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.