Together We Stand
A message from WPF President, Adrienne Jandler
As I sit here writing, mere days away from election day, I feel the ever-present weight of anticipation, anxiety and readiness to move beyond it. I have already voted, as many of WPF’s sisters have or plan to, and now wait. The election, the campaigning, the months of pre-campaign political commentary, non-stop conversations in social media and news coverage has been overwhelming. And it has come to a thunderous crescendo this week, with all fingers pointed at the candidates as being either the saving grace or the destroyer of our country.
Of course, I am prayerfully hopeful for a particular outcome, and have envisioned many scenarios of how our country, economy and citizenry will be impacted if my candidate wins (as I am sure we all have, regardless of whom our candidate is). I have not, however, given thought to the opposite result. Call it blind optimism, or superstition that I might “think” the opposite result into happening; either way, I have carefully avoided that entire train of thought. Until today.
What if… the other guy wins?
Today I’m reminded that regardless of which candidate wins, life goes on. Business goes on. And each of us has work to do that cannot be left solely on the desk of the President. Or Congress. We still have a pandemic. We have neighbors in crisis. We have change that is needed as a nation of immigrants—all colors and creeds—with differing religions, sexual orientations, education levels, wealth or its lack. The American experience and opportunity is not the same for all. Further, we are a nation that is divided, a state that cannot continue. We have to reconnect our communities and correct the divisive culture we have allowed to fester.
The office of the President is important. The policies that come from it will impact us all. But we have the responsibility and opportunity to make change, too. I, for one, am up for the task. And I have full confidence that we, as women and as leaders, will play a leading role in re-shaping our communities, country and economy.
Where do we go from here? I think it starts with caring. Seeing each other. Listening. Making time for others’ interests and needs—hearing what they are, even when the conversation is uncomfortable or requires action. Most of all, we need to be present for one another.
With that in mind, and taking into account some of the great ideas and feedback received in our small group dinners, this month’s meeting will feature breakout groups instead of a speaker. It will be a chance to share how we are doing, challenges we are facing, and what paths we will take to move forward through this time personally and professionally. Above all, it is simply a chance to reconnect and enjoy each others’ company as we might were we together around a lunch table at Starmount.
I’m greatly looking forward to it, and hope you will join us. Until then, I wish you health and peace. See you online!
November Meeting: SPARKS!
Sisters Providing Advice, Recommendations, Kindness & Support
This month we’ll have a time to personally connect with one another. Join us for an opportunity to come together in small groups and share what you’ve been doing and learning in the midst of COVID.
What advice and support do you need? What advice would you offer to your WPF sisters? What activities will you continue even after COVID? What business lessons have you learned? What challenges are you facing?
Please also come prepared to share your favorite uplifting song – one that makes you smile, dance, or just relax. We will compile a WPF Playlist to share with one another for those moments when we need a little extra push or support. See you Nov. 11!
SIGS
Special Interest Groups
DEVOTED TO DIVERSITY
Wednesday, November 11 – 5:30-8:00pm… NCCJ 2020 Citation Award Dinner
Let’s fill a virtual table! In support of the NCCJ 2020 Citation Award Dinner, the Devoted to Diversity SIG would like to support the Triad’s largest annual event dedicated to diversity and inclusion, and we hope you’ll “sit” at our table on November 11th. Tickets are $150 and include a take-out food voucher to either keep or donate to Sanctuary House of Greensboro. If interested, please complete the NCCJ interest form by Wednesday, November 4.
Also, we will be attending a virtual viewing of Preservation Greensboro’s Tour of Historic Magnolia House with a personalized guided tour for our members and Q&A session to follow. Please contact a co-chair if interested. November date TBD.
As we give thanks this month with intention, let’s also find opportunities to learn more about: the heritages of Native Americans and Alaskan Natives; the veterans who have served our great country; those in the LGBTQ community we have lost to unnecessary violence; and the unity of community kindness.
As always, be in touch with any questions and ideas: Nicole Hayes nicole.hayes92@yahoo.com, Terri Harris terriharris1800@gmail.com, Rebecca Ben-Gideon rbengideon@gmail.com.
The Devoted to Diversity Special Interest Group (SIG) was created to wrestle with issues of inclusion, diversity and justice in order to engage WPF as a force for change in our communities. Though we are socially distanced, we plan to continue meeting monthly on third Tuesdays. Mark your calendars now to get involved!
SIPPIN’ SISTERS
I’ll Take Manhattan Cocktail Hour on Tuesday, November 17 @ 6:00pm @ the home of Kim Trone
We are all set and booked for our first event: “I’ll take Manhattan” cocktail hour co-hosted by Janice Lanier and Dee Blake at Kim Trone’s house. It will be a bold and spicy celebration of the Big Apple!
Although this event is full, please contact Kim Trone at kimberlyt0011@gmail.com or 336-707-2136 if you want to add your name to the SIG contact list to learn about future events.
WOW … Women of Wall Street
Thursday, November 19 @ 6:00pm via Skype
The final meeting of the year will be a business meeting on Thursday, November 19, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. via Skype. We will not be meeting in December as usual. Please mark your calendars now for November 19th! A link to the meeting and meeting reports will be sent out to all members prior to the meeting.
Contact Peggy Ward at peggy.ward8@icloud.com if you have any questions.
WORKING MOMS
Tuesday, November 24 @ 12:30pm via Zoom
We are trying something different in November. We are going to do a Working Moms lunchtime Zoom. Many of the Mamas have not been able to join us due to the demanding schedules we have and how sacred our night time recharge and “run around and get organized for the next day” time in the evenings.
Mark your calendar for a very important break from work to connect with the working Moms WPF SIG. During this time anything goes, but we assure you this gathering will bring on the laughs, tears and lots of love and support. That is what we do!
RSVP to Marlee Foster for Zoom information- marlee.foster@conehealth.com
BOOK CLUB
Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 7:00pm via Zoom
RSVP to Kris Landrum or text her at 336-271-5243
The Christmas Tree by Julie Salamon
The classic New York Times–bestselling tale of friendship, generosity, and the magic and wonder of the holiday spirit.
On his annual search for Rockefeller Center’s next Christmas tree, the chief gardener spots an ideal candidate: a stately Norway spruce located on the grounds of a convent. There he meets Sister Anthony, a nun for whom the tree has special meaning. Orphaned and sent to the convent as a lonely young girl, Sister Anthony befriended the then-tiny spruce whom she lovingly named “Tree.” Over the following decades, as the tree grew, so did Sister Anthony’s appreciation for the beauty and wonder of nature.
The Christmas Tree is a short (necessary during holiday) but lovely book about a lonely young girl and the comfort of a young tree and how friendship can have many meanings.
DINING OUT
Still on Break!
Dining Out is currently on hold. If you are not already on the Dining Out email list, please get in touch with Amy Meinecke at diningout@wpforum.org to receive the latest updates and news on Dining Out.
BOOKS & ARTS
Mistletoe and Martini Virtual event on Friday, November 20 – late afternoon /evening
Our Books and Arts scheduled activity for November was participation in the Mistletoe and Martini fundraiser for Alamance Arts. This has been a popular event in past years…how do you resist an opportunity to Christmas shop while drinking martinis?! Like every other event, this one has been impacted by COVID. It is possible to participate in person, but we are not organizing this as a specific Books and Arts activity, since everyone has a different level of comfort in attending events right now.
Should you want to organize a small group of WPF friends for this outing, the date is the evening of Friday, November 20. Tickets are purchased through Alamancearts.org. Tickets provide entrance to the event in 1 ½ hour timeframes limited to 25 participants at each time. Times are 4 to 5:30, 6 to 7:30 and 8 to 9:30. Prices range from $55/ticket for the earliest timeframe to $35/ticket for the latest opening. It is also possible to go to smile.amazon.com and enter Alamance Arts in order to have access to some of the arts available, with a portion of the proceeds going to Alamance Arts. Presumably this option will be available after the actual event.
Planning ahead, our December outing was scheduled to be the Bel Canto Christmas concert. This event will be virtual for 2020. Watch for news of possible gatherings to enjoy this concert with a small group of WPF friends.
Help the WPF Foundation & give a great gift to loved ones!
Although we are not having the Holiday Bazaar this year, there is still a small thing you can do to get gifts checked off your list and still help the Foundation! Through the Community Partners
program with Our State magazine, you can gift the magazine to friends, family, and neighbors and they will in turn give $5 for each subscription back to the Women’s Professional Forum Foundation! Go to www.ourstate.com and use code CP651! Tell your friends – anyone who uses that code for a subscription will be helping us.