Recently I became aware of a new project headed up by Cheryl Sandberg.  It is titled "Lean In Together." Basically, the goal is to encourage women to support each other. As I listened to the commentary on television it made me think of what the Progressive Women's Association is doing through their Women of Distinction Program.  I thought how appropriate and timely this is for the project that we are moving forward.  Over the last year we have celebrated and recognized 30 women.  Each woman has been chosen on their own merits. No one was recognized as the all-around American woman but for the area that they excel in. Some of the areas were religion, medical, education, arts, music, business, authors, volunteerism and dance. As I continued to listen to the program on the television I realized just how much our program fit in with this over all theme.  We as a group supporting each of them in their own area and we encouraged them to support each other.  In order to be successful it takes each of us helping each other.  We will all admit that we are not all nurses, preachers, artists, authors or great volunteers, but each of us will need these individuals at some point in our lives.  By our support we encourage them to be there for each of us and to excel in their own areas. There are many ways that we can support these individuals if it just be a word of encouragement, if it is our financial support by perhaps purchasing their book or their art or by visiting their restaurant.   I encourage you and hope that you will adopt this "lean in together' theme and put it to work in your life and in the lives of these women.

 

This past week Dave and I attended the funeral of a dear friend, Ida Chico.  I have such wonderful memories of Ida and Sam throughout my career and as I sat in the church, I had the opportunity to reminiscence. I became acquainted with them through the Italian Festival back in 1979 and our friendship continued on until the death of Sam and now Ida.  I have continued this association with their children especially Coni and Franc. It seems Sam and Ida turned up in my life at the most unexpected times and always for a good celebration.  We had lunch at their home several times; we met unexpectedly in San Francisco, we visited then President Bush in Washington together, we attended the NIAF Gala together and we always celebrated the Italian festival. Dave and Sam exchanged homemade Spanish sausage for homemade noodles.  They had many successes but I know that their most prized possessions were their children. Sam loved being surrounded by his beautiful wife and daughters. With the passing of Ida the curtain has come down on a thirty plus years friendship, but I intend to continue with their children. Ida’s obituary contained the phrase most often told by Ida when she talk led about Sam.  She saw him at a college dance and she said to her friend. "Fix me up with him, he can dance."  And so they filled their life with beautiful dances and I know Sam was waiting on Ida to take her dancing in heaven. My condolences to the entire family.

 

You know I have told you all over and over again that I spend an awful lot of time watching television. Recently I have decided to critique some of the commercials and I want to give a thumbs up to two car commercials, that of Chenoweth and Harry Green.  These are two of the best presented commercials on television and I have learned to snap my finger like Nick Green and hold up a Number 1 like the beautiful young lady on the Chenoweth commercial.  I challenge them to get together, even though they are competitors, and do a commercial, perhaps it could be a public service for a needy nonprofit like the PWA. I can assure you that they are a Number One nonprofit and can use your support "right now." I am so happy that they continue to hold a high standard for the presentation of these commercials.

 

I have been devastated by all that has happened in West Virginia because of the flooding.  If you are in a position to help these individuals please do so.  You never know when we might be next.

 

Have a safe Fourth of July Holiday.  Health permitting I hope to celebrate with my good friend Weege Vargo. She is another special person who has adapted the Lean In attitude. You know this is one of my favorite times of year and I hope that the weather will permit me to see many Firework displays.

 

Take care, keep in touch and until next week "Now You Have Heard It through the Grapevine."