LWV Women in Government Panel May 31

Rachel Smolinski

ALPENA — The League of Women Voters of Northeast Michigan invites the public to a community dialogue and reception celebrating women in government at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 31 in the Stillion Room at Alpena County Library.

Rescheduled from the original March date because of the ice storm, the May 31 program is celebrating seven women who have served in various roles in the Alpena community over the years. The panelists are Alpena Mayor Cindy Johnson, former State Representative Beverly Bodem, Alpena City Manager Rachel Smolinski, former Alpena Mayor Carol Shafto, District Court Judge Lora Greene, Alpena City Council member Karol Walchak, and Alpena Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Anne Gentry.

In addition to the panelists, the League of Women Voters will honor Vernie Nethercut with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Desserts and refreshments will be provided at this free program. Seating is limited, so attendees are asked to RSVP on the League of Women Voters of Northeast Michigan website at lwvnemi.org.

LWV Vice President Elaine Stenger and Secretary Kathleen Bower said LWV member Carol Lund came up with the idea to celebrate women in government with this special panel. The purpose of the event is to celebrate the accomplishments and talents of these female leaders in our community.

Beverly Bodem

Stenger said the League of Women Voters is nonpartisan and membership is open to everyone, including men.

“Our goal is to help people become better citizens,” Stenger said.

Some of the topics to be covered include how these women have navigated through challenges in their careers, how they have helped move communities forward, and what each panelist can teach attendees about being better citizens.

Beverly Bodem

Beverly Bodem was born in Wisconsin and has spent the past 50 years in Alpena. Amazingly, for 42 years of that time, she has been active in politics.

Karol Walchak

Beginning in 1976, she was the Office Manager and Public Relations Director of WHSB-FM radio station. In 1984, she used her innovative marketing ideas to help create a new radio station in Rogers City and served as General Sales Manager.

From 1991 to 1998, Bodem was a well-respected State Representative of the 106 District. Her constituents knew she was truly there for them. She served on committees of importance to Northeast Michigan: Conservation, Environment and Recreation, Economic Development, Senior Citizens and Retirement and Health Policy.

“There are so many people out there that need assistance, and they don’t know where to go if they have an issue that involves the state or federal government,” Bodem said when asked why she was drawn to politics. “There’s a need out there. I still get calls asking where to go for this, and where to go for that. I go to all the Chamber breakfasts and all the meetings that I can, because I like to keep up with what’s going on in the community.”

Active in many volunteer positions, Bodem still advises businesses, campaigns and social service organizations in leadership and team building, organizational development, community relations and innovative marketing plans.

“You meet so many different people of all different walks of life,” Bodem said. “It’s really interesting. I can go any place, and I know people.”

Anne Gentry

Her advice to other leaders is to “be firm with what they believe, but keep an open mind, listen to both sides, and make sure that you can project that you will do what’s fair for the majority of the people.”

Rachel Smolinski

Rachel Smolinski has served as City Manager of Alpena since December 2019. She holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Central Michigan University and a bachelor’s degree in Aquatic Biology from Purdue University.

Early in her career, Smolinski worked with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians on aquatic research and environmental management. As the former executive director of Harbor Area Regional Board of Resources, she focused on community development initiatives, working with local governments, nonprofit organizations, and community members, including work on broadband and housing.

She currently serves as board treasurer for the Northeast Michigan Materials Management Authority. In 2026, a new material recovery facility will become a recycling hub for Northeast Michigan communities.

Cindy Johnson

Smolinski resides in Alpena with her husband and two younger children. She also has an adult son who lives in Petoskey. Smolinski and her family enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, and spending time on Grand Lake.

Carol Shafto

Carol Shafto grew up in Northeast Michigan, is a mother, grandmother, former mayor, multi-award winner, and Lego builder extraordinaire. She has been recognized as an outstanding alum, graduate, citizen, and public servant. As a Nationally Certified Planner educated in Michigan, Shafto was the Director of Planning and Evaluation for Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency for 38 years. She also served for two years in the U.S. Air Force.

As a public servant, Shafto served on the City Planning Commission for eight years, was elected to Alpena City Council for 12 years, and then served as Mayor of Alpena for four years, retiring in 2011. She was never defeated in 16 years of elected office.

Her greatest achievement is working with federal and state representatives to designate Thunder Bay as the first National Marine Sanctuary in fresh water. Shafto was awarded the National Environmental Hero award in 2002 and is thrilled to be known as “The Mother of the Sanctuary.” She has served on the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council since 1997, and she is a charter member of the TBNMS Friends Board.

Lora Greene

Shafto said she serves because it is both rewarding and beneficial to the community.

Her advice to women in leadership is to be prepared, know the issues, be honest, own your positions and why, relate to the constituency, and be approachable and available.

Anne Gentry

Anne Gentry has been the executive director of the Alpena Downtown Development Authority since the spring of 2017. She manages day-to-day operations and leads the execution of DDA goals, programs, and strategies.

She graduated from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature, with a concentration on English and Italian literature. She has also studied in Bologna, Italy, and Adelaide, South Australia.

Gentry also serves as a board member for Thunder Bay Theatre in Alpena, and Michigan Downtown Association, a statewide association for downtown revitalization, education, and advocacy. She grew up in Alpena and is proud to be a part of the downtown’s renaissance in her DDA role.

“I really fell in love with the downtown at that point and got to see first-hand the role that governmental organizations like the DDA play in creating a strong community and enhancing the quality of life here,” Gentry said.

She talked about some challenges.

“I think the hardest challenge is balancing a variety of different perspectives, stakeholders, and opinions,” Gentry said. “When you work with the public in such a visible role, everyone has an opinion on the work that you’re doing. You have to balance a variety of interests and personalities, all while staying focused on the long-term vision and big-picture goals.”

Gentry encourages other women to stick to it, learn from every situation, seek out mentors, and believe in yourself and the work you are doing.

Lora Greene

Lora Greene is the Chief Judge Pro Tempore for the 26th Judicial Circuit Court. She was appointed Probate Judge for Montmorency County in June 2021, and reelected in 2022 and 2024, which includes presiding as the 88-2 District Court Judge and Family Court Judge for Montmorency County. Prior to that, Greene was a practicing attorney for 31 years, Alpena County Administrator, and an adjunct faculty member for Alpena Community College.

Her current and past community activities include involving students in Law Day moot court activities, being a member of the LWV, and serving as a board member for the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan, Besser Museum, Alpena hospital, and Thunder Bay Theatre, to name a few.

She talked about some challenges in leadership.

“Communication and trust are daily challenges,” Greene said. “Miscommunication leads to misunderstandings, errors and decreased morale. The importance of proper follow-up and delegation of responsibilities is critical to maintaining relationships. I try to establish trust through transparency, and keeping my word.”

Her advice to other women considering leadership roles is, “Keep trying. Attend meetings and know for sure you want to be involved before you take on the responsibility. Build the skills you need.”

Karol Walchak

Karol Walchak was born and raised in Alpena and left in 1978 to attend college. After earning her doctorate in English and teaching for 10 years, she returned to Alpena in 2000, where her family roots run deep.

She is now a member of the Alpena City Council and is passionate about downtown historical development, improving the north side, and recycling. She is a mother of two and grandmother of three. Her first job was at the Dairy Queen on Chisholm Street, from which she developed a good work ethic. She has also worked as a food server, bartender, card dealer, and English professor.

“As a young girl, I thought it would be a wonderful thing to be a part of our local leadership,” Walchak said in an email. “In particular, at that time, I wanted to see more activities for teenagers because there was so little to do. I thought if I were elected that that might be something I could engage in. So it’s been a long time, but I made a promise to the panel of judges on the Miss Alpena (back in 1978) that even if I had to leave Alpena to finish my education, I would come back and be a part of our local government.”

She said leadership takes dedication and hard work, and a willingness to learn.

“The greatest challenge has been learning the history of the challenges and issues facing our city,” she said. “I had a lot of catching up to do. That means a lot of reading, listening, and learning. Also, being part of our local government means being open to what I hear and learn.”

Walchak said some challenges are unique to being a woman.

“It’s difficult to shatter preconceived notions about a woman’s capabilities and strengths,” she said. “It’s an odd dynamic because women often get shut down, even in the middle of a sentence.”

She said any women considering leadership should “go for it!”

“Women can bring as much diversity to the table as anyone,” she said. “It would be great to see a 50/50 balance so that we get more evenly dispersed perspectives. Please don’t let the idea that just because you are a woman that you don’t have anything to contribute. You do. It’s not only our right to get our ideas and thoughts out there, it’s our responsibility to bring them to the table.”

In addition to City Council, Walchak is active with the Human Sex Trafficking Force, the Council for Humanities, and serves as the moderator for Knowledge Bowl.

Cindy Johnson

Cindy Johnson was born and raised in Alpena, and is proud to be a part of this wonderful community. Before being elected to City Council, she served on the Alpena Planning Commission for 11 years. She served as chair of the Historic Study Committee, which established Alpena’s only single site designated historic district, Memorial Hall, which is registered with the State of Michigan. She also served on the DDA Design Committee for nearly 20 years, helping to transform the downtown into a vibrant place for visitors and residents.

Johnson is finishing her eighth year on Council.

“It is an honor to serve on City Council, and to be a part of moving Alpena forward,” she said.

“When two women come together, they can change the world,” Stenger said.

For more information about the League of Women Voters of Northeast Michigan, visit lwvnemi.org.