With all the women working at and running different businesses, organizations etc. in San Diego, March is a good time to highlight some of them during Women’s History Month.
The National Women’s Business Council noted in its annual report (2020) that 42 percent of all U.S. companies are owned by women. It is also stated that women are more likely to start a business than their male counterparts.
In celebrating this special month, there are plenty of area women who have stood out in their respective careers.
Take for example Grossmont High School Class of 1975 graduate and La Mesa native Ellen Ochoa (pictured above).
The veteran astronaut, who is also a San Diego State University graduate (Class of 1980), applied to the astronaut corps as soon as she finished her Ph.D in engineering.
“I was inspired by the research that the (new at that time) space shuttle was capable of supporting, and of course by Sally Ride, the first American woman in space,” Ochoa said. “Five years later, after working as a research engineer and supervisor, NASA selected me as part of the 13th group of astronauts.”
For Ochoa, there were challenges being a woman in what was once a male-dominated field.
“”It wasn’t common for women to study science and engineering, much less women of Hispanic background,” Ochoa commented. “Some professors actively discouraged me or prevented women from entering the department, but fortunately there were others (professors, family, friends) who encouraged and supported me. When I first joined NASA as a research engineer, I noted that there were more women working there than I had seen in my previous job or grad school, though there weren’t yet women in leadership positions. Fortunately, by the time I was selected as an astronaut, women had been in the astronaut corps for 12 years, so a lot of the barriers had already been addressed.”
Ochoa is quick to encourage any young women looking to get into her profession by telling them definitely go for it.
“We need bright minds to be able to accomplish all the exciting challenges in human space exploration, and other STEM fields,” Ochoa remarked. “There are great opportunities to apply curiosity and creativity, working in teams to solve challenges and make discoveries.”
Having taking inspiration from Ride and other women in that astronaut class of 1978 including Kathy Sullivan, Ochoa feels thankful. “I’ve been fortunate to get to know them and all but one of the other women in the class,” Ochoa said. “They, along with the minority astronauts selected that year, made a huge impact in demonstrating that the astronaut career, and many other STEM careers, were now possible, even though bias still existed.”
When it comes to the best thing about being in the profession she has, Ochoa was quick to point out, “Working with a team to accomplish goals that are bigger than myself and which benefit humanity.”
More female leadership in the classroom at Grossmont High School
Another successful woman with ties to Grossmont High School is Stephanie LaBerge-Luhnow , the school’s science department chair.
When asked how she got involved in the education field, LaBerge-Luhnow, noted, “A neighbor of mine taught at the Grossmont Health Occupations Center and she invited me to come and assist with one of her classes. That turned into an official job working with the adult students at the school. Being there, helping the students and the teachers helped me realize that teaching was something that I could apply my degree to. The teachers at the GHOC supported me in so many ways, but the best thing they did was to be examples of what great teachers do.”
In looking at the teaching world, LaBerge-Luhnow said the profession is unique since it is still a female-dominated profession.
“I think you still have to be vocal and strong to get ahead,” she remarked. “I worked hard designing lessons, setting up labs and activities, volunteering at all sorts of school events, and I went to school every weekend for my first two years teaching. I don’t think I had to work harder than the men but I put in the hours.”
When it comes to offering advice for any young women out there looking to enter the teaching world, LaBerge-Luhnow stated never be intimidated or think that you do not know enough.
“Make connections with your peers and create a support network,” she said. “Sometimes you just need one person who understands the challenges of teaching that you can talk to about anything. Make time to observe teachers of all subjects. I have learned so much about the art of teaching from observing all kinds of teachers.”
In thinking of any women who’ve inspired her over the years, LaBerge-Luhnow said a pair come to mind.
“There are two main teachers who inspire me; my mom – Maureen LaBerge, who teaches quilting and is my first teacher. Helen Laskaris, who was my neighbor who invited me to her class to assist. Both of these women are strong, confident, and will teach anyone who comes to their classroom. I would not be the teacher I am today without having them in my life.”
In her 24th year of teaching, LaBerge-Luhnow said each day is different.
“A student recently asked me if I am tired of teaching the same classes for so long,” LaBerge-Luhnow stated. “My response was that I change things up every year so every year has been different. I am not just a teacher. I am a counselor, advisor, confidante, a parent, and a trusted adult. You never know exactly what to expect and teacher is never boring.”
Fellow Grossmont High School English for Business teacher Nicole Thren
received her teaching credential in Connecticut in 1988 and immediately got married and moved to New Jersey. It was there that she began teaching adult school at night while working various office jobs.
After a stint in Baltimore, Thren moved to California and ultimately wound up at GHS, a move she said was the best she ever could have made.
“I was lucky enough to work for people that gave me a lot of responsibility and always believed in my knowledge, experience, and ability,” Thren commented. “I am very confident in my abilities and have always been proactive in my career. I have always been surrounded by co-workers, supervisors, and company owners that respect me and appreciate my work ethic.”
Asked about any advice for young women looking to enter the teaching profession, Thren said give 100 percent effort in all that you do.
“A strong work ethic is the key to success in any industry,” Thren remarked. “I would also tell them to know when to say no. Women tend to feel guilty when they are asked to do additional tasks. They feel that they must always say yes. It is very easy to get buried. When you take on too much, everything suffers including your own mental health. Life is about balance. Time management is definitely a necessary skill.”
According to Thren, her mother was her role model.
“She was a business teacher and then social science teacher at a continuation school,” Thren stated. “she worked with students that were dealing with many challenges and trauma. She was respected by her co-workers and principal, and the effect she had on her students was amazing. I try to emulate her every day.”
In looking at the best thing about being a teacher, Thren said is that things change almost daily.
“There are so many positive aspects to being in education, but there are also many difficult times. Dealing with the students that are going through so much at home and trying to get them to focus on your curriculum and care about what you are teaching can be very draining, but when they get it, that’s one of the best things. As a teacher, we often forget the impact we have on the young lives we deal with every day. I actually just heard from some students that graduated six years ago. They wanted to let me know how much of an impact I had on their lives. That is the best thing about being a teacher. What I do does matter.”
Women turning up the success at Helix Charter High School
Helix Charter High School has its share of women who’ve made a difference in the La Mesa area too.
Among them is the school’s community relations & engagement coordinator Lauren Knuth
Knuth got started in her profession by working her way through college at Dish Network doing tech support in a call center. She then landed a job at corporate headquarters after graduating. “I worked in the fields of marketing, customer communication, PR and event planning, and the job I am in now combines all of these fields into one perfect job,” Knuth remarked.
Asked of any challenges she faced in her line of work as a woman, Knuth noted, “I took a break from my professional career after having my second child. I left the corporate world and my professional career I had worked for 15 years to build. Getting back into the workforce was challenging. I lost confidence and didn’t know where to start. I assumed I would have to start back at the bottom and I did. I began working at Helix doing COVID contact tracing on a part-time basis. Luckily, within a few months, a position opened that was perfectly suited for me. It was serendipitous.”
As Knuth pointed out, not all women get so lucky.
“I hope employers understand that women coming back into the workforce after raising kids are some of the most efficient, productive and hardest workers you can get,” Knuth commented.
When it comes to some advice for any young women looking to get into her profession, Knuth stated, “You don’t have to land your dream job right away and you probably won’t even know what your dream job is until you’ve done a few other things. Put yourself out there and say yes whenever possible to start getting experience so you have a better idea of what you like to do.”
As for women who Knuth has looked up to along her journey, she noted, “I look up to what I call ‘Community Heroes,’ women who serve on the PTA, the, Little League board, Girl Scout troop leaders, coaches, club advisers, etc. The women who are always volunteering their time and strengthening the community for us all. Names that come to mind are Heather Melone, Sheridan Brownell, Mireya Gill, Judy Kirk, and my mom, Becky Becker.”
With the profession Knuth is in, she notes the connections she’s made make it all worth it.
“During COVID, it became crystal clear how important community is because of the lack of it during that time,” Knuth said. “Humans need connection like we need food and water. I love creating opportunities and events where people can make connections and feel the importance of community.”
Another Helix staff member equally contributing to the community is English teacher Barbara Dagman .
For Dagman, her start in education she says dates back to her teen years.
“Since I was a teenager, people have been stopping me on the street asking for directions,” Dagman stated. “As an undergrad and athlete at UCLA, I worked as an academic tutor in the athletic department, as a note taker in the undergrad Shakespeare classes, then at the writing center as a graduate student. Helping others understand literature and find their ideas for writing started to come easily and gave me joy.”
Having been raised in the male-dominated Silicon Valley of the 1970’s and 1980’s, Dagman said men were the creative geniuses, and women were the secretaries, period.
“The big breakthrough was when Debbie Fields opened Mrs. Fields Cookies in Palo Alto – of course funded by her husband,” Dagman said. “And the woman was still in the kitchen. The challenge was not to internalize the thick sexism of my upbringing.”
For those young women with an eye towards the education industry, Dagman said she’d be delighted if they are considering teaching.
“Many young people dismiss it as an option because we are not paid as we should be,” Dagman remarked. “I encourage young women not to be coerced into STEM just because that’s where they are now encouraged to go. If they actually love math and science, by all means, follow that passion, but don’t enter those fields just for money. That can be a formula for a very disruptive personal crisis later in life. Those interested in education should know how richly rewarding it is, how thick my own files of beautiful thank you letters from past students and parents are, and how renewing the academic cycle is. Having breaks throughout the year and a longer summer break is invaluable for personal health.”
Saying the best part of education is helping to build selfhood and souls, not just make a salary, Dagman said several women have influenced her over time.
Among them are Oprah Winfrey and Brenee Brown, along with her fifth grade teacher (Marjorie Duham) and 7th-12th grade choir conductor Kathy Fujikawa.
Bringing news to the communities for many years
Another area woman who has built a successful career is San Diego Community Newspaper Group Publisher Julie Main .
Main got her start in the publishing business back in Idaho. That was when she became interested in layout and design in high school as yearbook editor as well as selling and designing local business ad sponsorships for the school’s sports team posters.
“After a few courses at the University of Idaho on photography, and marketing design concepts I was hooked,” Main commented. “I was hired as graphic designer for the Idahonian Newspaper in Moscow in1980 before moving to California in 1983. It was entirely different in those days. It was all cut and paste. Computers came later.”
When asked if there have been any challenges as a woman to get where she is today, Main said there were definitely obstacles to overcome.
“Men, as a majority, were in the publishers seat,” Main continued. “In the early days of newspaper publishing, I was co-publisher with my then husband. He played the public roll and I was mostly behind the scene as graphic designer, sales manager and making sure the papers came together.”
With some young women out there thinking of getting into the newspaper publishing business or any other line of work for that matter, Main has some advice for them.
“I would say for any young person getting into any business is be confident,” Main remarked. “Work smart. Learn early as much as you can about the industry you are interested in. Be flexible. Don’t be afraid of change.”
It is not uncommon for Main and other women who’ve ascended to important positions to have had female leaders to learn from.
“I had a strong female teacher, who taught us to look outside the box and ourselves,” Main said. “My mother was also a hard-working woman who demonstrated to me that women can do anything a man can do. I’ve always admired Margaret Thatcher for her role as Prime Minister of England from 1979 to 1990 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990. She was the first female British prime minister and the longest-serving British prime minister of the 20th century.”
When it comes to the best thing about being in the publishing industry, Main was quick to point out its vastness.
“Publishing newspapers is exciting,” Main remarked. “There is so much to cover. So many ideas to employ. I enjoy the fast pace and deadlines and the reward of the end result knowing, there is always something more to write about. From the marketing aspect – we help people grow their business and tell their unique story. We play an important role in our communities, provide residents with information and news about their neighborhoods and community. It is very rewarding.”
Having a shop of her own was a dream since childhood
For Theresa Favro, owner of Amethyst Moon on La Mesa Boulevard, she wanted to grow up and have a shop of her own ever since childhood.
“I was always pretending to ring up customer sales using receipt books and my grandmother’s old canceled checks,” Favro commented. “As a teenager I would visit a local clothing store almost daily and tell the manager that he was going to hire me when I turned 16. His name was Lee, he did hire me and taught me so much about buying wholesale and managing. We are still friends 40 years later and I am forever grateful to him. After high school I attended a fashion merchandising school and worked as a manager/buyer for another local boutique. The proprietress Veronica McGowan took me on buying trips and gave me responsibility at a young age. I truly believe if it weren’t for her teaching, I would not have my shops today.”
Saying she never felt challenges as a woman because she was blessed to have so much support, Favro has advice for those young women looking to start a business of their own one day.
“I would tell them to look into trade school, learn from others and focus on their passion,” Favro remarked. “Never assume you know everything, there is always more to learn. You never know who you’ll meet along the way. Network with others and keep putting out there what your goals are. I strongly believe that we cross paths with key people when it’s in divine order.
Favro said it was a female member of her family that she looked up to and helped her get where she is today.
“As long as I can remember, I have looked up to my Aunt Marie,” Favro commented. “She overcame many obstacles running her own businesses. My uncle passed away unexpectedly when their four children were under the age of six. She moved out to California and eventually bought a store called The Kitchen Witch in Encinitas. The store was a favorite in the community, she had such passion for her clients, treating everyone like gold. My Aunt raised four incredible children while working and taking on breast cancer and knee surgeries. Til this day she has a contagious smile on her face, a twinkle in her eye and a spirit that can’t be stopped. I want to be like her when I grow up”
When asked the best thing about being in her profession and owning a business, Favro does not hesitate to point out the clients.
“I get to spend my days talking to and hugging people,” Favro pointed out. “I get to share their dreams, sorrows and celebrations. My heart is full every single day.”
Insurance was never intended profession for one area woman
Another local businesswoman who has also had her share of success is Farmers insurance agent Amber McWhirter-Griffith.
Running a family owned and operated business in La Mesa since the early 90’s, McWhirter-Griffith said insurance was never her intended profession.
“My Dad owned his Farmers Insurance Agency while I was young, but I didn’t really know what insurance really was or how it worked back then,” she said.
“I was managing a subdivision of a label company at the time and was commuting from La Mesa to Mira Mesa five days a week, in heavy traffic, super early in the morning while attending SDSU in the afternoon/evening. I liked my job, but finally had enough with the commute and early hours, so I begged my Dad to let me come answer phones in his office while I went to school. That schedule worked well for me and I graduated from SDSU with a degree in journalism. While I was working in his office I really enjoyed working with our clients, making sure their assets were protected. I continued working for my Dad for a few more years and then when he ran for city council in La Mesa, I took over the business.”
McWhirter-Griffith has worked hard to knock down stereotypes that it is all men running insurance businesses.
“In the insurance industry, its predominantly male agency owners with female staff,” she noted. And that’s how our agency was for years with my Dad and myself so it was and sometimes still is a challenge when people don’t believe I am the business owner. Another challenge is being a wife, mother and business owner and balancing that work-home life. I have three kids and a husband so I often work ‘on the go’. I try to balance physically being in the office, working from home and still making it to my children’s field trips, school activities and sporting events. Work conferences are sometimes a struggle because I don’t want to be away from my young children for long periods of time.”
When asked about young women looking to get into the insurance profession, McWhirter-Griffith said to start off working for different agents/brokers so you can get a feel for what type of insurance you prefer, what skills you have in the office (sales, administrative, managing, etc) and the kind of people you enjoy working with and being around.
“You can get an insurance license while working in their office, learning and then if making the jump to agency owner feels right, go for it!,” she remarked. “Every agent/broker does things differently so working for different offices can be insightful. Also, I believe some colleges have internships available with insurance agencies so you can just get an idea of how insurance works to see if its something you’re interested in.”
McWhirter-Griffith, who said she looks up to other women agents, wants to be an inspiration to her two girls and show them that they can do whatever it is they want to do if they set goals and put in the work to make it happen.
“I would love if one of my kids decided to take over my insurance business one day but that’s up to them of course,” McWhirter-Griffith stated. “Maybe they will at least come work with me for a while.”
For now, she noted that being around different clients, networking partners, her staff etc. makes it all worth it.
“I enjoy making sure my clients have the right protection and providing the above and beyond service a lot of customers are looking for right now,” she said. “I also love making my own schedule and working here, there and a little bit of everywhere.”
