The Power of One: Hockey player and ER nurse Shannon Kennedy
Photo by Emily Tishhouse of Emily Kay Photography
The Power of One series is inspired by the work of activist attorney and Ann Arbor legend Jean King. King's tireless efforts to enforce Title IX led to gender equity in athletics, academics and in the professional world. King will be honored at a celebration of her life's work on March 26 at the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest.
How has Jean King's work impacted your current professional success?
I was incredibly fortunate to attend a university where they truly valued Title IX and equality, having separate but equal athletic departments, located in the same large athletic complex, receiving the same benefits, opportunities to grow, support both financially, physically and emotionally.
Having the opportunity to play as a female athlete at The University of Minnesota on a Division I NCAA hockey team taught me:
Team Work
- As an emergency room nurse dealing with trauma situations on a daily basis, it's essential to be a team player. Everyone on the floors plays an important role — whether it be the team lead, primary nurse, or a team member taking orders from co-workers in the trauma.
- I feel confident in communicating with doctors (male or female) regarding my patients' plan of care, advising and intervening as necessary, advocating for my patient, always providing the best of care.
Confidence
- Whether it be on the playing field or in the arena of life, I feel more confident in my everyday actions, decisions, and choices, allowing me to tackle whatever curve balls are thrown my way.
- I feel empowered/motivated to continue to grow in all aspects of my life; due to Title IX, I am extremely fortunate to have such an opportunity as a female.
Tell us about your athletic background.
I come from a family of hockey players. My sister Courtney Kennedy is the current Division I women's hockey coach at Boston College and a former USA Olympic women's hockey team player, competing in both the 2002 Olympic games in Salt Lake City, winning a silver, and in the 2006 Olympic games in Turino, Italy, winning a bronze medal.
My father, brother and mother run the Kennedy School of Hockey and the Wizard's hockey league, both based out of the Boston, Mass. area. Whether you're a beginner to the arena, an Olympian, college player, and/or mom, these clinics and leagues provide men and women of all ages an accelerated learning platform that focuses on all aspects of hockey, with a special emphasis on power skating.
After growing up playing on frozen ponds in Massachusetts with my siblings, I eventually went on to the University of Minnesota and helped lead the team as captain to a Division I NCAA championship in 2000, and also received the women's student-athlete of the year award. I later went on to coach at both Union College in Schenectady, N,Y. and Brown University in Providence, R.I.
What sports/ activities are you active in now?
Roller derby. I'm a rookie with the newly-formed Ann Arbor Derby Dimes league. (Also) pick-up hockey, running, snowboarding, dancing and Wii.
What difference do I think one person can make in the world?
I have lived by these words since high school:
"To love what you do and feel that it matters, how can anything be more fun." - Catherine Graham
What advice do you have for someone who wants to achieve success in your chosen vocation?
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain
Kimberli Cumming is the executive director of the Women's Center of Southeastern Michigan. You can reach her at kim@womenscenterSEMI.org.