A Conversation With ... Deanna Ford

I have been a BPW member for about 10 years. BPW has local organizations, regional organizations, then state, national and international. I was president of the local organization, held different offices there ... then moved into the state offices. I was the state secretary then vice president, and now president. It’s a progression ... and it’s an elected position. We have around 750 members and about 54 local chapters across the state.

What is BPW’s motivation to help professional women?

BPW’s mission is to be the leading advocate for working women. We have many different projects. One of them that introduces a lot of young women to BPW is our scholarships. We give seven to nine scholarships at the state level each year. We work for all aspects of working women – legislative issues, heart issues, breast cancer, any health issues like that, we support. We encourage all women to get out and vote. We think that voting makes a big difference in the philosophy of working women.

What goals do you have as president?

One of my goals is to make working women more aware of Business & Professional Women, that the organization is out there. We’re trying to make a bigger impact with working women. Any working woman can be a member. It doesn’t matter what industry she’s in. ... Basically all women have the same issues and concerns, regardless of their professions.

What is the main issue or challenge women face in the workplace?

Women still, in general, make 76 cents for every dollar that a man makes. Pay equity can be a very big issue, and we work toward educating women about pay equity. We work for legislation for pay equity. Women tend not to ask for what they’re worth, and men, in general, will ask for what they want, what they need. Women will usually take what is offered to them. Sometimes, it’s just their comfort zone, not to negotiate. One of the avenues that BPW takes is to mentor young women. I think through mentoring, you can educate women to value themselves. ... As an individual (the solution) is to be a role model. I try to do that. The local BPW chapter established a chapter at Missouri State University, and we have a very active BPW student chapter. We mentor those students.

Prior to joining Parkcrest Dental, you retired from Southwestern Bell. Why did you decide to go back to work?

In 1991, Southwestern Bell offered a buyout to managers, and I was fortunate enough that I was eligible, so I took the buyout. But I was 46, and I wasn’t ready to quit working, and I had a couple of job offers. I decided that I just really wanted to get out of the communications industry and try something different. I take care of the business side on a day-to-day basis. We have nine dentists and about 60 employees.

Based on your experience, what one piece of business advice do you have for women whose careers are just beginning?

Be responsible for your own actions. Take responsibility. That’s always been a big thing with me, to be sure that you are doing your job, being responsible to your employer, being responsible to yourself. I think responsibility is important when you start in business. If people would take responsibility for what they do and what they’re supposed to do, there would be a lot less trouble for other people.

Tell us about your community involvement.

The main thing that I’m involved with is The Victim Center. I’m on that board as an officer, the secretary. I’ve been chairman of the annual Victims are Our Business Breakfast a couple of different times. That’s one of its biggest fund-raisers. I’m also on the executive committee. I’m also an officer for the Dental Group Managers Association.

Tell us about your family and what you enjoy in your free time.

My husband, John, and I both have other families. He has two daughters. I have a daughter and a son. We have nine grandchildren between us. John has Welcome to Springfield magazine. ... We enjoy playing golf together. We have tickets to MSU basketball and football, and we go to Mizzou football games.

What’s your secret for balancing all of the aspects of your life without becoming overwhelmed?

There is no secret to that – everyone becomes overwhelmed at some point. I think you just have to take a deep breath and do what you can do.