Belmont Village Residents Share Inspirational Stories of Resilience, Dedication, and Legacy
Belmont Village Senior Living is honored to celebrate Women’s History Month, by recognizing women everywhere—including the remarkable women living within their 35 communities nationwide. These women have broken barriers and inspired change, shaping the opportunities available to women today. As a company founded and led by Patricia Will, a highly recognized trailblazer in the senior living industry, Belmont Village remains deeply committed to supporting and empowering women, both within its workforce and among its residents. This dedication makes it especially meaningful to share the inspiring stories of these women, whose resilience and achievements continue to inspire future generations.
“Women’s History Month provides an important moment for us to reflect on the progress we've made and the incredible women who have led the way,” said Patricia Will, Founder and CEO of Belmont Village Senior Living. “This year's theme, 'Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations,' is especially meaningful as we honor all the women at Belmont Village, including those whose stories empower and encourage the next generation. These women have made lasting impacts across various fields, and their stories continue to inspire those around them.”
In celebration of women’s contributions and achievements, Belmont Village is proud to share stories of some of its extraordinary residents who have made transformative strides in education, healthcare, science, business, and community service and continue to inspire future generations of women to make their mark in society.
Amy Kaspar, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Amy Kaspar had a distinguished 40-year career in real estate title insurance. As President and CEO, she built her own title research company from a single county in Ohio to operations across three states with 50 employees, ultimately selling it to a Fortune 500 company in 2004. She retired in 2013 as First Vice President, reporting directly to the President. Serving as a trailblazer in her field, she was President of the Ohio Land Title Association during its centennial year—the fifth woman to do so—and earned honors such as the OLTA Meritorious Award and Honorary Life Award for leadership and service. Inspired by women like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Amy encourages young women to work hard, stay committed, and pursue excellence.
Linda Miller, Memphis, Tennessee
Linda Miller has dedicated her life to advocating for justice and community support. Over her remarkable career, she has held several groundbreaking roles, including serving as a Tennessee State Board of Paroles member and the first Executive Director of the Shelby County Crime Commission. Linda also led the Ronald McDonald House as Executive Director, provided leadership as Warden of the Adult Offenders Center, and founded and directed the Shelby County Victim’s Assistance Center, where she championed the rights and resources of crime victims. Linda's exceptional contributions have been recognized by local and state governments for her achievements in crime victim assistance. She has also received national recognition from the FBI for outstanding community service, with an award presented in Washington, D.C.
Sumie Jones, Albany, California
Sumie Jones is a scholar and writer who taught Comparative Literature and East Asian Languages at Indiana University for 30 years. Originally from Japan, she studied at Waseda University before earning a Fulbright Fellowship to the U.S., completing an MA and Ph.D. She edited a three-volume anthology on early modern Japanese literature and won a lifetime achievement award in translation. Despite facing gender and racial barriers in academia, she became the first Asian woman to achieve full professorship at Indiana University’s School of Arts and Sciences. She has also been active in cultural education and museum work. Jones admires Michelle Obama and Isabella of Castile and advises women to build strong intellectual friendships and persevere despite setbacks.
Zabel Petrossian, Cardiff by the Sea, California
Zabel Petrossian, an immigrant and former head of alterations at Nordstrom, built a remarkable life after moving from Iran to New York in 1970 with her husband and two children. Without knowing English, she took a nightshift job at a nursing home and learned the language in just two years through conversations with residents. Zabel dedicated 30 years to her craft at Nordstrom and actively supported charitable organizations like St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Inspired by her mother—one of the first women to attend college in Iran—Zabel encourages women to gain life experience through work, believing that career and independence go hand in hand.
Phebe Berkowitz-Tanners, Westwood, CA
Phebe Berkowitz-Tanners was the first female director at the Metropolitan Opera, playing a pivotal role in shaping some of the company's most iconic productions. Among her many achievements, she directed the Metropolitan Opera’s Centennial Gala, sharing an Emmy Award for her work. She also revived Der Ring des Nibelungen and was stage director for the legendary tenor Plácido Domingo’s German repertoire. A graduate of Indiana University with a degree in Opera Stage Direction, Phebe's passion for music has its roots in her upbringing, as her father was a violist in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.
Martha S. Flowers, Oak Park, IL
Martha S. Flowers, a U.S. Air Force veteran, began her career as an HR clerk before joining the Department of Agriculture in Michigan. Later, she built a career with the Railroad Retirement Board and retired as a hearing officer in the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals. Beyond her career in public service, Martha was a gifted athlete, earning a trip to the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome for her accomplishments in tennis.
About Belmont Village Senior Living
Founded in Houston in 1997, Belmont Village is an integrated developer, owner, and operator of high-quality senior living communities, with more than 4,600 employees and 5,000 units. Its 35 locations across the country and in Mexico City, provide award-winning independent, assisted living and memory care programs. The Company collaborates with UC San Diego, USC, UCLA, and Baptist Health South Florida to innovate its programs for cognitive health and life enrichment. The company is a market leader in major markets including the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, Chicago and South Florida. Renowned for distinctive design, high standards of life and safety, and reputation for leading edge, quality programming, Belmont Village has been certified as a Great Place to Work® since 2018 and has been recognized by U.S News & World Report as Best in Senior Living. www.belmontvillage.com, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram.
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