Women Helping Women
Women Helping Women is the Center’s annual luncheon to provide counseling, education, trainings and other services for women, children and families who are underinsured or from low-income households.
Since 1999, Women Helping Women has raised more than $2.3 million to support those struggling with the challenges of life.
Save the date for the 27th Annual Women Helping Women event on May 16, 2025.
Thank you to all who supported our 26th Annual Women Helping Women event on May 17, 2024!
$287,751
is how much you helped raise for women, children and families who need access to mental health services. While this year’s event has come and gone, please consider a supportive donation for Mind & Spirit Counseling Center to continue bringing awareness of these needs within our community!
Empowerment in Action: Highlights from the 2024 Women Helping Women Luncheon
Meet our 2024 honoree and speaker!
HONOREE
Carol Bodensteiner
Carol Bodensteiner is a public relations professional with over two decades of experience in the marketing industry. After leaving agency life, Carol embarked on a successful writing career, authoring several books, including a memoir and novels depicting life in Iowa. A long-time supporter of the Center, she has served on the Women Helping Women committee for several years, including as a co-chair. Carol is passionate about helping others succeed through initiatives supporting literacy and language by serving as an adult ELL teacher for Oakridge Neighborhood and reading to children through the United Way Book Buddy Program. In her free time, she participates in two book clubs and savors time on her acreage with her husband, David, and with her son’s family, who visit often.
SPEAKER
Teri Hughes-Paulline, LISW
Teri Hughes-Paulline, a Licensed Independent Social Worker celebrating 50 years as a mental health provider, has been a Mind & Spirit Counseling Center therapist since 2020. Teri earned her undergraduate degree from UNI, a graduate degree from the University of Iowa and has worked in the public and private mental health sectors in Davenport and Des Moines. As a therapist, Teri provides care for those experiencing mood disorders, anxiety, change of life and family issues, as well as those who experience chronic mental health issues, trauma and loss. Teri has been an active volunteer in her private life. She is a wife, mother and grandmother who cheers for the people and things she believes in— community, volunteerism, faith and friendship.
Watch the video of the entire program to experience Carol and Teri’s profound messages on how mental health care for women can be life changing.
We gathered nearly 600 people for an inspiring luncheon at the Meadows Event Center in Altoona, Iowa on May 17, 2024! A celebration of 26 years of honoring women who inspire with kindness and lead with purpose, we enjoyed a dynamic program from our 2024 honoree, Carol Bodensteiner, and our keynote speaker Teri Hughes-Paulline, LISW, who emphasized the critical importance of mental health care in their own lives. They highlighted the significant impact that proper mental health support can have on individuals and communities.
The event successfully raised over $287,000, which will greatly contribute to the mission of the Center in providing essential mental health services to women, children and families in need. The funds raised enable the Center to expand its programs, reach more individuals, and make a lasting difference in the lives of those struggling with mental health challenges.
Thank you to our 2024 sponsors and donors for supporting our 26th annual Women Helping Women luncheon!
Presenting Sponsors – $10,000+
Carol Bodensteiner, in memory of Teree Caldwell-Johnson
Barbara and Michael Gartner
Susan and Carl Voss
Sally Wallace
Leadership Sponsors – $5,000
Kate Garst
Charlotte and Fred Hubbell
Rusty Hubbell
Karen Shaff and Steve Jayne
Toni Urban
Supporting Sponsor – $2,500
Pamela Bass-Bookey
Jann Freed and John Fisher, in memory of Paula Duncan
La Donna and Rich Matthes
Shirley Poertner
Rachel Stauffer
Sally Wood
Kathi Zimpleman
Contributing Sponsor – $1,500
Barbara Beatty
Debbie Hubbell
Trudy Holman Hurd
Martha James
Susan and Bill Knapp
Nancy Main
Todd and Sue Mattison
D.J. Newlin
Jennifer Lock Oman, in memory of Ellie Glazer Ziegler
Jill Oman
Mary M. Riche
Janis Ruan
Rebecca Shaw, in memory of Dr. Deb Turner
Nan Stubbs, in memory of Iola Tollakson
Michele Whitty
Special Friends – $1,000
Amega Garage Door & Opener, Inc.
Joan Betts
Suzie Glazer Burt, in memory of Ellie Glazer Ziegler
Nora and Dave Everett, in honor of Jill Everett
Shayla From
Rosalie Gallagher
Sharon Goldford, in honor of Carol Bodensteiner
Mary Gottschalk
Leslie Heimbach
Judy Akre Heseman
Starr Hinrichs
Ann and Tom Holme
Joanie Houston
Andrea James
Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines
Kate and Andy Juelfs
Robbie G. Malm
Claudette and P.J. McDonald
Brenda Mouw
Pauline and William Niebur
Barb and Andy Nish, in honor of Laurie Betts Sloterdyk
Noreen O’Shea
Lynsey Oster
Leigh OTool
Marilyn Parsons
Katie Patton
Linda Rullan
Jackie Saunders
Diana Sickles
Kathleen K Stahl
Sarah and Andy Susanin, in honor of Laurie Betts Sloterdyk
VisionBank
Marti Wade
Dr. Teri Wahlig
Meg Whitty
Kim and Rich Willis
Judy Winkelpleck
Alan Zuckert
Leader Plus – $500
Anonymous
Stephanie Asklof
Connie Beasley
Margo and Don Blumenthal
Nicole Boyington
Annie S. Brandt
Suzan Kelsey Brooks
Alicia and David Claypool
Cynde Cronin
Delta Dental of Iowa
Sondra Eddings
Denise Essman, in honor of Carol Bodensteiner
Jamie Fitzgerald
Jane Fogg
Diane Glass and Jeff Means, in honor of Carol Bodensteiner
Rachel Hardin
Sarah Hayes, M.D.
Kathleen Hoegh, in honor of Dr. Mark Minear
Michelle Hogan
Denise J.A. Holck, in honor of Laurie Betts Sloterdyk
Dr. Alexandra Hubbell
ITA Group Foundation
Laura and Roger Jacobsen
Anne M. Kelly
Kemin Industries
Linda Koehn
Cyril Mandelbaum
Lorraine May
Cathy McMullen and Don Worrell
Liz Neumann
Jeanne O’Halloran
Donna L. Paulsen and Thomas E. Press
Stephanie Pearl
Jackie Romp
Patrice Sayre
Susan Moritz Scharnberg
Brenda and Jaey Sedlacek
Barbara Sherman
Kendra Simmons
Terri Mork Speirs
Sarah Sullivan
Char Vukovich
Linda Weidmaier
Your Part-Time Controller
Leaders – $250
Aimee/Amy Hassebrock
Anonymous (3)
Susan Ackelson
Nancy Adrianse, in honor of Laurie Betts Sloterdyk
Cindy Ambroson
Becky Anthony
Beverly Apel
Janice Bannister, in honor of Laurie Betts Sloterdyk
Mary K Bartine
Elizabeth Baustian, in honor of Carol Bodensteiner
Mary Ann Beard
Kristen Benge
Carrie Bening
Brooke A. Benschoter, in honor of Roberta Yoder
Cathy Besh
Connie Boesen
Nancy Bone, in memory of Paula Duncan
Margaret Platt Borgen
Nicole Boyington
Dan Breitbach, in honor of Carol Bodensteiner
Jamie Buelt, in honor of Carol Bodensteiner
Phyllis Cacciatore, in honor of Eileen Burtle Gottner
Diane Caldbeck
Marilyn Carroll, in honor of Laurie Betts Sloterdyk
Nancy Cheeseman
Diane Child
Polly L Clark
Holly Craiger
Diane Cutler
Darcy Darrah, in honor of Carol Bodensteiner
Suzanna de Baca
Sheryl DeMouth
Christine Dietz, in memory of Isabel Dietz
Ardene Downing, in honor of Susan Voss
Marsha and Ellery Duke
Kelly Edmister
Peggy Fisher
Fran Fleck
Robin Fortney, in memory of Lisa Woodson Baughman
Sharon Gaddy-Hanna, in honor of Carol Bodensteiner
Shawna Gisi
Linda Goeldner
Mary Helen Grace and David Grace
Courtney Maxwell Greene
Cheryl Hamilton, in memory of Verona Johnson
Jan Hardin
Renee Hardman
Lynn Heggen
Barbara L. Hein
Susan Hemminger
Christine Hensley
Mark and Kara Heston (K. Heston Accounting)
Jennifer and Jack Hilmes, in honor of Jackie Hilmes
Dixie Hoekman
Homes of Oakridge Human Services, in honor of Carol Bodensteiner
Connie Isaacson
Rick and Kelly Isaacson
Linda Jennings
Joanne Johnson
Sandy Benson Johnson/Benson Family Foundation, in memory of Evelyn Adams Benson
Beth Stelle Jones
Amber Juffer
Jane M. Keairns, APR, in honor of Carol Bodensteiner
Maureen Keehnle
Mary K. Kelly
Lola Kenworthy
Pam Kenyon
Connie Klug
Mary Kramer
Mary F. Kunkel
Sheila Starkovich Lingwall
Marian Lyddon’s Daughters, in memory of Marian Lyddon
Sandy McClelland
Andy McGuire
Susan Vujnovich McRoberts
Reo Menning
Ann Michelson
Joan Middleton
Robyn Mills
Diane Morain
Kurt and Melissa Ness
Charlotte Noble
Katie Gibson Overby
Eliza Ovrom
Nina Socarras Pack, in honor of Laurie Betts Sloterdyk
Teri and Greg Paulline
Gail Pearl
Sally Pederson
Sen. Janet Petersen
Diann M. Peyton
Susan Pogge
Rasmussen Group
Artis Reis
Susy Robinette
Helen Robinson
Katie Roth
Pat Schneider
Pam Schoffner
Kim Shadur, in honor of Alexa MCarthy, PhD
Laurie Betts Sloterdyk, in honor of Connie Wilson
Hallie Still-Caris
Ellen Strachota
Matt and Erin Strawn
Mary Stuart
Gail Stubbs
Sarah Sullivan
Karen Novak Swalwell
Cheryl Sypal
Jana Teachout
Joyce and Harold Templeman
Marsha Ternus
Karen Unrau
Teresa VanVleet-Danos
Terri Vaughan
Marilyn Warling
Fritz Wehrenberg and Jennie LeGates
Deb Wiley and John Schmidt
Dee Willemsen
Jean Williams
Emily Williams-Bouska
Connie Wilson, in honor of Laurie Betts Sloterdyk
Janie Wine
Roberta Yoder
Young Leaders- $125
Jamie Bartine
Julianne Hilmes Bartlett
Rachel Bruns
Jenna Knox, in honor of Laurie Sloterdyk
Ali Makris
Kathleen McGuire
Anne McMahon
Ann-Charlotte Meyer
Rev. Dani Musselman
Anne Roth, in honor of Laurie Betts Sloterdyk
Heather Stuyvesant, in honor of Laurie Betts Sloterdyk
Emily and Maeve Webb
Table Hosts – $750
Sue Caley, in honor of Carol Bodensteiner
Elizabeth Coonan
Ebony and Ivory Book Club, hosted by Carol Bodensteiner
Sharon Goldford
Mary Gottschalk
L.U.N.A. hosted by Sharon Goldford
Oakridge Neighborhood, hosted by Carol Bodensteiner, in memory of Teree Caldwell-Johnson
Shirley Poertner
Donations – $50+
Anonymous (11)
Lindsey Anderson
Jolene Atkinson, in honor of Teri Hughes-Paulline, LISW
Dodie Bauman
Amy Bingaman
Mary C. Brooks
Sara Brown
Dawn Buzynski, in honor of Carol Bodensteiner
Eva and David Christiansen
Marta Codina
Joanne Cutler
Kiley Cutler
Marge Doyle
Isabel Drake
Kristi Edwards
Pat Fennelly
Julie Fleming
Marchelle (Max) Gage, in honor of Shirley Poertner
Carol Grant
Jane Hartnett and Don Piegors
Jane M. Hemminger, in honor of Emily Kessinger and Kathy Stuart
Victoria L. Herring
Robert and Dale Howe
Holly Ikenberry, in honor of Ann-Charlotte Meyer and Anne McMahon
Christy Johnson
Rachelle and Jim Keck
Mary Ellen Kimball
Mary Ellen Lewis
Julie McGarvey, in honor of Laurie Betts Sloterdyk
Joan Meek
Kate Milligan, in honor of Dr. Jann Freed and Dr. Ellery Duke
Jean Mountain
Tracy Mullen
Beth Nyguard
Catherine Olesen, in honor of Kathy Reardon
Judy Prochaska, in honor of Teri Hughes-Paulline, LISW
Amy Romanin, in honor of Adam Graber
Laura Sands and Dave Busiek
Rose Ann Schuler
Hilary Tanner
Penny Thomsen, in honor of Carol Bodensteiner
Ann Victor, in honor of Laurie Betts Sloterdyk
Teresa Weidmaier
Tracy Wheeler
Eleanor Zeff
Kent Zimmerman
Media Sponsor
2024 Planning Committee
Stephanie Asklof
Cathy Besh
Annie Brandt
Melissa Cano-Zelaya
Kathy Giles
Shawna Gisi
Sharon Goldford
Kelly Isaacson
Kate Juelfs
Anne Kelly
Paula Kerman
Ann-Charlotte Meyer
Leigh OTool, co-chair
Stephanie Pearl
Shirley Poertner, co-chair
Anne Price McMahon
Kelly Sparks
Susan Voss
Connie Wilson
2024 Underwriting Cabinet
Pam Bass-Bookey
Beth Coonan
Jann Freed
Shayla From
Rachel Hardin
Renee Hardman
Sarah Hayes
Starr Hinrichs
Debbie Hubbell
Connie Isaacson
Andrea James
Emily Kessinger
Claudette McDonald
Katie Patton
Mary M. Riche
Anne Roth
Katie Roth
Kathy Stuart
Marti Wade
Sally Wallace
SAVE THE DATE
27th Annual Women Helping Women
May 16, 2025
The Center is planning another inspiring annual luncheon to address Iowa’s mental health crisis by assisting women, children and families who are uninsured or underinsured. We look forward to your support!
For more information, contact Heather Stuyvesant, Director of Development
Office: 515-564-5122 | Email: hstuyvesant@mindspiritcenter.org