What a lot of energy!
At the bi-annual conference we partied at Leto Copeley’s beautiful office in the American Tobacco District, were entertained by Jersey Boys at DPAC, and enjoyed the stunningly beautiful facilities of the Burroughs Welcome Fund building thanks to Sally and John Burris. We caught up on WF business with reports from our Committee chairs; received Pat Orrange’s review of NC Women Matters successful GOTV effort; had a presentation on the new report from Director of the Council on the Status of Women, Beth Briggs; heard an energetic discussion of the challenges ahead in the NC General Assembly from Rep. Deborah Ross and newly elected Representative Yvonne Holley; listened to Prof. Lisa Broome on her study of women on corporate boards; analyzed Myers Briggs test results led by Kendall Hageman; learned from Jina Dhillon about the upcoming legislative agenda of NC Women United; and provided an orientation for new members.
With the energy level still going strong and only a little attrition in mid-afternoon Saturday, the group debated what we should be doing in our organization. Based on that discussion, we are forming new committees with anticipated broad involvement from members.
Many thanks again to VP Lisa Grafstein and her committee for organizing this wonderful conference, and as always, thanks to Elaine Christian for making it work.
Our last discussion of the afternoon was whether it was time to go back to seeking the ERA given the regression of women’s rights through new state-level legislation. Our senior member, Tibbie Roberts, asked to speak and closed the meeting by exclaiming, “I want you to get ERA passed in my lifetime. I’m 98 so you don’t have much time!”