Award recipients shine like steel

James L. Wainscott, president and CEO of AK Steel, presents Etta Caver with the Steel Magnolia Award during a ceremony at the Manchester Inn in Middletown Thursday Oct. 29.

Staff photo by Pat Auckerman James L. Wainscott, president and CEO of AK Steel, presents Etta Caver with the Steel Magnolia Award during a ceremony at the Manchester Inn in Middletown Thursday Oct. 29.

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By Rick McCrabb, Columnist Updated 4:07 PM Friday, October 30, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — The Man of Steel showed his softer side.

James L. Wainscott, chairman, president and chief executive officer of AK Steel, said the inaugural Steel Magnolia Awards — which he presented Thursday, Oct. 29 at the Manchester Inn — were inspired by Karen Wellington, who, in 2007, lost her courageous 10-year battle against breast cancer.

Wellington, who lived in Cincinnati with her husband and two children, was a close friend of James and Darla Wainscott.

The Steel Magnolia Awards, he said, were established to recognize and honor women who have “faced personal adversity and overcome it.”

This year’s volunteer judges hit two homers with their selections — Tammy Robert of Middletown and Etta Caver of Fairfield, who donated their $1,000 awards to “Hands and Feet,” a home repair ministry administered by Berachah Baptist Church for Middletown families in need, and the Citizens Against Domestic Violence, respectively.

The program is funded by the AK Steel Foundation and presented by the Middletown Community Foundation.

Robert and Caver survived domestic violence, and have dedicated their lives to helping others. They refused to let their history hinder their futures.

Robert was chosen to represent the women of the communities surrounding the Middletown Works facility and Caver for those surrounding the company’s West Chester Twp. corporate headquarters.

Caver worked at AK Steel for more than 20 years, then earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work. She works as a victim’s advocate for the Butler County Sheriff’s Office and regularly shares her story as a speaker in the dating violence prevention programs operated by Citizens Against Domestic Violence.

Now, she said, after surviving the “storms of abuse,” she sees the “value of my life in what I do.”

Those in the room made their decision: They gave the ladies of steel — and the man behind the steel — a standing ovation.

Nomination Letters

Etta J. Caver

This is Etta J. Caver’s nomination letter that was written by Shelly Wallpe, regional director for Catholic Charities SouthWestern Ohio.

Etta Caver’s life has been shaped by violence. Her mother was murdered when Etta was a child. She endured decades of domestic violence at the hands of a boyfriend and then her husband. Yet she raised a family and was a 20-year plus valued employee of AK Steel in Middletown. She is stronger than steel — she is a survivor. She re-invented herself and along the way has impacted thousands of lives with her inspirational story and deeds.

She decided at age 48 to go to college and left her field of information technology to study social work. She graduated from Miami University in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree and immediately chose to continue her studies by pursuing a master’s in social work from the University of Cincinnati, graduating with honors in June 2009. For many, this would be enough of a life change and the achievement of a lifetime. While this is a magnificent personal accomplishment, it is the journey she has participated in with other domestic violence survivors that more clearly defines her life. While completing her undergraduate degree, Etta became a victim’s advocate for the prosecutor at Middletown Municipal Court. Etta has been a passionate and active volunteer and speaker for Citizens Against Domestic Violence, a non-profit group that speaks to thousands of high school students each year about teen dating violence. Etta is currently employed as a victim’s advocate by the Butler County Sheriff’s Office assisting and educating victims of domestic violence. This year she was a featured speaker at Ohio’s Annual “Two Days In May” conference sponsored by the Attorney General’s Office. This woman is destined for big things.

I had the pleasure of supervising Etta’s graduate field placement at Catholic Charities for the past year and a half. Etta was building skills in social work administration concentrating on fund development. She will no doubt put these skills to use to benefit others.

Etta is inspiring on so many levels. She is rich in faith, compassion, knowledge, and life experience. She is a gifted listener, talented storyteller and public speaker, staunch activist and advocate. She has turned hardship into assistance and demonstrated compassion for others. She gained her voice and now speaks for others until they are strong enough to advocate for themselves.

Steel Magnolia is an apt description of Etta Caver and I appreciate your consideration of her for recognition. Because of her our community could have a whole bouquet of steel magnolias – women whom she has advocated for that can in turn change their lives.

Tammy L. Robert

This is Tammy L. Robert’s nomination letter that was written by George Puckett.

I hereby nominate Ms. Tammy Robert for the Steel Magnolia Award.

Tammy grew up in the Detroit, Michigan area. At a very young age, she had a kindred heart towards those who were misunderstood, abused, neglected, and otherwise left out of normal events, just because they were different. Not differences by choice. Children abused by their father or mother who really wanted a child of the other gender. Different because they were handicapped or had birth defects. Different because they didn’t have money for nice clothing or, perhaps even a nutritious meal. Different because they were born of another race. Senior citizens different because they required too much care. Abused and battered women and children, because she was one.

When Tammy became an adult, she worked in a group home. She loved every one of them. Her eyes would sparkle as she spoke fondly of them. Tears would well up as she spoke of the ignored wisdom they could share, sometimes without speaking a word.

As a divorced single mother, Tammy always tried to provide the best for her son.

During this same period she, out of pure love, sacrificed months of evenings and weekends, caring for her very ill mother. Tammy relocated to Middletown, OH in the spring of 2005. She attended a church in New Miami and volunteered delivering breakfast every Saturday morning to local seniors. They were thrilled that she would sit and talk with them. They were lonely. She made them feel loved because, they were.

In the summer of 2005, Tammy became ill. A visit to her endocrinologist and some tests revealed the grim diagnosis that she had thyroid cancer. Surgery to remove the thyroid revealed the cancerous cells were on the verge of going through the thin walls of the thyroid and into her body. She held tightly to her firm foundation of faith in God. With persistence and faith, Tammy became a member of that beautiful body of people called “cancer survivors”.

Soon thereafter, she was devastated by the death of her mother. She was with her as she passed from this life.

In 2007, Tammy became a member of the Middletown Kiwanis Club. She is recognized for her enthusiasm, organizational skills, and desire to serve the Middletown Community. She has been a driving force in coordinating events, including Kiwanis One Day, Safety Day, Memorial Day parade, fund raiser for Shared Harvest and various other events. She is currently Vice President for Middletown Kiwanis. She also reads in our community, representing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and is an active member of Berachah Baptist Church.

If something is going on that is designed to give a child a hug, or a meal, or hope, chances are you will find Tammy there. If someone needs a good listener, chances are, she will be there. If she knew she would be the only one to show up at a “Save our Community” rally, you can be sure Tammy Robert, a true “Steel Magnolia,”, will be there.

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I had the honor of attending this event. These women offered hope of survival to women of our city. It seemed to be a challenge in your article to equally represent women of such tenacity. This meant a great deal to them equally. For example,the photo of both women with Mr. Wainscott should have been published. Instead of printing comments made by only one woman, the acceptance speeches of both should have been printed. Omit the nominator letters if space was the issue. Nonetheless, thank you.

George Puckett
6:45 AM, 10/31/2009

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