Hall of Fame
1974-2011
2000-2011 only
Congratulations to the 2012 Salute to Women Honorees!
(Back) Susan Carr, Sylvia Anderson, Dr. Patrice Buzzanell, Judge Susan Orr Henderson (Front) Betty Reed, Angela Tamer, Dr. Marge Taber
Woman of Innovation:
Angela Tamer
Angela Tamer is outstanding in every facet of her life with excellent communication, organization and problem solving skills. Angela earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University while being a four-year collegiate athlete with the Purdue swimming and diving team.
After graduating, she decided to switch careers from engineering to her true interest, finance. Starting a successful career in banking, Angela shines as a Branch Manager at Old National Bank by making a well-known and respected name for herself and Old National in the Greater Lafayette Community.
Within her position at Old National Bank, Angela empowers women every day by encouraging them to take charge of their finances through volunteer workshops and seminars on Debt Reduction/Savings Planning. She then volunteers to go through a one on one session with the women to make sure their plan is in place. She then leads the way in the community serving as President of the Tippy Connect Young Professionals, Board Member for the Association of Women Business Owners, on the Greater Lafayette Commerce Council, and on both the Greater Lafayette Commerce Ambassador Committee and Greater Lafayette Commerce Quality of Life Committee. Angela has also impacted several elementary students with her volunteer work in the Read to Succeed Program.
In addition to her job and serving her community, Angela also feeds her creative side by running her own floral arrangement business, Red Fox Flowers, out of her home, creating exquisite bouquets, centerpieces, etc. for all occasions.
Angela is a role model and leader through example and action. She has demonstrated through her career and family life that one can succeed, excel and be happy without negatively affecting the lives of others.
Woman of Wisdom:
Betty Reed
Betty Lutz Reed is a powerful, strong, yet delicate woman who leads in the quiet. Betty was a member of SPARs, the United States Coast Guard Women’s reserve during World War II. She enlisted in the SPARSs in 1943 when she was 20 and a sophomore at Purdue after being inspired by her mentor, Captain Dorothy Stratton. She put on her uniform and did what needed to be done with no need to talk about it. Her uniform was different for each measure of her life as she served her country, community and family.
In the 1970’s, Betty began working for Ivy Tech Community College and also volunteered in the Greater Lafayette community. She worked in the Learning Resource Center at Ivy Tech Community College and the library until retiring in her eighties. She helped many students reach their goals. For the last twenty years, Betty has volunteered at the Tippecanoe County Historical Association. Daily, she works from home and sends the information to the Historical Association. She is also an icon in the Historic Ninth Street Hill Neighborhood Association where she was instrumental in founding the annual Christmas luminaria display and the July 4th patriotic flag presentation. Betty is a regular volunteer at the book sale at the Tippecanoe County Public Library where she buys biographies, shares them with neighbors and friends and then donates them back to the library.
To this day, Betty has represented the SPAR’s in many local events such as Veterans Day remembrances and school’s “Heroes” programs. Betty cut the ribbon to officially open Lafayette’s Veterans Memorial Parkway. She also participates in national events including the 2010 Christening of the Coast Guard’s newest National Security Cutter, the USCGC STRATTON. First Lady, Michelle Obama is the sponsor of the ship and spoke at the Christening. In March 2012, the Coast Guard invited Betty to California to take part in the official commissioning of the USCGC STRATTON, again with the First Lady in attendance.
At age 88, Betty’s quiet commitment to family, community and country continues to profoundly impact those who encounter her.
Woman of Distinction:
Dr. Marge Taber
Dr. Marge Taber has inspired and helped many people despite all of her medical set backs over the years. In 1984, Marge was diagnosed with cancer. Even after 56 radiation treatments and cancer reoccurrences, she never gave up hope.
After working as a development engineer for six years, Marge left her position to get in on the ground floor of the development of an electrical-electronic engineering technology program in a community college. Marge continued as an educator and never looked back.
In 1987, Marge was recognized as the Distinguished Engineering Educator by the Magazine of the Society of Women Engineers. In 1991, she was the recipient for the Helen B. Schleman Gold Medallion Award at Purdue University. In 1991, along with receiving the Survivorship Award from the Greater Lafayette community, Purdue University renamed the Hoffer Microcomputer Laboratory to the Margaret R. Taber Computer Laboratory. In 1994, she received the Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of Akron.
Being a long-term cancer survivor, Marge has devoted her retirement years to volunteering. In 1988, she began volunteering for the American Cancer Society in Tippecanoe County serving many positions such as a member of CanSurmount from 1993-98. Marge also devoted her time to LARA (Lafayette Adult Resource Academy). She has been responsible for many tasks such as keeping the 10 computers in the classroom running, procuring and installing new software and helping learners and staff. Along with LARA and the American Cancer Society, Marge volunteered at the developmentally handicapped adult facility Sunburst Farm/Rainbow Acres in Arizona. She was instrumental in creating and sustaining the computer lab in the learning center and providing computers for each of the homes for these adults.
Marge is very eager and willing to help out and go the extra mile. Through her extreme tenacity, enthusiasm for life and reliability, Marge has become a true inspiration for many.
Woman of Distinction:
Dr. Patrice Buzzanell
Dr. Patrice Buzzanell is a woman whose mission in both her professional and personal life is the promotion of racial and gender equality. As a distinguished professor in the Brian Lamb School of Communication at Purdue University, Patrice’s entire research program, including courses taught and publications over the course of her 30-year career, has been devoted to the attainment of social, racial, and gender change in diverse contexts such as workplaces, schools, families and the global marketplace. Patrice has won over 40 awards and honors and published over 50 articles in the areas of gender and communication. She has also published 3 books. In 2010, she was awarded the Helen B. Schleman Gold Medallion award. She currently serves on the International Communication Association and Council of Communication Associations.
Since 2000, Patrice has been a faculty team advisor to one or more of the EPICS (Engineering Projects in Community Service) teams each semester. These teams do various projects in the Lafayette Community that each serves a distinct purpose. Through her work with EPICS, Patrice directly impacts many of the students she encounters, but additionally, she creates in her students a sense of importance of community service that is carried on by those students in countless ways after graduation.
Patrice’s approach to organizing and problem solving has allowed her research to achieve its practical promise. She has consulted with organizations about diversity issues, working with organizational leaders and employees to develop strategies and policies that promote diversity and enact diversity in the workplace. She is internationally recognized as a leading scholar on issues around gender and communication and has won numerous awards for research that has looked at women in engineering in global contexts, academic caregiving and maternity leave policies and practices.
Through her spirit of small acts, moments of kindness and constant conversations about issues of gender, Patrice truly changes the community one person, one class, and one EPICS project at a time.
Woman of Distinction:
Judge Susan Orr Henderson
In a rural county such as Fountain County, community involvement is imperative. Judge Susan Orr Henderson has applied her energy and creativity to identity problems facing rural communities and promotes meaningful solutions.
Susan first began practicing law in Fountain County in 1984. At that time, she was the first female lawyer in Fountain County. In 1999, Susan successfully ran for Judge of the Fountain County Circuit Court. She became the first female judge in Fountain County and has been re-elected twice. Susan has achieved a number of impressive accomplishments during her careers as a lawyer and judge, and has concentrated much of her efforts on helping juveniles and families with limited resources. She has served on, and even helped to create, several non-profit organizations. In 1999, Susan established a Teen Court program that allows juvenile first offenders the chance to have the disposition in their case be determined by a jury of their peers after an admission of guilt. Local schools modified their student handbooks to allow the referral of students to the teen sanction for minor infractions. In 2002, Susan also sought and obtained resources and the collaboration of schools, service providers, ministerial alliance and others to put a voluntary plan into action for eligible families seeking help. Through a series of training, funding, and various meetings at schools in the area, the Fountain County Interagency Team was established.
Along with a list of personal accomplishments, Susan has been an active member of the Indiana State Bar Association and the Judicial Conference of Indiana, both as a Board Member and as Chair of several committees. She established a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program for Fountain County and dedicates herself to the youth of the community. She has helped a significant number of students by involving them in the court system and modeling better approaches to problems that can affect teenagers. Establishing programs such as the Fountain County Mentoring, Inc., has had a profound influence on the lives of children who have had the benefit of a mentor by providing stability in what might otherwise be a turbulent life.
By her selfless commitment to community service and her willingness to meaningfully participate when asked, Susan has truly shown what community involvement and leadership can accomplish.
Woman of Distinction:
Sylvia Anderson
Sylvia Anderson is an extraordinary woman that has been described by her community, colleagues, family and fellow organization members as a dedicated, courageous, effective leader with a servant’s heart. She recognizes her responsibility to the world and contributes to the well being of people and her community.
Sylvia has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from York College of Pennsylvania and a Masters in Business Administration from Lebanon Valley College. Sylvia brings over 35 years of management experience working in business, human services and state government. Since moving to Lafayette, Sylvia has contributed to many organizations including Chair of YWCA Racial Justice Committee, Lafayette Adult Resource Academy (LARA) Advisory Board, Purdue University’s Community Relations Advisory Committee, United Way Planning/Community Investment Committee and Diversity Roundtable, just to name a few. She has received several awards for her dedication to the community including the Greater Lafayette Health Service Community Impact Award in 2006 and the Kiwanis International Distinguished Club Member 2009-10. She is responsible for playing an active role as Board of Director President for Strong Sister, Silly Sister, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides annual educational and networking opportunities to first year collegiate students at Purdue and Northwestern University. She has helped to empower over 500 young ladies and move the organization to becoming incorporated in 2010.
Sylvia has a deep commitment to impacting the lives of others. She impacts her fellow citizens in the Lafayette and Greater Lafayette area through her leadership and support. She continues to support the youth in our city, leading projects such as the Bringing Up Grades Program that rewards academic improvement of local elementary school students, and the Kate’s Kitchen Backpack Program, which provides nutritious foods for weekends during the school year to students in need at Mayflower Mill.
Sylvia’s selfless love for others, words and actions are consistent with her daily walk. She is a role model and difference maker to all.
Woman of Distinction:
Susan Carr
Susan Carr, a teacher for nearly forty years, has challenged herself to continue to be a life long learner and teacher, to stay productive and to give to the community she loves.
No matter who her students may be, her major thrust has been to teach students to think creatively, problem solve, and practice critical thinking skills. In 1985, Susan was named the Indiana Art Educator of the Year. In 1986, Susan became a coordinator for the Lafayette School Corporation K-12 Gifted/Talented Challenge Program. Under her leadership and vision, the academic and art program was successful and continues to meet the needs of highly able students.
In 2010, Susan co-authored a grant to make Art Smart: Indiana, a program that teaches the history of early Indiana using art. She then coordinated an outreach program to make Art Smart: Indiana available to schools at 21 workshops in our 8 county area. In 2011, when Susan learned that the new Oakland High School would not be able to offer art, she convinced the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette to take art to the school. She recruited volunteers to teach, wrote grants and worked with area merchants to donate materials. The Oakland Art program is thriving with Susan’s leadership and she keeps seeking opportunities for the students and spends countless volunteer hours planning and implementing new incentives.
Along with inspiring her students, Susan has been the president of the Art Education Association of Indiana and the Art League Board of GLMA. She continues to advocate for quality art at the state and national level. Through her tenacious commitment to the needs of humanity, Susan has also devoted her time to helping in ways such as going on a mission trip after Hurricane Katrina and volunteering for American Red Cross and Hunger Hikes.
As a retired art teacher, facilitator, presenter, writer, and consultant, Susan’s skills continue to evolve as she seeks any and every way to teach others about art, critical thinking, self-expression and self-empowerment. Her vision, dedication and ceaseless energy have benefitted many people and she continues to advocate for quality art at the state and national level.
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