Let’s Talk Pays Tribute to Women’s History Month

By Jennifer L. Warren

GOSHEN – “True empowerment lies in uplifting one another.”

It’s a phrase Shirley Sutphin often alludes to as the overarching mission behind everything she sets out to do. The Founder and President of Let’s Talk, whose roots trace back to 1997, Sutphin created the group to educate, enrich and empower women with the needed tools to hone critical leadership and confidence, enriching both their own lives as well as their surrounding communities. With her undeniable passion for the belief in women, it was only natural that Sutphin yearned to develop something special, aimed at saluting them during March: Women’s History Month.

For the past several years Sutphin has been doing just that, staging creatively conceived and delivered reenactments of female icons, while interspersing musical entertainment as well as networking opportunities. Saturday afternoon at Delancey’s Restaurant in Goshen, this year’s celebration- fully equipped with Sutphin’s trademark music and other entertaining interludes as well as bonding- had a new twist: Extraordinary female honorees specifically selected for their focus on advocating for equity, diversity and inclusion and the lasting impressions their tireless, selfless efforts have left on their communities.

One of those trailblazers was Dr. Thelma Bove, an OB-GYN, who has been deeply immersed in the medical field, selflessly giving of herself since 1974. That impressive journey has included charitable work in the medical mission sphere in her native Philippines area, where she also supports children and schools in her role since 2015 as Vice President of the Filipino American Association of Northern New York (FAANNY.)

“We are all honorees here; we are all here together as one,” Dr. Bove initiated her remarks which included her praise for her mother who she lauded as keeping her family of seven children (six of whom were boys) together as well as discussed her intrinsic motivation to excel-particularly as a female- at all costs despite continual life challenges.

Another woman pioneer recognized during the three hour event was Dawn Ansbro, an innovative Executive Director of SUNY Orange, who ardently supports the school’s integral Equal Opportunity Program.

“Life is really all about learning, and I really love my job and the people I work with because it allows me to learn something new every day,” said a humbled Ansbro. “College is the most diverse place I have ever worked; it doesn’t matter what your skin color or religion or specific preferences are-that’s not what matters, but why you are here and what you want to do with your life.”

It’s that similar diversity theme that drives another one of the honorees, Y’aa Yaa Williams, the owner of the first black owned bookstore in Orange County, Sadie’s Books & Beverages. Spending the past 20 years in the public education realm in multiple roles, Williams had an awakening of sorts during the Pandemic, yearning to serve her community in a way that would fill a “colossal missing piece.” Realizing the pieces to that puzzle were rooted in a reverence for elders and a genuine sense of community, she and her husband immediately set out to take action.

“The bookstore is everything I imagined I wanted to have as a child; the books here are really a decoy, but it’s really a place that’s truly showing what diversity looks like,” said Williams. “Black-owned does not mean black only; rather it’s really a place that’s all about highlighting the voices that are pushed to the perimeter.” Williams who created the bookstore, which bears the namesake of her grandmother, Sadie, along with her powerful symbolic memory, laden with lessons of shared, uplifting and strengthening community experiences added, “Community is a verb; otherwise we are just living in a neighborhood.”

The final recipient of the afternoon was Dr. Amy Coopersmith, whose words centered upon our communal responsibility towards ensuring all children’s voices are heard, particularly those of the neurodiverse population. Possessing over three decades of experience as a pediatric occupational therapist and educator, Coopersmith centers her work on self-determination and children’s abilities to naturally-beautifully steer themselves where they need and want to go.

“There is such a focus in schools on academics, but not on self-determination, being able to make decisions about your own life,” stressed Dr. Coopersmith, who further related the integral human need for opportunities and possibilities rather than stifling limitations. “Listening to and honoring children is just so important to their self-determination.”

Sprinkled between the honoree acknowledgements was musical entertainment by YV-NV (YANA) whose two inspiring, “brilliant” numbers focused on the power of females, one honoring her grandmother. Concluding the ceremony was a networking segment, where guests were encouraged to share their unique talents, something Sutphin is intent on highlighting- for all who enter her space- as often as she can.

“We all have something to offer; there are all kinds of people in the house here,” said the upbeat, animated Sutphin, urging everyone to move around, mingle and learn from one another. “We need each one of you, as you all make a difference.”