Zonta Women of Achievement

They're women who get things done in our community and beyond, movers and shakers who boast impressive resumes that would be too long to outline here. They're women who are sometimes in the spotlight, but who do the work behind the scenes, too. They're women who work to empower all people, and especially women and girls, throughout Southeast Missouri and beyond. We are grateful to them for their hard work, for their dedication, for the way they create the change they're dreaming about. That's right: you know them as Zonta Women.

Here, we show you a different side of these Zonta Women of Achievement honorees, Celebration Award winners and Lifetime Achievement Award winners. In these pages, we let you in on who they are when they're not heading up a Yak 'N Run or directing a foundation or writing books: what they enjoy doing for renewal of their mind and body.

Here's a peek at what brings them peace during their coveted free time.

Note: Although unavailable for this story, Sister Jane Kiefer, OSF is also a 2019 Zonta Woman of Achievement honoree. We congratulate her and thank her with grateful hearts for her service to the Cape Girardeau community.

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Debbie Leoni(Backdrops courtesy of Annie Laurie’s in Cape Girardeau.) Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian

Debbie Leoni

~Director of Cardiovascular Outreach Services at SoutheastHEALTH

~Women of Achievement Honoree

It is amazingly restful when I get a chance to get out on the water to kayak. I'm not a whitewater kayaker; I like the long, slow river with an occasional rapids. That's probably a pretty good analogy for my life!

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Sonia R. RuckerTyler Graef

Sonia R. Rucker

~Assistant to the President for Equity & Diversity and Dean of Students of Southeast Missouri State University

~Women of Achievement Honoree

I've loved helping out in the kitchen since I was a little girl. We grew up with a big backyard and a big garden. As kids, we would always help out in the garden (not always willingly), from planting seeds to picking the fruits and veggies to helping to prep the food for cooking. My mother, father and grandmother would can foods and make homemade jams, pickles, bake cakes, etc. Some of the cooking methods I've lost along the way because we didn't write anything down. Everything I learned was taught by watching and tasting until it was right.

As I got older and out on my own, I got into buying various types of spices, trying different types of cuisine and trying out different cooking methods. I have dozens of cookbooks, and I love trying different types of foods and various cooking methods. I still have different cooking shows I watch religiously; "America's Test Kitchen" on PBS is my favorite!

Being in the kitchen is rejuvenating to me. I don't have to worry about talking to anyone or messing anything up, because it's my time to be as creative, innovative and adventurous as I want to be without an audience and without any pressure!

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Julia Meiners KoesterTyler Graef

Julia Meiners Koester

~Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Cape Girardeau County

Women of Achievement Honoree

A place of rest/peace for me is snuggled up on the couch at home with a blanket, preferably with one of my three small children. Rarely, I'm even lucky enough to have all three of them want to snuggle on my lap at once. As we all know, life is busy, stressful and exhausting at times. Having an opportunity to step away, relax and embrace what matters most in the world brings me peace.

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Dr. Carmen KeithTyler Graef

Dr. Carmen Keith, MD, IFMCP

~CEO, Founder and Medical Director of 360 Living

~Women of Achievement Honoree

I enjoy walking outside, as it provides solitude for me to clear my mind and to pray and meditate -- to commune with my God. It is also an opportunity for me to catch up on the latest fiction audiobook or plan out my day without distractions that can come in a busy house. I have found that after walking, my head and my heart are in a place where I can be a better wife, mother and physician.

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Angie UmfleetTyler Graef

Angie Umfleet

~Owner of Chap Arnold Insurance

~Women of Achievement Honoree

My backyard is a place of peace and serenity for me. Sitting by the pool watching the rolling Mississippi River helps me breathe in the fresh air and find time for myself. It's quiet and peaceful, allowing me to stop and evaluate life. I'm able to think about situations and ways to make things better, or even think of new, creative ideas. It is also a quiet place to thank God and pray. Water has always been calming for me even as a teenager at the lake, so now I find time to decompress in the quiet of the country at my own home.

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Dr. Loretta PraterTyler Graef

Dr. Loretta Prater, PhD

~Author, Consultant and Community Advocate

~Celebration Award Recipient

I am happiest when listening to smooth jazz music. Whenever I am feeling anxious, sad or otherwise unsettled, the most immediate intervention that helps me is listening to smooth jazz. That form of instrumental music without any lyrics tends to take me to a place of serenity. I become calm, relaxed and free from any unpleasant situation. I can close my eyes and imagine feeling a cool breeze, observing a flower bloom or strolling along a beach.

I thank Leslie, my oldest son, for introducing me to smooth jazz. That was his favorite form of music. We loved some of the same jazz artists, such as Boney James, Norman Brown, Earl Klugh, George Duke and Kenny G. Leslie was killed 15 years ago. Listening to smooth jazz gives me a sense I am still sharing time and space with him. The music helps me to -- at least temporarily -- replace sadness and pain with peace.

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Dr. Barbara KohlfeldTyler Graef

Dr. Barbara Capshaw Kohlfeld

~Barbara Blanchard Elementary Principal

~Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

Every morning when I open the shutters in my upstairs window, I know I am going to see the Southeast Missourian newspaper at the end of my driveway. That reminds me that some hardworking person got up before the sun to extend that service to me. I also know that at the end of the day, I am going to sit down in my kitchen and read that newspaper. I am going to find out more about what is going on in the world that I live in and beyond.

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Merideth Pobst

Merideth Pobst

~Director of Communications and Director of Jackson R-2 School District Foundation

~Women of Achievement Honoree

My place of rest and peace is my church! My husband is on staff at Cape First Church, and we serve nearly every week through the praise team or as service hosts. We also host the KHIS Morning Show together every morning on the Christian radio station here in town. To be honest, everything we do in our "free time" is centered around either serving through church, KHIS or mentorship.

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Laurel AdkissonT6ler Graef

Laurel Adkisson

~American Family Insurance Agent and Owner

~Women of Achievement Honoree

Reading brings me peace and renewal -- finding the time to curl up with a good book. I can lose all track of time by getting lost in a good story. My cat loves these days. She can sleep on my lap for hours on end!