Glass Ceiling Award
The Glass Ceiling is awarded to a woman in our community
who has broken through the traditional barriers to obtain success.
The recipient is either the “first” or one of a few
women among men at her level or in her field. The recipient is someone
who has provided a tangible role model for all of us.
Nominations are made by Kalamazoo Network members
and the form is available on the members only page.
Gloria Tiller
2010 Recipient
Growing up in a man’s world, on a farm in the state of Michigan. Gloria has never seen men as
competition, but as fellow workers.
Tiller is being lauded as a grass-roots motivator and passionate community volunteer as well as
being an astute business woman.
From childhood, she has also been very passionate about flying, and was awarded ‘pilot of the
year’ in 1971. She is a current member of the ’99 pioneers of aviation’, originally formed by
other female pilots, including Amelia Arehardt.
Gloria met and conquered many challenges, and was the first woman to join the board of
realtors.
She is a passionate community volunteer as well as being an astute business woman.
Today, she continues to be a driving force in the professional world, as a strong advocate of Buy
Local Kalamazoo, an organization that tries to promote locally owned businesses, and supports
buy-local efforts and continues with bringing knowledge to our community, by attending
conferences across the country.
Gloria also owns of the area’s two Kazoo Books stores, opened Kazoo Books at 407 N.
Clarenden St. in 1988 and a second location at 2413 Parkview Ave. in 1992.
Other honors Gloria holds are
- An alumni member of the Alpha Omicron Pie Sorority
- A Member of WMU’s ‘Sky Broncos’
- Chairman for the March of Dimes ‘Mothers of March’ in the 70’s
- A Volunteer for eight years, at the W. MI Cancer Center
Finally, when she has any ‘me’ time, she enjoys travel and cars.
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2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
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The 2005, 2006 & 2007 Glass Ceiling Awards
were created by Jean Hunderman-Smith of PipeDream Glass in
Mattawan. www.pipedreamglass.com
PipeDream Glass
9940 West R Avenue
Mattawan, MI 49071
269-372-2239
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Previous Recipients
| 2009 |
Dr. Eileen B. Wilson-Oyelaran |
President of Kalamazoo College |
| 2008 |
Lori Moore |
WKZO news/talk radio |
| 2007 |
Debbe Stephenson |
Pro Co Sound |
| 2006 |
Helen L. Bogatschow |
She is the first female to own an AAMCO franchise. |
| 2005 |
Dr. Janice Brown |
Superintendent of Kalamazoo Public
Schools |
| 2004 |
Judy K. Jolliffe |
Arts Council Director who leadthe
project that transformed the former Jacobson's Department Store
into the
$8.7 million Epic Center |
| 2003 |
Marcia Koestner |
First woman Vice President of
Checker Motors Corporation |
| 2002 |
Caroline Ham
Betty Lee Ongley |
First woman mayor of Kalamazoo
First woman mayor of Portage |
| 2001 |
Rebecca Pierce |
First women editor of the
Kalamazoo Gazette |
| 2000 |
Ellie Callander |
Founder and president of
commercial real estate firm |
| 1999 |
Kathleen Beauregard |
Athletic Director of
Western Michigan University |
| 1998 |
Dr. Janice Werbinski |
Physician activist in promoting
Women's health as a specialty |
| 1997 |
Honorable Carolyn Williams |
Judge of Kalamazoo
County Juvenile Court
|
| 1996 |
Dr. Marilyn Schlack |
President of Kalamazoo Valley
Community College |
| 1995 |
Mary Brown |
Community activist and former
Mayor of the City of Kalamazoo |
| 1994 |
Beverly Moore |
Former State Representative |
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Updated:
June 21, 2010
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