Don't Miss It! Our Fall Gathering is Wednesday, October 24, 2018!!!
Click here to join us at our Fall Gathering
This year it seems more important than ever that women get together to connect and learn from each other!
I’ve been thinking a lot about The Law of 2 Feet — something I learned about over 20 years ago. The idea is this: if you feel uncomfortable in a situation, or just want a change, use your 2 feet to move!
Sounds simple, but it can be very meaningful. Last week I went to a gathering and within 15 minutes started feeling like I didn’t belong there. Instead of forcing myself to stay, I got up and left! Not something I would have done as easily earlier in my life.
Why? Because I was taught to be polite, to cooperate, to make others more comfortable without thinking about myself. I’m glad I have those abilities, and they really come in handy sometimes. The difference is that now I use them consciously, when I really believe the situation warrants it.
And I don’t force myself to make “nice-nice” when it isn’t necessary!
That feels very freeing!
Another way I use my 2 feet is when I need to stand up for something I believe in. Or stand my ground, when others are trying to get me to go in a direction that doesn’t feel right to me. I’m not talking about being stubborn. I’m talking about listening to my inner voice and acting from it. Sometimes it takes courage.
One of the most important aspects of being part of our Great Girls Network is being in a safe space where we can be our true selves and share our ideas and issues without being judged for them. And sometimes we don’t agree with each other. Knowing we can practice the Law of 2 Feet keeps us free to be exactly where we want to be, when we want to be there!
Meet and Greet Great Girls Network
Do you have questions or want to meet and hear from some members before you join? This event is for you!
As a pre-cursor to our semi-annual gathering, we’re hosting a “meet and greet” happy hour at The Ginger Man in Uptown, and we want to get to know you. Stop by, have a drink (or a few), and learn all about what the Great Girls Network has to offer. Membership is not required for this event, but we hope you’ll walk away with one!
We can’t wait to meet you. We promise you, you don’t want to miss it!
Member Profile
Lilly Neubauer (pictured here with her husband Markus, daughter Heidi and some of the children of Heart House) is a rare breed — born and raised in Texas. She was born in 
Preston Hollow, attended Ursuline Academy and graduated from Texas Tech in 2009 with a degree in Public Relations and Art History. Her career kicked off at the Red Cross where she was their director of communications.
“It was interesting to be at the site of tornadoes , hurricanes and other disasters and an excellent learning experience,” she explains.
Lilly followed her career at the Red Cross with other PR and marketing assignments and currently works for the Erin Culley art gallery in Dallas, but volunteer endeavors have always been close to her heart.
“When I was 9 years old my family moved abroad to Ecuador for a year and I watched my mother (Judy Watson) become involved in a variety of volunteer projects. She truly modeled philanthropy for me and I knew I too, wanted to give back. ”
Lilly became familiar with Heart House through her mother (of course). Heart House is a not for profit organization that provides safety, education and opportunities for refugees and underprivileged children. Their tagline says it all they “move children from chaos to calm.”
“This program really resonated with me,” Lilly said. “I have had a variety of transitions in my life and though they were based on privilege, they were still very difficult. These children have witnessed trauma and and danger, so the difficulty is compounded.”
Lilly wanted to support Heart House but she also wanted to “bust up the model.”
“I didn’t want to wear pearls, drink wine and shut up at another charity gala” and so her brainchild was born — BOLD STROKES.
BOLD STROKES is a volunteer led event that will sell locally produced handbags, pillows, pottery and holiday dresses. There will also be a completely organic apothecary. The event, to be held at Common Desk is November 17th from 4 to 7 at so that shoppers may come by after dinner or before a show. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go directly to the children that Heart House serves.
Lilly has worked tirelessly on this event and I think it is safe to say her 4 year old daughter Heidi will someday say “My mother modeled philanthropy for me.”
At the BOLD STROKES event, patrons will get to sip, shop and enjoy music by DJ Blake Ward in Common Desk’s artistic environment. Tickets for the event are $15 ($20 for a pair) and are available for sale online The first 100 attendees at the event will receive a stuffed goody bag to use for their event shopping.
Bold Strokes Artisan Marketplace and Art Auction brings together the talents of top Dallas creative influencers in the Dallas area, helps Dallas change-makers find unique holiday gifts and delivers needed resources to Heart House Dallas programming. Many of the marketplace vendors are local lines that are made with fair trade craftsmanship, with some merchandise even made by local refugees.
Special for GGN Members: email Lilly ([email protected]) for a free ticket to Bold Strokes!
Click here to learn more about Bold Strokes
Thank you to Lynne Sipiora for this member profile.
Member News
Workshops, information, a podcast and opportunities to share from our members to you!!!!
Annie Dutton writes a great blog with quick-read ideas … Here is an example:
“Transition isn’t pretty, but stagnation is hideous.” – Nikki Rowe check it out!
click here to go to her blog
Join Brass Tacks Collective for a two-hour workshop on writing for websites with 
Jay Mize
October 6 from 10 to 12
Join Brass Tacks Collective for a two-hour workshop on Improv for Brainstorming, led by Pavlov’s Dogs.
October 20 from 10 to 12
Join Brass Tacks Collective for a two-hour workshop on Professional Portrait 
Retouching Techniques.
October 27 from 10 to 12
Donna Valentino and Margery Miller posted a third podcast! This one is
Multitasking: is it doing you in?
We delved into the reasons why we do it, then looked at 12 ways it can be detrimental…. interesting ideas!
Leslie Bumpas writes a monthly newsletter Redeeming Wellness which keeps
us up to date on health and well-being.
This article is in honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness month: Click here to read the article
Member Elaine Bernstein is chairing this event: The National Council of Jewish Women Greater Dallas Section is holding its annual luncheon. This organization raises funds and creates volunteer teams to provide innumerable services to children and families in the DFW area. If you want to participate in our GGN table, contact Judy Watson ([email protected])
Become a Member!
Great Girls Network is our way of being the opposite of the Good Ol’ Boys Network (which is still very much alive and well!). Even if you don’t participate in Track meetings, your membership gives you a way to support our existence and be a part of a growing group of women who really appreciate each other. And the Trii-Annual Gatherings are unlike any other “networking” event! We know women don’t network like men. We want to build relationships, we want deeper, more meaningful connections. That is exactly what GGN provides.
Our membership fee of $50 per year gives you access to our Track Meetings and also contributions to our Newsletter. The fee helps sustain our website, but it also ensures that when you participate in a Track meeting, you will honor the sacredness of the conversations because you are a member.
We created a digital card that helps people understand what they can get from joining GGN so click here to see the card.
Your membership helps give us that foundation, the strength to grow and have an impact on the lives of so many more women.
