Champion of Women
A champion is one who conquers, Overcomes, and surpasses all rivals. A champion is made from a desire, a vision, or a dream. They work harder than others and fight for a cause or on behalf of someone else. A champion of women respects and cares for women, amplifies the voices of women, and advocates for women’s health, education, and rights. A champion of women looks beyond themselves and works for the cause of women’s equality. I have reflected on the lives that have touched mine and the purpose of this post is to highlight some of their accomplishments and why they are champions of women to me. This essay will only scrape the surface of their accomplishments and impact. Even with those I know closely, I don’t see all that they do, as they have made empowering others a habit of the heart and many of their acts go unrecognized by others.
01
Jan Walker
Jan Walker was born in 1956. She was born to Jay and Elaine Roylance, who were dairy and crop farmers in Washington state. She was the oldest child and was given lots of responsibility at a young age. She was on the first female track team in her high school and won state for high jump in 1973, and placed in many other events repetitively. Jan married Ron walker and with him had 12 children. She has been a stay-at-home mom for most of her adulthood but that does not mean she doesn’t work. She helps in classrooms and does the bookwork for her husband’s company. She is an unofficial Equine-assisted therapist and trains those who need therapy, like children with mental disabilities, to ride horses which improves their speech and cognitive development. She was a cub scout leader for over 30 years and has consistently taken on responsibilities to plan huge Christmas parties, pioneer treks, and family reunions. She helped write the stake history book and coached little league teams in the community. She is a grandmother to 53 children, although many more children call her “grandma Jan”, and takes that responsibility seriously.
Jan Walker proves wrong anyone who believes being a stay-at-home mother limits your impact on the world. Jan walker has been an example to me as her daughter and an example of excellence to the whole community. She is the hardest worker I have ever met, they don’t make them like Jan anymore, not only to maintain her household but also to work endlessly hard to serve others. The best way to show why I consider her a champion of women is to share some of the things she has done. She is the friend to the friendless, she has a gift to see those in need and tries to integrate them into her life. She is always inviting everyone to church and offering rides to others. She has a massive Sunday dinner and has opened her table to the new people she meets or those without any family. She gives to those in need, it is almost impossible to measure the generosity she has shown to single moms and struggling families in our community. One specific example is during the Christmas season every year she goes to the yellow camp; a group of yellow one-room houses that are homes to the poorest in our community, and gives out bulk food, toys, books, clothes, and pictures of Christ. She also promotes self-reliance in others. She has taught countless women to can produce, invites many to glean crops with her, and taught many of her homemaking skills to others, including her grandchildren. Another way she has championed women is by becoming an addiction recovery facilitator with her husband. She helps men and women who are trapped in addiction become champions of their own lives.
02
Mary Egbert
Another Champion of women is Mary Egbert. She was born in 1960 and grew up in the small town of Price Utah. Her parents were both educators, which made education a high priority and helped her love learning. Her mother especially encouraged and fostered an atmosphere in their home to do well in school. At age six she started competitively swimming and continued all through school. Swimming taught her to be disciplined in school, social life, and physical fitness. It also taught her to set goals and work but her high performance in school; but swimming planted the seeds for her perfectionism. As she began her competitive studies for a nursing degree, her perfect grades started to fall, along with her confidence. One of the most impactful events of her life was when she didn’t pass her nursing exam, after doing everything she could. She lost her job and eventually had to retake the exam but had many valuable lessons to learn. Another major life event was that she married and her husband was made Bishop at 28 yrs. of age. At a very young age, they were put on a pedestal and without consciously doing anything, it all became too much and Mary went into a deep depression. This is a pivotal moment when Mary began counseling and learned more about herself and God. She is a mother of four and grandmother of four, but can now add 196 missionaries into that mix because she is mission leaders in Los Angeles California with her husband.
Mary was my mission leader for the majority of my mission and was a great support to me and so many others. I chose her as my champion for women because she is selfless and uses her situations to help others. She has always tried to make friends with those outside of her circle, and from a young age learned about other cultures and religions through these relationships. She purposefully goes out of her way to make friends with those who are marginalized. With her experience of perfectionism and depression, she has been able to connect and help others, especially her young missionaries. This is where I came to really know to Marry. She always checked in and could perceive my needs. As she shared her story with me, she became a hero of courage in my eyes. Mary celebrates woman’s accomplishments and ideas, as she is always telling me about the accomplishments of those she loves. Mary loves to share the things that make her happy, with everyone she meets, whether it is homemade fudge or the gospel of Jesus Christ.
03
Gigi Renick and Amanda Stonesifer
These women don't know each other; but they are two incredible people I met in Los Angeles whom I would group as Champions of women. They both studied at BYU and Amanda continued her education at Western governors’ university. Amanda is taking over her father’s partnership as the billing and Office Manager at Chong Legal Group and works in the metropolitan area of Los Angeles. Gigi Renick is the Assistant Vice President Retail Sales Manager at Bank of America. I group these women because the best way to describe them both is “Boss Ladies”. They are both serving in their relief society presidencies and helping with missionary work, which is how we met.
I have to admit, I was intimidated at first by these women and their businesswomen aura, but I chose them as my champions for women not only for the many accomplishments they have but for how they have done them. In such a self-interested world it can be easy to be focused on oneself, especially in the big city, but not these women. They are always giving their time and welcoming others. They are so personable to the new people they meet and are loving to all. They know how to work hard, and show others they care. There were many times I have seen them sacrifice their time and talents to serve others. Gigi Renick has a such pure charity for others and is willing to drop everything to help women needing support. I have seen Gigi Renick take over and put her whole heart into throwing a wedding for a family she didn’t even know, and she has come to the rescue of many in need. Amanda has such a joyful and welcoming spirit and has bridged the gap for those who feel marginalized.
04
Stephanie Lut
The next champion for women I would like to highlight is Stephanie Lutz. She is a professor of public health and has been teaching women’s health for over 15 years. She is a mother of five and was a single mother of three for some time. She teaches at BYU and UVU and has many students who adore her. She has self-proclaimed this the “year of the mother”, and has an Instagram page dedicated to highlighting the accomplishments of women and empowering women. She is a registered Doula and is currently working with a client this December.
This woman has influenced me as it related to women’s health, education, and advocacy. She has opened my eyes and many others to the inequalities and obstacles of being a woman. She uses her voice to spread valuable information to help the upcoming generation. I have never seen anyone dedicate their life so thoroughly to empowering women. As she raises her children, cares for her students, and helps her clients in the miracle of birth, she still finds ways to support other women. She is constantly finding art and poetry, made by women and championing these women’s ideas. Taking Stephanie’s class has changed my life for the better and has helped me become an advocate for myself and other women.
05
Bonnie H Cordon
Bonnie was born in 1964 on a farm in Idaho Falls. She went to BYU, married in 1986, has four children, and loves spending time with her grandchildren. She served a mission in Portugal as a young adult and then served as a mission leader with her husband in Brazil. She was a working mother, managing in the software industry until she was expecting her third child and she and her husband relocated to Indiana. When she moved back to the states, she returned to the business world, starting her own business. She was a school volunteer in Idaho and Utah, serving on the PTA, the classroom, and community council and now serves as the Young Women General President of the Church.
Bonnie has had an impact on my life through her leadership of women in this Church. Her talks against abuse in General Conference were powerful and moving and shows her love for God’s children. Her many acts to support young women’s development have had international influence. I do not know her personally but to think of the empowering influence she has had on her family, the missionaries she served with, and the young women she serves today is incredible.
06
Sheri Dew
Another Hero of mine is Sheri Dew. This shy girl from Kansas has gone on to make an international impact. She has a bachelor’s degree from BYU in History. She is a former Relief Society general board member, Stake Relief Society president, counselor in stake Relief Society presidency, ward Relief Society president; previously director of publishing and associate publisher, This People magazine, and assistant editor for Bookcraft. Working up from the bottom, she became the president and chief executive officer of Deseret Book Company on March 13, 2002. She also serves on the National Advisory Council of BYU's Marriott School of Management; the White House appointed her as a member of the U.S. Delegation to the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations. She has written many books, including autobiographies for multiple prophets. And to top all of these accomplishments, she is an accomplished pianist and has traveled internationally during her BYU days as an accompanist.
Can you even comprehend all of these accomplishments? She is a champion. As a child all she ever wanted to do was fit in but once she embraced the fact that she was meant to stand out, oh how she has soared. She has created nonprofits to deliver children’s books to impoverished countries. She has spoken many times on women and the priesthood and many other empowering topics. She has given many seminars for “time out for women” which is a spiritual event centered around empowering women. I am in awe of all Sheri dew has done for women all around the world.
07
Brad Wilcox
To be a champion of women, you don’t have to be a woman. We need male allies. Brad Wilcox is a champion for women. Bradley R. Wilcox was born in Provo, Utah, on December 25, 1959. He has four children and has a doctorate in education. He served a mission in Chile, and then went back as a mission president. He has served as a bishop, counselor in the YSA stake presidency, stake young men president, and a member of the Sunday school general board. He currently is a professor at BYU and has written a book and given many speeches at the university, in general conferences, and at youth conferences.
The way I know Brad is through his speeches. I chose him as a champion of women because his talks are empowering. You can understand from the way he speaks; he has a deep respect for women. He has great value in education and has played a major role in educating women. He has had an incredible number of students from all over the world and has had an international influence on the rising generation. Educating women is lifting society.
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08
Russell M Nelson
The next champion I have chosen is the president of the church, Russel M. Nelson. Russell was born in 1924 and is the proud girl dad of nine daughters and one son. Russell M. Nelson is an internationally renowned surgeon and medical researcher. He served his residency in surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and at the University of Minnesota, where he was awarded his Ph.D. Degree in 1954. He also received honorary degrees of Doctor of Science from Brigham Young University in 1970, Doctor of Medical Science from Utah State University in 1989, and Doctor of Humane Letters from Snow College in 1994. He has contributed to numerous medical textbooks and publications. President Nelson has had numerous positions of responsibility in the Church. To name a few he served as stake president, was called as general president of the Sunday School, was Regional Representative assigned to the Kearns Utah Region, and for Brigham Young University. He served as the president of the quorum of the twelve and is now the president of the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints.
Unquestionably, Russell is an accomplished medical professional but he has been known to say he only became a doctor because he couldn’t become a mother. He has a deep respect for women and their divine nature and shows that in the talks he gives and the way he lives his life. He is an advocate for women but also fights to provide for women’s health and ensure women’s safety. His last surgery was for a famous opera singer in china. Russell champions the ideas of women and celebrates their accomplishments.
09
Esther
Esther’s story is shared in the Old Testament. In the entire Bible, and the additional scripture, we have only two books of scriptures named after women, and Esther is one of them. Esther was an orphaned Persian Jew who lived with her cousin Mordecai. She became the Queen of Persia and played a vital role in saving her people. The Lord made Esther an instrument in his hand.
I think we forget how monumental Esther’s life is. In biblical times women had little to no rights and the king chose Esther as his new bride after punishing his previous wife for not coming when summoned. Esther was courageous and faithful when her people faced execution, despite these circumstances. When realizing that the lord had prepared her for “such a time as this” she responded to the risks of standing up for her people with, “If I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:14-15). She was an advocate for women as she went into the king’s court, when she wasn’t summoned, and when she spoke out against discrimination. Her acts inspired her people to stand up for themselves and had a national impact.
10
Jesus Christ
My final Champion is the greatest champion for women who have ever lived, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was born in a manger almost 2000 years ago. But this was no normal birth, this was the condescension of God. “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Jesus Christ began his mortal ministry around thirty years of age and was crucified just a few years afterward. He suffered for our sins in Gethsemane, died on the cross, and was resurrected three days later. He overcame death and lives so that we can all live again. He not only has international influence but has and will impact every person who has ever lived on this earth.
Jesus Christ is not only a champion for women because He makes life with our Heavenly Father possible, and has taken upon himself all of our suffering, man, and women, but also empowered women while he was on the earth. As I stated in the paragraph above about Esther, biblical women not only had little voice but few rights and were regularly mistreated. No other prophet in the scriptures emphasized women as much as the Savior did. He respected women, healed women, lifted women, educated women, and advocated for women. Only to list a few experiences where he championed women: when he served his mother and performed his first recorded miracle at the wedding at Canaan, when he ministered to the woman at the well, when he protected the woman caught in adultery, and when he wept with Mary and Martha after the death of Lazarus. He cares for me and every woman who’s walked on this earth. He advocated for women to here on earth and will again before our Heavenly Father.
