YOURstory: “Making HERstory” Attendees Share Inspirations

As it is the mission of The Boyertown Area Expression to strengthen bonds among us by getting to know one another better, please share YOUR stories, your moments, your people with us—no matter who or what they are! Send to janeEstahl@comcast.net

by Jane Stahl

Krista Gross, Building a Better Boyertown’s Events Planner, was determined that the first annual “Making HERstory” event was more of an experience than a formal dinner. She has said, “I wanted a night where the women of our community felt heard.”

Part of her final plan was inviting the attendees to share their stories—stories of resilience, love, challenges and dreams. “When we share these stories, we remind each other that we are not alone. We find strength in our sisterhood, hope in our shared experiences, and inspiration in each other’s courage.”

And so, as part of the plan, to recognize the impact the women in our lives have made, she invited all those who purchased tickets to the event to send their stories of those women—past or present—who inspired them or made a difference in their lives. Friends, family members, historical figures or mentors were featured in a Wall of Women at the event. 

Following are a few inspiring stories that were featured on the Wall of Women. We look forward to yours!

Bridgie (Ruth Anne) Daller – by Jackie Daller

My beautiful grandmother Bridgie - came from a poor family of 9 children in Parkesburg. She won a scholarship to nursing school while attending Octorara High School. She overcame adversity as a woman in the medical field - becoming the head Pediatric Nurse Practitioner of the Oncology Unit at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. In addition to her countless medical contributions and awards over the years, Bridgie dedicated and volunteered her time to her beloved Historic Trappe Society. Driven by love, grit & above all, grace - she overcame poverty, created an expanding family tree of her own and cultivated a beautiful life in which those that knew her and love her can only hope to aspire to. Me especially.

Barbara Rhoads – by Deneen Rhoads-Kratz

My mom had strong faith. She was loving/kind and generous. She made birthdays and holidays special for her whole family. I see a lot of myself in her. As I reflect on her daily I know she is looking down on me and smiling that I continue my way on the same aspirations. .My mom has guided me thru motherhood as I raise a faith based son. I frequently use the same lessons she gave me to guide my son. She was a strong woman and I miss her every day.

Diane Wise – by Rebecca Wise

My inspiration, who was very influential in my life, was my mother. She instilled in me from a very young age that anything is possible with hard work, determination, a positive attitude and faith. She allowed me to take risks, knowing that I may stumble and fall. But she was always there to pick me up and help me get back on my feet. She was my biggest fan, always cheering me on, motivating me with her words of affirmation, and always telling me how proud she was of me. My Mom passed away 9 years ago and I truly miss her every day.And although she is no longer here in physical form, I know she is my angel and is always watching over me.

Elaine Blakey – by Jamie Cascino

43 years ago, I embarked on my banking career in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. My immediate supervisor was Elaine Blakey, a remarkable woman of impeccable stature and grace. Elaine had received numerous accolades from her community organization, churches, and employer, recognizing her exceptional professionalism in a predominantly male-dominated management landscape. My family had a longstanding relationship with Elaine, as she had been their banker for years. Starting as a part-time teller, I quickly realized that life can change rapidly. At the time, I was 22 years old, a single mother living with my mother, and working a full-time job. Elaine recognized my potential and nurtured my growth within the banking industry. I progressed through various positions, starting as a part-time teller and eventually becoming an executive. I held roles at both large and smaller banks, rising to the position of Vice President. However, my true passion lies in people, and my extra-curricular activities, including nonprofit work and volunteerism, have shaped me into the person I am today. While I hold great faith, it is not solely based on religious beliefs. We must actively demonstrate our true faith through our actions. I am blessed with a wonderful husband, family, and numerous true friends throughout my life. Our town has become our home, and we are committed to supporting the community whenever possible. Elaine served as an exemplary mentor, inspiring me with her hard work, dedication to church, and commitment to community service. She has become not only a mentor but also a lifelong friend.

Emilia Zmudsky—Jane Stahl

I saw my grandmother once a year when we’d travel to Rhode Island where my father was born. A tiny woman, stooped, with pale eyes behind wire-framed glasses, gray wisps of hair and pins poking through her tightly wound bun, her legs wrapped in bandages supporting painful varicosities, she cried each year when it was time for us to head back to Pennsylvania, our vacation over for another year. This was not a woman one hugged or even spoke to. She didn’t play games or bake cookies with me. As a child, I wasn’t a fan.

But while I remember her only as an aged, weak woman, my father’s memories must have been much different, and one incident inspired me. “Bobchi” was an immigrant from Ukraine, widowed with 5 children to feed, poor as the cliched village church mouse-- who stretched a sack of potatoes and a bag of flour to feed pierogies to the neighborhood.

She was the woman known to chase off the girls with a broom who tried to sneak into the house to visit my father who apparently was quite the ladies’ man!

She was the woman who hurried her favorite son to Pennsylvania to marry my mother, a “good girl,” and told her never to let him return to Rhode Island. She loved him enough to let him go.

But her most impressive moment was her reaction to my father when he presented her with $50—a huge amount in that day—his prize money from a boxing match he’d won. A gifted athlete, Dad was offered a scholarship to play college football that he had to decline since even finishing high school was not an option. Boxing, he thought, was an easy way to use his athletic gifts to feed the family.

But her reaction that night stunned him and his brothers and sisters, one they never forgot, one that revealed an aspect of her character that took my breath away when my father shared it with me: she took his prize money and threw it in the fire.

No way, poor or not, was she letting her beloved son abuse his body for any amount of money. I’ve never had to face a similar dilemma, but her example has empowered me to stand strong in my beliefs, despite the cost.

Emily Crable – by Shannon Bruno

I have always been impressed by this woman, she can fish and hunt with the best of them and if you need her to make something creative, she has that covered too! Emily loves her community and believes wholeheartedly in the growth of Boyertown. One of the best local Realtor’s with almost a decade of experience, a great mother, daughter, wife, aunt, sister, co-worker and friend.

Jane Bergman – by Deneen Rhoads-Kratz

My grandmother lived to be 102 years young. In her lifetime she saw plenty of changes in the world from horse drawn carriages to outhouses to microwave ovens to cell phones. She endured and even thrived after both her parents gave up their rights to her and her siblings. She endured when her brother committed suicide. In the early years of their marriage my grandfather drank too much, but she endured. They were married for 70+ years. She still kissed him when she had to leave him in a nursing home after his stroke.She endured during the Vietnam war her oldest son enlisting and her youngest son being sent to Vietnam to fight.She endured when her youngest son moved to Florida, so many miles away that she could only visit once a year.She endured when her oldest son moved out of state to Ohio and could only see him once a year. She endured when her daughter divorced after 50 years of marriage. She made a welcoming home for our family. Always doting on the babies. She was always cooking in the kitchen, ready to feed everyone. Always happy to give hugs and kisses. She may not have known it but she was a strong woman.

Bertha Roesslein – by Ellen Martignetti

She immigrated on a ship from Germany December 3, 1926 at 21 years old with $25 in her pocket. She traveled alone to New York City and connected with her two olders sisters in Philadelphia who arrived before her. She began as a cook for a family in Jenkintown, PA and always credited the cookbooks as helping to learn the new language. Once married, she lived in Queens, NY and worked as a seamstress in a sweatshop. I remember her being a great storyteller and one of my favorites was when she went into a NYC bar during a hot summer and she just wanted to drink a cold beer. At the time, it was not acceptable for women to go into bars, but she didn't care and did it anyway. She never got her driver's licence, however she was always out and about and very social with friends, family and neighbors. She would exercise along with Jack La-Lane on the TV (one of the first TV exercise gurus). She would proudly show how she could bend over and touch her hands to the floor well into her 90's. She continued to cook, bake and sew also into her 90's and had a glass of wine everyday with dinner. She passed away in 2003 at the age of 98. Most of all I remember her laughter, love and the glorious smell of her kitchen. I would never have had the courage to move to a new county or do half of the things she dared to do. I admire her for that. She led a simple life as a wife, mother and grandmother, but she was anything but simple.

Krista Gross – by Jordanna Walsh

Aunt krista is a very kind and sweet person and is always good at helping people. she creates these awesome events for you and me to help the community. She has a very kind heart and makes every one around her feel loved and special. I love her so very much. happy National Woman's Day, Aunt Krista and Boyertown community! Sincerely, Jordanna Walsh. P.S save me some food!

Amanda Walsh – by Monica Walsh

Her kindness and warmth shine through in everything she does. She's the type of person who always puts others first, offering a listening ear or a helping hand without hesitation. As a mom, she's simply amazing. The love and patience she shows her children is truly inspiring. She's not only a rock for her family but also a beautiful example of strength, grace, and unconditional love. Watching her balance everything with such ease is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Nancy Boalton – by Kristin Harp

My Mom was and always will be my best friend. The saying goes you don’t realize how much you need someone till they’re not here anymore. My Mom was always full of good of good advice and always knew the right thing to say to make me make a great decision. I strive every day to be as good of a mother, friend, grandmother, wife and human being as she was. I have huge shoes to fill, and if it wasn’t for my Mom I definitely know I wouldn’t be the person I am today.

More News from Boyertown

• Boyertown Freshman Technology Students Compete at High School Level Freshman technology students tackle senior high level competition.
• Craig Bennett Muses on Luck of the Irish While we oft attribute circumstances as "lucky" or "unlucky," another perspective opens realms of possibilities, freedom, and often hope.