The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Women take gala center stage
Lorain Historical Society showcases trail blazing roles in business
“I believe there needs to be intentional inclusion of women leaders and coaching of women, but not just the women but also of minorities. Because that diversity of thought is what’s going to bring out innovation.” — Dr. Melissa Li-Ng, medical director of international operations, The Cleveland Clinic
In recognition of the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment giving women the right to vote, the Lorain Historical Society celebrated a 2020 annual meeting on Sept. 12 with a panel of four exemplary women who are breaking barriers in their respective professions.
Held at Ariel Broadway Hotel in Lorain, the Lorain Historical Society event welcomed four distinguished women in sharing their stories of being trailblazers in their respective fields:
• Dr. Melissa Li-Ng, medical director of international operations, The Cleveland Clinic
• Ohio Supreme Court Justice Melody Stewart
• Dr. Pat Schuch, president, Integra Resources LLC
• Dr. Marla E. Perez-Davis, director, NASA Glenn Research Center
Drawing on their careers in medicine, engineering, law and the automotive industry, the panelists spoke in depth on the challenges of working in positions of leadership.
Schuch, who worked for General Motors in the 1970s, said one of her biggest challenges was having the persistence and patience in dealing with men who didn’t believe she deserved to be there and the sexism she experienced.
“I’m really grateful to have worked for GM in the early ’70s, when there were very few women. And so I had the chance to be the first woman in many plants,” Schuch said. “And I had the opportunity to change the hearts of men who really believed that women were not suited for factory type work or engineering type work.”
Schuch was the first female superintendent of GM’s Lordstown assembly plant.
“I’m really grateful to have worked for GM in the early 70s, when there were very few women. And so I had the chance to be the first woman in many plants. And I had the opportunity to change the hearts of men who really believed that women were not suited for factory type work or engineering type work.” — Dr. Pat Schuch, president, Integra Resources LLC
Li-Ng spoke of the challenges of being pigeonholed into certain roles. With The Cleveland Clinic since 2009, she says there were many encouragements toward teaching and doing research. But she was most passionate about running hospitals. It took her leaving Cleveland to set The Cleveland Clinic’s Abu Dhabi hospital to discover that passion. Li-Ng is leading the project for a new hospital set to open in Shanghai.
In encouraging more diversity, Li-Ng stressed that there needs to be intentional inclusion.
“I believe there needs to be intentional inclusion of women leaders and coaching of women, but not just the women but also of minorities,” she added. “Because that diversity of thought is what’s going to bring out innovation. It’s what’s going to bring out the best care that we can provide to different populations. If it’s the same people making the same decisions, from their same experience, there is absolutely no way that we can provide the right care to our communities.”
Executive Director Barb Piscopo thanked the many individuals and supporters of Lorain Historical Society’s mission who have helped them continue to preserve and honor the stories of those who have called the International City home as the novel coronavirus pandemic has forced them to alter some of their activities in 2020.
“We know it takes a village, and we’re very proud of this village here in Lorain,” Piscopo said.
The Historical Society has spent 2020 sharing the stories of women from Lorain in a program series called “Beyond the 19th Amendment.”
Piscopo said she loves the people of Lorain and whether you are from here or not, the city finds a way into your heart.