Women encouraged to pursue goals with hard work, perseverance
Magistrate Court Judge Hentrietta S. Soland was one of the featured speakers on Saturday at the Soroptimist International luncheon. Soland started her law enforcement career with the New Mexico State Police before being appointed to serve as a magistrate judge. She was recently elected to the position in the past election. — © 2009 Gallup Independent / Brian Leddy

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Staff writer

GALLUP — “Dream big, work hard, and plan for a life of service to others” are the recommendations Dr. Felisha Rohan-Minjeras gives to young women dreaming of a career.

Rohan-Minjeras, a 1996 graduate of Gallup High School who is now a physician in Albuquerque, was one of eight local woman who spoke on Saturday about the challenges and rewards they have encountered in their own pursuit of a fulfilling career. The event was part of a “Live Your Dream” Mother-Daughter Luncheon sponsored by Soroptimist International of Gallup.

In addition to the guest speakers, the organization presented its annual Violet Richardson Award to high school student Amy Decker for her work with recycling projects in Gallup and its Women’s Opportunity Award to Shauna Sam for her efforts to pursue an education and create a better life for herself and her children. The following is a brief synopsis of the comments of each guest speaker.

Mary Ann Armijo

Mary Ann Armijo, the longtime general manager of Clear Channel Radio, has come a long way from her days as a single mother trying to earn a living. Recently returned from Washington for Barack Obama’s inauguration, Armijo talked about her struggles and successes in the local business community and the political arena.

A former city councilor and a former mayoral candidate, Armijo admitted her real passion in life is in politics and her own political dreams aren’t over. She encouraged audience members to not lose sight of their goals.

“Continue to dream and work hard ... ” she said. “Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do it.”

Henrietta Sandoval-Soland

Originally from Shiprock, Sandoval-Soland became the first Native American woman to be certified as an officer with the New Mexico State Police. She then went on to become a criminal investigator for NMSP and is now a magistrate judge in Gallup. She joked that her other childhood dreams included being a nun or a truck driver.

Sandoval-Soland said her own mother, who was a victim of abuse, encouraged her to believe in herself and work hard.

She has done that, she said, from taking night classes, to studying French, and to taking more classes now as a magistrate judge.

Yvonne Crooker

There wasn’t much talk about career opportunities for women back when Yvonne Crooker was in high school.

Crooker, the principal of Thoreau Elementary School, said her parents — products of the Great Depression — had no personal experience with college, but they were hardworking people who provided her with an example of independence, perseverance, and courage.

That example served her well, she explained, when she couldn’t find a teaching job and had to support herself by working in a department store, selling Avon cosmetics, and being a substitute teacher. When she finally was hired as a teacher, Crooker said she made $9,600 a year, but it was her dream job.

“I’m still living the dream,” Crooker said of her work now as a school administrator.

Beatrice DeArmond

“I did things backwards in my life,” admitted Beatrice DeArmond, a local juvenile probation officer. Although she always wanted to earn a college degree, DeArmond said she got married early and started a family. To get back on track, DeArmond said she eventually started taking one college class at a time. That led to evening classes and then to commuting to Albuquerque twice a week until she earned her degree.

“It’s hard, yes,” she said. “But it’s worth it.” DeArmond encouraged young women in the audience to pursue their goals “the right way first” with education first, followed later by marriage and children.

Layloni Drake

“Get your degree first,” was a message also preached by the Rev. Layloni Drake’s mother during Drake’s childhood.

Drake, the pastor of Gallup’s First United Methodist Church, said she felt God calling her to the ministry during high school, but the only examples she had of women in religious work were nuns, missionaries, and nurses. “But they weren’t up in the pulpits,” she explained.

However, Drake pursued that call and eventually became an Air Force chaplain and church pastor. “Listen to your heart,” Drake said. “It will lead to good places that provide joy,” she added.

Bernadine Martin

Local attorney Bernadine Martin was named Deputy District Attorney at the beginning of the New Year. Martin, originally from Crownpoint, said she left the Navajo reservation at age 18 with the idea of getting an education and returning home to help improve the lives of women. As a prosecutor who specializes in cases involving domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse, Martin said she has found her calling in life.

“We all have a calling,” Martin said. Using the illustration of blinders on a horse, Martin encouraged young women to not get distracted in life but to stay focused on their goals.

Felisha Rohan-Minjeras

“I’ve been working hard since kindergarten,” joked physician Felisha Rohan-Minjeras of the strong academic work ethic she has had all her life. The 1996 valedictorian of Gallup High School, Rohan-Minjeras went on to earn her undergraduate degree from Notre Dame and her medical degree from Stanford. “I pursued it in confidence,” she said of her goal of becoming a doctor, “so everyone just believed me.”

Rohan-Minjeras said her grandmother’s difficult experience of coming to the United States for medical care without insurance and without speaking English inspired her to work with patients who face similar obstacles. “It’s for her and other people like her that I strive to be a good doctor,” she said.

Dena Willato

“It took me a long time to grow up,” admitted Dena Willato, who explained she spent a number of years after high school being involved in rodeos, team roping, and working for the McKinley County Adult Detention Center.

Impressed by the professionalism she witnessed by a New Mexico State Police officer, Willato made the decision to pursue a career with the NMSP.

She encouraged other Native Americans to seek out different career paths for themselves. “Dedicate yourself,” she said, “have faith in yourself, and don’t give up.”