Work+Life Balance “You must have a village”

By SANDRA BRAND

NEA Town Courier Editor

The message was clear... Women need a village!

Brandi Leaks emcees the event.

LaKristen Spiller, a maintenance clerk at Nucor-Yamato Steel, was the keynote speaker at last week’s Arkansas Northeastern College women’s luncheon and she drove home the message.

The event, hosted by ANC’s Career Pathways Initiative leaders, was called Work+Life Balance. Area women and female students from Armorel, Gosnell and Rivercrest were given the chance to ask questions of a panel of four strong women who work hard every day... trying to keep the balance.

Spiller was joined by Amy Wells-Halpain, an LPN at the South Mississippi County Regional Hospital in Osceola; Miriam Fryer, a travel registered nurse; and Marlene Brown, an employee of Nucor Skyline.

Lisa McGhee gives the invocation.

Walking to the podium, Spiller opened her speech by telling the women present, “You are amazing. You are beautiful.”

A graduate of Blytheville High School and Henderson University, Spiller has worked for Nucor for 10 years. She said Nucor is paving the way for “women in steel.”

Spiller said Nucor provides opportunities to help women with the ultimate goal which is to make money to provide for their families.

Students from Armorel, Gosnell and Rivercrest attended the luncheon and were given the chance to ask questions of a panel on how women balance work and life.

Spiller said she has no problems working in a primarily male dominated field. “My guys take care of me and I take care of them.”

Dedicated to her job, Spiller explained she wears many hats. She is a mother, active aunt, fitness instructor and community volunteer.

How does she balance it all? “You have to prioritize,” Spiller advised. “I focus on where I am at the time.

“And, you need a village to call on. It may not necessarily be your family, but a family you create. People you can count on.”

Spiller went on to state she does not have all the answers. “But if you set goals and work hard you will succeed.

“If you remember the decisions you make today will affect your future, you will flourish.”

Spiller’s address was followed by audience questions to the panel and each of the other three drove home the same message - you must have a village.

Fryer, a native of Blytheville and mother of two, said sometimes to obtain balance you must simply take a break. She stressed your mental health is important.

Fryer said she has always been open with her children and they allow her the space she needs to keep the balance. “Find what works for you.”

Brown, a mother of four, was a displaced worker when she went back to ANC and joined the Career Pathways Initiative.

Brown said timing is everything. “Be prayful and have faith you will be where you need to be when you are there.”

With 10 brothers, Brown said she has no problem working with men at the steel mill. She is where she is supposed to be.

Brown also stressed, “It’s all about your support system.”

Halpain, who has been on her own since the age of 14, advised the young ladies present to find out what makes them happy early in life.

A new nurse, Halpain said she wished she had found her calling much earlier.

The mother of three small special needs children, Halpain is also a product of ANC and the Career Pathways Initiative. In fact, she flourished with a 4.0 grade point average.

She said success is about finding that balance.

As for balance, Halpain works nights at the hospital so she is available during the day to attend her children’s school events etc.

Halpain said her self-care is fishing. “I take the kids out in the boat and leave my worries at work.”

The welcome was given by Brandi Leaks; invocation by Lisa McGhee; and closing by Kristen Gibbs.

In closing, Gibbs emphasized the message for the day. “At whatever stage you are in, you need to have a village to motivate you to do better.”

ANC’s Career Pathways Initiative seeks to help modest-income parents gain workplace skills leading to economic self-sufficiency.