This issue we continue a feature called Young Rockford Woman. We celebrate the promise of the area's next generation.

Involvements and accomplishments: I graduated from Anderson University in three years with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in Spanish. While there, I was on the dean’s list, a freshman orientation leader and active in a social club. As a freshman, I won my school’s “Academy Award” for best supporting actress and was involved in various theatre productions throughout my time at the university. I tutored underprivileged children and volunteered at a food pantry.

AMY J. VAN HORN | ROCKFORDWOMAN.COM
Anna D. Kittle

Upon graduating, I spent four months living in the Swiss Alps at a study center called L’Abri. I traveled independently around western Europe during this time, and also spent a few weeks volunteering for an organization in Belfast, Northern Ireland. I then headed down to Mexico with my sister to volunteer for three months teaching. I helped with the fourth grade and was in charge of teaching the history of Mexico as well as basic English. I taught English in Beijing from February 2007-2008. While I was there I was involved with an organization called Compassion for Migrant Children. After that, I spent two months traveling in Southeast Asia before coming back to America. I believe that the best way to learn about a country is through the people, so travel is one of the most educating things a person can do.

I also have been very active at church. I led the college group and teenage girl group at my previous church. I am involved with a group from Heartland Church that is working to improve the lives of the people in a village in Haiti.

Place of employment/position: Primary Eye Care. I do a bit of everything.

City of residence: Rockford

Age: 24

Family: Dr. Randall D. Kittle, father; Gini D. Kittle, mother; Rachel Kittle, sister; and Benjamin Kittle, brother.

My biggest achievement/proudest moment so far: When I was living in Beijing, I volunteered with an organization called Compassion for Migrant Children. I was involved in event coordination for fundraising events and public relations with the expatriate community in Beijing. Migrant children are kids who are living in Beijing but are not allowed to go to school there because their city of origin is different. This organization, and many others, try to set up makeshift schools and provide basic needs for these children. While I was involved with this organization, I had the pleasure of arranging a hat drive to benefit these kids. I was able to get expatriates from many different countries involved, as well as some people from Rockford (such as my grandmother, who shipped over two boxes of hats that she knit). The result was a hat for every student at the Xin Xin school for migrant children. It was definitely rewarding seeing how grateful and happy the kids were with their new hats, and it is my proudest moment to date. 

What I like to do for fun: I really enjoying being outside. I love gardening, running, swimming, and I’m trying to pick up tennis and rock climbing. I also like to read (two of my many favorite books include “The Alchemist” and “Life of Pi”), and, of course, travel. Oh, and I love to play backgammon.

I define success as... Setting and achieving a goal is the easiest way to define success. This really is only a part of what it means to succeed. To me, success is living my life in a way that helps others to feel inspired, it is overcoming the hardships that are thrown at me with dignity and strength, it is having the courage to get up every time I fall and learning from the mistakes I have made in the past, and most of all it is leaving a mark on society that will spur social change for those yet to come.

Best advice I have received: One person has the ability to change the world because to anyone you come into contact with at any moment in your life, what you do for them might mean the world.

Being a woman means ... living in such a way that brings honor and esteem to my gender. Being as successful, confident, optimistic and compassionate as possible, while striving to overcome inequality without wasting time and energy complaining about it. Being a woman is not being lumped into a category, but rather living beyond categories by experiencing the best life humanly possible.

My mother always told me ... that I can do whatever I want as long as I believe in myself and trust in God.

A woman I admire (who isn’t my mother): Dr. Nancy Fischer, my adviser throughout college, and favorite sociology professor. She inspired my life in so many ways and instilled in me the courage and confidence to impact my community through the way I live my daily life.

No. 1 issue facing women today: I read a quote by Clare Boothe Luce that sums up the No. 1 issue facing women today. “Because I am a woman, I must make unusual efforts to succeed. If I fail, no one will say, ‘She doesn’t have what it takes.’ They will say, ‘Women don’t have what it takes.’ When a woman is successful, she is praised just like a man would be. When a woman fails at something, more often than not the failure is projected onto the sex as a whole. This biased reasoning results in gender stereotyping, which hampers a woman’s ability to function in society.

Ten years from now, I’ll... have my first book published, have been to all 50 states (I’m at 27), and hopefully have my yard in the garden walk.

Something I have always wanted to do/learn: Learn how to make stained-glass windows.

The best thing in my wardrobe: Brown moccasinesque flats. They have traveled with me to 26 countries. 

The piece of technology I can’t live without: My digital camera. I’m an avid scrapbooker and think it is important to document life.

If you know a promising young woman between ages 16 and 24 who lives in the Rock River Valley, send her name, contact information and a brief description of her accomplishments and activities to Jennie Pollock at jpollock@rockfordwoman.com.