Turner encourages women to aspire to career success

BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer

Debbye Turner Debbye Turner LAKEWOOD – Members of the Georgian Court University community gathered on March 4 to hear Dr. Debbye Turner, a CBS television correspondent and former Miss America, present a lecture “On Being a Woman in a Man’s World.”

Turner was brought to Georgian Court by the Office of Conferences and Special Events to participate in the university’s series of presentations, films, lectures and discussions, “Values in Action.”

Turner’s message was not one against men. It was more about the edification of women and what women can do to break the still present glass ceiling. During her motivational speech, Turner discussed biological differences between men and women and gave her all-female audience advice on how to maximize their opportunities.

As she put it, “Everyone has the ability to be great, nothing and no one can limit you.”

Turner has traveled across the nation speaking to more than 500,000 students about personal excellence, determination, and goal setting.

According to a press release, it took Turner seven years and 11 tries in two states to get into the Miss America Pageant. She won the crown in 1990 representing the state of Missouri. Turner used the scholarshipmoney she won to complete her doctorate of veterinarymedicine degree in 1991 at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Since 2001 Turner has been a correspondent on CBS-TV’s “The Early Show” and has her own segment, “Pet Planet.”

Turner said that in today’s world there is still a gender disparity when it comes to equal pay and she encouraged young women to “challenge boundaries.”

“We (women) don’t have equity in pay because we don’t demand it,” she said, adding that “it is a tragedy” when women limit their possibilities because “the whole tank is available.”

Turner encourages women to “learn the rules of the game you’re playing, speak the language of who you are communicating with, findmentors in your respective fields, learn to speak up for what you want, and learn how to appropriately take no for an answer.”

She said the way for women to get ahead in the workplace is to be excellent in what they do and to produce results.

“Be a winner, be a good worker, and they will always want you on their team,” she said to applause from the audience.

In addition to women fromthe Georgian Court community,members of the Jack and Jill ofAmerica Ocean County Chapter were in attendance for Tuner’s presentation. Jack and Jill of America is a family organization that provides cultural, social, civic and recreational activities for youths.

Chelsea Horhn, 15, said, “I thought her presentation was very informative. She gave a good perspective on both gender roles in the workplace. She also made me think about how others treat and look at women.”

Sandra Horhn of Toms River said, “It was good to have a career perspective from a career-oriented women. She was a great speaker who conveyed her message to a multicultural group.”

Marla Jackson of Manchester said, “I thought she was informative and interesting, but most importantly I thought she had a real perspective.”

Alexis Jankowski, the conference and event coordinator, said, “We thought Debbye Turner would be an inspiring speaker for our students and the surrounding community. As a university with a women’s college and a historic concern for women, the topic of being a woman in a man’s world is one that our female students and alumnae can relate to. This is especially important as Georgian Court, a university dedicated to the success of women for the past 100 years, begins its centennial celebration.”