Lisa Desatnik
Kathy Davis Believes In Empowering Women
When I think about Kathy Davis, I am reminded of her smile that so often shines from her face. I think about her giving heart and all that she does for others.
Kathy is the private dining manager for Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse. She also volunteers a huge amount of time to help others, mainly through Women Helping Women, a Cincinnati nonprofit organization that empowers survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking; and educates the community about these issues. Kathy is a former crisis team coordinator and Board member of Women Helping Women, who continues to stay involved through fundraising, leadership and other volunteer work.
Whether formerly serving some type of volunteer capacity or just reaching out a helping hand to someone in need, Kathy finds ways to make a difference.
I asked her some questions to get to know more about her. Please read more below.
Lisa: You are so passionate about Women Helping Women. Where does that drive come from?
Kathy: I really discovered them when I was on the receiving end, looking for information on domestic violence because I didn’t know how to help my own daughter when she was in abusive situations. The organization was terrific, not only with information but with other things like helping my daughter to get protective orders and referring her to a shelter.
They provide a very much needed service in our community. It is about empowering women who have had so much taken away from them. Many still are not aware of their services, and are scared and not knowing where to go.
Lisa: How have you grown personally as a result of being involved with the organization?
Kathy: I grew up always thinking that, as a woman, when something would happen that I could always fix it or it was my fault. After going through Women Helping Women’s volunteer program, I realize I need to always trust my gut. I do not take responsibility for someone else’s behavior.
Lisa: How are you currently involved with the organization?
Kathy: My largest role is as serving as the Chair for its Light Up The Night Gala fundraiser. It is an event that I began overseeing in 2007. They had been doing a dinner on a smaller scale and I wanted to make it something really big. I asked a couple of friends to join me for coffee and brainstorm ideas about a new spring fundraiser, and it was at that meeting, Light Up the Night was born.We netted $52,000 that first year and it has grown ever since. It is my baby. Last year we hosted 500 people.
This year will be the event’s 10th anniversary themed ‘A Decade of Peace, Love and Understanding’. It will be April 28 from 5:30 to 9 pm. at the Horseshoe Casino. The Gala includes dinner by the bite with tastings from some of Cincinnati’s best restaurants providing tastes, a silent auction, raffle and more.
Lisa: Outside of that, what are some of your simple pleasures in life?
Kathy: I enjoy working in my yard and garden, and having quiet time at night. I also love beaches. Anytime I go on vacation it is always someplace warm and sunny.
Lisa: Tell us about someone who has influenced your life.
Kathy: I grew up in the 60s, the oldest girl in my family. I questioned alot why my older brother was allowed to do things that I wasn’t. The answer was always, ‘because he is a boy’. Gloria Steinem opened my eyes to equal rights. My mother was a stay at home mom, and I wanted to do more. Gloria helped me realize I could do it all – stay at home, work and volunteer.
Lisa: Tell us about an act of kindness that has touched you.
Kathy: In 2006, our house caught on fire with more than $100,000 in damage. That night, I called a friend who used to work at Crossroads Community Church, where I attend. She dropped everything and said, ‘What do you need?’ She called others she knew who worked in the construction business and they left their Friday activities to come over. They measured my windows, went to purchase what they needed and boarded up my house. Others from my church, many people who I didn’t even know, were donating things to help us with our immediate needs. I went to church one day and someone told me to go to the Information Center where there were huge bins of donations. And people who went with me on an earlier mission trip to South Africa also showered me with donations. We needed to move temporarily, and Upspring, formerly Faces without Faces, provided us with tokens for the bus and gas cards so that my granddaughter) who was staying with Kathy) could continue to go to school. It was a very humbling experience. It is difficult for me to reach out to others and ask for help when I need it but this taught me it is okay to ask.
Lisa: What would you tell other people about giving back?
Kathy: I always get more when I give. It comes back to you ten times over.
CINspirational People: David Perry
CINspirational People is my feature where I share stories of diverse people’s lives from our Cincinnati region. David Perry is someone who I met through work, and am connected to on Facebook. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a holiday that has unique significance to David’s life. He wrote about it, and about how he hopes his story will inspire others. Please read about David below.
It was Martin Luther King day 24 years ago when I suddenly became totally blind due to Detached Retina. As I look back on the last 24 years of my life, I consider myself beyond blessed to have so many abilities, such as cooking, holding down a job, driving so many people crazy, and so much more! The hardest thing for me to accept, or even understand is when I am given limitations from people who don’t really understand people with blindness being over comers in so many ways! The whole truth is that people who are blind are just as vital human beings as much as people who are sighted! The real problem with blindness is not the disability itself. However, the real problem is all of the misunderstandings society has regarding blindness! Blindness doesn’t define someone’s characteristic. However, their courage and abilities to do their very best truly defines who they really are! The whole truth is we all have vision! The question is how do you choose to see life? I choose to laugh at my disability, and enjoy everything that God has given me! God has blessed me with so many wonderful friends and family throughout my life, and all of these people look great to me! Making today’s vision tomorrow’s victories, making today’s obstacles tomorrow’s opportunities, and making today’s problems tomorrow’s possibilities shines the light of beauty! The ability of being an over comer is the only way to live! Remembering January 20, 1992, the day that changed my life! Although I lost my vision from a physical perspective, I gained vision in so many other regards! The eyes in my heart see all, and this kind of vision is the best! Enjoy your day!
#GoodThingsCincy #CINspiration
MS Fundraiser Inspired By Couple’s Love
Simcha Kackley is a loving mother and wife, a marketing professional and president of the Cincinnati American Marketing Association. She is also the organizer of a big fundraiser this Saturday (January 23) to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society. Her story is so inspiring to me that I wanted to share it.
Behind every great effort is a deeply rooted passion. Simcha’s passion for collecting money toward MS research dates back to February, 2008. After a three year relationship, she and Matthew knew theirs was a lasting love. Engaged to be married, they were so focused on their future.
As can happen sometimes, their lives took an unexpected change. Matt awoke one morning with the right side of his body numb. A few days later they found themselves in a hospital where Matt spent the next two days undergoing a myriad of tests trying to figure out the mystery origin of his symptoms. Simcha was by his side every minute.
Finally, he was sent home and told to follow up with his primary care doctor…who told him he needed to see a neurologist.
At age 28, Matt was diagnosed with an Abnormal MRI from lesions on his brain and spine. While neurologists were 99% confident he had MS, they could not officially diagnose him until he experienced a second episode. It was a month later, one week before their wedding, when Matt’s numbness finally began to subside.
On March 29, 2008 Simcha and Matt married their soul mates.
And after their honeymoon, Matt was able to return to work. However, almost like clockwork, he has had an episode every February since then for about a month. Thankfully each new episode has been of lower severity than the first, allowing him to continue serving our community as a police officer.
“The entire situation opened our eyes to how important living life each and every day to the fullest is. We were brought so much closer together than we had ever been before,” Simcha wrote on a website. “Matt is my inspiration for continuing to trudge ahead and he makes me a better person. I am grateful and blessed to have him in my life.”
Simcha’s Rock n Aspire Event benefitting the National MS Society grows each year. This year’s concert will include appetizers, a cash bar, and these popular bands:
Freekbass (Funk / Rock)
Elementree Livity Project (Reggae / Jam / Rock)
The Magic Lightning Boys (Blues / Rock)
SOUSE (Jazz / Funk / Fusion
It is this Saturday, January 23 at 7 pm at the 20th Century Theater in Oakely (3021 Madison Road; 45209). Tickets are $30 each if bought in advance and can be purchased here; or $40 if purchased at the door. To volunteer, donate or become a sponsore, please email Simcha at info@rocknaspire.com.
Appreciate Life’s Moments
Words Of Wisdom From Steve Jobs
Even at the end of his journey, Steve Jobs left these words of wisdom to inspire us. Please take a few minutes to read.
Lots of wisdom and life lessons in here.
Posted by Lisa Desatnik on Tuesday, January 12, 2016