Meet PAMELA HESTER: Spectacular Magazine 2017 Woman of the Year/Community Service

Pamela Hester was one of two selected as the Spectacular Magazine 2017 Woman of the Year in the Community Service category. Pamela is an Associate Scientist III at Biogen. She holds a BS in Chemistry from North Carolina Central University. She volunteers countless hours in her community, a lot of those hours at Shepard Middle School in Durham, NC.

The criteria for the Community Service are that the recipient should have volunteered her time for one or more activities that were to the immediate benefit of others in the community; must be of African heritage.

Due to the large number of nominations in the Community Service category two awards were presented.

Recipients of the Spectacular Magazine 2017 Women of the Year were nominated by members of the community. The nominees are narrowed down to three semi-finalists in each category (six in the Community Service category). An on-line voting process affords the public to select the recipient. They are named at a Sunday’s Best Spectacular Magazine Women of the Year Awards Gala.

Pamela tells us about her leadership of and commitment to her community.

Spectacular Magazine (SM): Describe what makes you a successful leader in the area for which you were honored?

Pamela Hester (PH): I was honored in the Community Service category.  I am a successful leader in that area because I am leading by example.  I have been working in the community helping to make a difference by preparing and feeding homeless men and women, assisting students with their homework, collecting back-to-school supplies for elementary school students, helping build homes for families in our community, packing food for families abroad, and assisting displaced families with lodging/immediate needs.  I am also a successful leader because I am committed.  I am committed to helping others and to showing them that someone cares.  I am committed to making an impact on someone’s life as was done for me when I was growing up and even now in my adult life.

 

SM: Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you?

PH: My mom (Dr. Agnes L DeWitt) has been the one that has made a HUGE impact on me as a leader.  She’s an educator so when I was growing up we were always participating in community and church activities.  She has always given of herself to others and has never complained or expected anything in return.  Watching my mom dedicate endless hours to helping others has shown me that I can’t sit back and do nothing.  As I continue to watch her help others I pray that I have as huge of an impact on my daughter Keila’s life as she has on mine.

 

SM: What problem or condition in your respective field do you want to solve or improve?

 PH: I would like to help homeless men, women, and children in the community by providing portable shower trailers.

 

SM: What legacy would you like to leave behind?

PH: I would like to be remembered as someone who was a hard worker, enjoyed helping others, and committed to giving back to the community.

 

SM: What is at the top of your bucket list for 2017?

PH: Traveling to Africa is at the top of my bucket list for 2017.

Spectacular Magazine 2017 Women of the Year Awards Gala was sponsored by PNC, Coalesce Beauty, Orange Co/Chapel Hill Visitors Bureau & Carol Woods Retirement Village.

Nominations for the Spectacular Magazine 2017 Man of the Year will open February 5, 2017.

Highlights of Spectacular Magazine 2017 Women of the Year Awards Gala (Photos: Mel Brown):