March is Women’s History Month, and in honor of Women’s History Month, we sat down with some prominent women making their own history right here in Enid! These women are among amazing company, as there are so many more women in Enid who deserve to be recognized, appreciated, and celebrated, too. So, in honor of Women’s History Month, if you know or see a woman working hard and making a difference this month, stop her and let her know she’s appreciated and deserves to be celebrated.
Women often go overlooked and underappreciated, as society tends to celebrate men whilst expecting the moon from women. However, this month, and more specifically, this article is dedicated to recognizing those women who are overlooked, underappreciated, and or taken for granted. Whether you’re choosing to recognize your wife, child’s mother, coworker, superior, or friend, make sure you go out of your way to make them feel seen and special, as they often do for others every day.
When it came to who should be recognized, there was an overwhelming amount of suggestions, from moms to volunteers and business owners. When narrowing it down, we chose to interview a few women currently in the working industry, and we’re calling them “Generation Now.” For “Generation Now,” we sat down with Tristan Cross, Stela Jantzen, Natalie Rapp, and Baylee Keyworth. Each of these women have made strides in their fields and community, and each of these women represent a better future.
Baylee Keyworth has been with RK Black since 2018, and she is a Solutions Specialist. As a Solutions Specialist, Baylee helps people do more with less! Baylee’s interest in her field developed when she was young. She says, “When I was young, my mom owned, what used to be, Copier Plus in Downtown Enid.” She continues with, “She has worked in this industry for many years, and she’s known across the country for what she does. If there is anyone I owe my success to, it’s her.”
Throughout Baylee’s life, there have been many situations that have amounted as obstacles for her, but she states, “As a woman, you must become relentless in a male dominated industry.” She continues with, “I am thankful for the tribulations that’ve helped me become the woman I am today.” Those difficulties fueled Baylee to keep climbing, and, as a result, she’s thankful for what she’s been through because it’s made her who she is, which is what she’s the proudest of today. Looking back, she reflects on her first week at RK Black. “During my first week at RK Black, I was 22 years old, and I was absolutely riddled with anxiety about being enough to make it in the industry. I’m now 28 years old, sitting on my balcony in Ambergris Caye, Belize, with my entire sales team on a Presidents Club trip because not only did I hit my goal, I broke the glass ceiling for myself professionally this year.” Baylee thrives in the face of adversity, which is a quality many women have had to acquire to make it in male dominated industries. When all the odds are stacked against you, the outcome seems predictable. However, if you continue to put forth an effort, not even the glass ceiling can stop you. That doesn’t mean anything will come easy – it simply means nothing is impossible. And, for Baylee, she states, “I made it, but there is still much further to climb.”
When it comes to advice for other women facing the systemic inequalities of the world, she says, “When you feel like you’ve hit a wall, find a woman on the other side. I can guarantee she will throw you a rope.” She continues with, “The path to your highest self is seldom smooth… When the bad days come, take time for yourself. Those are things I wish I would’ve done more of 5 years ago.” So, remember to be kind to yourself and to give yourself grace. As a woman, adversity is already common in many environments, so don’t be another obstacle for yourself. She also shares what she wishes someone would’ve told her when she was growing up, “The days that seem like the world is ending won’t matter at all in time. Our problems are so much smaller than we realize. In a world as big as ours, bad things happen, but life will always go on. So, let go of the things you do not want to carry.” For present and future women, her advice is “Your words are powerful. Speak what you want into existence daily and be nice to yourself.”
Tristan Cross is the Executive Director at Natural Remedies, and she runs their family-owned dispensary, Natural Remedies MMJ. Before running the store, she worked there for 5 years. She’s held her current position for 1 year, and taking on that promotion is a moment she treasures more than most. As the Executive Director for Natural Remedies, she handles most of the day-to-day operations, and she helps run the dispensary along side her parents, who are the co-owners. When it comes to where she is today, she credits her parents. She states, “I credit my parents for where I am today because without them, I wouldn’t even have the opportunity to be here.” Tristan’s parents have set her up for success in more than one way, but, as an adult, her success is now her own as well. Natural Remedies has won Best Dispensary at the annual Best of Enid event two years in a row now, and that effort may not be an individual effort, but there is a leader for every team, and at Natural Remedies, that leader is Tristan.
As she reflects, she mentions the community they’ve built as what she’s the proudest of. “More than anything, I’m proud of the friendships we’ve created and the safe community we’ve built.” Tristan and her team are more than faces behind the counter for their patients; they’re often an ear to vent to, a shoulder to cry on, and a friend you can rely on. In an industry that can often be competitive, prioritizing that safe space and those relationships simply speaks to not only Tristan’s character but also to the place of business that they run. Tristan can undoubtedly hold her own, but that doesn’t mean she’s alone amidst everything. Throughout the interview, Tristan mentions her team and their combined efforts many times. A great leader is aware of what everyone of their team members has to offer, and a phenomenal leader utilizes those strengths to improve themselves, those under them, and their place of business.
Tristan thrives in her position and at her place of work, but she’s still aware of the climates many other women are currently in. For those women in tougher situations, her advice is a quote from Dolly Parton, stating, “I’m not going to limit myself just because people won’t accept the fact that I can do something else.” Throughout life, there will be many different people who may talk down to you or belittle you, however, no one has the power to limit you, but you. Tristan states, “Growing up, I wish someone would’ve told me to never doubt myself or my capabilities.” Moving forward, Tristan expresses her gratitude for her team, parents, the community, and women. “Thank you to the community first and foremost, but also, thank you to the women who’ve opened the doors for all of us. And thank you to the current women for continuing to pave our roads and to future women for protecting our legacies.”
Natalie Rapp is the Executive Director for Main Street Enid, and she will have held this position for 5 years this upcoming September. Main Street Enid was founded in 1994, and its purpose was to breathe life back into the Downtown area. 30 years later, Main Street Enid has done just that. With her title as Executive Director, Natalie does a lot for Main Street Enid, but one of her favorite things to do is event planning. They recently had their 30th annual Light Up the Plains, which is a very big event Downtown. She states, “We coordinated almost 30,000 people Downtown. It was 8 months of planning, so that was a very big and exciting thing to do.” And being a part of such a large event is something she’s proud of today. In 2021, Main Street Enid was named the “Most Outstanding Program of the Year,” and that’s another accolade she’s proud of.
In 2019, Natalie received the Enid Young Professionals Top 10<40 Award at the age of 25, and in 2022, she received the Enid Young Professionals Social Shaker Award. It’s safe to say that Natalie is leaving her stamp on Enid! When it comes to where she is today, she credits her dad. “He was the Executive Director of the YMCA for 34 years, so I was able to grow up watching him really be a part of the community.” She goes on to say that “He also taught me about volunteering at a young age, and he taught me to invest in the community where we live. So, I give him credit for where I am today.”
When it comes to being a woman in today’s world, Natalie’s advice for other women is to, “Under promise and over deliver.” She continues with, “The best way of going about things is to do your best and show them that you can do what’s best.” If she could give her younger self advice, she’d say, “It’s very important to make relationships and connections. I didn’t realize the importance of relationships, communities, and the connections you have because everybody really wants to work towards the same things. Making those connections, knowing who to go to, and being able to reach out to somebody for help is really important.” She continues with, “I think it’s really important for us women to stick together and to be a part of making a difference… I’ve noticed that a lot of business owners and executive directors are women, so they’re realizing their power and that they’re capable of so many things. And I think it’s really important to teach young women and women of all of ages that you can do something big, you just have to put your mind to it and find those people who support you.”
Stela Jantzen is the Executive Director at Park Avenue Thrift, and she’s held that position since 2019. Park Avenue Thrift is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 2007. Park Avenue sells new and preloved items that donors have donated to them, and the sales that result from those donations are turned into funding for classrooms, nonprofit organizations, and events in Enid. In 2023, Park Avenue surpassed $4 million dollars given back to the Enid Community, which is a milestone deserving all the celebration. Before she worked for Park Avenue, she owned a gift boutique called The Felt Bird from 2009 – 2021. She was also the assistant director for Main Street Enid from 2012-2019.
As she reflects on all that she’s achieved and done, she states, “I feel like there are so many people along the way who’ve just been phenomenal. You can’t get anywhere without anybody.” When it comes to where she is today, she credits Malvin Arter, Kelly Tompkins, Molly Helm, and her husband, Riley Jantzen. Throughout her interview, Stela manages to always highlight the fact that it truly takes a village. When recognizing her accolades and achievements, she points out the team behind her who helped make it happen. When she mentions the things she’s most proud of, she shares that light and spotlights everyone who played a part. Stela is aware of her position, but, more importantly, she’s aware of what all it takes for her to thrive in her position. And not only is she aware of what all it takes, she recognizes and celebrates everyone and everything that helps make what they do possible. Stela embodies the term “team player” in every aspect. By recognizing the strengths of those closest to her, she’s able to set everyone up for success. And those are the qualities of a great leader – the qualities that make her stand out.
Stela’s impact on Enid is everywhere, and being able to witness her thrive is inspiring. Her accomplishments are reason to celebrate enough as is, however, who she is coupled with her accomplishments is deserving of even more. As she continues to reflect, she states, “I’m most proud of being involved in the Enid community and helping make a difference.” And she continues with, “If I tie all of my jobs and businesses together, the reason why I did these things is to help make Enid amazing and to have people feel good about being here.” Stela working in the nonprofit sector is absolutely perfect for her because it aligns with who she is as a person seamlessly. She’s compassionate, respectful, humble, giving, and kind, and she’s an inspiration. She finishes up by continuing to share her spotlight, stating, “There are so many phenomenal women business leaders in Enid, OK, and I feel incredibly honored to work alongside them and to be a part of this community.”
As we acknowledge, uplift, and celebrate these 4 women, remember to carry this celebration into the community, as the women in our day to day lives deserve to feel just as celebrated and appreciated. The world we live in is quick to celebrate men, but they’re just as quick to brush over women, which is why this month is so important, especially now. Speak up and speak out for women, and support, uplift, encourage, and be kind to the women in your life. After all, the future is female.
