In October 1999 Bernice Bratter who was then Executive Director, Los Angeles Women’s Foundation, contacted her colleague, Helen Dennis, and inquired if anyone was doing anything about professional women facing retirement. Helen specialized in aging, employment and retirement, said “not much and let’s talk.” A four-hour lunch later ended with a decision to get a group of like-minded […]

Support wildlife, preserve wild spaces and prevent animal cruelty. Join other great minds in following an animal-lovers’ purpose to help eliminate cruelty to all animals.  Here is what a few great minds have said: “Animals are my friends and I don’t eat my friends.” George Bernard Shaw “Only if we understand will we care, only […]

Advocacy refers to taking action to support, inform, express a point of view or fight for a cause. Advocacy enthusiasts impact families, communities, states, the country and the world. Those who practice advocacy can ensure that topics are heard and acted upon. Advocates do the following which is just the beginning of this valuable undertaking: […]

Almost everyone has interests and hobbies. We can define interests as enduring subjects that we dive deeply into, as opposed to hobbies, which might be light pastimes.  One woman who has eclectic interests and hobbies is Jane Freeman who has been a personal friend for decades.  Jane is a painter who divides her time between […]

Have you ever walked into a room where you know no one and you scan the room for a familiar face? These comments are addressed to women and men of a Certain Age who find themselves clutching cocktail glasses and gazing around the room for a prospective conversationalist.  On occasion, we may feel ignored, overlooked, […]

Most of us need mentors–positive role models to learn from, share life concerns and help us stay on a path that matters to us. They can help us learn a new skill, find our voice, support our ideas, diminish a concern, focus on a purpose or provide the opportunity. A mentor might also motivate us […]

Dr. Lewis Thomas, physician, author, poet, researcher quipped that human-beings are a narrative species.  We can’t help ourselves. We tell stories all the time through dialogue, songs, art, dance, plays, jokes, writing and speaking. Every story has a purpose whether for entertainment, edification, fun or any other reason. The motives for telling stories are countless: […]

Cynthia Barnett is a Life Coach and educator with over 30 years of experience in educational environments. She has taught from kindergarten through university levels. Cynthia honed her vast skills from classroom management, innovative curriculum design, and through coaching students, parents, teachers, and administrators as administrator herself with the Norwalk, CT Public Schools. Cynthia grew […]

We have all heard the quote “If it is to be, it is up to me” Attributed to several authors, no one is actually sure of its origin. For this purpose, the meaning is adapted from William H. Johnson (1901-1970), African-American painter. There is no evidence that he was the first person to say it; […]