empowHER Spotlight
March 16, 2023
March is Women's History Month – commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. At Chelsea Piers, we have countless women who contribute to the Chelsea Piers Community as athletes, coaches, mentors, fitness members and more. We took the time to connect with some of the women to learn more about them and their stories.
Meet Michele Melia, LPGA Golf Teaching Professional
The Golf Club at Chelsea Piers – Pier 59
- Hometown: Edison, NJ
- Sport/Fitness Category: Golf
Q+A
Who do you look up to as a role model for women in sports?
Billie Jean King
What are your favorite sports/fitness memory?
Being inducted into the Fairleigh Dickinson Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023
What is the best advice you have ever received?
That learning comes in the challenges! Progress is about getting better every day and believing in your limitless potential.
What does it mean to you to be a woman in sports/fitness?
I'm so grateful to be teaching a game that I started playing when I was five years old and over 40 years.
Each day I hope to excite and empower others about golf and all the amazing life experiences one can have- whether it's personal, work, or social! I try my best to give opportunities to others to have access to golf and to excel.
What advice do you want to give girls and women in sports today?
Get after it! You have a place on the playing field just like everyone else! Get inspired and passionate about playing.
Fun Fact:
In High School, I was one of only two girls who played high school golf in my state. I was the only girl on my team and became the captain and MVP in my junior and senior years!
Meet Katherine Mattikow, Figure Skater
Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers – Pier 61
- Hometown: New York City
- Sport/Fitness Category: Figure Skating
Q+A
Who do you look up to as a role model for women in sports?
I have always looked up to Sasha Cohen. She was the first professional figure skater I ever watched a live performance of. She came to Chelsea Piers to do an exhibition during my summer camp when I was about 8 years old. I still remember her beautiful Charlotte spiral and her exquisite lines and grace. She was one of the skaters who always remembered that above all, skating is an art form. I think many skaters today get so caught up in jumping and high-scoring elements that they forget to feel the music and spend time developing their artistry. I was also very glad to hear that she pursued an education at Columbia and was able to transition to another career. She had a long and wonderful career as a skater, and she managed to transition gracefully into a new life where she could explore all the aspects of herself, she put aside during her skating career. I think it is wonderful that she found balance and happiness in her life.
What are your favorite sports/fitness memory?
I looked up at the harsh white spotlight panting but smiling as wide as I ever have. The rink was so dark, I couldn't see the people on the stands– but I heard their cheers and applause. I had just finished skating my emotional performance at the 2022 U.S. Figure Skating National Showcase, and I skated well. All the anticipation, fear, and excitement were over. I felt a wonderful gentle wave of contentment wash over me as I skated off the ice and to my coach. I didn’t win. I didn’t even make it to the podium. But I skated my best.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
I returned to the sport of skating after a year hiatus due to tendonitis. I skated from age 7 to 13 and resumed when I was 19. Upon my return, I saw girls at the rink who had skated consistently from age 3, and I felt I could never compete with their experience and ability. My mother told me “Everyone will tell you that to be competitive in a sport or art form you must start when you are 3. They say, ‘if you don’t come out of the womb with skates on, you’ll never be anything.’ They all just want to shut the door behind them once they make it through.” My mother was right. I won a gold medal at the New York Figure Skating Showcase in 2022 and went on to compete in the U.S. Figure Skating National Showcase. I know becoming an Olympian is not an option for me, but that doesn't mean I can’t have a meaningful skating career.
What does it mean to you to be a woman in sports/fitness?
Being a woman in sports is always a challenge. Female-dominated sports like figure skating are often not taken seriously by those outside the sport. They are seen as cute activities for little girls, while figure skating is an intense, gratifying sport for women of all ages. Men use sports like football and basketball to bond. When a man writes that he played varsity football on his resume, a male interviewer is more likely to recognize it as a major achievement. A woman can write that she was an accomplished figure skater, but the male interviewer may not see this as the same level of accomplishment. I have seen and felt this. Women must work twice as hard to gain recognition for their accomplishments.
What advice do you want to give girls and women in sports today?
Develop a good understanding of kinesiology and physics. Achievement in sports does not simply come from ‘muscle memory.’ It comes from strength, proprioception, and an ability to learn and understand how the body functions. Work smarter, not harder. A rudimentary understanding of the way the body works and the forces in figure skating can help a skater learn faster and develop good habits. Don’t fall into the trap of ‘imposter syndrome.’ You may feel like there is reason to doubt your skills and accomplishments. I encourage you to fight this feeling. Everything you do on the ice is an accomplishment. My coach Marni Halasa says, “I think it is impressive that we can do anything at all with knives strapped to our feet.”
Fun Fact:
I was honored to receive the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award in November 2022 from HRH Prince Edward for my dedication to figure skating, sailing, visual arts, and voluntary service. My coach Marni Halasa played a huge role by nominating and assessing me for the award. I have recently been selected to compete in the Miss New York USA Pageant. I’m hoping to take advantage of this opportunity to show women and girls that you can be an independent and successful woman without giving up your feminine spirit.
Meet Reese Herringer, NYC Cyclones Hockey Player
Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers – Pier 61
- Hometown: New York City
- Sport/Fitness Category: Hockey
Q+A
Who do you look up to as a role model for woman in sports?
I look up to Kathy Desjardins because she was the one woman to break the gender barrier and played in an NHL game as a goalie. She has created a message and proved to everyone that women can play just as well as the men.
What are your favorite sports/fitness memory?
When I got my first crossover at Heartland Hockey camp at the age of 5, and Steve Jensen yelled "Reese Herringer just did her first crossover" in his loud booming voice across the ice for the whole camp to hear. It feels good to achieve something you have been working hard for and to get noticed by someone who was as special as Steve Jensen. Steve Jensen passed away recently and it's a memory I'll always cherish. Steve Jensen was the owner of Heartland Hockey, a US Olympian and NHL pro who played with the Minnesota North Stars and the Los Angeles Kings.
What is the best advice you ever received?
Never give up, always keep trying.
What does it mean to you to be a woman in sports/fitness?
I really want to make an impact on women's sports, in particular ice hockey. I want young girls to know that they can play any sport and in fact they can do anything they set their mind to, even outside of sports.
What advice do you want to give girls and women in sports today?
Set your goals high and don’t stop until you get there.
What do you love most about being a part of the Cyclones organization?
It really feels like my hockey team is a family. I know they will always care for me, and we are always there for each other.
How long have you played hockey and what made you want to get started?
I started playing hockey when I was 3. I got started because my dad and brother were playing, so it was my turn.
Thank you to the women who participated and gave us an inside look into their stories. Thank you to all the women athletes, coaches, trainers, members and more for their daily hard work and dedication you #empowHER us all.
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