Thirty-one women have been nominated for this year’s YWCA McLean County Women of Distinction Awards, eight being from Normal. These women have made tremendous contributions to the community in the areas of business, creative arts and entertainment, education, professions, social services, and volunteer services.

Nominees from Normal include Linda Bowman, Myra Gordon, Arlene Hosea, Beth Kimmerling, Flora Poling, Sarah Schuster, Sue Seibring, and Toni Tucker.

Linda Bowman, clinic director for the Eckelmann-Taylor Speech and Hearing Clinic at ISU, was nominated in the area of education. She also supervises graduate students who practice speech therapy in the clinic.

Holly Houska, who worked closely with Bowman on the Foundation Board for the Children’s Discovery Museum, described Bowman as an energetic, committed, and community-minded individual who manages, despite her very demanding schedule, to give herself generously for the betterment of our community.

Ryan Hansen / Daily Vidette Staff Photographer: Linda Bowman, clinic director for the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders has been nominated for this year’s YWCA McLean County Women of Distinction Awards.

In addition to serving as First Lady of ISU, Bowman has an impressive number of professional accomplishments, one being her role at the Children’s Discovery Museum.

“Linda served as president of the Children’s Discovery Museum Foundation Board, leading the campaign to establish an endowment to ensure the sustainability of the CDM as an important educational resource and organization to inspire the love of learning in youth throughout Central Illinois,” Houska said.

Arlene Hosea, assistant to the vice president for Student Affairs and director of Campus Dining Services, was another woman to be nominated in the area of education.

“My nominator focused on my work with students in my role as director of famous dining services and as a mentor to students,” Hosea said.

“In addition, they focused on my work with various professional organizations and serving on several boards in the community in an effort to make a difference and give back to a community that has given so much to me,” she added.

Toni Tucker, assistant dean for enabling infrastructure, was also among the nominees. Tucker has worked in the Normal community for 24 years, which consisted of 12 at BroMenn Healthcare and Mennonite College of Nursing in addition to nearly 12 at ISU. 

Toni Tucker

“I work with a variety of people around campus to select speakers for special events,” Tucker said.

“Speakers selected add to the cultural fabric of ISU and the Bloomington-Normal community providing students, faculty, staff, and the community members the opportunity to hear from people who typically would not come to Central Illinois,” she added.

All of the nominees have made a great impact on the community to be given this special recognition. These women are proud to be added to the list of past YWCA McLean County Women of Distinction Award winners.

“It is a tremendous honor for me and very humbling,” Bowman said.

Arlene Hosea

“Some of the [past winners] I have looked up to for much of my own career, and I consider them my role models,” she added.

Tucker is also honored to have her name listed among the previous YWCA winners.

“I am very humbled to be nominated when I see the other deserving women who have done so much for ISU and the community,” she added.

The 23rd Annual YWCA McLean County Women of Distinction Awards Banquet will be held May 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the Bone Student Center.