April 4, 2025 • 12 mins
Marlena Hemphill is a Case Manager at The Beacon. She is a finalist for the Inspiring Advocate for Women Award.
The Beacon Website: https://thebeacondm.org
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:05):
Welcome to the Inspiring Women of Iowa podcast,
a special series
amplifying the stories of the Inspiring Women of Iowa Finalists.
Inspiring Women of Iowa is an annual event hosted by Girl
Scouts of Greater
Iowa with the goal of celebrating women of courage,
confidence and character who are making the world
(00:27):
a better place.
Why does that sound familiar?
Well, because it also happens
to be the mission of the Girl Scouts,
where they believe society is better because strong
women show girls that anything is possible.
This event was created by Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa in 2017
to celebrate women in our community
(00:48):
and share their stories, while raising support
for the Girl Scout programs
that build the next generation of inspiring women.
16 individuals are celebrated annually with the Courage,
Confidence, Character and Inspiring Advocate for Women Awards.
I'm your host, Sarah Noll Wilson.
I am a business owner, a champion of women, and I'm
(01:10):
also a proud Girl Scout alum.
So massive love to troop 238.
And I am honored to have the chance to speak with these amazing,
inspiring women and to share their stories with you.
Joining me today is Marlena Hemphill.
(01:30):
She is the case manager at the Beacon,
and she is being nominated for the Women's Advocate Award.
So. Marlena.
Yeah, let's
I like that for people who aren’t watching but are listening,
she's doing this dance that is also just, like, cloaked in
a little like, like I'm excited and I'm a little uncomfortable.
And so that's I love that.
(01:51):
That's where we're going to start.
Congratulations, though.
Thank you so much. Yes, yes, yes.
Thank you so much.
Before we get into the work
you do, what should we know about you as a human?
Well, I myself have,
had the same struggles as many of our clients.
So I'm, you know, I'm very aware of of what it takes
(02:13):
to come back
from being in prison and, and and bettering your life
and working through,
you know,
all the traumas and,
and things that our clients have to go through.
So I've been there, I've done that.
And, we do recover.
Yeah.
That's, there it's it's clear
there's probably going to be a lot more
I want to explore than we have time for talk.
(02:35):
So talk for people who are unfamiliar with the organization.
You do, you work for and the work that you do.
Help us.
Help us understand the population you serve
and what drives that.
Yeah.
So our mission is to, help any woman in crisis,
you know, get back on their feet.
(02:56):
Crisis can be, you know, homelessness,
incarceration, addiction, domestic violence.
We're not, an emergency domestic violence.
But we definitely, help women that have had that in their past.
And just just give them that support and that that can hand up,
(03:17):
you know, because a lot of the times, they're alone,
they want to isolate.
They don't feel they're worthy.
And we just we just love them until they can love themselves.
It's interesting to hear the language you use,
because we know that so often in our culture, in our society,
you know, because our society wasn't built for us,
(03:39):
I like that
that's that's usually when the imposter syndrome
and the doubt shows up.
And so I just was struck by the fact that, like, imagine having
maybe the normal questioning that women often experience,
not because they're less them, but because I think culturally,
sometimes we are treated as less than, combined
with some kind of crisis or, challenge that they face.
(04:04):
It's interesting to hear you say they isolate.
Can you.
I'm just, like, curious to hear more about that.
Yeah.
Because, a lot of the times,
especially when they're coming from prison,
we're used to structure and people telling us what to do,
how to do it.
And so when you're able to have that freedom,
it is it gives you anxiety almost instantly.
(04:27):
Yeah.
So the safest thing to do is to isolate and just stay away.
That way you're not doing anything wrong.
You're not having to talk to people.
So.
Yeah, that's that's part of it.
Yeah.
What what do you what do you
what do you see or what do you think people get wrong
about individuals who have been formerly incarcerated?
(04:51):
Well, there's a
lot of stereotypes out there that we're bad people, and
and people just judge us based on, you know, the decisions
that we've made.
But they have no idea about the choices that we've had,
that made those decisions, what they were.
You know.
That's so that's really poignant what you said.
(05:13):
Well, like what what was the, what drove you to this work?
I mean, you talked about your personal journey, and I'm just
I'm curious, you know,
what was that transition like from
doing the work you needed to do
so that you could be at a better place,
a healthier place for you?
That then translated into wanting to do this work for others.
Sure.
(05:33):
So I, I was incarcerated in 2020,
and after that incarceration,
I was paroled to the Beacon program.
So I was a client there.
And at the time, the director, Melissa Vine, had seen.
Yeah, she's seen in me what I had no idea about.
(05:54):
And so she gave me a chance at being an RA.
And from there, I just.
I grew and I blossomed, and I just became this
knowledge, sponge knowledge person.
I wanted to know everything. Learn everything.
And shortly after that, I became house manager,
and then, and then I was promoted to a case manager,
(06:17):
because they saw how I was with the clients and that,
you know, I had this natural trauma informed
type mind.
And so they put me in a case manager role
because it was better suited.
And I'm telling you, I love my job.
It's I love my job,
being able to come and just to support these women
(06:40):
because they are so wonderful,
I mean, I these women are so smart, so talented.
They just haven't been given that chance to shine.
And and I love I love being able to witness it.
It's going to make me cry.
No. You're good.
I well,
I love it
because whenever tears show up, it's
because something's important.
(07:01):
So can I ask you the question I like to ask everyone.
What are the tears telling us right now?
That I wish
the entire world was able to see the women the way I see them.
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah. So beautiful.
I mean, because, you know, at the end of the day,
all of us just want to be seen
and heard and respected and validated and
(07:22):
and again, I can imagine how lonely it can feel.
What a gift you are.
I understand why you
I mean, like,
not that I question
I don't question anyone's nomination,
but it's like, oh, I haven't met you all.
That makes sense of the work you're doing.
You.
So you have been identified, Marlena, as somebody
who's inspiring and what I'm curious about.
(07:43):
I know it's uncomfortable.
You know what I tell people?
I was like, when you get a compliment,
you're not allowed to say anything.
And if you really have to say something, just say two words.
Thank you.
Don't thank me because I didn't do it.
But I'm here to, like, pour into you.
Who?
But who inspires you?
My gosh, every single one of my coworkers, day in and day out.
(08:07):
Every single day.
These women inspire me.
My sister inspires me.
You know, I I'm now at a point in my life where I am able
to see, people for who they are and not for what I have done.
So I get inspired going to the bus stop, I get inspired.
(08:27):
Everybody inspires me.
Oh, what a glorious way to spend a Friday afternoon, with you.
Thanks.
I something that's coming up for me.
Then I want to offer this up.
Maybe hopefully, hopefully you'll hear it as a gift.
(08:47):
But
I have the personal belief that every single human
is like an acorn.
They have the greatness of an oak tree
as long as they're nurtured.
And I just want to name and acknowledge the role you're playing,
the sunlight you're providing, the rain
that you are showering down on with love.
(09:10):
To nurture these beautiful acorns
so that they can become the great oak tree
they were meant to be.
And so I just like human to human,
and I'm just I'm sitting here in gratitude and,
and just really appreciative
to have met you and to hear about the work you're doing.
Thank you.
(09:31):
You're welcome. So,
so you're you're being
recognized and people are going to get exposed to your story,
and they're going to get exposed
to the work you're doing
and the work that you're advocating for.
What do you want for people
who are listening to this conversation to leave the conversation
doing, thinking differently?
(09:54):
Get to know
people, actually have a conversation with them
before you automatically just assume
that they're terrible people and they
they make bad decisions because they're bad people.
A lot of the times,
bad decisions were made because we had no other choice.
Yeah. Yeah.
Which can be
so hard for people who haven't been in that situation.
(10:17):
And I really appreciate how you've articulated that,
a kind of a few different times in a few different ways,
because it's such an important reminder.
For people who want to connect
with you and learn more about the work
you're doing to support you to support the Beacon,
what's the best way for people to connect with you, Marlena?
Yeah.
So if you visit our website, it's the Beacon DM dot org.
On there,
(10:38):
it has a little blurb of my story
where I go into a little more detail.
Not everything, but but a lot of it.
You could see all kinds of amazing stories of past
clients, current clients, and it'll keep you up to date.
And then,
you can also request to get our newsletter every month.
(10:58):
So that'll keep you up to date
and all the good things that are happening with the Beacon.
Yeah. Yeah, that's amazing.
Congrats again, and thank you
for coming on and talking with me for a little bit today.
And so that we can share your story.
So, thank you. Thank you for having me.
(11:19):
The 2025 Inspiring Women of Iowa event will be held
on May 9th at the Meadows Events and Conference Center.
To purchase tickets
and get more information about supporting this event, please
visit Inspiring Women of Iowa dot com and all proceeds
from this fundraising event stay 100% local
to benefit Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa and their mission
(11:42):
to build up girls of courage, confidence
and character who will make this world a better place.
Thank you for listening and thank you for your support.
Welcome to the Inspiring Women of Iowa podcast,
a special series
amplifying the stories of the Inspiring Women of Iowa Finalists.
Inspiring Women of Iowa is an annual event hosted by Girl
Scouts of Greater
Iowa with the goal of celebrating women of courage,
confidence and character who are making the world
(00:27):
a better place.
Why does that sound familiar?
Well, because it also happens
to be the mission of the Girl Scouts,
where they believe society is better because strong
women show girls that anything is possible.
This event was created by Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa in 2017
to celebrate women in our community
(00:48):
and share their stories, while raising support
for the Girl Scout programs
that build the next generation of inspiring women.
16 individuals are celebrated annually with the Courage,
Confidence, Character and Inspiring Advocate for Women Awards.
I'm your host, Sarah Noll Wilson.
I am a business owner, a champion of women, and I'm
(01:10):
also a proud Girl Scout alum.
So massive love to troop 238.
And I am honored to have the chance to speak with these amazing,
inspiring women and to share their stories with you.
Joining me today is Marlena Hemphill.
(01:30):
She is the case manager at the Beacon,
and she is being nominated for the Women's Advocate Award.
So. Marlena.
Yeah, let's
I like that for people who aren’t watching but are listening,
she's doing this dance that is also just, like, cloaked in
a little like, like I'm excited and I'm a little uncomfortable.
And so that's I love that.
(01:51):
That's where we're going to start.
Congratulations, though.
Thank you so much. Yes, yes, yes.
Thank you so much.
Before we get into the work
you do, what should we know about you as a human?
Well, I myself have,
had the same struggles as many of our clients.
So I'm, you know, I'm very aware of of what it takes
(02:13):
to come back
from being in prison and, and and bettering your life
and working through,
you know,
all the traumas and,
and things that our clients have to go through.
So I've been there, I've done that.
And, we do recover.
Yeah.
That's, there it's it's clear
there's probably going to be a lot more
I want to explore than we have time for talk.
(02:35):
So talk for people who are unfamiliar with the organization.
You do, you work for and the work that you do.
Help us.
Help us understand the population you serve
and what drives that.
Yeah.
So our mission is to, help any woman in crisis,
you know, get back on their feet.
(02:56):
Crisis can be, you know, homelessness,
incarceration, addiction, domestic violence.
We're not, an emergency domestic violence.
But we definitely, help women that have had that in their past.
And just just give them that support and that that can hand up,
(03:17):
you know, because a lot of the times, they're alone,
they want to isolate.
They don't feel they're worthy.
And we just we just love them until they can love themselves.
It's interesting to hear the language you use,
because we know that so often in our culture, in our society,
you know, because our society wasn't built for us,
(03:39):
I like that
that's that's usually when the imposter syndrome
and the doubt shows up.
And so I just was struck by the fact that, like, imagine having
maybe the normal questioning that women often experience,
not because they're less them, but because I think culturally,
sometimes we are treated as less than, combined
with some kind of crisis or, challenge that they face.
(04:04):
It's interesting to hear you say they isolate.
Can you.
I'm just, like, curious to hear more about that.
Yeah.
Because, a lot of the times,
especially when they're coming from prison,
we're used to structure and people telling us what to do,
how to do it.
And so when you're able to have that freedom,
it is it gives you anxiety almost instantly.
(04:27):
Yeah.
So the safest thing to do is to isolate and just stay away.
That way you're not doing anything wrong.
You're not having to talk to people.
So.
Yeah, that's that's part of it.
Yeah.
What what do you what do you
what do you see or what do you think people get wrong
about individuals who have been formerly incarcerated?
(04:51):
Well, there's a
lot of stereotypes out there that we're bad people, and
and people just judge us based on, you know, the decisions
that we've made.
But they have no idea about the choices that we've had,
that made those decisions, what they were.
You know.
That's so that's really poignant what you said.
(05:13):
Well, like what what was the, what drove you to this work?
I mean, you talked about your personal journey, and I'm just
I'm curious, you know,
what was that transition like from
doing the work you needed to do
so that you could be at a better place,
a healthier place for you?
That then translated into wanting to do this work for others.
Sure.
(05:33):
So I, I was incarcerated in 2020,
and after that incarceration,
I was paroled to the Beacon program.
So I was a client there.
And at the time, the director, Melissa Vine, had seen.
Yeah, she's seen in me what I had no idea about.
(05:54):
And so she gave me a chance at being an RA.
And from there, I just.
I grew and I blossomed, and I just became this
knowledge, sponge knowledge person.
I wanted to know everything. Learn everything.
And shortly after that, I became house manager,
and then, and then I was promoted to a case manager,
(06:17):
because they saw how I was with the clients and that,
you know, I had this natural trauma informed
type mind.
And so they put me in a case manager role
because it was better suited.
And I'm telling you, I love my job.
It's I love my job,
being able to come and just to support these women
(06:40):
because they are so wonderful,
I mean, I these women are so smart, so talented.
They just haven't been given that chance to shine.
And and I love I love being able to witness it.
It's going to make me cry.
No. You're good.
I well,
I love it
because whenever tears show up, it's
because something's important.
(07:01):
So can I ask you the question I like to ask everyone.
What are the tears telling us right now?
That I wish
the entire world was able to see the women the way I see them.
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah. So beautiful.
I mean, because, you know, at the end of the day,
all of us just want to be seen
and heard and respected and validated and
(07:22):
and again, I can imagine how lonely it can feel.
What a gift you are.
I understand why you
I mean, like,
not that I question
I don't question anyone's nomination,
but it's like, oh, I haven't met you all.
That makes sense of the work you're doing.
You.
So you have been identified, Marlena, as somebody
who's inspiring and what I'm curious about.
(07:43):
I know it's uncomfortable.
You know what I tell people?
I was like, when you get a compliment,
you're not allowed to say anything.
And if you really have to say something, just say two words.
Thank you.
Don't thank me because I didn't do it.
But I'm here to, like, pour into you.
Who?
But who inspires you?
My gosh, every single one of my coworkers, day in and day out.
(08:07):
Every single day.
These women inspire me.
My sister inspires me.
You know, I I'm now at a point in my life where I am able
to see, people for who they are and not for what I have done.
So I get inspired going to the bus stop, I get inspired.
(08:27):
Everybody inspires me.
Oh, what a glorious way to spend a Friday afternoon, with you.
Thanks.
I something that's coming up for me.
Then I want to offer this up.
Maybe hopefully, hopefully you'll hear it as a gift.
(08:47):
But
I have the personal belief that every single human
is like an acorn.
They have the greatness of an oak tree
as long as they're nurtured.
And I just want to name and acknowledge the role you're playing,
the sunlight you're providing, the rain
that you are showering down on with love.
(09:10):
To nurture these beautiful acorns
so that they can become the great oak tree
they were meant to be.
And so I just like human to human,
and I'm just I'm sitting here in gratitude and,
and just really appreciative
to have met you and to hear about the work you're doing.
Thank you.
(09:31):
You're welcome. So,
so you're you're being
recognized and people are going to get exposed to your story,
and they're going to get exposed
to the work you're doing
and the work that you're advocating for.
What do you want for people
who are listening to this conversation to leave the conversation
doing, thinking differently?
(09:54):
Get to know
people, actually have a conversation with them
before you automatically just assume
that they're terrible people and they
they make bad decisions because they're bad people.
A lot of the times,
bad decisions were made because we had no other choice.
Yeah. Yeah.
Which can be
so hard for people who haven't been in that situation.
(10:17):
And I really appreciate how you've articulated that,
a kind of a few different times in a few different ways,
because it's such an important reminder.
For people who want to connect
with you and learn more about the work
you're doing to support you to support the Beacon,
what's the best way for people to connect with you, Marlena?
Yeah.
So if you visit our website, it's the Beacon DM dot org.
On there,
(10:38):
it has a little blurb of my story
where I go into a little more detail.
Not everything, but but a lot of it.
You could see all kinds of amazing stories of past
clients, current clients, and it'll keep you up to date.
And then,
you can also request to get our newsletter every month.
(10:58):
So that'll keep you up to date
and all the good things that are happening with the Beacon.
Yeah. Yeah, that's amazing.
Congrats again, and thank you
for coming on and talking with me for a little bit today.
And so that we can share your story.
So, thank you. Thank you for having me.
(11:19):
The 2025 Inspiring Women of Iowa event will be held
on May 9th at the Meadows Events and Conference Center.
To purchase tickets
and get more information about supporting this event, please
visit Inspiring Women of Iowa dot com and all proceeds
from this fundraising event stay 100% local
to benefit Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa and their mission
(11:42):
to build up girls of courage, confidence
and character who will make this world a better place.
Thank you for listening and thank you for your support.
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