By ALLEN MINCEY, Cleveland Daily Banner

Don't tell the women of Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland they can't hammer nails, saw boards and pour concrete. Three of them also lead the organization.

Executive Director Tammy Johnson is the first woman to head the organization in its 32 years; Immediate Past Board President Patty Silverman was the first woman to serve in the top role; and Lisa Mantooth is the incoming board president.

“You know what's interesting is I actually never really even thought about it until [as reporter] brought it up,” Johnson said. “I thought of Patty and thought, well, Patti is our first female board president but hadn’t thought about me.

Johnson said she once spoke with a former board member “who jokingly said to me ... 'a man always needs to run Habitat. It doesn't need to be run by women.' And I just laughed it off at the time. What's funny is since I've been back, I told that same person ... remember when you said a man always needs to run Habitat?”

The man responded that she might be running it even better.

“I have always tried to work hard and be a person of character and integrity and try to make things better than when I found them,” Johnson said. “I would never want this job if it were just to fill a female checkmark. I would want to be selected for this job because the board felt like I was capable and can do a good job.”

Many have praised the work that Johnson has done with Habitat, not the least of whom are Mantooth and Silverman.

“My goodness, I've known Tammy for so long and to watch her grow and thrive in this role and to watch our Habitat to thrive and grow. I mean, who would have thought that we would be working on a brand new neighborhood this year just so close after COVID,” Mantooth said. “It's not stopped us and I think it's because of her leadership and hard drive and her passion for what we do.”

“Tammy has done such a good job leading us at Habitat,” Silverman agreed. “Her passion for this group is seen every day, and it shines in her staff and the volunteers who help Habitat. I can’t think of anyone better for that job."

Johnson began with Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland as development director for 4½ years, then left to start her own company, but returned after the past director left and has served in that role for five years come October.

Mantooth has volunteered with Habitat for many years, first when she was involved as director of the local chapter of the American Red Cross and as a member of the Sunrise Rotary Club of Cleveland.

“Habitat was our preferred charity for Sunrise Rotary and even though I worked for another nonprofit, I fell in love with the mission of Habitat,” Mantooth said. “It's a hand up, not a handout.”

Now working with Wacker, Mantooth said she hopes to have some of her fellow employees form teams to help at future builds.

“I think we're gonna really try to do something special because we really want to help make an impact,” she said.

Mantooth said she appreciates Wacker allowing her to work with Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland, especially devoting her time to the Women’s Build. That is the time that a home is built by all women, with the exception of some supervision. Both Mantooth and Silverman were involved in the most recent Women’s Build.

Silverman is retired from Lee University, where she served as professor of public relations and as sponsor for the Public Relations Student Society of America chapter.

“The first time, I took a women [from Lee] we got so competitive ... the camaraderie going on and lots of picture-taking and to know that that home we are putting together … it really is a motivator.”

This year, both Mantooth and Silverman got to experience something that previous board members had not ⏤ actually being involved in calling recipients of Habitat homes to let them know they had been selected.

“So we heard everything from screaming, to crying, to silence … and to hear the joy and excitement and appreciation, well, our board members were in tears too,” Silverman said.

The three women all praise each other for the jobs they have done. Johnson said that she expects this next year to be a great one for Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland.

“Patty has done a phenomenal job. She has been a source of wisdom and a source of guidance and support that was just needed for this time,” the director said. “She has been phenomenal.

“And I know Lisa Mantooth has a long history in working at nonprofits and serving in leadership roles and they're they're both just very, very good women and strong leaders."

“Patty has been an exceptional president,” Mantooth said. “Of course, she was the first female president of our board for Habitat and you know, she's a tough leader to follow because she is just so amazing and she's so passionate. I'll do my best to follow in her footsteps, but there's definitely some pretty amazing shoes to fill.”

“Lisa is going to be amazing,” Silverman said. “She’s had leadership positions in United Way, in nonprofits, and she is working at Wacker, and I just feel like she will do an amazing job as president.”