During Mental Health Awareness Month each May, the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) proudly recognizes initiatives that strengthen connection, resilience, and unity across the court reporting and captioning communities. One recent example is the inspiring Steno in the City Fearless Conference, led by founder Shaunise Day.
At the 2026 Fearless Conference, the Steno United Double Diamond Reporters came together to deliver a powerful message: This profession is strong, and so are its people. In one of the conference’s most impactful moments, attendees stood united in pride and purpose as Day reminded them: “You are the highly skilled stenographer. You have the power. You are in control. You are unstoppable.”
The energy at the conference reflected more than motivation — it was a shared affirmation of the resilience, excellence, and value stenographers bring to their work every day.
“As Margaret Mead, an iconic cultural anthropologist, once said, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has,’” NCRA President Cindy Isaacsen, RPR, said. “This conference, focused on positivity and unity and created by Shaunise, is a prime example of putting those values into action. At times, our profession can experience challenges, including unproductive or negative discourse that serves no one. This conference highlights the positive, and everyone involved should be proud of the work done to bring it to life.”
Isaacsen added: “Elevate Your Impact is not just a rallying cry of NCRA. It challenges and encourages stenographers, captioners, and legal videographers to expand their professional limits, mentor the next generation, and advocate for the stenographic profession.”
Steno United is focused on bridging gaps, fostering unity, supporting students, and creating opportunities for growth and collaboration. Rooted in a spirit of togetherness, it reflects the very values that strengthen professional communities.
In a recent conversation with Isaacsen and NCRA Executive Director Dave Wenhold, CAE, PLC, Day shared that creating a positive opportunity for reporters to come together and celebrate the profession is an honor. The event highlighted what can be achieved when professionals unite around a common purpose.
“We have many external challenges facing our profession, and it is encouraging to see members creating positive opportunities and contributing to the common good. We are all in this together. ‘United we stand’ is more than a saying — it is a principle to live by, and each member plays a role in strengthening the profession. Shaunise has brought people together for a common cause: Unity in the profession,” said Wenhold.
NCRA applauds those involved in advancing efforts that promote positivity, connection, and collective progress. Initiatives like these reinforce the importance of community in supporting both professional growth and mental well-being.
We encourage all members to create opportunities to highlight the strength of our community and continue to lead with positivity.
Other projects like Jeopardizing Justice; NCRA’s A to Z® Intro to Steno Machine Shorthand program and Project Steno, which help students learn about the steno profession; the Empower Series, which helps our members become leaders in their lives; our NCRA mental health seminars; and so many more great programs out there are working to make the lives of our members better.
If you have a program you would like to assist us with, please contact us.
Mental Health Awareness Month is for everyone. NCRA hopes all of our members embrace kindness for themselves and others – and that we all find time to take care of ourselves with the heavy workload we all have.
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