Jackie Harper, CMP and dream whisperer

Jackie Harper, CMP and dream whisperer

As I reflect on this list of 35 Inspiring women. One thing keeps showing up over and over, and an expected thing too. Many of the women on this list, when I am honest with myself I was perhaps afraid and intimidated by the first time I met them. Jackie is one of those people. As I mentioned in earlier post she was on my interview panel for my first "Big Girl" job. I do remember walking in to her focused energy and strong demeanor. I remember thinking, who is that?  I'd be afraid to work with her. 

Today, I owe many, many of my personal accomplishments to her. She in a sense was my dream whisperer. She saw opportunity for me that I couldn't see. A year of being at POVA she helped me transition my career from convention sales to service. I found my love of event planning at her side. One day when I asked about the CMP after her name she not only told me all about it she encouraged me to go for it.  

December of 2005 when I was asked to serve as the Oregon State President for Meeting Professionals international when all I could see was the reasons not to do it Jackie once again helped me to find my "yes".

Over the years as my career has moved me from the local Portland stage to regional and national and international opportunity Jackie is still there for a phone call.  Jackie coordinated my wedding and reception.  No small task with my excel spreadsheets.  She made that dream day come true and she is still my dream whisperer. 

Every woman needs a Jackie one person who lives her life living the dream so that you can live more of yours. 

Just perfect Jeannette! Tenacity, strength, and patience

When you set out to write a blog of the top 35 women you admire you can do it one of two ways.  One make the list and start writing or two see who shows up and write about them.  Me, Virgo, planner you don’t have to guess what way I went. 

I was so excited when this woman showed up on the list.  Jeannette and I have only known each other for about 5 years and have really only been close in the past two.  I say with love and deep respect that Jeannette and I were far from instant friends.  In fact, instant advisories might be more likely true. Jeannette and I met most closely as I was working for Meeting Professionals International. I couldn't read Jeannette's mind at the time, and I'd bet it would go something like this. "Who are you, young thing coming in trying to fix our chapter?"  We had several rather high level agree to disagree conversations.

You can usually find Jeannette wearing black, she will be the one listening intently, asking the hard questions and ever so formidably keep you on your toes. Watch out for these women they may be quiet and I guarantee you they are the most powerful women in the board room.

Good thing about time and life. Through another friend I had a second chance with Jeannette. Come to find out we share a passion for baking, and learning. I didn’t know that Jeannette has two boys and was a single mom who will stop at nothing to take care of the people closest to her.  Since then we have celebrated Halloween’s in costume, cookie baking at the holidays, and a pedicure or two.   We certified at the Body Language Institute in 2010 together.  I know how to be a passionate woman, loving wife and dedicated parent because of this woman’s demonstration.

What everyone woman should learn from Jeannette - Go deep not wide with your friendships. Take time to truly know a person.  Who they are, what they have come thru and what they want more than anything else in the world.  You will always learn something about them, and you.  We all have a journey to tell.  Forgive, forget and love.

 

Jeannette, you can’t know how much you have made me a better person even in the short time we have known each other.  I am profoundly grateful for our mid-day Facebook coaching sessions, our random text-a-thons and the occasional call.  You are a gift in my life and I celebrate you, all you are, all you have been and everything good coming through your life.

Mommy magic, Kathleen Clarke

I saw the sign and it read, "Princess Holly".   Strange and true it was 1999 when I walked off the plane as the regional alumnae director, volunteer for Alpha Phi International sorority. Kathleen was an alumnae chapter leader for the San Jose State chapter. I'd never met her and she was hosting me in her home. I was scared nervous and unsure about the role I had accepted.  The idea of staying with a stranger was a little foreign. Soon after her name became Kat and the memory making began.

Over the years our friendship as with life has seen some pretty cool things.  I was there the first day Madeline went to school.  We've been wine tasting and outlet shopping.  Watched the girls dance at Disneyland and get every princess autograph.  Today I dream of sitting at her daughter’s graduations.   Yes, Kathleen and I will be the embarrassing ones in the front row with signs of the girls on their first day of school.

Over the years we've kept Hallmark in business with, yes snail mail cards. Cause Kathleen refuses to get on Facebook.  Have you ever wondered who sends the cards for the strange holidays, Halloween, or July 4, Kathleen and I do? 

Every woman should have a friend like Kathleen. One that is so different from you she lights the room just being in it. We have different career and mommy paths, different ideas on what is PC to say and what is not, a way different view on religion and parenting.  Kathleen, as a California girl her whole life I had to teach her coat wardrobes, and, I as an Oregon girl Kathleen teaches me about places you wear shorts year round.  When I lose my way she comes and kicks my butt back in line, reminds me who I am.

Now when the girls, Kathleen, Madeline and Gabrielle pick me up there is still a sign... Only now it says "Auntie, Holly". That's the magic of love, time, and of sisterhood, and Alpha Phi.  I am a better and changed woman every time I am in your presence Kathleen.  Thanks for being you and sharing you with me.

Can You Connect - Chemistry, Wine & Tiaras? Janet Bryant

Life, love and friendships are amazing with some friends you remember the exact moment you met and others it's you simply don't know life without them in it.  I don't recall the first time Janet and I met. I do know this, we share a friendship across miles and years I share with no other woman.  You see mathematically Janet could be my mom. Yet, I don't consider her another mother. That is a heartfelt expression.  Janet is, well Janet. My sorority sister, confident, supporter and friend the one I text message or Facebook message when I’m living it up.  Janet is a fellow of the American Chemical Society, mother, and grandmother. Her professional life far too complicated for my brain to understand.  She loves to golf and will forever be remembered for her festive attire and bold finger nail polish.

My favorite Janet memory is the day she showed me her antique jewelry collection. It is because of Janet I have a tiara.  Janet taught me every woman is a Queen. When the rough days come I'm not even afraid to admit. I even wear it around the house from time to time.

Over the years we've shared many an old school phone call, now days a Facebook IM, holiday cards. We tried to make it an annual tradition for me to come to her town for the annual wine festival.  Janet, I’ve made two years.  I know every excuse you can get to come to Portland you even come my way.

What every woman should learn from Janet.  Have friends I emphasize friends from every generation and walk of life.   I want to highlight the word friends.  Janet was there taking proud photos the day I was married, she removed them the day I was divorced.  She laughs with me on the good days, celebrates my contracts, and if I had to bet she even wears her tiara on some of the same nights I wear mine. 

Love you sis!   aoe

My first "Big Girl" Boss, Marsha Stout

March 1999, I walked into the offices of what was then called The Portland Oregon Visitors Association it was a panel job interview.  Marsha Stout, Director of Membership was the lead in the interview and little did I know two other future mentors would sit to her left and right Jackie Harper and Carolyn Wence.

Marsha took a risk on this recent college graduate. She hired me as the membership sales manager.   She was willing to see my potential as a sales person and industry professional.  Little did she know then where I would be today.

Over the years Marsha would open some of my first career doors, allowing me to attend local, regional, and national conferences. Marsha gave me my first performance reviews that helped to mold the woman I have become.  Just about a year after I started she was also willing to let me grow as she allowed me to job transfer to the Convention Services position.

Yes, it is true most every woman will have her first boss memory. Not every woman can call that woman now more than 10 years later a friend.   So as woman move through life today if you have choices to make about how roles are defined and redefined.  Marsha retired a year ago. I was moved to be able to attend this grand celebration in honor of her.

What every woman can learn from Marsha? Take time to get the right employee, hire women when appropriate.  Once you have them nurture their strengths, challenge them to grow to become the women they can be.

Perfect Professional: Cathy Mick

Perfect Professional:  Cathy Mick

Do you remember who bought you your first suit?  I do, in fact I still have it in my closet.  I kept it with the intention of giving it back to the daughter of this role model. 

Cathy not only gave me my first suit she gave me my first rolodex, day planner, and one of my first jobs.  Cathy & I met, oh geese when I was in middle school, heck maybe even elementary school.  I baby sat her first born son, Ryan.   I worked at her company and would house sit when she was away.

More than these things and opportunities she gave me, Cathy, saw things in me I couldn’t see.  Cathy saw that I had potential as a business woman, that I was organized and had a commitment to people and customer service.  The story of her giving me the rolodex is actually pretty amusing.  I think it was my 8^th grade graduation gift.  She gave me a rolodex in the day we actually used rolodexes and the book Dig Your Well Before You Are Thirsty, by Harvey McKay.  You see, my parents amazing as they are don’t exactly have the huge network of professional friends and colleagues I could tap into.  In this book you learn how to build your network and nourish the people who mean the most to you.  Since then I have recommended that book to countless other people I have mentored over the years.  Thus demonstrating again how each one of us can make a little ripple in the world.

What can other women learn from Cathy.  Sharing is caring.  I’m quite sure that the day Cathy gave me her used suit she’d have had no idea what that would mean to me and to my future.  What one little thing can you do for a woman in your life that may, just may make a difference when she turns 35?

Thank you Cathy for being an inspirational woman, wife and mother!

Going Beyond Business and the Classroom – Teresa Wood

Going Beyond Business and the Classroom – Teresa Wood

This being back to school week in Oregon this is the perfect week to post about Teresa Wood.  Teresa was my high school business teacher and advisor for the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter; she is a dear friend, and role model.  My favorite memory is still 1993 Rose Festival when Brent Freeze and I dreamed up the wild idea that FBLA needed more exposure and we wanted to have a float in the Rose Festival Parade.  I’m sure in that moment you thought we were insane, and you let us do it anyway.  You are always the first teacher in the door and the last one to leave.  Many generations are in debited to you for your commitment.  I know I am who I am because of your zest for business, for encouraging me to compete in FBLA and go on to college.

Teresa & Warren, her husband was some of the first investors in my first company Event & Meeting Solutions, when I was a meeting and event planner.  Yes, they hired me to put on a Christmas party complete with horse drawn carriage in their neighborhood. They attended my wedding and were there for me as I cried my eyes out through divorce.

What can every woman learn from a friend like Teresa?  Release any limiting beliefs you may have about who you are and what you want to be.  Teresa with faith and fortitude has watched her job as a teacher evolve and adapt over the past 20+ years. She has seen kids come, and go.  Choosing not to be parents themselves Teresa & Warren parent all they come into contact with as role models, as caring community citizens and friends learning to navigate the journey ups and downs together.

Thank you Teresa for your early morning emails, late night text messages and mostly for reminding me that what is important is what is inside of me and not what others add.  Thank you for reminding me, that each and every day I have the chance to renew my goals and reach higher.