanding of supervisors and colleagues.
Kat Hart
Title: Mommy, Mama, MOM! (in that specific order if I don't respond quickly enough); Director of Ticket Customer Service
Hometown: Downs, Illinois
Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
A: I love putting together and going to play dates with my kids (it's a socializing win-win!), having coffee with my girlfriends, working out when I have a chance, spending time with my husband when we can, and playing with our sweet pup, Astrid!
Q: Why do you think it's important to celebrate Women's History Month?
A: As I tell my sweet little girl, women run this world. We are tough, we get it done, and if we come across issues we're quick to recover and find another way. We do all of that while still showing compassion, kindness and empathy for others. Women's History Month is a time to highlight past accomplishments of women and show our youth what possibilities lie ahead.
Q: Who are some of the "SHEROES" (female heroes!)?
A: My mom, Grandma Kate and my Aunt Jeanne are my "sheroes!" My mom, Mary Kay Kurtenbach, has sacrificed so much for us, and I didn't realize that until I had my own children. She can swoop in with the kiddos and magically entertain them all. My mom has a true gift of working with children. She makes it look so easy! I wouldn't be where I am today without her love, compassion, and a push to do what makes me happy.
Grandma Kate Lambright is the most patient, kind and humble person I know. She's going for sainthood and leads by example. Kate also has high standards for the kiddos (and all of us) and she sees to it that we hit the mark. She's a force to be reckoned with, and she makes us better people all around!
Last but not least, Aunt Jeanne Hart is my fun-loving "shero" that has the BEST attitude with a hint of dry sarcasm. It really hits you in the soul! I talk to her almost daily, and when she's at our house our family feels whole. I love her so much!
Q: Do you have a favorite quote from one of your role models/sheroes?
A: "Treat others as you want to be treated." (The Golden Rule!) -- My mom
"Leave it better than you found it." -- Grandma Kate
"Don't get my Irish up!" -- Aunt Jeanne
Q: Favorite female entertainer (music, actor), author, artist or other profession?
A: Betty White and Lucille Ball are two of my favorites!
Jenny Scherer
Title: Daughter, Sister, Mother, Ex-Division I Softball Player (Facility Manager)
Hometown: Stow, Ohio; Current: Saline, Michigan
Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
A: Spending time with my family and watching my daughter (soon to be daughters) grow.
Q: Why do you think it's important to celebrate Women's History Month?
A: I think it's important to celebrate, commemorate and highlight the contributions that women have had throughout history and our current society. Now that I have a daughter of my own, I find myself thinking about her future and who she will become. I know that she can be and do anything she sets her mind to and works hard to achieve. I'm thankful for the women in history who made the sacrifices to get us where we are today, and am hopeful that we will continue to contribute to the empowerment of women!
Q: Who are some of your "SHEROES" (female heroes!)?
A: My mom is my biggest SHERO "SCHERER-O." She lived in a small village in the Philippines until she graduated from high school. To this day, she always refers to herself as the mom who just graduated from high school, but I see her as the most successful woman I know. Not only did she start a new life in America, but she did it when she was only a kid herself. She was 19 years old living a life that now had running water, electricity and so many luxuries she's never experienced. She knew little English, didn't know how to drive and had to pretty much learn how to do everything.
But, the philosophy that my siblings and I still live by to this day is, "You make a way," and that's just what she did. She learned and adapted to the American culture pretty quickly while relying on her work ethic; she learned everything she needed to raise four amazing, successful children, and her "make a way" attitude" helped her beat Stage 4 cancer twice. To this day she continues to be a hard worker through her limitations from her cancer, and I hope that I can be half the woman she is for my daughters!
Q: Do you have a favorite quote from one of your role models/sheroes?
A: "You make a way" -- My mom :)
Lora Durkee
Title: Ice Hockey and Aquatics Administrative Assistant, Grandma, Wife, Domestic Goddess
Hometown: Tecumseh, Michigan
Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
A: Spending time with my family, gardening, traveling, anything outdoors.
Q: Why do you think it's important to celebrate Women's History Month?
A: Women's History Month reminds us about women who broke barriers and achieved things that were thought impossible. It shows that women have made a huge impact in so many fields and the opportunities are there for women to reach their full potential.
Q: Who are some of the "SHEROES" (female heroes!)?
A: My hero is my mom. She has always been so active and led a healthy lifestyle. When she turned 85 years old, she decided it was time to hang up the downhill skis and realized that it was probably a good idea to use hiking sticks when going on long walks. She's been single and independent for a very long time and has been able to travel the world -- literally. Her love for the national parks and the outdoors has been an important part of her lifestyle, and I admire her tenacity to travel and experience these things on her own. While at 92 years old she has slowed down a bit, she still has a lot of "gumption" and has taken the term "lifelong learning" to heart as she continues to learn whatever she can. I can only hope to live that long in such good health and state of mind!
My favorite current-day humanitarian is Michelle Obama. Her advocacy for working parents, education for girls around the world (Global Girls Alliance), and her promotion of physical and mental health are inspirational. The "Let's Move!" initiative that she started brought awareness to the epidemic of childhood obesity. These are just some of the meaningful things she has accomplished in her life and career that I respect.
Q: Do you have a favorite quote from one of your role models/sheroes?
A: "Try to be a rainbow in someone else's cloud." -- Maya Angelou
"Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible!'" -- Audrey Hepburn
Q: Favorite female entertainer, author, artist or other profession?
A: My favorite actress is Meryl Streep as she has had such a long, successful career and has played so many diverse roles.
