Meet a Member: Viv Sade

One of the advantages of helping run the NFPW professional communications contest is getting to work with outstanding affiliate contest directors. Viv Sade was the co-director for the Indiana contest and it was great working with her. I took a look at her contest entry and found she is an outstanding writer as well. I hope you enjoy getting to know her a little better. 

Name: Vivian “Viv” Sade

City and State: Churubusco, IN

Viv Sade

Affiliate and any leadership positions: Indiana, WPCI current president and co-chair for Communications Contest

Years a member of NFPW: Since 1996 – 22 years

Tell us a little about you.

She is a 25-plus-year newspaper journalist who worked for various newspapers throughout northeast Indiana, including the Auburn Star, Churubusco News and the Journal Gazette. She now enjoys freelancing at home where she writes in her pajamas and eschews deadlines. She has a blended family of six children and a gaggle of grandchildren whom she indulges and caters to while their parents aren’t looking. Her lifetime goal is to find shoes to match the bags under her eyes.

Any career advice you would give?

Get to know and make friends with co-workers or managers or anyone else whose work you admire – – that way you can learn from the best. That kind of guidance and support will prove invaluable in career in the long run. And, never lose your sense of humor and don’t be too hard on yourself.

Which talent would you most like to have?

Talent? To be a gifted musician – – Super power? To have super eyelids with the ability to make unpleasant human beings vanish.

Viv Sade

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Belize or Bali – Never been there, but I am mesmerized by the photos

What book are you reading?

Two right now: “If You Lean In, Will Men Just Look Down Your Blouse?” a hilarious book by Gina Barreca, one of my favorite columnists, and “A Train in Winter,” by Caroline Moorehead, about the women who banded together in the French Resistance during WWII.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I am completely stumped on this one. Maybe that I am not always hyper and in what my husband calls “frenzy mode.” I sometimes host a pity party for ME, not getting out of my jammies, eating Cheetos and DeBrand chocolates in bed, and crying while re-watching “The Way We Were” and marathons of “My 600 Pound Life” for 12 or 15 hours in a row. It is soul-cleansing and I am happy and good to go for another five or six months.

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

This is an easy one. The women I have met and am still meeting are so admirable and extraordinary and very accomplished. I am in awe of them. (See above where I advise young writers to get close to people like these because they can learn so much.) And they are not just my colleagues – they are my lifelong, dear friends.

Way to follow you on a website, twitter, Facebook, etc.:

Viv Sade on Facebook; blogs include Visit Fort Wayne (https://www.visitfortwayne.com/blog/post/fort-wayne-weekend-itinerary/), Scribbles by Viv (https://scribblesbyviv.me), and I am currently working on launching a blog called Vintage Chicks Counsel, where I plan to have advice, quotes and tips from all the wise women in my life.

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Meet a Member: Natalie Hoefer

Natalie Hoefer is one of the newest members of both Woman’s Press Club of Indiana and NFPW.  She was one of the 13 members attending their first NFPW conference last fall in Kansas, thanks in part to an NFPW Education Fund First Timer Grant. Hoefer is a great addition to our organization. I hope you enjoy getting to know her a little better.

Name: Natalie Hoefer

City and State: Indianapolis, IN

Affiliate and any leadership positions: Woman’s Press Club of Indiana

Years a member of NFPW: 1

Tell us a little about you.

I am a Catholic who loves my faith. I have a passion for telling people’s stories and sharing information. I love to travel, and I have a gift for writing. So what more perfect job could there be for me than to be a reporter for a Catholic newspaper (The Criterion, the weekly paper for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis)! My job combines all of my interests and passions, including travel–the Archdiocese of Indianapolis encompasses almost the entire southern half of Indiana, covering 39 beautiful counties that I enjoy driving through to meet people with interesting stories to tell. I’ve been a reporter for the paper for four years.

For 21 years prior I was a software trainer but freelanced on the side. That career provided me with lots of travel and the joy of helping/teaching others, but nothing has ever been more fulfilling to me than what I’m doing now!

Demographically, I’m 47, married for a little over 9 years, and have the most adorable gray, blue-green eyed kitty named Percy who is attacking a milk jug ring around my feet as I type.

Natalie Hoefer and Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, former archbishop of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

Any career advice you would give?

To young women: For any career you think you might be interested in, make connections young. Call someone in the line of work you’re interested in and ask to shadow them for a day, or at least ask for a bit of their time to discuss what a day-in-the-life is like for them, what skills are needed for the job, what education is needed for the job, what character traits are handy for the job, and how to best prepare for the career in question. For “more experienced” women, it’s never too late to change careers. I did, and I’m forever grateful!

Which talent would you most like to have?

I’ve got it–writing! 🙂  Otherwise, I do wish I could sing as well in the rest of the world as I do when I’m in the shower!

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

I really like it right here in Indiana–four full and beautiful seasons. I actually like the life and symmetry of fields, as well as the undulation of hills–both of which Indiana is blessed with.

What book are you reading?

Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asberger’s by John Elder Robison (my oldest nephew has Asberger’s)

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I’m a major introvert! I love meeting new people and can be very animated, so people are quite surprised when I say that I’m a huge introvert. Meyers-Brigg defines that as whether you are energized by people or need downtime after being around people. After being around people for awhile, I need to retreat and re-energize in solitude.

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

WPCI (and NFPW) is more than a professional group good for networking and career assistance. That’s why I joined, but I found that these are women who care about each other and support each other in their careers and their personal lives. I did not expect such a sisterhood when I joined!

Way to follow you on a website, twitter, Facebook, etc.

http://www.archindy.org/criterion

Meet a Member: Mary Anne Barothy

One of the many advantages of NFPW is getting to know members across the country with similar interests and interesting backgrounds. One member with an interesting career is Mary Anne Barothy of Indiana. She followed her passion to Los Angeles and ended up working for an actress she admired. She wrote a book about her experiences, won an NFPW award for the book and now shares it with others. Meet another outstanding NFPW member, Mary Anne Barothy.

Mary Anne Barothy

Name: Mary Anne Barothy

City, State: Indianapolis, IN

Affiliate & Leadership role: Woman’s Press Club of Indiana,  Past Vice President

Years a member of NFPW:  9

Tell us a little about you:

I grew up in Indianapolis and graduated from St. Agnes Academy, an all-girls school run by the Sisters of Providence. I went on to Marian College where I majored in English/Journalism. My interest in pursuing a career in writing came from a role Doris Day played in Paramount’s Teacher’s Pet co-starring Clark Cable in which Doris played a dedicated college journalism professor.

I joined the staff of The Indianapolis News as a society reporter for nearly two years before moving to Los Angles in 1968. My journalism background served me well with future employment at the May Company in Los Angeles and later working with Doris Day.

I returned to Indianapolis in 1977, as a free-lance writer and became Director of Publicity for Perennial Pictures Film Corporation. I worked in the Education Division at Lilly Endowment and later earned a paralegal degree from Indiana University – Purdue University, Indianapolis. Since 1999 I have been Development Assistant for the Little Sisters of the Poor in Indianapolis at St. Augustine’s Home helping coordinate fundraising events.

Mary Anne Barothy with Doris Day.

In 2007 I wrote a book “An Indiana Girl’s Sentimental Journey to Doris Day’s Hollywood and Beyond” about my story story and I continue to give talks around the country sharing the unique story.  Turner Classic Movies has this piece on their website: http://www.tcm.com/this-month/movie-news.html?id=182157

Today I feel very fortunate and blessed to have been able to do as many things as I have including working for my childhood idol, Doris Day.  Talk about a ‘dream-come-true.’

Any career advice you would give?  

Do the very BEST you can do.  Don’t be afraid to ASK for things.  Associate with like-minded and successful people.  Follow your dream (I did) and don’t listen to negative people.  Stay POSITIVE!  I believe in “The BEST is yet to come.”

Which talent would you most like to have?

Better computer/technology skills – trying to keep up is a challenge these days.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

On or near a beach in Ocean City, NJ, or on Sanibel Island, FL where the weather is warmer year round.

What book are you reading?

Adios America   by Ann Coulter

Mary Anne Barothy promotes her book about Doris Day.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I am writing another book, but due to time constraints, haven’t been able to spend as much time on it as I want to.

Why is your affiliate (Woman’s Press Club of Indiana) and NFPW important to you?

I am happy and proud to belong to both professional organizations, plus it looks good as a reference and gives great credibility.

 Way to follow you on a website, twitter, Facebook, etc.

My website is: http://www.dayatatimesentimentaljourney.com  Day At A Time: An Indiana Girl’s Sentimental Journey To Doris Day’s Hollywood and Beyond.

I also host The Brenda Lee Hour monthly on Baltimore Net Radio    ( mybnr.com ).  It airs on the 2nd Thursday of each month @ 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern time, with encores thru Sunday. You can check the schedule at   mybnr.com

I am on Facebook as  Mary Anne Barothy

Meet a Member: Tara Puckey

Affiliates are a key part of NFPW and strong leadership at the state level can help an affiliate thrive. Tara Puckey is the president of Woman’s Press Club of Indiana and is doing an outstanding job. She is a proven leader and helps keep membership strong. She is constantly on the go as she continues to grow her skills. Meet this outstanding NFPW member I am pleased to call a friend.

Name: Tara Puckey

City and State: McCordsville, Ind. (just outside Indianapolis)

Affiliate and any leadership positions: Woman’s Press Club of Indiana; Vice President, President (currently serving second term)

Years a member of NFPW: Joined in 2008

Tara Puckey

Tell us a little about you.

After finding the degree program with the least amount of math (math is hard), I picked journalism and graduated with an amazing group of classmates from Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis in 2011. While in school, I began freelancing for New York’s Broadway Magazine and Ameriforce, a collective of different magazines all focused on the military, and later added social media management, small business consulting and brand management to the mix . In 2012, I picked up a full time gig with the Society of Professional Journalists after serving two years on their national board as a student representative. As Membership Strategist, I focus on member retention and recruitment, the stability of our more than 150 active chapters and other duties as assigned (nonprofit = multitasking staff).

I multitask the rest of my life, too, I suppose. Currently, I’m wrapping up my MBA in June of this year and will being pursuing my CAE designation shortly after. When I’m not working or studying, you’ll find me teaching dance at a local studio or tromping through tiny Indiana towns in search of the perfect antique find. I’m also pretty easy to track down with a glass of wine and a good book, but my absolute favorite thing is spending time with my husband, Bryan, and two daughters, Alexa and Brooklyn.

Any career advice you would give?

Interview them more than they interview you. Don’t take a job just because the pay is right or it’s where you’ve always wanted to work. Ask questions about the culture, about the atmosphere, about how well everyone plays together in the office. Otherwise, you’ll walk into something you weren’t expecting that makes you uncomfortable or miserable and the money or the position will be the least of your concerns.

Tara Puckey at a Woman’s Press Club of Indiana event.

Which talent would you most like to have?

Maybe it isn’t a talent, but I’d like there to be more hours in the day. I have a million things I still want to do and learn and experience and there’s never enough time. That’s totally crazy, so if you’re looking for the real answer, I’d love to be able to play the guitar and cook super amazing chef-quality meals. Dang, that was too many.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Manhattan. New York is one of my favorite places because I love feeling like I’m just a little speck in something larger. Small towns don’t quite allow that anonymity that you can get somewhere like New York. But, the hubby won’t go for it, so I guess if I have to take him with me, we might go to Savannah. Or, Memphis.

What book are you reading?

Sitting on my coffee table right at this moment is “You Are a Badass” by Jen Sincero.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I love the dark. Think low lamps everywhere, mood lighting. My entire family hates it, but it takes me to my happy place.

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

WPCI was one of the first journalism organizations I joined when I decided to pursue my career. After that first event, I knew I had found a home. The women (and men) I’ve met through WPCI have not only been mentors, but true friends that celebrate every achievement and mourn every loss. I couldn’t be more thankful for this amazing group of people who consistently remind me why I love this industry so much. I’m honored and proud to be among them and wouldn’t be where I am today without their love and support.

Way to follow you on a website, twitter, Facebook, etc.:

You can check out my website at tarapuckey.com, follow me on Twitter at @tpuckey and connect on LinkedIn. I’m on just about everything else, too: Instagram, Snapchat, Zoom, etc. and my username is almost always tpuckey. Hope to connect soon!

Meet a Member: Julie Slaymaker

I have been a fan of Julie Slaymaker for many years. This little bundle of energy is fun to be around and is always looking for ways to solve problems. She is such an inspiration for all her many accomplishments. I am honored to be able to call her a friend.

Julie Slaymaker

Name: Julie Slaymaker

Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana

Affiliate: Woman’s Press Club of Indiana. Joined in 1973. A member for 43 years.

Leadership Positions: Bulletin Editor; Acting President in 1988. Elected President in 1989. Served until 1990. Elected President again in 2009-2011; (The only member to serve as president three times in WPCI’s 103-year history.) Fulfilled Treasurer and husband Gene Slaymaker’s term when he died in 2012. She has served as treasurer ever since. She is a longtime head of the WPCI Education Fund, a (501) (c) (3) and former board member of NFPW Education Fund.

A little about Julie:

She is a national award-winning freelance writer and was president of the Indiana Professional Chapter of The Society of Professional Journalists from 2001-2002. In 2009, the Indiana Pro Chapter created the Gene and Julie “Indiana Service to Journalism Award” to honor their almost three decades as statewide SPJ contest directors.

While president of Woman’s Press Club of Indiana in 1988-1990, Slaymaker founded the WPCI Prison Writing Contest in conjunction with Women’s Prison of Indiana. While serving as Communications Director for the Office of the Indiana Attorney General, she convinced the Indiana Department of Correction to expand the contest to all incarcerated inmates, male and female. It is the achievement for which she is most proud. She was named WPCI’s Communicator of Achievement in 1998 and is a two-time Kate Milner Rabb winner of the organization’s highest award given for dedication and service to the organization. From 2009-2011, Slaymaker again served as President of Woman’s Press Club of Indiana. The Julie and Gene Slaymaker scholarship was established in 2012.

She was only 19-years-old when she got her start in journalism as a summer intern at The Indianapolis Times. While still in college, she served as a correspondent for the Indianapolis office of Fairchild Publications. Her first byline story appeared in Women’s Wear Daily. Her sister found that funny, claiming she knows bag ladies who dress better.

The former WIFE-AM/FM radio public service director was a member of The National Broadcast Promoters Association and Women in Radio and Television. Years later, she became a freelance trial reporter for WTLC Radio. She won UPI’s “Best Reporter” award for her trial coverage of one of the biggest drug rings in the history of Indiana. That same series garnered her shared National Headliners Club Award for Investigative Reporting. She also won a UPI Regional Broadcast award for her radio coverage of the Mike Tyson rape trial.

As a freelance magazine writer, Slaymaker’s work has appeared in magazines including Indianapolis Woman, Indianapolis Pet Quarterly, Indiana Super Lawyers, Indianapolis Monthly, Dartmouth Alumni Magazine, Indiana State Alumni Magazine, Indiana University Alumni Magazine, Dog Fancy, and AAA’s Home & Away – to name a few.

She is a member of the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers and a board member of the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame.

An amateur actress and one of few female presidents in the over 100-year history of The Players, Slaymaker appeared in Dan Wakefield’s Hollywood movie, “Going All the Way,” starring Ben Affleck.

Any career advice you would give:

“Do what you love and the money will follow!” Unless you go into journalism!

Julie Slaymaker

 

Talent I would like to have:

“I would love to be comfortable speaking in public. Though, I’ve been told I’m good at it, I would rather endure root canal or Pap smear than speak in public!”

What are you reading? 

I just finished reading Alice Munro’s Family Furnishings! I’m a speed reader but not with this book. I read at a snail’s pace while savoring her magnificent writing. No wonder she won the 2013 Nobel Prize in Literature! Alice Hoffman’s The Marriage of Opposites is beckoning me to grab an afghan and curl up on a snowy day.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

People would probably be surprised to learn that I was pre-teen, runway model for the biggest department store in Peoria, Illinois. Which doesn’t say much. Because my “budding” career came to an abrupt end when I grew boobs, giving new meaning to “If it will play in Peoria!”

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

I didn’t become active in Woman’s Press Club until I turned 40 and received my first NFPW first place award in Vail, Colorado. While there as an unknown, I replaced an ailing WPCI delegate and was immediately adopted by mentors like journalism power houses Hortense Myers, Naomi Whitesell, Dottie Steinmeier, and Joan Bey. For the awards ceremony, I wore an elegant, toga-style gown that matched my Sappho fantasy.   I was on top of the world that night, surrounded by wonderful new NFPW friends. Before going to an after-party, Gene and I went back to our room so I could quickly use the commode. Somehow, the one shoulder drape of my toga swooped into the toilet and when I flushed, I was headed downstream for Denver!

“Fame is fleeting!” But that set a record! One minute I was on top of the world. And the next minute, I was in the proverbial toilet! It’s a Peoria thing!

When I became active in WPCI, I was nurtured and mentored by an organization of journalism mothers who always wanted to know what I was working on so they could guide me to excellence with their professionalism.   Their belief in me gave me confidence to write personality profiles on some of Indiana’s best and brightest.

My NFPW membership gave me inside access to the entire country when Gene and I investigated Indiana’s biggest drug ring that had international and nationwide tentacles. Using my NFPW Directory, I called members who filled me in on their local ringleaders.   Gene and I won a Headliner’s Award for Investigative Radio Reporting. That wouldn’t have happened without the help of NFPW members’ leads who strengthened our reporting. When my Mr. Microphone died, I was surrounded by my WPCI family – many of whom I’ve mentored. They call me “Journo Mom.” They are my adored “Journo Daughters.” It’s an NFPW thing!

Meet a Member: Donna Penticuff

NFPW has a number of great leaders from all over the United States. One of our former national president is Donna Penticuff from Indiana. She has dedicated many years supporting NFPW and her affiliate. In 2015 her affiliate honored her efforts by naming her their Communicator of Achievement. She is deserving of this recognition for all her outstanding communicators efforts. Meet my friend, Donna Penticuff.

Name: Donna Penticuff

City and State: Marion, IN

Donna Penticuff, left, with her first born granddaughter, Lynley Grace Douglas, and her mother Hazel Sorrell. This photo is one of Donna’s favorite and was taken prior to her mother’s passing in December 2014.

Affiliate and any leadership positions:

 

Member of Woman’s Press Club of Indiana and most recent COA for Indiana. Past National President (2003-2005), and served on the national board for several years, including two terms as treasurer and one-year terms as third, second and first vice president, plus served additional year as past National President and was NFPW Education Fund Director. Have also attended all national conventions since 1984 (32 so far). Also served Woman’s Press Club of Indiana in various leadership roles, including President.

Years a member of NFPW: Joined in 1980 under the sponsorship of my great friend Nancye Hawes.

Tell us a little about you.

I’ve been in newspapers and communications for more 36 years professionally plus four more in college. I’ve been in the trenches doing all kinds of reporting, though I always favored medical/health and technical reporting; have been a copy editor, designer and manager in newsrooms, and had a 16-year career in public relations, development and nonprofit management. In addition, I have taught communications and journalism at a community college and at Ball State University. Five years ago, I became a licensed real estate agent as part of my road to semi-retirement. I now do communications consulting and have a great time helping people make major life decisions in selling and buying real estate.

I’ve also been a longtime community volunteer in several organizations and have loved being a part of WPCI and NFPW.

I’ve been privileged to receive state and national awards for my work but my biggest achievement is having the good fortunate to have three fabulous children (plus their spouses), three (with one on the way) grandchildren and my better half — longtime journalist and editor David Penticuff. Family has always been my top priority and thankfully that family has always understood and supported my love for my career and NFPW.

Donna Penticuff, second from left, meets with other former NFPW presidents during the NFPW conference last September in Alaska. Former presidents from left, Lori Potter, Penticuff, Cynthia Price, Teri Ehresman, Meg Hunt, Marsha Shuler and Gwen White. (Photo by Marsha Hoffman)

Any career advice you would give?

 

Join NFPW as soon as you can and attend national conferences — and follow your passion!

Which talent would you most like to have?

Other than to grow money on trees? I’d like to have a longer attention span so I could write historical romance novels.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Hard to answer as NFPW conferences are always providing me with new ideas about where I’d like to live. Overall, I need to be close to water and I love historical areas.

What book are you reading?

The Brain Fog Fix by Dr. Mike Dow, though I rarely read non-fiction. For pure enjoyment I am a thriller, romance, sci-fi fan.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

Most people think I am an extrovert, but in truth I would rather be in the back row being quiet and taking everything in or just readng a good book. I love to explore why things work or don’t work.

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

I would not be the person I am today without WPCI and NFPW. Both have allowed me to learn (my No. 1 passion), to grow professionally, to develop leadership skills and to develop the best professional and personal relationships anyone could hope to have.

Way to follow you on a website, twitter, Facebook, etc.:

I am on Facebook and keep telling myself I will actually post to my Twitter account. I currently am a communications consultant and also a real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.