On Wednesday, June 6, Beth Soholt gave the keynote address at the 2012 Women of Wind Energy Annual Luncheon.  As is the custom, the previous Woman of the Year recipient gives the keynote address the following year.

Beth delighted the audience with stories and photos from her youth growing up in Iowa and the people who encouraged her and gave her advice along the way.  

She emphasized that there is no substitute for hard work, however.  "Things have not always fallen into my lap.  I've worked for them. If I was told 'no,' I found another route. If I failed, I tried again. I came well prepared, and always tried to do my best," said Soholt.

Her "motherhood and apple pie" advice was sprinkled with charming family photos to illustrate her points: 

• Life won’t always be a picnic. Persistence, persistence, persistence.
• Networking is key. You never know when opportunities may arise or paths cross with someone you’ve met before. And where those relationships may lead you.
• Careers do not always go smoothly and you may have to navigate the rocks. Plan B may be required.
• Sometimes you’ll be burned out and need a break. I suggest camping.
• Things may not always work out. But you will heal.
• Sometimes you may look like a fool, but that’s OK.
• If you need to scream, go ahead and do it.
• Laughter truly IS the best medicine.
• And never, ever take yourself too seriously.

"Growing up in Iowa, picking beans and de-tasseling corn, I had no idea that one day my home state would find another crop to harvest in the wind, or that I would be a part of it through my work in the wind industry. But, as I look back, somehow the choices I made, and the people I met, and the advice I took, all made up the twists and turns of the road of life, and pointed me on what was then a new course.

"Looking forward, l’m happy with the road I’m on, and I truly believe the best days are still ahead."