I’m A Clubwoman

So often when I think about domestic violence I tend to focus only on women. After all, they are usually the ones that take the brunt of the abuse whether it’s verbal, physical or emotional.

Illinois is very sad to have lost a young, vibrant District President. Jonie Sieghartner had a stroke (brain bleed) at her district convention March 10th. Jonie passed away a few days later.

Hope you have some Springy weather where you are. Lots of things are going on here in NC and apparently I am getting overwhelmed. I don’t think I am bothered by everything on my calendar but my stomach has been nervous and full of butterflies for the past couple of weeks so obviously something is giving me a sign.

Family, business, and Woman’s Club must-do activities have all converged early in this month of March.

Amee Lee!  Thought I’d give you all a look at my life both in and out of GFWC.
This month I turn the Big 40!  I had all kinds of plans to celebrate, but all of them have fallen through for one reason or another.  So I will just be working most of the weekend. 
I am [...]

It is National Women’s History Month.  I hope everyone celebrates the accomplishments made by the ladies of GFWC past and present. 
Two years ago, our club went and saw Respect – The Musical when it was in Atlanta.  LOVED IT!!!  It is based on a book from Vanderbilt professor, Dr. Dorothy Marcic which chronicled popular music [...]

The meeting of my club last week was like looking out at a Sea of Red. Every February, many of us wear red to our meeting, not because of Valentine’s Day, but to note Women’s Heart Health Month. We have a large club, and there was a LOT of red to look at!

Yesterday, Valentines Day, was our monthly club meeting and as always ‘twas a bit miserable. I think most club members realize that I have a genetic disability [I use a cane] but few know how much I would rather be standing up and moving. Sitting is bad; I must move to stay comfortable.

When I got out of bed this morning and looked in the mirror I was awake enough to realize that I’ve put on a few pounds or rearranged them and I don’t like the arrangement!

Who is my mentor? My life has been influenced by so many great and wonderful women, but one that sticks out is our local Pierian Club president, Mary Lou Gilbreath. Mary Lou has been part of my life for a very long time.

Just last week Congress, the Senate and President Obama voted to support the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Which is a step up for women everywhere. (Please see the extensive story in the GFWC Clubwoman Magazine).

When first assigned the task to write about my mentor, my immediate reaction was one of a deer in headlights. “I don’t have a mentor!” was my first thought. And, so I began, like I always do to research the topic. I asked friends who were there mentors and I consulted the Webster’s Dictionary. There I learned that a mentor is defined as “a wise adviser; a counselor”. I’ve known many people who have filled that role in my life – from family, friends, career, social and civic activities. But, I kept coming back to my best friend, Kristie.

My mentor, Lois Handsaker was a charismatic elder Friend [Quaker] in my Monthly Meeting.  I met Lois when I was 11 years old.  I was 24, and with her, when she had her first stroke.  A mentor is not always a comfortable or a perfect person.  Lois was a difficult person to know, but I [...]

When I got the first assignment for the new GFWC blog I was puzzled as to what to write about! My mentor… Who was my mentor? I don’t have a mentor? A football game was on in background, my husband was watching a holiday bowl game & my mind kept wandering? Who is my mentor???

Have you ever met someone and knew right away that you could be fast friends? That was the feeling I had when I first met our club’s then president-elect, Norma Jean Swam. Within a few months we were comparing “mother stories” and leaning on each other for support through times when we both spread ourselves too thin or just needed someone to listen and understand.