"The strength of women can carry the weight of the world."

—Sarah Pezdek-Smith

Our Wasatch Woman of the Year winner and honorees were selected for their grace, perseverance, honesty, strength and compassion — traits that make women remarkable. Though there are many amazing women in Utah, we have chosen these six to honor and to share with you. Their stories are varied. Their impact in the world around them is significant. They carry the world.

Feel good about yourself, so you can forget yourself

Candilyn Newell, Motherhood honoree

By Emily Swensen

The best glimpse of Candilyn Newell comes from the daughter who nominated her. "She ran an embassy staff and raised five small children, never complaining about changing diapers all day then hosting a ball all night. ... At the age of 50, she returned to college to fulfill her dream of education. Her first semester back, her first grandbaby was born and diagnosed with a severe heart defect. She immediately dropped out of school to support her daughter. ... She finished her bachelor's degree last year and is in her second year of a doctoral program at BYU. She is a mother who has sacrificed all her life for her family and is now getting to pursue her dreams."

Candilyn, 54, describes her approach to life as "feel good about yourself so you can forget yourself." Hearing Candilyn's story, one might wonder how she managed to feel good and forget her difficulties. She had five children within six and a half years while moving all over the world for her husband's political career. Her success as a mother — and her own happiness — came because she chose to feel lucky, rather than sorry for herself. She recognized the wonderful experiences this unique lifestyle would provide for her children and taught them to enjoy the journey. "I decided to embrace the op

ortunities that life presented and throw myself into whatever I was doing," she says.

She found creative ways to carve her own life out of unexpected situations. When her husband was ambassador to Sweden and they were given a large home with a full staff, Candilyn kept things down-to-earth by insisting that her kids still clean their own rooms. She planned a daily "power hour" every afternoon, when she and the kids all sat together at the table and did homework or read books. This gave them some time together, created built-in tutoring and made sure the homework got done.

That's not to say this adventurous motherhood wasn't difficult. "It was horribly hard sometimes," Candilyn says. "I remember being sick with four little ones, and my husband on a three-week trip to Africa." Sometimes, she was the mother of the perfect child at parent teacher conferences; other times she began the conference with, "Let me say I am so, so sorry for my child's behavior!" Either way, she learned that "as a parent, you don't know it all and never will." She reached out for support in her local community, rather than trying to be Supermom. And she involved her husband, despite his busy career. "When he is home, he is really home," she explains. "He is engaged in the family. He is a nurturer."

As her children got older and the family was overwhelmed with a flurry of extracurricular activities, Candilyn recognized that she couldn't do it all. She decided to focus on one child's lessons per day, giving them her full attention. She also struggled with teenagers who wanted to stay out late, while she was exhausted by 10:30. She solved her dilemma by falling asleep in their beds. That way, she got her sleep and she still knew what time they came home.

Candilyn Newell does not view motherhood as biological. "It's more of an attitude," she explains. "It's an unconditional love for others: looking out for them, being sensitive to them, hoping the best for them and having a commitment to their success and welfare." She sees fabulous mothers all around her, whether or not they have children.

Now, with most of her children grown, Candilyn is not crying over her almost-empty nest. She is once again embracing her opportunities. On the day we met, she was eager to leave in time to make it to her son's basketball game, and still have time to study for her finals.

Courageous advocate

Candace Lierd, Up & Coming honoree

By Emily Swensen

We all see needs around us. But how many of us decide to alter our own lives to fill the needs we see? Candace Lierd did. After moving to Utah for her husband's job, Candace worked as an LPN in home health care. She picked up an extra job on the insurance side of healthcare to make a little extra cash. She loved the senior citizens she worked with, but was disturbed by their serious lack of understanding about their own health care options. Watching them try to do battle with Medicare and Medicaid was like watching David face Goliath — without the slingshot.

Two years ago, Candace decided she would start her own business to arm senior citizens with their own slingshots: advocacy and education. Candace slowly quit her job as her business grew. She found it extremely rewarding to provide peace of mind to senior citizens by helping them understand their rights. Over time, she became as savvy about Medicare, Medicaid and senior health issues as an attorney or doctor in the field. She took a business class to learn how to manage and grow her business. She earned her insurance licenses. Her husband eventually left his job to join Candace's business, too, and that business now employs 17 people in Utah and has agencies in eight different states.

As healthcare advocates for senior citizens, Candace and her employees speak to doctors, social workers and insurance companies on their behalf. They also educate their clients about programs available to them — many of which are small programs unknown to doctors. They arm their clients with the facts they need to better represent themselves in healthcare issues. Because Medicare and Medicaid pay for patient advocates, Candace's clients get her services at no cost. This also means that Candace is not always paid well or quickly. "You have to be in this business both as a career and a volunteer opportunity," she explains. "Because you'll have to put in many hours of both."

So how does a woman in her 20s, especially one who is "short and Latina," as Candace describes herself, have the courage to take on the insurance system? "Being confident will drive you in life," she says. "Sure you will fail, but the fact that you showed up matters. Believe in yourself. Have peace and confidence in your own decisions." And a secret weapon never hurts — Candace has a pair of tall heels she wears to business meetings to feel tall and powerful. Her husband calls them her "power heels."

Candace has used the same attitude of confidence in fighting her personal battles. She is a recent survivor of cervical cancer. On her bad days of depression and frustration, Candace found herself inspired by the upbeat outlook of a fellow cancer sufferer. Candace and her friend endured chemo treatments in the "death room" together. After her friend's death, Candace became an advocate for cancer research in her honor. She feels it's a necessity to stay upbeat and be courageous. "If you don't hold firm, bitterness and resentment will set in," she says. Candace also relies on her faith. She attends a community Christian church where she also volunteers. She coordinates service projects for the junior high school youth group.

Candace Lierd is proof you can always find a place to serve, whether in business or your personal life. She hopes to grow her business to all 50 states so that every senior citizen has access to healthcare advocacy.

Science of Hope

Dr. Deborah Eppstein, Business honoree

By Tammera Orr

Deborah Eppstein grew up believing that nothing could stop her from fulfilling her dreams. She had a love for science and an admiration for her father, a research biologist. She also thought it was "normal for your mother to have been a pilot in World War II." Deborah chuckles as she tells of her mother's involvement with the Woman's Airforce Service Pilots, "There were very few women who did that."






Very few people have accomplished what Deborah has — reaching the highest levels of success in the fields of both science and business. Never deterred, Deborah worked harder to prove herself in two male-dominated fields. "When you're doing something that is off the beaten path, it's much more challenging," she says with confidence. "I do love a challenge."






After earning a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Arkansas, Deborah quickly climbed the professional ladder. It was not her brilliance in medical research, however, that made her stand out from her competitive peers. She was outgoing and eager to interact with people outside the lab. Her superiors noticed, and offered Deborah a position at Syntex Pharmaceuticals. The offer came after 10 years in research, and just before the birth of her daughter, Alyssa. "That was probably the hardest decision I've made in my life," Deborah remembers about the move to the business side, but she has "never regretted it for a second."

In 1992, Deborah brought her unique mix of business and science skills to Utah, where she has enjoyed several successful entrepreneurial roles. With over 28 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, Deborah is now one of the most respected and influential figures in Salt Lake City's science and business communities.






Most recently, Deborah was recruited to serve as the president and CEO of Q Therapeutics, a biotech company working to address the medical challenges of treating diseases of the central nervous system. Scientists at Q Therapeutics were making remarkable progress in their research, but the group struggled to agree on the direction their technology should take. Deborah accepted the position; certain she could have a positive impact.

"I get the job done, but I don't oppress people. I ask their opinions, because I respect their judgment." Deborah was able to unite the group behind her ideas for a new direction. Steve Borst, Q Therapeutics vice president of finance and corporate development, feels that Deborah's vision was "absolutely necessary for the company to survive."




Under Deborah's leadership, Q Therapeutics has focused on such debilitating ailments as spinal cord injuries, MS and ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). These afflictions strike thousands of new patients every year in the U.S. and none has a cure. In the case of ALS, patients usually die within three to five years of diagnosis. Deborah is confident the work being done at Q Therapeutics will change that.

"Of everything I've done in my career, this is by far the most beneficial. It will change the way medicine is being practiced."






Deborah's tireless work has secured $8 million in investments for Q Therapeutics. She has also been successful in forming collaborative efforts with institutions like Johns Hopkins University. Of these achievements, Borst says, "Debbie is confident, persistent and incredibly optimistic. The optimism, when combined with her persistent nature, really inspires people around her."




Deborah's positive every day. "I wake up in the morning and I say, 'It's a beautiful sunshiny day.' Every day is an exciting day. I enjoy life." Deborah also enjoys staying active and healthy. At the age of 52, she began competing in triathlons. Her determination to master this grueling sport has propelled her into becoming a world-class triathlete who often finishes at the top of her age group.






Deborah attributes her business and personal successes to a simple philosophy: "Go one step at a time. When you reach that step, go up to the next one." Her next step in physical competition is to complete an Ironman event.






The next step Deborah has for Q Therapeutics is "nothing too ambitious" — she's hoping to change the world by commercializing Q's technology and making life better for thousands.

Catalyst for Caring

Carla Kelley, Community honoree

By Shelli T. Sivert

Quite literally, it's something as simple as the golden rule that keeps Carla Kelley going each day. This remarkable Wasatch Woman has made it her life's work to teach members of our community to "treat others as you want to be treated." Too often, this simple principle seems to be a lost virtue. But as long as Carla Kelley, the executive director and founder of the Human Rights Education Center of Utah, can do something to keep the essence of kindness, empathy and humanity alive, she will do it.

Carla has worked tirelessly to build the Human Rights Education Center (HREC) in Salt Lake City from the ground up. "I started this nonprofit like most people start a bridge club," Carla says with a smile. "I asked all my friends to be board members." Then she affectionately recalls how the required $500 nonprofit license fee was raised. Her three adult children, unbeknownst to her, had written to everyone in their reach asking them to give a little something to the cause. The response was overwhelming. "So this is the way it started — by people coming together and caring," Carla says. "I'll never forget it."

Although the HREC opened officially in 1999, Carla's journey began long before that. "I'm the mother of a gay son and he's 40 years old ... My son is still not safe." Carla knew early on that her son's life would not be easy, so she educated herself in order to help him. "What I realized is the ignorance was astounding."

Strengthening her desire to help humankind, Carla received a B.A. in Integral Studies from the California Institute of Integral Learning, which takes a dialogue-based approach to learning about how human beings connect. Carla has also served as a diversity trainer for both AmeriCorps and the Anti-Defamation League. "I truly believe that as human beings we are all here to serve one another — to help us to be the highest and best that we can be."

In addition, three national events within a year of each other deeply affected Carla and propelled her into action: the murders of James Byrd Jr. in Texas and Matthew Shepard in Wyoming, and the Columbine High School tragedy. "I couldn't stand it," Carla says. "Kids going out and killing other people? It's not okay. That's when I said, 'I'm going to do this.'"

Education is what the HREC is all about. "Prejudice is learned behavior," Carla says. "But learned behavior can be un-learned." The HREC "provides anti-bias, anti-bullying and diversity education for people of all ages and backgrounds." Carla teaches values education courses, presents to schools across the state and manages the center's operations. Carla gives everything she has to this organization because of her belief that "education is our only hope." Through Carla's efforts, more than 30,000 youth have received training.

"This work is not about right and wrong ... It's about us coming together as a community," Carla says. "It's not where we're different that's important; it's where we're the same. That's where we recognize ourselves. That's where we can communicate. That's where we cross those divides."

Carla considers her greatest accomplishments to be both the raising of her three children and her ability to love. "I was just blessed with children who have given me far more than I have given them." She continues, "Love and acceptance is why HREC was born ... Our human family, especially our children, need to be taught that kindness and love are the essence of our common humanity."

All this, and Carla has not yet reached the summit of her dreams. She hopes to one day build a Human Rights Community Center, where the principles of humanity will be shared in a variety of forms. "I see art; I see plays; I see music; I see celebrations." In order for this to happen, she needs others to support this dream.

Grateful to be Alive

Jestina Clayton, Perseverance honoree

By Pamela Baumeister and Anica DeHart

Jestina Clayton's name means "Justice" — a perfect fit for a woman who experienced a brutal civil war and fled to the U.S. for safety and freedom.

Jestina was born in Moyamba, Sierra Leone, West Africa. At age 2, her parents divorced and her father moved to America, leaving her mother, Fatmata, alone to raise Jestina and her older brother, Leslie, in their new home in Freetown. When Jestina was 9, civil war broke out. "My mom tried her best to shield me. People would come missing hands and their clothes on their heads because they grabbed them so quickly to get out, but I didn't know what was going on." It wasn't until the military came in and started killing people for ridiculous reasons — for not picking up garbage, for instance — that Jestina realized normal life was over.

After the military took over the government and invited the rebels to join them, soldiers and rebels entered Freetown. Jestina was taking an exam when they arrived carrying guns and grenades.

Soldiers were in Freetown for nine months oppressing locals before being driven out by the West African Peacekeeping Force. They weren't gone for long, though, and when the soldiers came back, things got a lot worse. Rebels and soldiers armed with machetes roamed the streets attacking people, cutting off limbs and killing many. Bodies lined the streets while burned-out houses and buildings left the city in ruins.

"When they came back, they meant to kill — they were killing, raping, maiming people." She saw many neighbors killed in front of her. "There were so many dead bodies everywhere," with the ongoing terror, "you don't have time to bury them." Dodging bullets became a daily obstacle. "One time, my brother had to hide in the toilet," to prevent himself from being killed, she remembers.

Eventually, Jestina and Leslie were able to escape to a great aunt's home that was near the U.S. Embassy by hiding among the amputees who were on their way to a refugee camp. At the first checkpoint, Jestina showed her student ID to peacekeeping forces who were searching civilians to prevent rebels, disguised as civilians, from entering. She was able to make her way to relative safety.

Jestina wanted to help others. She joined a non-profit organization helping orphaned children. It was during that time that her cousin, Amin, encouraged her to contact relatives in New York.

After making the trip to the U.S. consulate in Conakry, Guinea, to obtain a visa, she found another obstacle — people waiting outside day and night to get inside. Soldiers used butts of guns to control the crowds. Each morning, soldiers randomly selected people for visa interviews and left the rest in the streets. Feeling desperate, she spoke English and showed her volunteer ID to a soldier. She was, after some anxiety, able to receive her visa.

With help from family, Jestina arrived in the U.S. Soon, she felt comfortable enough to attend church. Within a month, she had met her future husband, Paul, a Utah native. After more than two years and six proposals from Paul, they were married.

The couple soon moved to Utah to help care for Paul's sick mother. She passed away before the couple had their first child, a daughter, in 2005. A year later, Jestina and Paul had a son. The couple graduated from Weber State in 2008.

Jestina now stays at home with the children while Paul attends graduate school. Jestina will pursue a master's degree in international human rights law. She hopes to someday work for the African Union or United Nations as a political advisor. "That's a dream job," she laughs. "You never know — I never thought I'd get past my 16th birthday."

Jestina's hope and persistence have helped her succeed in life despite many stumbling blocks. She will doubtless affect many people as she uses the lessons derived from her experiences to bring justice to others and to appreciate what she has. "Knowing what I've lived through, I try to enjoy things."