THE POSTER AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE WOMEN'S CENTER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Today was spent in McLean at the 25th Annual Leadership Congress of The Women's Center, where I was among several women who were honored and who talked to the audience of 800 on subjects that related to what inspires leadership. It was remarkable and I was proud to be included. The opportunity to reach out to other people, especially women, is always a pleasure.
The other honorees were Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Anita Dunn, Tammy Duckworth, Elisabeth Leamy, Sally Quinn, Nora Poullion, Maureen Orth and Gwendoline Yeo. Before our talks we each were presented with a beautiful Waterford crystal bowl. Rather than delivering a straight on speech about the last 13 years since Howard died and the struggle that followed, I read a chapter from my memoir in progress, "Innocent Spouse." The chapter focuses on a particularly low point, six months after I inherited Nathans et al. My point? The inspiration to lead can come from true stories and, yes, it is possible to survive. As bad as it got, I'm still standing.
After the reading I was queried more about those themes.
Again, I'm honored and grateful. Sincere thanks to Sally Turner, Anne Gerrety, Michelle Graves, Cynthia de Lorenzi, Vicki Kirkbride, Kathy Viola and others with The Women's Center. Their motto is "Let's Talk." The mission is to "improve significantly the psychological, career, financial and legal well-being of women and families based on their ability to pay." For more about them please go here.