You're invited to meet eleven women at Virginia State Parks who have made history, as well as women who are leading us into the future. Find out who and what inspires them. They may very well inspire you too!

Inspirational sunrise from Grayson Highlands State Park

Melissa Baker – Director, Virginia State Parks

“I am inspired by working in a field that makes a difference in people’s lives and that my efforts will benefit people long after I am gone. I'm also inspired by the resources we protect. Standing in a park while looking out at a mountain range, or a riverbank, or the ocean shore and realizing that the awe I am feeling will be felt by others in perpetuity because of the work we do together.”

Melissa Baker

What Women's History Month means to Director Baker: “As you may know, I am the first female Virginia State Parks Director. In fact, I have been the first female to serve in each of my professional jobs. But that's not really about me. The opportunities I have had were earned by all the women who came before me, paving the way in a traditionally male-dominated field. Many people have celebrated what they call my accomplishments, but I am not the one who should be celebrated. The recognition goes to the women who worked in this field when people didn't think women could. We all stand on the shoulders of those women who broke barriers and challenged perceptions. Those women are what Women's History Month is about.”

Danette Poole – Retired after 30 years of service

“I began working in Virginia State Parks in 1976 as a seasonal employee at Seashore (now First Landing) State Park. I worked there for three summers--first as contact ranger, then contact and maintenance ranger, and finally an interpreter while attending college at Virginia Commonwealth University. I obtained my degree in Fine Arts in 1979, and that summer worked as a seasonal interpreter at Pocahontas State Park. During those years as a seasonal employee, I developed a great love for the outdoors and for state parks and a passion for sharing them with the public. I was also fortunate to have many great mentors along the way, all of whom inspired me. I would be remiss if I did not give credit to Dennis Baker, who at that time was Chief of Interpretation for Virginia State Parks. Mr. Baker was a tough leader who held his employees to the highest standards. As a manager, he was quick to pinpoint people's strengths and he put them in situations where they could excel. That was the single most important lesson I learned about managing people, a skill I didn't know at the time how much I would draw upon over the course of my career.”

Danette Poole

“In 1980 I became the first Chief Ranger/Interpreter in Virginia State Parks, at Seashore State Park. That position launched my career with state parks over the next 30 years. From there I went to Caledon (Natural Area) State Park in 1983, then was promoted to Assistant Park Superintendent at Westmoreland State Park. In 1984, I became Park Superintendent at York River State Park, then in 1985 was promoted and served as manager of False Cape State Park through December 1988. From 1989-2008 I served as manager at Chippokes State Park, culminating a very rewarding 30 years in the field. In 2009, I became a Planner for DCR's Planning and Recreation Resources Division. In 2010 I became the Division Director, where I had the opportunity to work with State Park Master Planning, Design and Construction of state park facilities, conservation of Virginia's phenomenal scenic resources, and development of the Virginia Outdoors Plan.”

“The most influential figure in my life was without a doubt my mother, who instilled in my brothers and me at a very early age, a great love for the outdoors and for conservation. As young kids, we spent many days hiking the trails and camping at Seashore and other state and national forests. My mother was also outspoken in her support for Virginia State Parks and wrote several letters to the editor on environmental issues, one of which was to the Virginia Beach City Council urging support of the acquisition of False Cape State Park.”

“Finally, I would like to say that throughout my career I have never felt a need to emphasize my gender. I have always believed people should advance based on their own merit, regardless of gender, race, or other status. I always found it amusing when people would ask me, 'What's it like being a woman in Virginia State Parks?'  My response was usually, 'Well, since I've never been anything but a woman I really don't have anything to compare it to.' Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with many wonderful people both male and female, and of many different races and backgrounds. All have shared their gifts in contributing to the rich tapestry of work that DCR does to conserve and protect our natural resources for the enjoyment of the public.”

Saundra Tomlinson – The longest-serving Park Ranger in Virginia State Parks

Tomlinson has worked for Virginia State Parks for 49 years. "I started at Natural Tunnel State Park on January 29, 1974, and unless I change my mind and all goes well, I will finish at Natural Tunnel on January 31, 2023. [Saundra is still working as of March, 2023] I started as a seasonal employee and was hired full time on October 16, 1976. I have worked at pretty much all of the facilities in the park, including the; office, visitor center, chairlift, pool, Cove Ridge Center, cabins, and maintenance."

Saundra Tomlinson

“I can't think of anyone who really inspired me, but my husband's grandmother, who lived to be 102 years old, encouraged me not to quit when I first began working here and wasn't sure it was where I needed to be. Also, Gilmer Bledsoe, my first Park Manager (called Superintendent in the 70s) encouraged me to apply for Park Ranger when I didn't think I had a chance. As you might guess, I enjoy working here. It's not always been a walk in the park (pun intended), but it has been interesting, to say the least.”

Sharon Buchanan – Manager of District 6, Virginia State Parks

"I started as a 17-year-old seasonal employee in the 80s. I was fortunate in the beginning to be around and work with the female pioneers in the state park system. Women such as Saundra Tomlinson, the longest-serving female Park Ranger today; the two first female Park Managers, Danette Poole and Janet Blevins; women who were promoted through the system at the time: Theresa Duffey, Anne Reader and Ann Zahn; and Goldie Taylor who operated the logistics center. I benefited greatly from their guidance over the years."

Cameron Swain – Park Manager, False Cape State Park

Swain has served in “pretty much every position we have in the state parks.” She said her father inspired her. “From a young age, he always supported me in all that I was interested in being a part of. Guiding me, giving me the knowledge and the opportunity to grow." He always told her, 'Do what you love and call it work.'

Laura R. Moss – Office Manager, Bear Creek Lake State Park

Moss started serving Virginia State Parks 30 years ago. “In my early years, my biggest inspiration came from my maternal grandparents. My grandfather was a World War II Veteran surviving the Battle of the Bulge. When he returned from WWII, he continued his job at DuPont and started a successful rental apartment business in the City of Richmond, never taking a vacation nor hardly a day off for 45 years. His work ethic and dedication to his family inspired me. He and my grandmother always told me, ‘Give the world the best and the best will come back to you.’ He was truly part of the Greatest Generation and he instilled his work ethic in me. In recent years, my inspiration draws from countless members of my Virginia State Parks family but more specifically the Office Managers and the Administrative staff. Their dedication, determination, and sharing of ideas inspire me on a daily basis. A favorite part of my job is mentoring newly hired staff. I hope in my own small way that I have inspired others to give the world their best.”

Gretchen Cope – Park Manager, Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park

Cope is approaching 14 years of service to Virginia State Parks. “My grandmother, who is a constant source of wisdom and comfort for me, is my greatest inspiration. She and my grandfather introduced me to parks, camping, and the outdoors and instilled in me a passion for them. That expanded into a deep appreciation of our cultural and natural resources and ultimately brought me to where I am now. It's from her that I get my work ethic and the tendency to hold high expectations for myself. She taught me to never take the easy way out, to always acknowledge your mistakes (because mistakes are okay as long as you learn from them), and last but not least, to savor every moment. These values have always resonated with me in my personal and professional life and I'm grateful to have the opportunity for my passion and my career to be one in the same. I'm fortunate she taught me to strive for my best and to enjoy it as I go.”

Anne L. Reeder - Park Manager, Holliday Lake State Park

Reeder has served Virginia State Parks for 36 years, having started in May of 1987. “My best friend's father (a story in itself) gave me the following advice when I started in state parks and I have tried to follow it at every park that I have had the pleasure to work at, ‘Keep your ears open, ask questions, and take it all in. You need to understand and see the operations prior to making suggestions for changing items.’  Basically, he wanted me to know, don't go in like you know everything and change things right off the bat-like a ‘know-it-all’ since nobody wants to work with someone like that, if you know what I mean!”

Veronica Flick - Chief of Business Administration, Virginia State Parks 
[Formerly Park Manager, Seven Bends State Park and Shenandoah River State Park]

Five years ago, Flick started serving Virginia State Parks, without realizing this is where she would end up. “I did not grow up with a goal to work in conservation or recreation. Frankly, I never knew what I wanted to be ‘when I grew up'. I am just lucky enough that all my life choices led me to this. I have not one single person who inspired/inspires me, but several: my mother for being a great example of what a strong woman can do but can also be nice, pleasant, and to look for the good in people. My father for getting us outside to work on the property, while giving me the knowledge he has of how to work the land and his handyman's way of approaching roadblocks. I was raised in a way that I didn't realize being a female meant I may have obstacles that males wouldn't. Therefore, I rarely recognize when I come/came to them and only really see them retrospectively because I just push through towards my goal. Both parents instilled the work ethic I have by being great examples and guiding me to do and figure out things for myself. My siblings still push and support me. I'm in awe of what they accomplish in their work lives as well as personal and I can't help but be inspired to do better.”

Veronica Flick

“I would be remiss in not mentioning my immediate family. My husband takes care of all of us. He spends most of his waking hours with two toddlers, helping them to thrive and become good human beings. His strength and positivity have made my life so much better. My children really have inspired me in my current role because I've realized that I am able to pass on that generational learning of strength, self-reliance, and work ethic. I am also able to provide that institutional knowledge and develop a passion for our natural environment as well as conserving it. In the agency and division, several women have inspired and even excited me. These women are confident in their actions and decisions and have the knowledge to back it up. They are the experts in their field and we are incredibly lucky to have them in the agency. They are who I hope to be ‘when I grow up’. Every encouraging supervisor or superior also quietly inspires me because they saw my potential, passion, and work ethic. Not my gender.”

Maritza Benson - Assistant Park Manager, Leesylvania State Park

“Two people inspired me into the career that I have today, one of them was my dad who has always loved nature and animals. After working six days a week, he would take the family out on Sundays after church to a nearby park where we would picnic and relax before restarting the week. He was always the type of dad that would get in trouble with mom for coming home with some animal that needed a home or needed to be nurtured. Growing up, he taught me the love for nature and the fundamental importance of protecting wildlife. He also taught me that I could accomplish anything as long as I put my mind to it and he wasn't wrong!"

"The second person who inspired me to work for parks, in particular, was an African American woman who worked as the Education Outreach Specialist for the Bureau of Land Management near Lorton, Virginia. She would come to the Advanced Placement classes that I would attend for science to speak to high school students about outdoor volunteer opportunities and career options in conservation. I thought her job was so different and cool! I knew that one day I was going to be like her. From there, she got me in touch with Leesylvania State Park where I applied as a seasonal Park Interpreter. Later, I got an interview for a seasonal Park Interpreter position in 2014. Since then, I have been with Virginia State Parks where I have slowly worked my way up while earning my degree from George Mason University."

"I am a proud Latina helping facilitate and encourage the discovery of nature and career paths for minority populations!”

Katherine Shepard – Park Manager, Belle Isle State Park

The 11th woman you get to learn about today has been serving Virginia State Parks for 12 years. “I'm inspired by many different people: by my parents who shared their love of nature with me from a young age. My grandmothers who are both now in their 90s and taught me to be resourceful and self-reliant. My grandpa, who was a kind person and an educator, my pawpaw who loved camping and being in the woods. By my peers who work hard, care about their jobs and do them well. And finally, park guests who remind me that I'm lucky to do what I do when they say, ‘I've always wanted to be a park ranger.’"

Who inspires you at Virginia State Parks?

Now that you've met some of the women who inspire us, tell us who has impressed, inspired, or made your visit special at a Virginia State Park.

Anastasia Leftwitch getting things done at Clinch River State Park