Celebrating the “Golden Girls” of Red Roof: A Legacy of Dedication, Hospitality, and Heart

From Left to Right: Jane Battles, Linda Fitch, and Diana Cunningham

With a combined 60 years of dedicated service and 224 years of life experience, Jane Battles (77), Linda Fitch (76), and Diana Cunningham (71) are true pillars of Red Roof’s legacy. These remarkable women represent the heart and soul of hospitality — through their kindness, consistency, and commitment to both guests and team members.

Jane Battles

Jane is known for her heartwarming motto, which she writes on her housekeeping board each morning: “I love my job.” She treats guests like family—often going above and beyond to wash dishes or clean food containers left in the sink. Her kindness hasn’t gone unnoticed; she’s received multiple $100 tips over the years from appreciative long-term guests. A big fan of professional wrestling, Jane has affectionately earned the nickname “High Fly Jane.”

Linda Fitch

Linda—affectionately known as “The Flash”—is a true powerhouse, seamlessly handling housekeeping, laundry, and general maintenance. Her boundless energy and warm spirit leave a lasting impression on everyone she meets, whether two-legged or four-legged. Guests return year after year just to see her, and in her earlier years, she even referred guests to other Red Roof locations in Columbus. In her free time, Linda enjoys caring for her home and relaxing in her sunroom.

Fun fact: Linda is also the proud mother of the article’s author!

Diana Cunningham

Diana is the steady, calming presence of the trio. Known for her gentle demeanor and consistent work ethic, she keeps her section immaculate and treats every guest with warmth and care. Her attentive listening and calm energy make her a beloved team member. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening with her grandchildren, nurturing a beautiful variety of flowers and plants.

These three remarkable women embody a level of service, hospitality, and heart that is increasingly rare. Their contributions have directly and positively impacted guest satisfaction and Quality Scores year after year.

They are not only outstanding employees but also role models and mentors for the next generation of Red Roof team members. We are proud to celebrate and honor the legacy of our very own Golden Girls.

Investing in Growth Through WHG University

WHG University (Litmos) continues to play a vital role in team development across all properties. As hotel operations evolve, providing staff with timely, practical training is more important than ever. The platform offers self-paced learning that supports onboarding, operational consistency, and leadership development.

Several new eLearning courses have recently been added, including:

• RiskManager Pro: Incident Reporting Basics – Coming Soon

• Mastering Chargebacks: Prevention, Response & Recovery

• Peer to Boss: Transitioning into Leadership

• Understanding the AR Lifecycle: From Setup to Collection – Coming Soon

• I-9 Compliance for General Managers

These courses reflect current operational priorities and were developed with feedback from the field. They are designed to support both new hires and experienced team members looking to build their knowledge or grow into leadership roles.

Encouraging regular use of WHG University not only improves daily performance—it also contributes to long-term retention by investing in employee growth. General Managers are encouraged to identify key courses for their teams and promote a culture of learning through recognition and accountability.

Additional resources, including job aids and course guides, are available upon request. For support with course recommendations or team assignments, reach out to the Learning and Innovation team.

Course Spotlight: “Peer to Boss”

Leadership isn’t just for those in management roles—developing leadership skills can benefit any team member who wants to grow professionally. The Peer to Boss course is designed to help individuals build communication, time management, and team leadership skills. Whether preparing for future opportunities or simply becoming a stronger contributor on the team, this course is a great resource for employees eager to take initiative and learn more about what leadership involves.

GM Tip: Promote Learning with Recognition

Recognize team members who complete key WHG University courses by highlighting their efforts in morning huddles, on staff bulletin boards, or during one-on-one check-ins. A little recognition goes a long way in motivating continued learning and setting a positive example for the rest of the team.

Email Encryption: Protecting Employee Information the Right Way

In our industry, handling sensitive documents is part of the job—but protecting that information is just as important. Whether you're sending an I-9 form, a Social Security number, or a photo of a driver’s license, it must be encrypted before it leaves your inbox.

Why Encryption Matters

Email encryption ensures that private information remains protected—even if it's accidentally sent to the wrong person. Without encryption, messages can be intercepted, read, or misused, putting both employees and the company at risk.

When to Encrypt an Email

Always use encryption when sending:

• I-9 documents and ID photos

• Social Security numbers

• Bank or payroll information

• Any personally identifiable information (PII)

• Disciplinary or confidential HR documentation

Important: Never include the employee’s name or other personal identifiers in the subject line of an email containing sensitive information. Subject lines are not encrypted, even when the email body is.

How to Encrypt in Outlook

If you're using Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Online:

1. Create your email as usual.

2. Before sending, go to the Options tab.

3. Select Encrypt or Do Not Forward (this prevents the message from being copied, printed, or forwarded).

4. Send with confidence—your data is protected.

Encrypted emails can be opened by recipients using any email provider. They will be directed to verify their identity and view the secure message via Outlook Online.

Common Questions

• Can attachments be encrypted? Yes. Attachments are protected when the email is encrypted.

• What if the recipient isn’t using Outlook? No problem—they can access the encrypted message through a secure Microsoft portal with a one-time passcode.

• How do I know it's encrypted? Look for the lock icon next to recipients or check that an encryption option is selected before sending.

Resource: Available at WHG University

To support secure communication practices, review in WHG University: Data Protection Basics – eLearning This short course is a helpful refresher for anyone handling employee or guest data.

Encrypted Email FAQ.pdf

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