Sinclair Community College will honor 31 members of staff as part of its Women’s History Month celebrations. Supported by the college’s Diversity and Inclusion Office, Sinclair’s 31 Days of Women promises to highlight the immense contributions women have made to its continued development over the years.
The 31 honorees will be hosted at the Charity Early Auditorium on Thursday, March 31. Viewers can participate by registering for the event’s free webinar. Beverly Banister, former Deputy Regional Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, will be on hand to deliver a speech.
The list of pioneering women due to be honored this year includes Administrative Assistant Lora Bowling, who first joined Sinclair as a student in 1982. In a career that saw her become a student employee two years later and then a full-time member of staff in 1985, Bowling has played a part in the college’s evolution over a four-decade period.
“It felt very empowering,” Bowling said about being honored. “Knowing the women chosen in the past and what they contributed on campus, to be included among them is a real honor.”
Reflecting on her lengthy career at Sinclair, Bowling proudly looked back on the many chances she witnessed since first taking up her post in 1985.
“I applied and got the job on my 21st birthday. I’ve just been here ever since. I’ve watched buildings go up, carpet and furniture change,” Bowling stated. “Some of the faculty I started working with back in the day have long since retired. Some of them, when they started, had kids, now their kids have kids and now I’m watching them be grandparents.”
Bowling’s life has evolved alongside the college.
“My whole life from the age of 18 to 58 has been a part of Sinclair,” she said. “It’s changed a lot and it changes a person too. You see things grow around you but you find the growth inside yourself too. So as the college is growing and changing, I have been too.”
Bowling, alongside the other 30 honorees, will be feted by the college on March 31. Interested parties can register for the virtual webinar here.
Ismael Mujahid
Reporter