WOMEN WHO INSPIRE
was great in sports, but I gained confidence, and I embraced Mathews-
Dickey’s three ‘R’ values of respect, restraint and responsibility.”
In her teens, she discovered the Upward Bound Summer Program
at Saint Louis University, and was exposed to new possibilities - like
becoming a lawyer. She earned her Juris doctorate at SLU, and the rest,
as they say, is history.
“In my opinion, being a judge is the highest form of public service,”
Colbert-Botchway said. “I am thrilled to be in a position that deals in
fairness and impartiality.
Penelope Schmidt
Entrepreneur, Community Advocate
We all know about the effects of 9/11 – the loss of life and suffering of
the families left behind. But what about those who lived near ground zero?
That fateful day, Penelope Schmidt lived with her husband at 10th
Street and University Place in Manhattan.
“We watched it unfold, then had to wear masks, keep our windows
closed, and our IDs were checked when we came into our neighborhood.
There were pictures of missing people everywhere,” she said. “It was
life-changing.” So much so that they left their jobs, and decided to do
something of greater service.
Schmidt grew up in Elsah, Illinois, graduated from Principia College
with majors in art history and French, and later opened the exclusive
Schmidt Bingham Gallery in Manhattan. After 9/11, she closed the
gallery and became a private dealer. Then she became very sick. She
was weak, exhausted, lost weight, lost hair, and couldn’t walk.
She returned home, and was diagnosed with adrenal exhaustion
and PTSD. Eventually, she made Alton, Illinois, her permanent home,
and converted a large commercial building into a high-end mixed-use
development, which she stills owns and manages. She became an active
member of the community, involved in many organizations.
She said her life change was – without question – triggered by 9/11.
Studies show that many Americans experienced symptoms of stress
after the attacks, and living so close made it especially difficult.
Diane Tessman
Textile Artist
A seamstress all of her life, Diane Tessman’s family tree has a long line
of textile artists, and she is no exception.
And quite by accident, 30 years ago, her specialty became hats.
“I started making teddy bears, dressed them in hats, and for some
reason, the hats stuck,” Tessman said.
All of her chapeaus are hand braided, made mostly of recycled
material that started life as draperies, jackets, sweaters, or a pair of blue
jeans, though she occasionally utilizes new fabric.
Her former husband’s family was in the foundry business, which
brought them to St. Louis 40 years ago, but Tessman has not lost her
Minnesota accent that only adds to her charm. “I also read and feel
subtle energies, and I am very conscience of what I feel when I’m
sewing,” she said. “I want all of my hats to ‘feel good.’”
She operates Tessman Textiles with her sister, Sharon Tessman
Hoiland, who still lives “back home.” Their grandpa was the patriarch
who started the textile tradition as a weaver. And now, Tessman’s two
daughters and granddaughter have picked up the proverbial thread,
and are carrying on that tradition. To see more of her hats, visit
tessmantextiles.com.
Penelope
Schmidt
Diane
Tessman
SAVVY I SOPHISTICATED I SASSY
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