Students to learn from women role models in Chatham

RINGGOLD — Find your passion and seize every opportunity to learn from others and grow.

That’s what Linda Hutson Green, president of the Dan River Business Development Center in Ringgold, plans to tell middle- and high-school age girls Thursday morning at the Community Center at Chatham.

Green’s speech will be one of the last as part of this year’s Summer Lecture Series at the Community Center at Chatham. The event — aimed at young girls so they can learn from women role models — takes place at 9:30 a.m. and is free and open to the public.

“I don’t plan to do a formal speech,” Green said at her office at the business development center.

While Green’s talk will focus on “pursuing every opportunity to its fullest and make sure you’re enjoying life,” she says she will get to know her audience first, finding out what their interests are and the opportunities they’re seeking.

Green, who says she was brought up in a family where hard work and follow-through were important, will tell college-bound girls to take advantage of academic opportunities to diversify their studies by using elective course to double-up their majors.

Green holds an MBA from Duke University and a bachelor’s degree in management science and accounting from Averett University, with a minor in computer science. She’s also a certified quality engineer, which includes performing statistical and capability analysis of equipment and people.

Besides leading the business development center, she is active in numerous organizations, including Riverview Rotary, Danville-Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce board of directors, the Danville Free Clinic’s board of directors, the Southern Piedmont Technology Council, and the board of directors for the National Business Incubation Association, based in Athens, Ohio.

School-age girls should make a life plan, Green said, outlining goals over the next five, 10, 15 and 20 years.

Green also encourages students — as they discover what career they want to pursue — to get involved with clubs and organizations that reflect and satisfy their occupational passion.

“When you find what your passion is…get involved in things that support it,” Green said. “It makes work fun.”

Also, learn from others by hanging out with those either as smart as or more knowledgeable than you are, Green said.

Lori Slayton, director of the Community Center at Chatham, said she started the Summer Lecture Series because, “We always try to do something in the summer that’s free and educational.”

The Summer Lecture Series, focusing on women role models for girls, began June 10, with the last lecture to be July 29. They’re every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. The last two lectures on July 22 and 29 will feature, respectively, Connie Nyholm, manager/partner with Virginia International Raceway, and JaNee Selma Farrish, chemical engineer and compounder at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.

Slayton said she hopes to repeat the lecture series next summer and possibly start a similar series geared toward boys.