Women's Hall of Fame : Stephanie Whiting

Women's Hall of Fame - 2007

Stephanie Whiting

Biographical Information

Born: Stephanie Misaki, Omaha, Nebraska

Current: She lives in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Stephanie is a licensed mental health counselor in Wisconsin. She has two married daughters. She and her husband, Dennis, enjoy spending time in Kauai.

Education:
M.A. Communication, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
M.S. Counseling Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Powerlifting Details:

How did you get interested in Powerlifting?

In 1982 I took a six week strength training class at the local YMCA that included the powerlifts. I joined the powerlifting club, helped run a meet and got very interested in all aspects of powerlifting -- training, coaching, competition and organizational administration. I started a subscription to PLUSA and have all the issues from 1982, except for one which I lent to another lifter (didn't get returned!). From the start, I have been especially interested in women's powerlifting. In 1983 I went to the USPF Women's Nationals in Chicago and met Judy Gedney. We started corresponding and have been ever since. We worked together for many years along with other women leaders, to promote drug-free powerlifting.

What's interesting is that my best lifting was when I was 50. My max lifts since then have been on a downward curve (I am 58 now). Doesn't help that in my family, older people lose weight and get skinny! All those years, trying to make weight and now I can't seem to keep weight on, pretty funny.
What is your role in Powerlifting?

Stephanie Misaki Whiting began her interest in powerlifting in 1982 after taking a weight training class at the age of 34. She quickly became involved in the sport by helping to run meets and coach other lifters. The following year, she entered competition and since then has competed in 64 meets on the local, national and international level.

In 1984 she was elected to the USPF Women's Committee, as well as the first ADFPA Women's Committee. By 1987, she decided to devote all her organizational energies to drug-free powerlifting and was elected to the ADFPA National Governing Body's Executive Committee, where she served for 10 years. During that time, Stephanie chaired the ADFPA Discipline Committee and the ADFPA Law and Legislation Committee. One of the largest projects undertaken by the Law and Legislation Committee was to update and rewrite the organization's By-laws. After 1997 when the ADFPA became the USAPL, she served one more year on the Executive Committee. In 1998 and 2000, she chaired the USAPL Discipline Committee.

In 1995 Stephanie initiated, chaired and coordinated the ADFPA Strategic Plan which produced the first ADFPA Mission Statement, in addition to a meet director's guide, position descriptions for NGB officers, committee chairs and state chairs and a national championship bid proposal guide. In 1996 she completed 12 years of service on the ADFPA Women's Committee.

Another way that Stephanie enjoyed promoting and giving back to drug-free powerlifting was to become a referee. She was in the first group of ADFPA National Referees to be inducted as WDFPF International Judges. She continues to judge for the USAPL and in 22 years has judged 72 meets on the local (32), national (31) and international (9) level. Stephanie's goal in all of her organizational work was to insure excellence in the administration of the sport, meaning the promotion of top quality drug-free competition, scrupulous record keeping and being attentive to lifters' needs.

What are your titles/best lifts/records?

I do have longevity and a spread of local, national and international meets. My lifting accomplishments, however, are not notable as far as records. For a bit, I held international records until my friend Judy Gedney moved up into the 105's!

On the state level, I have held open records and now have all the Wisconsin State master records in my weight class. I kid and say I'm the "oldest living woman powerlifter" in Wisconsin - the few other master women are in their 40's and I am near the end of M4. Professionally, I come from a health/wellness background, so it has always been interesting to me to see the strength curve over time. I started when I was 34, my best lifting was when I was 50. I've got a year and a half to age 60, so I'll continue the experiment and see what happens!

Stephanie has competed in 48 State/Local meets; 12 National Meets and 3 International Meets.

Highlights/Memorable Events

I remember the first full meet I ever watched. It was the first meet for my future friend Theresa Ryskoski. Shortly before competition began, she ran up to me and asked if she could borrow my belt! We became friends, I helped coach her and eventually accompanied her to IPF World's in Sweden in 1986. And that's where for me the most memorable powerlifting events happened. Theresa hadn't come in first or second or third at nationals that year and yet she, being drug-free, went to World's. The true highlight of the world meet was watching Judy Gedney, another drug-free lifter, win the 97's. Judy's win was a statement about hard work, perseverance and natural strength.

Other promotional achievements:

• Designed the first ADFPA promotional brochure "Why the ADFPA".
• Wrote articles for PLUSA and Powerlifting Today highlighting drug-free lifters.
• Wrote and edited the ADFPA Corner column in PLUSA.
• ADFPA Wisconsin State Chair for 10 years.
• Proposed and wrote the initial ADFPA guidelines for prevention of blood borne pathogens.
• Represented ADFPA/USAPL at international powerlifting meetings.
• Established and coordinated Wisconsin Special Olympics Powerlifting.

Who influenced you in Powerlifting?

There are many people I that I would like to recognize for their hard work and generosity in promoting women's drug-free powerlifting. For those who had a direct impact on my life, thanks to Dennis Brady, Sandi Brady, Bruce Sullivan, Pat Malone, and Judy Gedney. These are the folks that influenced me the most - their intelligence, their inspiration, their dedication.

Stephanie is grateful for the opportunities and friendships that have come from her years of powerlifting involvement.

Words of advice to lifters:

Train diligently, know the rules, use strict form and give back to the sport when you can.

What Others say about Stephanie Whiting:

"Stephanie Whiting for her service-minded dedication to promoting and developing the sport of drug-free powerlifting. Few of you know of her developmental work on Constitutions, Mission Statements, Ethics Committee work, Executive committee work, not to mention her willingness to travel extensively to help with officiating and coaching. " Judy Gedney

"When I think of Stephanie, I think of a leader with integrity and class. She always has a calm, professional approach whether dealing with committee work or handling an excited lifter on the platform. I'm thankful that 25 years ago powerlifting caught Stephanie's attention…for I am witness to how our organization has benefited from her contributions." Ruth Welding

"I remember coming to Women's committee meetings in the early 90's and being struck by her integrity, ethical behavior and the work being done by Stephanie. Stephanie's leadership and demeanor made me want to be on the committee and give back to the organization." Sue Hallen

2007 USAPL Women's Hall of Fame Sponsors

The Women's Hall of Fame Committee would like to thank those who sponsored Stephanie's induction to the Women's Hall of Fame. Each of the sponsors below played an important part of helping with the induction ceremony held at the USAPL Women's Nationals in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, February 17, 2007

• PLGearOnline.com
• Sue Hallen
• USA Powerlifting