blue water woman--summer 2014

S
from the editor
So, I’m sitting at a table in a small meeting room, armed with just my notebook and
pen. However, I’m surrounded by three tall, strapping and good-looking he-men in
uniform, guns holstered at their hips.
It was my Jessica Rabbit moment. “I’m not bad,” I wanted to say. “I’m only drawn
that way.”
I’m telling you people, I can’t make this stuff up. This was just another day-at-theoffice
for the Blue Water Woman editor.
It turns out that when you ask to interview a federal officer, the federal government
wants to know what you are going to ask her. So, three male public affairs officers sat
in -- or rather I should say stood in -- on my interview with the very gracious and coolas-a-cucumber
(in a good way) Denise Dupuie, a supervisor with U.S. Customs and
Border Protection, a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. I noted
how quickly the boys fled the room when the conversation turned to spa visits and nail
polish.
This issue is dedicated to “women in uniform”…and I mean all uniforms: Police
officers, firefighters, federal officers, paramedics, and members of all branches of the U.S.
military. Most of them work in an environment that remains predominantly male. I
interviewed three women in uniform for this issue and all
of them have thrived in their work environment and all of
them oozed of care and compassion for the citizens they
encounter in their work life every day.
The truth of the matter is this: I could never in a
million years do what all of them do. The very thought
of getting up for work every morning and understanding
that I was going to work in a potentially very dangerous
environment possibly surrounded by bad guys just scares
the bejeebers out of me.
When I shared that thought with Detective Karen
Brisby of the Port Huron Police Department, she noted
that she isn’t scared of going to work because members
of law enforcement go through a tremendous amount
of training that prepares them for virtually any situation
so that when they encounter a dangerous situation, their
training kicks in and enables them to handle it.
I’m really super-duper glad that makes her (and I’m
editor patti samar with her third place sure all of the officers I talked to) feel better about getting
medal at the end of her first 5K up and going to work in the morning because people
like me -- who are scaredy cats -- need people like them
(Wonder Women, all!) to protect me. Really, I do. I’m not at all ashamed to admit that.
And that is why I have the utmost respect for anyone -- both men and women
-- who gets up every day and puts on a uniform and keeps the world safe from bad
guys (and gals), whether that is on the streets of Port Huron, or in the rugged terrain
of Afghanistan or some other far away land where I just cannot even comprehend the
many dangers encountered on a daily basis.
I am ever so thankful for their service and for the heart and compassion that women
bring to the uniform because, though not all of the women I interviewed said it directly
-- but some did -- women bring a little something more to this kind of public service. In
a good way. And all of us should be grateful for that.
And on an unrelated note: At 50 years of age, I recently ran my very first 5K race. I
offer this not looking for praise, but to help inspire anyone who thinks they cannot do
something based on age, or a perceived lack of physical fitness. I am no cardio queen,
but I managed to trot out the three miles. Shock of all shocks, I won a third place medal
in my age category. I also came in last place in my age category, as only three women
aged 50 to 54 ran. So please, put your fears aside and come give me a run for my money
in an upcoming race. Medal or no medal, the satisfaction of completing it brought tears
to my eyes. Whether it is running or something else, here’s the deal: Face your fears and
just do it. You will be glad you did.
content
Danielle Quain 5
Denise Dupuie 6
Karen Brisby 8
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volume 4, number 2 summer 2014
Blue Water Woman is published quarterly by The Write Company,
3155 Armour Street, Port Huron, MI 48060. Circulation 7,500.
Editor & Publisher: Patti Samar, owner, The Write Company
Advertising: Patti Samar at 810-987-1256 or pjsamar@aol.com
Subscriptions: To receive Blue Water Woman at home, mail $25 to:
Blue Water Woman, 3155 Armour Street, Port Huron, MI 48060
News releases can be emailed to pjsamar@aol.com
Questions or comments?
Call Blue Water Woman at 810-987-1256
Mission: Blue Water Woman is the premiere publication
for women living, working and playing
in the Blue Water Area of Michigan.
Its stories and features are written and designed
to be inspriational, motivational and encouraging.
www.BlueWaterWoman.com
© Blue Water Woman is the property
of Patti Samar of The Write Company
The Write Company is a writing, graphic design and marketing
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Patti Samar
Editor & Publisher
Blue Water Woman
2 summer 2014 BlueWaterWoman.com