Women of Promise – Dreams Realized

The Woman of Promise award is given to an outstanding graduate of the Center’s New Directions program. Honorees must demonstrate the following abilities:

• To learn and change
• To invest in herself and others
• To set long-term goals and realize them through persistence, diligence, creativity and a positive attitude
• To identify and use her talents and the resources available to her

2013 marks the 18th “Women of Promise” event.  This year is extra special, as we honor not one, but two, outstanding graduates; something that hasn’t happened since 1999. Kathy Bickel and Toska Broadway both represent everything the Woman of Promise should be, demonstrating commitment to change and the courage to achieve their goals.

Kathy Bickel

Bickel has come full circle, from a recipient of the Center’s services to one of its outstanding leaders as a member of our board of trustees. In 1980, Bickel sought services from NDCC after a divorce that left her responsible for her three young children.  The Center’s licensed career counselors worked with Kathy to tackle her fears, regain confidence, and develop a career plan.  The hard work and sacrifice paid off:  Bickel earned her undergraduate degree from OSU’s prestigious Fisher College of Business in 1987 and a master’s degree in Labor and Human Resource Management in 1994.

Today, Bickel is happily remarried and works as a Vice-President for The OSU Alumni Association. Bickel has earned the respect of her staff, colleagues, and the people she serves in her leadership roles at both OSU and NDCC.  And, most importantly, she is respected by the three, much-loved children who shared her journey.

Kathy says, “I often tell my children – and this is also the advice I give other women in crisis – you are much stronger than you think and things are never as good – or as bad – as you think they are. You can do anything you set your mind to – just do it.”

Toska Broadway

Broadway is a 2008 graduate of the New Directions program and a recipient of the Bostwick Scholarship. As a single mother of a teenage son, she loved her work as a part-time sign language interpreter but knew she could do more to help the deaf community. With the help of NDCC, Broadway enrolled at Columbus State Community College with a goal to transfer to Gallaudet University (GU) in Washington, DC to study American Sign Language.

After a trip to Costa Rica, where she witnessed severe poverty first-hand, Broadway decided to major in International Relations, focusing on strategies to end poverty. She will be travelling to Guatemala this summer to assist in setting up a camp for deaf children and has been accepted into the International Development graduate program at GU.

Broadway commented, “When I look back over the last three years, I am in awe at how my life has changed…I still, to this day, refer to my NDCC handbook and have my poster at school with me as to not forget who I was and where I am heading.”

New Directions Career Center is proud of the accomplishments of this year’s Women of Promise recipients. The success of these women reflects the efforts of many people, but also the future hope of Columbus. NDCC relies on the Columbus community for support.  I’m proud of what we do here. Lives really do get changed. You can help us continue to make a difference by offering your support.