1001 Women Sharing women's stories

A big thank you to Al Lichtenstein who has taken the time to introduce me to some wonderful women. Andrea Kessler is another one of those women.  Andrea is the Director of Business Development at Keller Benefit Services.  (If you need help with your Benefit’s check them out.)  The connection Andrea and I shared that went beyond her work is the work she has done with her son who has a very mild form of aspergers.  (To find out more about aspergers click here).

Andrea shared with me some of the books that that have helped her see aspergers from a different viewpoint.   One of those books was Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s by John Elder Robinson.  If you haven’t read it, read it and be
prepared to be shocked and entertained.  Another writer we talked about was Temple Grandin and the changes she made to the world through her experiences with Autism.

While her son was in high school she was instrumental in bringing the parents together and creating a community which is one of her talents.  She is always looking for ways to create community.  A few years ago she was instrumental in creating the Keller/Ogilvy Senior HR Roundtable a place for Senior HR leaders to connect, share and discuss HR Leadership.

As with anything it’s taken me longer to get 1001women up and running.

I initially meet Theresa at Misti Burmeister’s and Mali Phonpadith double Book Launch on May 24, 2011. (Check their books out here http://heroesandfireflies.com)

Then on Thursday June 9 I had a chance to spend time chatting with Theresa Caldwell (www.theresacaldwell.com) a wonderful woman I met through a fellow NSA (National Speakers Association) member Terry Nicholetti (www.terrynicholetti.com ). 

Theresa was a chief of staff on the hill (here in Washington DC) last year when she had a major realization. After a surprise birthday party she was transported back to a memory of her High School Biology class. They were have a conversation about what they thought their life would be like in the year 2000. 

As she thought back to that conversation she realized that her life did not feel like she thought it would feel.  In her words this surprise party was her “Blow up your life party.”  Shortly after this she resigned from her job and spent a few months getting back in touch with herself. 

As she thought about what she would like to do, the thought of the time she spent at WHUR-FM came back.   But… they never let people back, once you leave you’re gone.  Well, Theresa learned “never say never” when out of the blue came the call asking if she was interested in coming back. 

If you want to find out more about Theresa read her blog. (www.theresacaldwell.com)

If you would like to share a story about yourself with me (and those who read this blog) or if you know a woman who has a story to share send me an email at jane@janelovas.com subject 1001women. 

Please share this blog with others that might be interested in these stories.

I started this blog for two reasons. 

One is that I want to stretch myself.  Believe it or not I tend to be shy and uncomfortable meeting people in casual situations.  I would much rather give a speech to a full audience (oh yea, that’s one reason I became a speaker) than go to a party or someplace where I don’t know anyone.  So this project gives me a mission – I love being on a mission - when I’m on one I can forget about me and my insecurities.  My mission for this project is to meet 1001Women and learn about them and share their stories with the rest of the world.

Stories are the second reason I started this blog.  I love stories, and I love to hear other women’s stories and so this blog gives me a place to share these stories.

If you would like for me to share your story send me an email at jane@janelovas.com subject 1001Women and we can schedule some time to meet either in person, via phone or skype.  

There are so many women with so many stories and this is one place to share those stories.  I hope you’ll share your story with me and all the others who read this blog. You may never know the impact your story may have on someone else, just be assured that your story is important.

Blessings,

Jane