So many stories to tell….

As the Pandemic rages, we all need to find our center spot, what will keep us able to move forward….

This month I asked Sameen, our web designer, to create a Hero Image (the picture you see above) that reflects how we stay safe, move in ways that are healthy for us and at the same time keep ourselves conscious and aware of all the issues going on in the world today.

When I received the image, I had to confess I didn’t know what Turkey Femicide meant. So I looked it up and found that women are being murdered, sexually abused and that there is a general climate which allows widespread domestic violence in Turkey. And the women there are protesting–trying to get the government to put legislation in place that protects women.

And the government is not responding.

It reminds me how much is still going on around the world that we don’t think about every day, but it keeps happening anyway. So thank you to Sameen for bringing it to my attention! I’m not even sure what I can do about it, but being aware of it is a first step.

And how many ways are women being treated cruelly, forced into marriages as teens (or younger!), not allowed to have a voice?

What can we do as American women?

▪ We can look for ways to support women here and abroad

▪ We can talk about these issues and work toward electing a government that will defend the rights of women here and abroad

▪ We can keep growing and strengthening ourselves to stand up for what we believe in

▪ We can make sure that we are proactive and supportive of the movements going on around us to change the systems that perpetuate these violations of women, Indigenous people and People of Color, especially Black people.

We need to become Allies of these movements. For people like me, a white woman who is in her 70s, I can’t change the past and the sins of our fathers. But I can align myself with those who are speaking up, showing up and creating greater awareness of what we CAN do, TODAY to make a difference.

▪ We can demand that unreasonable force is stopped and prosecuted.

▪ We can stop putting up with racist language, behavior and the perpetuation of glass and concrete ceilings in our work places.

▪ We can encourage every woman we know to love herself, stand up for herself and let her know we are there to support her.

One way we support each other is through stories. Woven among a few offerings from our GGN members below are some amazing stories and inspiring thoughts that will touch your heart. Please keep reading!

Member Thoughts, Ideas & Recommendations

                       I keep using this picture because these women represent the soul of GGN, such wonderful faces to see!!!

GGN Members Laura Kopec and Amy Halman collaborated in a fascinating podcast!

The title is Under the Skin and they have such a helpful conversation about Amy’s journey to creating her own healing process for her skin. This led to Amy creating her current business EcoBlend Therapy. And Laura is a Naturopath who helps you find alternative health solutions that work for you.

You will learn so much about what causes skin problems for women way past our teen years. Their scientific understanding regarding skin, diet, stress, etc. will amaze you!

You’ll be glad you listened! Here’s the link

GGN Member Heather Armstrong has 2 things to share:

For her company Career Designs, she shares: “with so many people losing jobs, I thought it might be helpful to share the information on our upcoming Linkedin Job Search class. It’s such an AMAZING place to start getting inspired on what and how to change in your Linkedin profile. It’s so important to authentically present your career story (which is a big key to not only getting a job but getting a job that you love)!” Here’s the link

Heather’s second story is on the personal side of her life regarding her Pandemic experience:

In my family it created an intergenerational living experience. It has been one of the biggest challenges I have had to face yet but also one of the most rewarding. My (almost 92 year old, late stage COPD) grandmother was living in an assisted living facility for the past few years. However, when the virus started she was in the hospital rehab facility recovering from an infection. Once they released her back to her assisted living facility, the facility was requiring a 14 day quarantine (the no visitors policy had not even taken effect yet). I watched her closely for two days and saw what just two days of isolation was doing to her mind, spirit and her recently rehabilitated body and knew that I had to get her out of there. The next day we completely moved her out of there and into our home.

It’s been over four months now and I never expected to have Grammy live in our home for an extended period. I also never expected the amount of work being a 24 hour caregiver requires. There are days that I think I just can’t do it anymore. Especially with two kids (14 and 6), a new company to run and a husband. My husband has to remind me often that this is a decision that might be hard but one that we will never regret. We will never regret giving the person that I hold dearest to my heart a safe, comfortable place to rest her head as she is transitioning to her end of life stage.

My kids are witnessing something that not many children have the opportunity to see. I am hopeful that this experience will teach them more in a few months than I could ever teach them in several years. It is an example of kindness, compassion and love that could not be replicated by many other lessons in life. In the end, if I can teach my kids to be kind and brave while showing those same qualities to my grandmother, what more could I ask for? That is success to me.

As Glennon Doyle says, “life is brutiful (beautiful and brutal)” and that is what makes being human so powerful. This pandemic has shown me this more clearly than ever before. I am grateful (most days) for the human experience and all of the strong women in my life that surround me with love and support. Here’s to staying healthy and sane through this uncertainty!

GGN Member Torre Capistran has a new webinar to share:

I’m teaching a webinar / masterclass on website systems and common issues with website projects titled ‘How Not To Get Screwed By A Web Developer’ this month. Please share this with anyone who might really need this!

Dates/Time:
Wednesday, August 12th @ 10am and 1:30pm Central
Here’s the link

GGN Member Maxine Hepfer shares a soothing, inspiring poem:

“What Holds Us Up,” by Mark Nepo

“As all mountains stand on the ground
As all trees root in the soil,
As all rivers flow to the sea,
There’s a substance under all life
that joins us and holds us up.

“When learning how to swim, we feel that we’re sinking, and yet we don’t. In just this way, there’s something that holds us up, a mystical buoyancy under all our problems. Of course, a stone will sink and a heart turned to stone will keep dropping. But not all things sink. So our job is to stay light enough to remain afloat and to trust amid the turbulence that there’s some element of being that will sustain us, if we surrender to it.

This buoyancy of existence doesn’t eliminate the turbulence of the surface where we have to live. But as the air that makes up the sky also fills our lungs, what holds us up is around us and within us. It lifts us when we least expect it, with a wave of being that will carry us, when we’re still enough to receive it.

Yet living on the surface, we never know what will round our edges or touch us in a way that will stop our chatter. It might be when our eyes meet at the farmer’s market in the bright sun. Or after a movie in the parking lot when we realize we’ve been looking at the same star. Like roots growing a mile apart in the stream, we’re touched by the same current of life, though we may never know each other.

Despite our complaints, the friction of the world slows us down til we receive everything. Though we often feel alone, we’re never alone. And when we feel a sense of being held, we’re coming alive. This is where we’re really going, into the embrace of where we are.”

From “Things that Join the Sea and Sky: Field Notes on Living,” by Mark Nepo

GGN Member Lynne Sipiora shares her saga of why we haven’t heard from her for a while!

I have three grown children . They are 29, 28 and 27.
“What were you thinking ?” you’re all probably wondering.
Answer: I wasn’t.

My oldest son is single and works in the hospitality field, my second son works in sales and has a live in girlfriend and my youngest daughter is married, lives in NYC and works in the cosmetics industry.

After the last one left, my husband and I downsized from a 4500 square feet house to a 2500 square foot house. It was perfect, we had a master bedroom and each of us had an office. The family dog crossed the rainbow bridge and life was quiet, orderly and pleasant. If I put the good scissors in a kitchen drawer, they were in the same drawer the next day. The trash cans were rarely full on trash day and the music in the house was always our choice.

Then Covid happened and within two weeks all three (and the son in law and the girlfriend) lost their jobs. All three (and the son in law and the girlfriend) had little to no savings and all three (and the son in law and the girlfriend) decided their best course of action was to temporarily move back home. Never mind that our house has only one bed, they wanted to come home and, of course, bring two dogs, a vicious cat and all of their stuff.

This was not a good idea. We wanted to help, but adding five people and the animals to the mix was untenable, so we came up with the Sipiora Stimulus package. We took a 6 month lease on a rent house in Dallas and offered it up to all of them. They were appropriately grateful, but wary about living with siblings after so many years apart. They quickly realized they had no other options and on April 1 (appropriate, I thought) they all moved in.

It’s been a social experiment of the highest order and, I believe, a potentially excellent reality show. They all regularly text me to tell on one another. The dogs don’t get along and the cat hates everyone. My daughter tells me the boys are slobs (they are). They in turn insist she’s bossy and demanding (she is). They fight over air conditioning, garage space and vacuuming. I stay out of the fray but counsel camaraderie.

The lease is up next month and three of the five are working again. I am relieved.
My daughter called today to announce they have collectively decided to stay another 6 months on their own dime and I am incredulous and delighted. Covid was frightening, aggravating and expensive ,but it reminded all of us of the power of family and so it seems a fair trade.

GGN Member Shontelle Mixon shares her conversation with her daughter about womanhood and God….

During this time, we are having precious moments with our children, partners, family, strangers and friends. This week I had a very personal conversation with my oldest daughter which I thought was so timely and applicable to us. I would like to share it with you.

My oldest 19 year old daughter told me last night “Mommy why is it so hard for women? They give so much and have to give up so much of themselves to do it. I have to be beautiful, physically fit, supportive, caring, nurturing, smart, kind, creative and wise. Is anyone else required to be everything other than God? Right. Only God is everything. It’s no wonder women have a lifelong internal battle within themselves. No human can be everything but this world has required us to live up to these unreasonable and unrealistic expectations. We know these are not God’s expectations. She went on to compare us to God’s relationship with us. God only wants to be in relationship with us. Women are companions to men as He is a companion to us.” Wow! We talked about how beautiful HE must have thought we were to fulfill this role and just how special we are. Typically, women only want to be in relationship or companionship with our partners, family, friends, and even bosses but in those relationships we often have to consciously remind ourselves to not lose ourselves and what makes us happy. This conversation was so beautiful as tears fell from her stunning beauty. She said, “I don’t want to go to the background to be an amazing companion.”

I’m so thankful she is wise beyond her years; but more importantly, she realizes the importance of her own happiness and responsibility to being whole. She recognizes we must not be subjected to the unrealistic expectations this world and we have placed upon ourselves. As we push through this challenging and different time being isolated and left with little control over anything, let us remind ourselves how special we are not only to and for others but to ourselves. Even Jesus retreated to tend to himself and receive guidance from His Father. Be the best companion to yourself first, Great Girls!!!

For now we are still holding our meetings on Zoom. GGN Members from any location are able to attend with no cost!

Our Track meetings are designed to give us a sacred space to have meaningful, purposeful conversations without fear of being judged or competed with. Only Members can attend. They are amazing experiences, unlike any ‘networking meeting’ you have ever attended!

GGN members MUST REGISTER to attend these meetings, so just follow the links below! And if you want to learn about us, go ahead and join GGN~~if you decide it isn’t for you, we will refund your membership fee!

Each one is an event or happening in itself. Some members come frequently, some come only once in a while. Whenever you attend one, you will find out things you didn’t know, connect with women who will challenge and inspire you, and you will leave with some new perspectives.

Negotiation: Are You Good at It or Is It Your Stumbling Block?

For now we are still holding our meetings on Zoom. GGN Members from any location are able to attend with no cost!

Our Track meetings are designed to give us a sacred space to have meaningful, purposeful conversations without fear of being judged or competed with. Only Members can attend. They are amazing experiences, unlike any ‘networking meeting’ you have ever attended!

GGN members MUST REGISTER to attend these meetings, so just follow the links below! And if you want to learn about us, go ahead and join GGN~~if you decide it isn’t for you, we will refund your membership fee!

Each one is an event or happening in itself. Some members come frequently, some come only once in a while. Whenever you attend one, you will find out things you didn’t know, connect with women who will challenge and inspire you, and you will leave with some new perspectives.

Negotiation: Are You Good at It or Is It Your Stumbling Block?

For now we are still holding our meetings on Zoom. GGN Members from any location are able to attend with no cost!

Our Track meetings are designed to give us a sacred space to have meaningful, purposeful conversations without fear of being judged or competed with. Only Members can attend. They are amazing experiences, unlike any ‘networking meeting’ you have ever attended!

GGN members MUST REGISTER to attend these meetings, so just follow the links below! And if you want to learn about us, go ahead and join GGN~~if you decide it isn’t for you, we will refund your membership fee!

Each one is an event or happening in itself. Some members come frequently, some come only once in a while. Whenever you attend one, you will find out things you didn’t know, connect with women who will challenge and inspire you, and you will leave with some new perspectives.

Negotiation: Are You Good at It or Is It Your Stumbling Block?

▪ August 5, 2020

▪ 7 to 9 pm

▪ How often do you hear or observe a woman shying away from a negotiating situation? Or where do you get caught feeling inadequate or overwhelmed by the stress of dealing with problems at work or in personal situations?

This conversation will be led by 3 of our GGN Members:

Linda Medina, a unique provider of both strategic planning and execution of marketing efforts for all kinds of businesses. Negotiating in these situations has become second nature to her!

Kristi Erickson, who spent 25 years as Executive Director of HR for Accenture and has served as Chief People Officer in many other organizations since then, truly knows what it takes to navigate difficult situations.

And Michelle Bogan, head of Equity for Women, who helps leaders, Boards and investors create diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces. Her career is based on negotiating!

All 3 have experiences to share that we can relate to and learn from. This is a free Zoom meeting–so register and join us!!!

Click here to join us on Zoom

Monday Morning Magic Track

▪ August 10, 2020

▪  10 am to 12 noon

▪  Going to 2 of these each month has been a wonderful experience for anyone who joins the conversation. We are finding out more about each other, we are supporting and challenging each other to keep growing and learning through this crazy time in our lives!

Click here to join us on Zoom for Monday Magic!

Growth & Transitions Track

▪ August 19, 2020

▪ 7 to 9 pm

▪ The depth of these encounters is almost amazing, but it just keeps happening! We have dealt with body issues, family issues, racial issues, anything and everything that challenges us to stay sane and in tune with ourselves. You will be so glad you get on this Zoom Call!!!

Click here to join us on Zoom at our next Growth & Transitions Track

Additional Monday Morning Magic Track

▪ August 24, 2020

▪ 10 am to 12 noon

▪ Sometimes we feel like we need support, sometimes we need a place to vent, sometimes we have questions we are wanting input on. No matter what comes up, the feeling of community just keeps growing. You will love this!

Cick here to join us on Zoom for Monday Magic!

Join us on Facebook!

We have an open Great Girls Network page which we would love for you to go to and “like” us and “follow us first” to keep up with our events and also perhaps spread the word about our group.
Click here to go directly to our Facebook page to like and follow us first!

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.

THANK YOU FOR KEEPING UP OUR MOMENTUM!